The social and environmental commitment of Hertfordshire business woman Fiona Edwards has been recognised at the National Business Women’s Awards. Fiona, Head of Sustainability at JPA Workspaces, was announced as the gold winner of the Social Impact Award at an awards ceremony held in London on 22 July.

The social and environmental commitment of Hertfordshire business woman Fiona Edwards has been recognised at the National Business Women's Awards. Fiona, Head of Sustainability at JPA Workspaces, was announced as the gold winner of the Social Impact Award at an awards ceremony held in London on 22 July.

JPA Workspaces provides more than simply furniture. They demonstrate sustainability in every aspect of their business operations. The workspaces they design are not only driven by the wellbeing and productivity of their occupants but are designed in a way that has minimal environmental impact and maximum economic and social benefit to their local community.

JPA Workspaces, based in St Albans, has assisted with the furnishing of the expansive hot-desking hub and reception areas. Additionally, they have worked closely with Rothamsted Enterprises to furnish a show office with contemporary height-adjustable desks, wireless charging and desktop power, to help attract and inspire prospective tenants.

Fiona Edwards, Head of Sustainability at St Albans-based office furniture business JPA Workspaces, said: “As of March 17th last year a large chunk of our income just completely disappeared. We decided to use the infrastructure we have for moving and fitting to help our local NHS Trusts make space for much needed covid beds.

Fiona: I do think that COVID has brought about an opportunity – an opportunity for people to change their mindset from what they were doing and what they had previously, to something potentially very different. That’s really exciting. It does take something monumental, such as the pandemic, to make us change in this way...

JPA Workspaces have been nominated as finalists in the annual Mixology awards 2021 for Furniture Provider of the Year and are thrilled for our team!

Furniture Provider of the Year - JPA Workspaces

Join us at the Mixology21 Awards on the 16 September 2021, Evolution London – where we will be celebrating the finalists and winners of both 2020 and 2021

At JPA Workspaces, our experienced interior designers will advise on the best use of space in your new office fit-out. You’ll have an in-depth discussion about your brand, your brand personality, how you intend to use the space, how many people need to be accommodated and for what purpose, etc with our team.

JPA are an independent second-generation family business, passionate about the environment and community. They are proud Patrons of the Herts Chamber of Commerce and active supporter of the #KeepingtheHeartinHerts campaign, promoting and supporting local Hertfordshire businesses.

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Social Sustainability & Community Development Award, JPA Furniture.

JPA Furniture has developed an end-of-life redundant furniture solution which delivers new business, improves their clients’ waste performance and carbon footprint through re-use/recycling and improves social performance through community re-homing.

JPA Workspaces, based in Hertfordshire has assisted with the furnishing of the expansive hot-desking hub and reception areas. Additionally, they have worked closely with Rothamsted Enterprises to furnish a show office with contemporary, height-adjustable desks, wireless charging and desktop power, to help attract and inspire prospective tenants.

The team at JPA were delighted to win the Inspiring Herts Green Award on Thursday evening, at St Albans Cathedral, hosted and run by the amazing team at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. It was both humbling and inspiring to see at first hand the volume of innovative and pioneering work taking place in Hertfordshire and the number of high quality business run by dedicated and passionate teams.

We’ll continue putting sustainability and value first for our clients, community and environment whilst we get to grips with solving our clients furniture problems and have just launched our new website to showcase how we do this.

JPA Workspaces, based in St Albans, Herts, has assisted with the furnishing of the expansive hot-desking hub and reception areas. Additionally, they have worked closely with Rothamsted Enterprises to furnish a show office with contemporary, height-adjustable desks, wireless charging and desktop power, to help attract and inspire prospective tenants.

Sustainability is central to the project and is reflected right through to the furnishings. Timber-based products supplied by JPA are from sustainable sources, recyclable at end of life, and accompanied by lengthy warranties. JPA’s furniture installation was zero waste and carbon neutral, contributing to Hertfordshire’s drive for sustainable growth.

“We are delighted to have been able to showcase the benefits of working with local partners for this project which has delivered measurable local impact and value for all parties,” says Graham Pulsford, Managing Director of JPA, “and we look forward to building our working relationship with the team at Rothamsted Enterprises, it has been a pleasure”.

JPA Workspaces is an award-winning furniture solutions provider offering creative and excellent workspaces for commercial buildings, the education, and healthcare sectors. Established as a contract furniture supplier for over 40 years, JPA continues to adapt to the changing needs of its clients by delivering flexible, functional, and sustainable workspaces. The family-owned company has a track record of excellent customer service and great after-care support to a long list of satisfied customers.

DODO involves the collection of unwanted furniture for reuse or recycling, and so saving it from extinction, hence the name DODO. This means the volume of unwanted furniture sent to landfill is reduces, working towards zero waste. A unique feature of JPA furniture is that they consider whether new furniture is really needed; they often help businesses make the most of the furniture they already have, perhaps by reuse or rehoming. In this way they are helping to reduce the waste sent to landfill as well as emissions associated with producing new furniture.