UK property developer The RO Group has appointed Ana Bajri as its first Head of Sustainability. 

Bajri brings a wealth of experience in real estate and the built environment to the role having navigated ESG issues in a commercial environment.

She joins the company from Countrywide Surveying Services, where she has been responsible for creating and implementing sustainability strategies and the integration of ESG principles across the business. Bajri’s key successes included developing and leading programmes to upskill over 500 surveyors on energy efficiency and delivering and presenting a suite of webinars on sustainability, net zero and green mortgages. 

She previously served as Senior Technical Manager for Countrywide, where she oversaw compliance and managed risks for its surveying division, and was responsible for product innovations, desktop valuations and sustainability.  Bajri also engaged lenders on sustainability issues, specifically around climate change whilst ensuring the adoption of industry standards in surveys and valuations, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Home Survey Standard.

Prior to Countrywide, Bajri was the Associate Director of International Property Standards at RICS, working on sustainability and environmental issues. Notably, she led the development of  the RICS Responsible Business Framework – a global best practice document which provides an approach towards embedding ESG considerations into the management of real estate, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) to minimise negative impacts on society and the environment.  She also developed the sustainability strategy for RICS and advised on ESG commitments. 

Under UK government proposals, every commercial building, whether it be an office, shop, or warehouse, must have an energy performance certificate rating of C by 2027. 

Many of our commercial activities have environmentalism at their core, such as the development of a solar farm in the vicinity of Milton Keynes, and many of the companies we have invested in through our venture capital business ROCP.

Group managing director, Edward Rowlandson, says the company is already committed to exceeding these targets, adding: “We place sustainability at the heart of what we do.  Our various projects are always carefully considered from an ESG perspective. 

“Many of our commercial activities have environmentalism at their core, such as the development of a solar farm in the vicinity of Milton Keynes, and many of the companies we have invested in through our venture capital business ROCP.  Another example is our new commercial office development at Silbury House, also in Milton Keynes, which we intend to make the most sustainable office building in the city.  This activity aligns with our Group’s wider carbon reduction policies, guidelines and strategies, all of which will be developed further by Ana. 

“I would like to extend a very warm welcome to her and wish her every success in her new role.”

Bajri adds: “Among its many sustainable endeavours, the RO Group has made notable investments across its diverse portfolio, which include renewable energy initiatives as well as cleantech businesses that not only improve the eco credentials of RO owned buildings, but also properties across the country. 

“The various startups in which the Group has invested include companies which reduce heating-related carbon, and water and energy usage.  This holistic approach by Edward and the team, and their progressive approach to sustainability, sets them apart in the industry and this is one of the key things that attracted me to the role. 

“I am delighted to be joining the group and to help lead the next phase of development of our sustainability initiatives.”