“To be green, the numbers have to be green.”
For EGLS, sustainability is not an add-on. It is the business model. The company was founded to create the industrial buildings of the future, with a clear view that long-term value comes from embedding sustainability in every decision.
CEO Ian Worboys explains how this works in practice. Warehouses must stand for 75 years, which means thinking beyond rent levels to lifecycle cost, resilience, and community impact. In a market where a significant proportion of UK logistics stock remains below EPC C, EGLS focuses on repositioning and retrofitting existing assets, proving that preservation and upgrade can protect investor returns while avoiding stranded assets.
Ian outlines how the investment case is shifting. Green assets achieve valuation premiums, reduced voids, and access to favourable financing through green bonds. Occupiers like DHL and Amazon now demand sustainable buildings to meet their own carbon commitments. The job is to win over the CFO as much as the real estate team, by showing that being green protects the bottom line.
At the same time, EGLS pushes the boundaries of new development. Low-carbon materials, advanced construction techniques, solar integration, and hydrogen power are explored across projects, with each scheme treated as a chance to learn and improve. This culture of evolution defines the company’s approach.
Social value is equally central. The “Happy Worker” idea is built on evidence that better air quality, natural light, outdoor space, and amenities reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. From showers and bike sheds to landscaped areas with flowers, the details matter. Happier workers create a positive flow-on effect for families, neighbours, and communities.
Good governance underpins everything. EGLS’s leadership team is built on decades of shared experience and trust, with governance structures in place from day one through parent company Kamco. This combination of cultural alignment, compliance, and long-term thinking ensures the company can scale across Europe while staying accountable.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Foundational Vision: Personal Journeys and the Birth of EGLS
06:18, The Financial Mandate: Proving ESG Value and Stakeholder Education
14:40, Operational Strategy: Repositioning Assets, Supply Chain and Social Design
26:15, Governance, Evolution, and Looking to the Future of Logistics Spaces