Building a Sustainable Future: OCS Group ESG Strategy

Sustainability is not just a commitment, it’s a legacy. For 125 years of OCS history, resilience has been at the heart of our operations. It has shaped how we adapt, innovate, and excel in the facilities management sector. Today, we take another bold step forward by publishing our Group ESG Strategy—a blueprint for embedding sustainability, social impact, and governance excellence into everything we do.

A Legacy of Resilience

From our humble beginnings in 1900, OCS has grown into a trusted global provider of integrated facilities management. Adaptability has defined our journey, whether expanding our services, embracing new technologies, or responding to evolving customer needs. OCS’s legacy is carried forward by the people who make it possible. We have long championed diversity, inclusion, and professional development, creating opportunities for individuals to thrive. This resilience is a mindset that empowers our 130,000 colleagues worldwide to deliver excellence every day.

ESG Strategy: A commitment to meaningful change

Our Group ESG Strategy is built on three pillars: environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance integrity. These principles guide our actions as we build a future where businesses drive positive change for people and the planet. Through the publication of our Group ESG Strategy, OCS affirms its commitment to environmental responsibility, social impact, and ethical governance. From reducing carbon footprints to supporting local communities, OCS continues to lead by example, ensuring that our legacy is one of positive change.

Environmental stewardship: Joining the push for better care

OCS is on a determined path to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and all global operations by 2050. Key environmental commitments include:

• 100% electric or hybrid vehicles across our global business by 2034
• 100% Renewable energy (scope 2) in our UK, IE, and ANZ offices by 2025
• 70% reduction in our scope 1 emissions by 2030, across our UK, Ireland, and ANZ businesses
• Net zero commitment for scope 1 & 2 emissions across all OCS companies by 2040

These milestones reflect our dedication to reducing environmental impact while maintaining operational excellence.

Social value: Investing in people and communities

We believe that sustainability is not only about the environment; it is about people. In 2023, the UK business generated over £123 million in social value through initiatives that enhance community wellbeing, support young professionals, and create economic opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers. Our commitments to social responsibility include:

• Recruit from the widest possible talent pool and break down barriers to opportunities
• Foster and invest in a diverse and inclusive culture
• Meaningfully support the communities we work in through our supply chain

By prioritising equity and inclusion, we ensure that our colleagues reflect the communities we serve, creating a more sustainable and socially responsible business.

Governance integrity: Doing business the right way

Strong governance is the foundation of a sustainable business. We continue to enhance our governance structures, prioritising transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement as key drivers. Our governance framework is reinforced by our code of conduct and TRUE values – Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment, which guide ethical decision-making at every level and enhance alignment with our commitment to doing business the right way, the OCS way.

Governance is a critical pillar of our ESG strategy, and we are committed to ensuring that our governance practices align with global sustainability standards. Key governance commitments include:

• Enhanced ESG reporting to improve transparency and accountability
• Smart supply chain management to ensure ethical sourcing and responsible procurement
• Collaborating with Modern Slavery bodies to protect vulnerable workers and uphold human rights

We embed transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviour into everything we do, ensuring responsible leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Recently, OCS launched its inaugural Resilience Week—a campaign designed to etch governance structures deeply within the culture of our organisation. This annual event aims to bring governance policies and frameworks to life as a way of working, making them second nature for colleagues worldwide. Resilience Week reflects our multi-pronged approach to ethical business: from securing the right certifications to ensuring our colleagues embody these values and codes in their everyday work.

Looking ahead:

As we continue our journey, our legacy of resilience remains our guiding principle. By embracing innovation, prioritising sustainability, and empowering our colleagues, OCS is well-positioned to navigate future challenges and opportunities and drive positive change for people and the planet.

Publishing our ESG Strategy marks a pivotal moment in our sustainability journey, and we invite our partners, customers, and colleagues to engage with our strategy, share insights, and collaborate in shaping a more sustainable future. Join us on our journey, together, we can turn ambition into action. Read the full ESG Strategy.