Libby Kerman stepped into the newly created role of Sustainability Manager with Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, just a year after university. Now, two years on, I interviewed Libby and she shared her experiences of how to succeed as a new sustainability manager.

Listen for ideas and inspiration to help you make greater progress on sustainability:

• Why you sometimes learn most from people who resist change
• How relationships with colleagues across the business have been crucial
• How external networks of peers are so important
• Why you shouldn’t worry that you don’t have all the answers
• Podcasts that Libby has found useful on her journey 

Achievements

Libby Kerman has achieved significant milestones in her role as Sustainability Manager at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP). Key accomplishments include:

Application to Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund:

• Coordinated data collection, facilitated discussions, and garnered senior leadership support.
• Secured over £8 million in joint funding, enabling a £16 million project.
• Oversaw the installation of external wall insulation for 730 properties and air source heat pumps for 82 properties.
• The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions and lower customer energy bills by around £380 per year.

Development of a New ESG Framework:

• Recognized the need to refresh the existing ESG strategy.
• Engaged with colleagues across the business to create a comprehensive ESG framework.
• Successfully launched the new strategy, fostering improved engagement and communication within the organization.

Promotion of Green Spaces:

• Advocated for the value of green spaces alongside property management.
• Introduced KPIs to enhance biodiversity, including setting up five new biodiversity sites annually.
• Collaborated with organisations like Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to improve and maintain these sites effectively.

Success factors

Factors that have enabled Libby to deliver these achievements include:

• Supportive Leadership and Teams: The arrival of the Corporate Head of Property with a strong passion for sustainability, along with supportive colleagues in the asset team and culture team, provided Libby with confidence and backing to push sustainability initiatives.
• Development Programs and Networks: Participation in development programs like the top 30 under 30 program and joining external sustainability forums offered Libby confidence, peer support, and continuous learning opportunities.
• Internal Relationships: Building strong relationships with colleagues across different teams enabled effective collaboration and the formation of a sustainability ambassador group, fostering a supportive and engaged internal community.

How to succeed as a new sustainability manager – Libby’s advice

Libby offers the following advice to other early career sustainability managers:

Lean into colleagues and create internal networks:

• Understand different service areas within the organization.
• Build relationships with receptive colleagues.

Don’t worry about unanswered questions:

• Recognise that having many questions is natural and makes the field exciting.

• Use unanswered questions as motivation to drive progress and learning.

Continuously learn and build external networks:

• Seek networking opportunities with individuals in similar positions.

• Leverage the expertise available within the sector for guidance and collaboration.