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Bidwells appoints former CBRE Exec as new Group Head of Sustainability

15.7.24 2 MINUTE READ

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Helen Newman is our new Group Head of Sustainability. Helen’s previous roles include Head of Sustainable Capital and Head of Sustainability and Investor ESG at global real estate advisory firm CBRE.

Helen will focus on providing industry-leading, sustainability-related consultancy services, working closely alongside Bidwells’ clients to drive the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable built environment to serve the dual goal of future-proofing investments and delivering positive outcomes for communities and the environment.

 

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As an Executive Director at CBRE, Helen was most recently Head of Sustainable Capital, advising on ESG throughout the investment lifecycle, helping to orientate capital flows toward sustainable development. In this role, Helen led on the development of Barclays Bank’s first Sustainable Residential Development Framework establishing performance requirements for financing and driving future-proofed, resilient residential projects.

Prior to that, Helen was Head of Sustainability and Investor ESG for CBRE’s advisory business, where she delivered and reported on ESG strategies across a portfolio worth over £25 billion. 

As a trusted advisor, Helen has previously worked as a consultant for British Land, The Crown Estate, and Grosvenor, spearheading green initiatives across the UK. 
Helen is Vice Chair of the CIBSE Sustainability Special Interest and a member of CIBSE Knowledge Panel, the NLA expert panel for retrofit and conservation, the BE News ESG advisory board, and the ULI UK Sustainability Product Council. She is also an advocate of best sustainable design practice in her role as member of the Enfield Place and Design Quality Panel.

Helen left CBRE in the summer of 2023 to join Fabrix as their Director of Sustainable Investing. Fabrix is a progressive property development and delivery partner and Helen continues to work closely with Fabrix as their Strategic Sustainability Advisor.  

Helen Newman, Group Head of Sustainability at Bidwells, said:

“We are at a point where global warming is expected to exceed the 1.5C target and we have overstepped 6 of the 9 planetary boundaries, and clients increasingly understand the imperative for commercial performance to be delivered alongside positive environmental and social outcomes. At this critical time, I am delighted to join Bidwells’ with the opportunity scale our integrated solutions across real assets including portfolio decarbonisation and sustainable development, energy and renewables infrastructure, optimising place-based social impact, urban regreening and practical BNG delivery, and landscape-scale habitat and nature restoration from peatlands to woodlands. Bidwell’s track record across these areas and more, enable our market-leading clients to future proof investments and realise dual returns – positive sustainable impact alongside financial.  

“This is a really exciting time to be joining the firm as it embarks on the next stage of its expansion, both within its well-established presence in the Oxford Cambridge Arc as well as further afield across the country to help our clients become truly regenerative businesses and planet positive enterprises.”

Nick Pettit, Senior Partner at Bidwells, said:

“Helen is an industry leader in sustainability and will be a massive asset for the firm as we build out our offering across all our service lines. She wields vast experience, having advised some of the biggest names and firms in the industry to improve their environmental and social performance.

As Group Head, Helen will lead on our client-facing sustainability offering, as we build out a market-leading offering to support our 2030 growth plan.”

Contributors:

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Helen Newman

Group Head of Sustainability

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Image of Helen Newman

Helen Newman

Group Head of Sustainability

Helen's background in sustainable development, sustainable finance and impact investing, ESG Strategies, and her understanding of the regulatory landscape brings unique insights in creating a more inclusive and sustainable built environment.

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Kelly Bream (2)

Kelly Bream

Chief Operating Officer

Kelly is the driving force behind our ambitious growth plan and ESG goals.

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