Although Ian Worboys is originally from the United Kingdom, he has been living in Prague for more than 15 years. That’s why he decided to run his new company EGLS out of the Czech Republic. It is also strategically located in the heart of Europe – it is no coincidence that three of the top ten logistics and property development companies are based here.
From the Czech Republic, Worboys wants to fundamentally shift the approach to the construction and renovation of warehouses, logistics centers, and data centers. “Our vision is the industrial buildings of the future – ones that put the least possible burden on the planet, but at the same time make business sense. Investing in the future costs a lot. It’s not just about new technologies, but also about pushing the boundaries overall. We don’t just want to meet minimum requirements to get green building certification and talk about sustainability; we want to set a new level of development,” says Worboys.
At the heart of his new company lie the principles of the so-called ESG or sustainability management system. ESG collectively refers to environmental, social, and governance factors that are used to measure corporate sustainability and responsibility. This makes it easier for investors to assess whether and to what degree a company is responsible and sustainable.
Yet Worboys doesn’t want ESG to be just a figure on an investor report for his company. He wants EGLS to stand on these principles and base all its decisions on them. As such, he and his team face a big challenge and have an ambitious plan ahead of them – to shift the established standards in a relatively conservative industry. “We can have solar panels on the roof, but to meet the future we have to go one step further and go the extra mile. Even if we don’t have to. We have to look at the bigger picture of the whole project. How are we impacting the local economy with the project? What are the social impacts? How can we support the local community? Those specific measures then take different forms, taking into account several factors. I can sponsor a local children’s football club. Give people in the area jobs. I can get my employees regularly involved in cleaning up the surrounding villages,” he says, laying out a new perspective on the construction of large halls and logistics centers on the outskirts of towns and villages.
Using what we already have
One of the key areas that EGSL wants to address fits into this way of thinking about logistics and development. They call it Green Back and it is about revitalizing existing properties.
Worboys recognizes that the future is not just about building new, modern industrial complexes to the highest standards; it’s about taking what already exists and elevating it to the next level. “We understand that there is no land to spare these days. And that in many cases it has more added value if it is used for agriculture. That’s why we plan to create a logistics network across Europe also from old and disused buildings, which we will renovate to meet our standards for green and sustainable buildings,” he explains.
Ian Worboys
I want people to come home from work happy
Having worked in the business for decades, Worboys knows that to get anywhere near his dream, he needs to surround himself with the right people. That’s why he’s assembled his team out of the seasoned professionals whom he met throughout his career. “Ninety percent of them I have worked with in the past. Because of that, I know how they approach their work and what kind of people they are. It was important to me that we share core values and that we see the future of our industry similarly,” he says, adding that a strong and experienced team is also a prerequisite for blazing a new trail in the industry and gaining the trust of partners.
“Investing in the future often doesn’t have an immediate return. It is therefore imperative that we are able to outline to our partners a vision of where we are going, a world we will build for. To gain their trust, because they will not be investing for short-term business advantage, but out of a certain conviction and desire to participate in the future,” Worboys notes.
He assembled his team with one more idea in mind. “Over the years, I’ve also come to understand something: I want us to do a top-notch job, but at the same time never lose the fun and enjoyment out of it. I want people to come home from work happy in the afternoon, because then they’ll be nicer to their family, to their neighbors, to the strangers they meet along the way. They’ll have a sense of well-being and that will spread,” Worboys says with a smile.
