Inspiring Sustainable Change: Empower Multi-Academy Trust Visit Aico

Aico was proud to host the Empower Multi-Academy Trust sustainability event – a purposeful day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and inspiration around sustainability. The event brought together over 60 attendees from across the Trust, including school business managers, administrative staff, and those in maintenance and catering support roles.

The goal was clear: to explore the real-world implications of sustainability, understand its impact on different roles within schools, and identify practical steps individuals could take to foster greener, more responsible environments in their own settings.

As hosts, Aico shared insights from their own sustainability journey, reflecting on why they started, the challenges they faced, and what they’ve achieved so far – including transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles, investing in solar panels, and enhancing biodiversity on their seven-acre site. Aico’s journey emphasised that sustainable change doesn’t happen all at once. It requires focused effort, collaboration, and a willingness to learn continuously.

During the event, they also offered a detailed tour of their Oswestry headquarters, including their extensive outdoor space, where guests could see many of the initiatives in practice. From smart energy systems to eco-friendly landscaping, the visit aimed to spark ideas that attendees could take back to their own schools.

Ryan Evans, sustainability lead at Aico, commented on the event; “It was a pleasure to host the Empower Trust here at Aico and support their efforts to upskill colleagues on the benefits of becoming a more sustainable organisation. I enjoyed sharing our sustainability journey and the lessons we’ve learned along the way, hoping to provide them with food for thought.

Sustainability in the workplace is about making intentional choices that not only minimise our environmental footprint but also enhance the well-being of our communities. By prioritising sustainability, we contribute to a healthier planet and a brighter future.”

One of the most valuable parts of the day came from sharing the key lessons learned by Aico over many years of commitment to sustainability:

Find focus areas – Don’t try to do everything at once.

Collaborate with others – Leverage existing experience and networks.

Act now – There will never be a perfect time to begin.

Commit to learning – Sustainability is a journey, not a destination.

Michelle Harrington, the Trusts director of people and culture, organised this collaborative event alongside Tricia Slater, chief operating officer. Tricia had this to say; “Our annual support staff training day at Aico was both inspiring and impactful. With sustainability as the central theme, the day offered a meaningful blend of learning and engagement. From an insightful site tour that showcased Aico’s commitment to environmental responsibility, to an informative session led by Aico colleagues, every moment reinforced the importance of sustainable practices in our daily work. It was a fantastic opportunity for professional growth and team connection.”

Aico were honoured to be part of such an important conversation and were inspired by the passion and openness of the Empower Multi-Academy Trust community. Together, by taking small, thoughtful steps, we can create lasting change.

To discover more about Aico in the Community visit: www.aico.co.uk/in-the-community/