Newark: head of Collingham-based Gusto Group shares views following G7 summit

The chairman of a residential development company has spoken out about his visions for the future following the G7 summit of international leaders in Cornwall on June 11.

Steff Wright, who runs the Gusto Group, based at Collingham, has been building sustainable, renewable-focused residential developments for over 20 years and talked passionately on camera about topics such as the climate emergency and empowering local communities.

Steff said: “During a stay at the Carbis Bay Hotel and seeing the preparations underway for the G7 summit I started considering what should be discussed at a more local level.

“While the G7 message is aimed at political leaders and global businesses, mine is aimed at small local businesses, community leaders and the people in those communities who can use their lifestyle and purchasing choices to change the world.

“We should be creating healthier and more sustainable communities because that’s what people want, not just because the government might dictate it in decades to come.”

Gusto Homes has pledged to be net zero carbon by 2025 and says no new house built by them from 2022 will be heated by gas.

Steff wants to encourage other house builders to follow suit.

“We need local planning authorities to make it mandatory for all new developments to be net zero carbon,” Steff said.

By ensuring all new homes are built to zero carbon standards now, the building systems and technologies needed will become more mainstream and reduce in cost enabling the bigger challenge of improving the older existing homes in communities so they too can stay warm without burning gas and oil.

Steff started the company with his brother Jerome in 1987 and now has more than 150 employees. Companies include Gusto Homes, Gusto Construction, Rototek and Collab.