The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) has today launched a series of new modules to supplement the core learning in its ground-breaking ESG Training Course for Real Estate Professionals, which has upskilled more than 600 real estate professionals since launching in 2021. 

The five elective modules have been developed to provide real estate practitioners with ‘deep-dive’ learning on important and emerging ESG topic areas – specifically ‘Net Zero Carbon’, ‘Social Value and Impact’, ‘ESG Data, Benchmarking and Target Setting’, ‘Sustainable Lending’, and ‘Fundamentals of Disclosure Regulations and Standards’. The development of the modules was made possible through funding and support from members of the Property Advisors Forum (PAF), comprised of Allsop, Avison Young, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Carter Jonas, CBRE, Colliers, Cushman and Wakefield, Deloitte, Gerald Eve, GL Hearn, JLL, Knight Frank, LSH and Savills. 

Spaces for the new modules are available to book now on the Hillbreak website, with the first delivery dates in November this year. The modules are open to those who have completed either the Advisors’ pathway or Asset Managers/Owners’ pathway of the main course. Each module combines two hours of interactive teaching with preparatory and post-course learning, providing participants with a ‘deep dive’ into the given subject area. Participants will have access to an on-line learning platform to benefit from additional materials and will engage in classroom-style and peer-to-peer learning in the virtual course.  

The elective modules will be delivered by Hillbreak, a market leading ESG training and advisory firm, and have been developed collaboratively with input from representatives of some of the UK’s leading commercial property owners, managers and advisors. As with the main BBP course, the modules will be overseen by a BBP Steering Group to ensure they continue to reflect industry needs. The Steering Group will also consider further subject areas to be explored in future elective modules. 

The BBP’s ESG Training Course for Real Estate Professionals was launched in 2021 for those in asset, fund and portfolio management roles, with more than 600 individuals representing 80 real estate organisations having completed the training to date.  The course was expanded in May 2022 to meet the needs of real estate advisors, providing them with their own training pathway tailored to capital markets, investment advisory, valuation, leasing and transactions-based roles. More than 100 advisory professionals have taken the opportunity to upskill in integrating ESG impacts into their role and advice to clients. 

To find out more about the modules, and to register for places, please visit the Hillbreak website here.  

For press enquiries please contact Sophia Tysoe, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager, Better Buildings Partnership: s.tysoe@betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk  

For queries on course content and delivery, please contact Timia Berthomé, Training and Creative Manager, Hillbreak: timia@hillbreak.com 

Sarah Ratcliffe, CEO, Better Buildings Partnership said: “To cap off a very busy year for our ESG Training course, we are absolutely delighted to be launching these five new modules today. As the scope of ESG issues for real estate professionals grows and matures, our training offering on these topics needs to keep pace. We have selected our five topics based on feedback from course participants that more dedicated and detailed learning on issues such as net zero carbon, social value and impact and ESG disclosure regulations will add value for their businesses or advice to their clients. We look forward to participant feedback on these modules and will be keeping a watching brief on any further emerging ESG areas to explore as part of future elective modules.” 

James Sparrow, Savills EMEA CEO and Chair of the Property Advisors Forum, said: “We are delighted Better Buildings Partnership is launching this series of training modules to upskill people on ESG. The Property Advisors Forum is fully supportive of the initiative. A detailed understanding of ESG is a key capability for everyone involved in property and we all need to understand what it means for the built environment and in its widest context.” 

Richard Hamilton-Grey, Head of Sustainability at Nuveen, said: “Property Advisers are a key stakeholder in facilitating the transition to a more sustainable built environment – they are a principal communication point in the distribution of ESG performance values through the capital and occupier markets, and thus engender more efficient price formation through facilitating reduced transaction costs for market participants looking to buy and sell real estate. The launch of the five new elective modules is hot-on-the heels of the core ESG Training programme, and its anticipated success is testament to the true partnership and hard work of the BBP, the Property Advisors Forum and Hillbreak. If you are a Property Advisor and want to talk with greater confidence on ESG focus areas, then I would encourage you to spend the time to learn more about what’s on offer.” 

Jon Lovell, Managing Director of Hillbreak said: “We’re incredibly pleased to be extending our partnership with the BBP and the Property Advisors Forum through the launch of these five new elective modules. We’ve worked very closely with BBP and PAF members to ensure that this deeper content dovetails with the learning outcomes of the core ESG Training programme, and we’re really looking forward to supporting the further advancement of ESG knowledge and skills across the real estate industry”.  

Notes to Editors:  

About the BBP’s ESG Training Course for Real Estate Professionals  

The development of the BBP’s ESG Training Course for Real Estate Professionals was initiated in 2021 and supported by BBP members Hammerson, Nuveen Real Estate, Legal & General Investment Management and LaSalle Investment Management, with additional support from Derwent London, Great Portland Estates, Logicor, Picton, Royal London Asset Management and Savills Investment Management. Brookfield Properties and Workspace have since joined the Steering Group to support the further development of the course in 2022. 

About the BBP  

The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) is a not-for-profit collaboration of the UK’s leading property owners who are working together to improve the sustainability of the UK’s existing commercial buildings. The organisation's aim is to deliver market transformation through sustainability leadership and knowledge sharing across the UK property industry. The BBP currently has 50 members who represent more than £270bn Assets Under Management (AUM). More information about the BBP can be found here: www.betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk  

About Hillbreak  

Hillbreak delivers impactful training and advisory services for organisations seeking purpose and competitive advantage in a rapidly changing world. Its mission is to expedite the transition to a sustainable policy, business and investment environment by bringing intelligence, challenge and inspiration to its clients and stakeholders. Please see www.hillbreak.com for further information about Hillbreak.