Building a thriving, sustainable business community at Howbery Park

Howbery Business Park, set on the banks of the River Thames near Wallingford in Oxfordshire, is a unique workplace blending heritage, green spaces, and modern amenities. Home to a wide mix of tenants, from finance experts to environmental specialists, the Park has become a model for sustainable business estates.

Since 2015, Nurture Group has partnered with Howbery Park to deliver a programme of services that place sustainability, biodiversity, and ESG performance at the heart of the site’s operations. What began with a contract for green waste clearance has evolved into a wide-ranging relationship that continues to grow and set new benchmarks for environmental responsibility.

Where it all began

The partnership started in 2015, when Nurture Group was contracted to clear green waste from the Park – with a commitment to ensuring none went to landfill. This first project set the tone for a relationship built on shared values and sustainable practice.

Soon after, Nurture introduced four honeybee colonies to the Park, followed by honey spinning and bottling equipment. What began as a small-scale initiative has become an established and much-loved part of the Park’s community.

From these early days, the ethos was clear: build a business park where maintaining the physical environment is as important as supporting business growth. This balance of ecology, community, and good governance has underpinned every stage of the relationship.

Nurturing an award-winning ESG programme

Sustainability is central to Howbery Park’s appeal. Nurture Group has worked closely with the Park’s management to deliver initiatives that strengthen biodiversity, support tenant engagement, and achieve recognition from respected industry bodies.

Highlights include:

Green Apple Environmental Award (2017): Recognising the creation of allotment space for tenants – a feature that attracted new clients while promoting education and wellbeing.
Biodiversity initiatives (2018–2019): Introduction of insect hotels, trail cameras, and commitments to the National Honey Monitoring Scheme, alongside projects with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology.
Wildlife habitats (2020–2021): Creation of herb gardens for pollinators and the installation of small-species bird boxes and tawny owl boxes, contributing to the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
National and industry recognition: BALI National Landscape Award, the BIG Biodiversity Challenge Award, and multiple biodiversity accolades underline Howbery Park’s success.

These initiatives go beyond environmental compliance. They demonstrate Howbery Park’s commitment to creating a workplace that supports biodiversity, educates current and future generations, and provides meaningful community engagement.

Delivering with expertise and collaboration

Nurture’s role has been to combine technical expertise with strategic ESG insight. Initiatives such as the honeybee colonies and biodiversity projects have been carefully planned to maximise environmental benefit, tenant engagement, and educational value.

Zero-waste approach: Green waste cleared from site is repurposed, ensuring nothing is sent to landfill.
Pollinator support: Beekeeping and honey production are delivered to rigorous national monitoring standards, ensuring both quality and environmental responsibility.
Community involvement: Collaborations such as insect hotel builds with Eastleigh Men’s Shed demonstrate the social value of ESG projects.
Knowledge sharing: Workshops and events hosted by Nurture provide tenants with opportunities to learn about biodiversity, sustainability, and the role of business in environmental stewardship.

The impact: A workplace where business and nature thrive

The partnership between Howbery Park and Nurture Group has transformed the Park into a vibrant, sustainable estate.

Key outcomes include:

Award-winning recognition: Multiple national awards including Green Flag, BALI, and BIG Biodiversity Challenge, cementing Howbery Park’s reputation as a leader in ESG.
Biodiversity gains: A thriving ecosystem supported by beehives, bird boxes, insect hotels, herb gardens, and wildflower habitats.
Tenant engagement: Initiatives such as allotments and honey production give businesses and their employees a direct connection to the natural world.Initiatives such as allotments and honey production give businesses and their employees a direct connection to the natural world.
Sustainable growth: A long-term contract with no fixed end date reflects the success of the relationship and the trust built over time.

Looking ahead and growing our shared commitment

With no fixed end date to the partnership, Howbery Park and Nurture Group continue to build on strong foundations. New initiatives and improvements are already planned, ensuring the Park remains at the forefront of sustainable business practice.

The shared commitment to ESG ensures that as Howbery Park grows, so too does its role as a living example of how business, people, and nature can thrive together.

Ready to enhance your workplace environment? Let’s talk.

Whether you’re looking to improve biodiversity across your estate, embed sustainability into daily operations, or create initiatives that actively engage tenants and employees, our expert teams are here to help.

Nurture Group brings proven expertise in delivering award-winning ESG programmes – from biodiversity enhancements such as beehives, insect hotels and pollinator habitats, to zero-waste initiatives and community-driven projects that bring people and nature together.

If you’re seeking a partner who understands the link between sustainable site management, tenant wellbeing, and stronger ESG performance, we’d love to hear from you.