Delivering £1.38m in Social Value as Charitable Impact Surges 44%

Ground Control has recorded £1,388,575 in total social value for 2025/26, a significant 44% increase on the previous year. The figure reflects the company's deepening commitment to using business as a force for good, spanning community investment, environmental progress, and employee wellbeing.

The year's highlights include:

• £50,000 raised for the RNLI in memory of colleague Simon Wiggins, matched pound-for-pound by the company
• A 17% reduction in carbon emissions intensity, despite considerable business growth
• 1,141 volunteer hours dedicated to conservation, education, and community projects
• A 97%+ electric passenger fleet, generating £222,658 in social value through reduced emissions
• 341 hours of equality, diversity and inclusion training delivered across the business
• 100% of employees paid at or above the Real Living Wage
• Support for over 20 charities and community groups through direct giving and match funding

Putting purpose into action
The standout RNLI campaign saw colleagues across all four divisions come together in extraordinary ways. From a 126-mile indoor cycle challenge to a 10-mile team walk to Burnham-on-Crouch lifeboat station, the company's Maintenance Division raised the full £50,000 target, which was matched by the business. A plaque was unveiled at Wells lifeboat station, and Simon's name now appears permanently on Exmouth's Shannon-class lifeboat — a deeply fitting tribute to his lifelong love of the sea.

Away from fundraising, Ground Control's environmental stewardship continued to accelerate. The company's Evergreen Fund has now invested approximately £5.5 million in nature recovery, with over 1.3 million trees planted to date. The flagship Wildfell Habitat Bank and Devanna rewilding site stand as beacons of habitat recovery, with Wildfell holding a permanent Conservation Covenant with Plantlife, securing BNG units for the long term.

Ground Control also marked the 50th National Tree Week at Wildfell in partnership with The Tree Council and B Local Essex, bringing together staff and local businesses for a day of tree planting, maintenance, and learning. Volunteers also supported the Fruitworks Cooperative in preparing fruit trees for community growing, and joined The Tree Council at Springfield Park in Hackney.

Building a business that people want to be part of
Every one of Ground Control's 932 colleagues has access to comprehensive wellbeing support, including confidential mental health services, 24/7 GP access, and dedicated wellbeing days. The company's apprenticeship programme has scaled from 26 to 33 active apprentices, with NVQ programmes running consistently at 16–19 enrolments per month.

Ground Control remains a B Corp Certified and Real Living Wage-accredited employer, maintaining ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications and a World Class Net Promoter Score.

Supported organisations in 2025/26:
Billericay Food Bank, RNLI, Essex Wildlife Trust, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, The Tree Council, 4Louis, YMCA, Girlguiding, St Nicks Nature Reserve, Chalkstreams Project, Crisis at Christmas, Project RECCE, Unseen UK, STOP THE TRAFFIK, Justice & Care, and others.

Looking ahead to 2026/27
For the coming year, Ground Control has set ambitious targets including increasing volunteer hours, completing the transition to a 100% electric passenger fleet, achieving more in matched charitable giving, and planting 100,000 additional trees. 

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