Mears Group currently employs over 1,300 people in Scotland across its facilities management, housing and maintenance and care services and works with Scottish SMEs who are a crucial part of its supply chain and service delivery.

Within the Scottish Responsible Business Charter are actions the firm has already taken like paying all employees the Living Wage or above as well as ambitions it will realise in the near future.

Among those are its promise to achieve Net-Zero carbon from its operations by 2030 and an intention to map local supply chain companies and publish its GVA contribution through them on a regional basis. Mears also promises to sign up to the Young People’s Guarantee.

Alan Long, executive director, Mears Group, said: “Mears is a trusted service delivery partner because we have worked incredibly hard on our business practices to make sure we are living up to our promise to the communities we serve. However, there is always room for improvement.

“Our business model is based on a foundation of collaboration which is why we are consulting on our Charter. Our desire is to be regarded as Scotland’s most trusted and respected provider of housing with care solutions so that we can continue making a positive impact wherever we operate.”

Earlier in June, Mears Group was accredited by the Scottish Business Pledge after evidencing alignment with multiple benchmarks. Accreditation was awarded due the company’s comprehensive supporting materials proof pointing its commitment to The Real Living Wage, No Inappropriate use of Zero Hours Contracts, Action to Address the Gender Pay Gap, Workforce Engagement, Skilled & Diverse Workforce, Environmental Impact, Community and Prompt Payment.

This current Charter consultation process is a strong signal that the company intends to follow through on every promise it has made at pace.

In letters to stakeholders inviting them to consult on its Scottish Responsible Business Charter, Mears acknowledged that there will always be room for improvement and is calling for collaboration, assuring that the final Charter is a values led partnership document that incorporates and reflects the thoughts and aspirations of Scottish society.

Working in close partnership with public and private sector housing providers, Mears aids in the supply of affordable homes that are needed in communities across Scotland, as well as asset management services to maintain them.

Government and local authority contracts include those with the MoD, Home Office, North Lanarkshire Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Angus Council. Mears also provides comprehensive facilities management services to West Lothian Council, The Highland Council and St Andrews Community Hospital.

Furthermore, its Supported Living service contracts span much of Scotland including Aberdeenshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Falkirk, Stirling, Clackmannanshire, West Lothian and the Scottish Borders.