Leading Northern Ireland construction and property management consultant, RLB is proud to announce that it has achieved Northern Ireland’s first SKA Retail Gold certification for the refurbishment of Progressive Building Society’s Newtownards branch, a landmark moment for sustainable fit out in the region.
Delivered through a collaborative effort between Progressive Building Society, Todd Architects, SCC MEP, McCue, and RLB’s sustainability team, the project involved a full strip-out and installation of new finishes, furniture, fixtures, equipment (FFE), and MEP services. The result is a modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible space that reflects Progressive’s commitment to sustainability and community impact.
“This certification is a reflection of our ambition to embed sustainability into every aspect of our operations; from the way we serve our Members to how we design and maintain our physical spaces,” said Kevin Flannery, Regional Manager, Progressive Building Society. “We’re proud to be leading the way in Northern Ireland and grateful to our project partners for helping us achieve this milestone.”
What is SKA and Why Does It Matter?
SKA is an environmental assessment method initially developed by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), designed specifically for fit outs in retail, commercial offices and higher education estates. Now run independently by SKA Rating Ltd, it provides a flexible framework to benchmark sustainability performance across key categories, including:
- Energy & CO₂
- Materials
- Waste
- Water
- Pollution
- Transport
- Wellbeing.
Projects are rated Bronze, Silver, or Gold based on their environmental performance. SKA is particularly valuable for organisations seeking to improve sustainability across their estates for refurbishment and fit out projects, enabling benchmarking and robust sustainability improvements.
The SKA Offices scheme is currently undergoing a major refresh, with updates expected to reflect evolving industry priorities such as operational energy, circularity, and social value – making it even more relevant for forward-thinking organisations.
“This achievement builds on RLB’s track record of delivering first-of-their-kind SKA certifications across the UK,” said Heather Evans, Partner and Head of Sustainability at RLB. “We’re proud to have certified the first SKA Gold in the North West, the first Gold, Silver, and Bronze in Higher Education nationally, and now the first SKA Retail Gold in Northern Ireland. It’s a testament to our team’s expertise and our clients’ commitment to sustainability.”