Employer in the Community
IFDS is proud to be an Employer in the Community and recognises the importance in contributing to and sponsoring local charity and community events. IFDS recently supported the Basildon Business Awards for “Growing Business of the Year”.

We support employees in mentoring activities, both at local primary schools through the numeracy/literacy “Business in the Community” programme and with university students at the Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.

Our Charity Committee co-ordinates requests received from employees and external organisations, supporting a wide range of events and worthy causes. Our Give As You Earn scheme allows contributions direct from salary, employees mostly opting to support our Staff Fund, currently Essex Air Ambulance. Two additional national charities that receive annual corporate donations are Marie Curie and Childline.

IFDS and the Environment
IFDS House is established as a landmark building within our region and is renowned within the construction industry for it's use of mixed mode cooling systems and energy efficiency. In 2003, IFDS House won the British Council Offices regional award for “Corporate Workplace” and received an “Excellent” BREEAM (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Monitor) rating for environmental assessment and impact.

IFDS have just completed a year-long Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme study, the results are soon to be published as a new practice “case study” where energy efficiencies will be reported back to industry leaders setting new goals in reducing energy consumption across all industries.

As proven by the study, IFDS House consumes significantly less energy than a typical air-conditioned prestige office building. IFDS strives to develop an ethos of environmental responsibility among our staff and encourage the recycling of waste items. Our disposal to landfill target is to decrease volume year on year.