Christopher Wellgreen, Sustainability, Carbon and Systems Manager, joined J Coffey six years ago without a formal sustainability background. Today, as a Full ISEP Member (MISEP), he leads a growing team of sustainability professionals and has embedded ISEP training as a standard pathway for all team members.
The challenge: building a skilled sustainability team in a competitive market
As sustainability expectations in construction continue to rise, J Coffey faced a familiar industry challenge: finding and developing skilled sustainability professionals.
“The reality is, experienced sustainability managers are incredibly hard to find,” Chris explains. “So we made a conscious decision to continue investing in and grow our own talent.”
The team often recruits individuals from non-sustainability backgrounds – early-career professionals looking to transition into green roles, or those with broader scientific knowledge seeking to apply their skills in a practical context. While this brings fresh perspectives, it also creates a clear need for structured training and development.
At the same time, the scope of sustainability in construction is expanding rapidly. Carbon management, particularly Scope 1 and 2 emissions, remains a key priority, alongside increasing pressure to improve circularity across projects. Clients are demanding more robust data, clearer reporting and demonstrable progress, especially as sustainability performance becomes a differentiator in winning tenders.
Keeping pace with evolving standards, reporting requirements and on-site responsibilities adds further complexity.
The approach: strengthening capability through ISEP training
To build on its existing sustainability expertise and respond to evolving industry demands, J Coffey has placed ISEP training at the heart of its professional development strategy.
Every member of the sustainability team is enrolled on the ISEP training pathway, progressing from Associate through to Practitioner and beyond. This helps create a consistent framework for professional development across the team while deepening individuals’ understanding of applied sustainability principles.
“The training gives our team a solid foundation,” says Chris. “It means they can sit as equals with other sustainability professionals and contribute with confidence.”
Beyond technical knowledge, the training helps team members understand the ‘why’ behind sustainability challenges, enabling them to move beyond compliance and add real value on-site. This shift is critical in construction environments, where sustainability teams must balance operational realities with strategic goals.
ISEP membership also supports ongoing professional development in the fast-moving sector. With regular updates, guidance and access to expertise, J Coffey’s team can stay ahead of industry changes and continuously improve its approach.
At a leadership level, ISEP’s influence extends to the boardroom. Annual engagement with ISEP’s Deputy Chief Executive, Martin Baxter, helps J Coffey’s Board of Directors stay informed on key sustainability issues, strengthening alignment between business strategy and environmental priorities.
The impact: confident teams, stronger performance and commercial advantage
By investing in structured training and professional development, J Coffey has transformed its approach to sustainability capability.
Team members gain practical knowledge and the confidence to overcome impostor syndrome, becoming proactive contributors rather than perceived blockers. This cultural shift enables sustainability to be embedded more effectively across projects.
Oliver Dyer, Environmental Manager at J Coffey, is one example of how the company is developing sustainability talent from within. Before joining the business in 2020, Oliver spent 10 years working in education and youth sports coaching, including boxing coaching for young people.
“I had recently become a father and wanted to use my skills to better the local community for the next generation,” Oliver explains. “Sustainability felt like a way to contribute to improving standards of living for the future.”
Joining the construction sector just before the COVID-19 lockdowns presented additional challenges, particularly when site access was restricted and much of the industry was adapting to new ways of working. “Everything was new to me,” Oliver says. “Not just sustainability, but construction as a whole.”
ISEP training provided a structured route into the profession. Oliver achieved AISEP certification in 2022 and is now working towards Practitioner level. Alongside developing technical knowledge, the training helped him understand how sustainability principles apply in practice within the construction industry.
“The training has been adventurous in a good way – there’s always something new to learn,” he says. “In construction, people aren’t always 100% sure what sustainability means, but they know it’s important. The training helps you bridge that gap and have more meaningful conversations on-site.”
Oliver also credits the supportive culture within J Coffey for helping him progress. “The team is always encouraging me to keep developing and investing in myself,” he says. “My manager believes in my progression, which is really motivating.”
The transferable skills Oliver developed in education – communication, coaching and engaging different audiences – have also proved valuable in helping embed sustainability across projects and teams.
The benefits of this investment are not only cultural, but commercial. Demonstrating credible sustainability expertise supported by recognised ISEP credentials strengthens J Coffey’s position in competitive tenders, particularly as clients place increasing weight on environmental performance and circularity outcomes.
Improved understanding of sustainability principles also enhances decision-making on-site, helping teams identify opportunities to reduce impact, improve efficiency and deliver added value to clients.
Looking ahead
J Coffey remains committed to developing its people and advancing its sustainability performance. As the industry continues to evolve, the company sees ongoing partnership with ISEP as critical to maintaining momentum.
By continuing to invest in training, strengthening its data and reporting capabilities, and expanding its focus on circularity, J Coffey is positioning itself to shape industry standards and the future workforce.
