Our Approach to Sustainability

Our Approach to Sustainability.

At GCW we want to lead the debate, influence our stakeholders, and champion sustainability principles to secure a better future for all.

By starting our sustainability journey, we believe it will offer huge opportunities for our business, our clients, our people and the towns, cities, and communities we work in.

We want the chance to help shape our future by working with our clients and stakeholders to put sustainability, in its widest sense, at centre stage.

View Our GCW 2023 Sustainability Action Plan here

Embedding sustainability.

We see a real opportunity to marry economic and environmental revitalisation. The role of town centres is changing, and the property industry will be instrumental in ensuring they remain fit for purpose.

Our vision focuses on creating adaptive, community-centric hubs with clean, green spaces. Through our collaboration with stakeholders, we aim to drive positive change in urban environments.

Our ethos and culture.

We are seeking to strike a balance between People, Profit, and Planet. GCW are agitators of ideas, valuing individuality, opinion and innovative ideas that challenge the status quo. This is demonstrated within our workplace as well as with our clients.

As thought leaders, we aim to help our clients see the value of sustainability being at the heart of urban design, whilst creating resilient mixed-use spaces that will stand the test of time. By ensuring that our culture and ethos are aligned with those of our partners, we can be truly transformative.

Supporting sustainable communities.

We are passionate about helping to build strong communities, be it within our own business or as part of our role in delivering urban regeneration.

Buildings are only meaningful when they serve the needs of their users. Our on-the-ground expertise ensures understanding of local demands, enabling our clients to create assets with identity, purpose, and longevity.

Prioritising what’s important to GCW and our stakeholders

We will use our platform to inspire and drive measurable change, partnering with key stakeholders—Our Clients, Our Community, Our Suppliers, and Our Staff.

Together we can help shape these places for the benefit of all.

Economic Responsibility.

GCW are committed to:

  • Diversity & Inclusivity
  • Managing conflicts of interest openly and transparently
  • Operating with integrity
  • Approaching all work with diligence
  • Providing clients with solutions that add value to their assets
  • Exceeding minimum legal requirement for mitigating money laundering activity

What our clients say.

GCW's expertise in identifying prime retail locations, especially in market towns, has been instrumental in our expansion. Their market insights, attention to detail, and proactive approach have ensured we secure the best opportunities for our brand. We highly value their partnership and look forward to continuing our growth journey together.

Richard Austin, Managing Director
Vinegar Hill

Since working with GCW on Windsor, the asset has gone from strength to strength due to their strategic insights and knowledge about the town and wider competition. It has enabled us to reposition the asset from a branding perspective but also improve the tenant mix to satisfy the tourist and local catchment.

Richard Dunling, Asset Management Director
AEW

We have worked with GCW for a number of years and have been impressed with their creative and driven approach to leasing retail space. The advice they provide us is well considered and has been instrumental in improving tenant mix and income at the Heart Shopping Centre, Walton on Thames.

Peter Dee Shapland , Director of Asset Management
Acai Group

Elmbridge have used the services of GCW on a number of occasions over the years. Their knowledge is second to none and they always give clear honest advice. We trust them in all they do for us.

Stuart La Frenais, Head of Property & Asset Management
Elmbridge Borough Council

GCW combine investment acumen and occupational expertise to provide us with agile and accurate advice. This alongside their pro-active approach and significant market experience make them one of our most trusted advisors.

Gary McNamara, Investment Director
Ardent Companies

GCW has been a trusted and invaluable property advisor to Empowered Brands for many years, playing a pivotal role in the growth of our network of énergie Fitness Clubs, Fit+ studios, and UBX Boxing + Strength Gyms. Their deep understanding of our brand requirements, combined with their strategic insight, has been instrumental in helping us navigate a highly competitive marketplace.

 

From identifying prime opportunities through their unparalleled market knowledge and extensive industry contacts to supporting our franchisees in negotiating optimal terms, GCW consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence and partnership.

 

Their expertise has enabled Empowered Brands to secure key locations that align with our vision, contributing significantly to the success and expansion of our portfolio. We deeply value our relationship with GCW and look forward to continuing to work together as we achieve our ambitious growth plans.

Chris Wakefield, Franchise Relationship Manager
Empowered Brands

We have worked with GCW for several years. We really value their joined-up approach to Leasing and Landlord & Tenant initiatives and the way they look beyond the immediate situation in front of all of us. Their expertise within the suburban London market in particular has helped to unlock opportunities and deliver value accretive initiatives in our assets.

Mark Harvey, Executive Director, Head of Asset Management
Rivington Hark

GCW have helped Loaf as a trusted property advisor building our network of Shack to provide an invaluable bricks and motor presence for our brand. Their ability to think laterally and holistically outside traditional property silos has meant we have secured the right property whether in a shopping centre, garden centre, High Street or even stand-alone car dealership.

Theo Sheppard, Chief Commercial Officer
Loaf

We have worked with GCW for in excess of 10 years. Their development advice was crucial in our site assembly process, in conjunction with the consultancy advice on our flagship leisure placemaking development, from breaking ground to practical completion.

Peter Boarder, Head of Place Delivery
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

GCW have been my principal retail adviser for over 30 years. I have always found them to be knowledgeable and, crucially, commercially astute. The advice I have sought has more recently morphed from finding tenants to full re-positioning strategies and they have given me an excellent service every time.

John Heller, Chief Executive Officer
LAP

GCW have been instrumental in driving the success of The Orchards Shopping Centre. Their expert advice and proactive approach to leasing have helped us attract a vibrant mix of tenants, ensuring the centre remains a thriving hub for the Haywards Heath community.

 

The team at GCW consistently go above and beyond, combining market insight with a deep understanding of our objectives. We value their partnership and look forward to continuing our work together.

Vicky Reader, Head of Estates
Mid Sussex Council

GCW are our trusted advisor, offering exceptional opinion and understanding of investment markets.

James Lapushner, Chief Investment Officer
Anacott Capital

GCW has advised us since purchasing our major town centre asset. Their experience in Greater London has been significant in reducing our void rate, whilst providing strategic advice for future town centre redevelopment.

Christopher Rhodes, Head of Asset Management
London Borough of Sutton

GCW have provided an outstanding, professional service to Redevco over a number of years – they become part of the team, exactly the sort of trusted support a client needs. Advisors who genuinely listen, consult, challenge – and then deliver.

Chris Baker, Portfolio Director
Redevco

We have enjoyed working with GCW for many years. They have great market knowledge, tenacious and give well considered advice.

Danny O’Keefe, Partner
Evolve Estate

Over the years GCW have helped KFC and their franchise partners build their varied and flexible restaurant portfolio. This has covered acquisitions across out of town, edge of town, roadside and town centre locations, from smaller in town formats to traditional drive thru restaurants. Their market knowledge and boots on the ground approach has provided invaluable to us given our desire to grow the brand.

Alice Hutfield, Head of Acquisitions UK & ROI
KFC

GCW have worked with CBRE IM for over 20 years and have always provided honest, straightforward advice whether acting on a sale, advising on a purchase, undertaking a letting or negotiating a lease re-gear. They will identify and highlight potential issues in a transaction and endeavour to find solutions to enable it to proceed, where appropriate.

Alix Mills, Senior Director
CBRE Investment Management