Views on strategy and the development of the circular economy
Newsec is one of seven companies that took part in the FIBS and Third Rock programme for developing future-proof business models, and the only property sector player in the group. The company’s decision to take part was driven both by its ongoing strategic review and a desire to gain a better understanding of what future sustainability means in the property sector.
Newsec is a specialist property services company operating in the Nordic and Baltic regions, providing services to property owners, investors and tenants, as well as to businesses that use property. According to Anna Aaltonen, Sustainability Director at the Newsec Group, the company has the basics of corporate responsibility in place, but there was a desire to deepen its approach to sustainability. Newsec wants to understand how the company can respond to the demands of future sustainability and offer its customers services that they may not even know to ask for yet.
“The timing was also right because our company is entering a new phase, and as a member of the management team, I’m gaining new insights into this from the future-proof business development programme. The programme takes a long-term view of business development, which supports strategic thinking,” says Risto Mustaniemi, Head of Development at Newsec.
“The programme takes a long-term view of business development, which supports strategic thinking.”
Risto Mustaniemi, Head of Development, Newsec
Anna Aaltonen feels that, during the programme, she has had an ‘aha’ moment regarding the circular economy and how the entire construction industry, along with its associated systems and business practices, needs to be transformed. The circular economy had, of course, already been recognised at Newsec as a key sustainability issue, but the programme has deepened our understanding.
“And broadened it: the programme has revealed the full scope of future sustainability beyond just carbon footprints and climate issues,” notes Risto Mustaniemi.
“We certainly need regulatory support to accelerate this change. The programme has made us consider whether we should further strengthen our influence in various forums. It is clear that we cannot do this work alone, but must work together with other companies,” says Anna Aaltonen.
“Regulatory support is certainly needed to drive change. The programme has made us consider whether we should further strengthen our influence in various forums. It is clear that we cannot do this work alone, but must work together with other companies.”
Anna Aaltonen, Sustainability Director, Newsec
The current geopolitical situation poses a challenge to virtually all discussions on sustainability and the development of sustainable business practices, even though the state of the planet calls for swift action to tackle the sustainability crisis and adapt to it.
“Perhaps we need a major crisis that affects, for example, the supply of materials and generates such a backlash that it also brings about political change. We need to be ready for that,” reflects Risto Mustaniemi.
Tools for the circular economy and driving change
Anna Aaltonen has drawn further inspiration from the Future-proof business development programme to consider how Newsec can put circular economy thinking and circular economy-based business practices into action, and how they could incorporate elements of the circular economy into their service chain. Discussions on the topic also arose with other companies participating in the programme. And whilst Aaltonen praises the diverse group of participants, she believes that a similar programme would also be worth implementing on a sector-specific basis.
“The thought that it actually only takes a fairly small group of people to bring about change is comforting.”
For Risto Mustaniemi, the opportunity to network was one of the reasons he wanted to take part in the programme. He also praises the interesting presentations and inspiring examples of how to initiate and implement change.
“The idea that you actually only need a fairly small group to bring about change is reassuring.”
So what will change at Newsec following the programme? Anna Aaltonen believes she now has more tools to develop the circular economy and drive progress across the whole of Newsec.
“I’ve gained more arguments and perspectives that I believe are convincing,” says Aaltonen.
“Views that support future sustainability will, at the very least, remain part of our strategy. At best, we’ll be moving even more strongly towards the circular economy, as that’s what we need to do in our sector,” sums up Risto Mustaniemi.
Sari Kuvaja