Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is more than a framework for Version 1 - it is a defining part of our identity and how we operate. Every day, we challenge ourselves to be a responsible organisation respected for our ethics, values, and commitment to social and climate responsibility. But we aim higher: to be ESG innovators not only within our sector but across every industry we serve.
In 2025, we have continued to build on the foundations of our 2022 five-year strategy, embedding ESG accountability across the organisation. Our focus has been on empowering every team member to understand their role in delivering our ESG goals and equipping our commercial and delivery teams to drive progress for both Version 1 and our customers.
We have also made significant investments in our ESG agenda engaging internally and externally to champion our message and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability efforts. ESG is a key differentiator in our strategy, and is embedded at every level to ensure we create positive impact for our people, our customers, and the communities we serve.
Our ESG strategy is structured around five strategic pillars that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs): environmental impact, labour, human rights and ethics, diversity, inclusion and belonging, sustainable procurement and social impact. We have made good progress across all these core areas, and they guide our operations as a responsible business, delivering meaningful, measurable impact. We are well positioned to build on our momentum and make 2025 another exceptional year, positively impacting the communities in which we live and work, and helping our customers do the same.
Related: Version 1 appoints Lorna McAdoo as Head of ESG and Northern Ireland: 'This is an exciting time'
Throughout our ESG journey we have been recognised with multiple awards that highlight we are doing the right thing and keep us focused on always doing more. Just recently we achieved international recognition as a world leader in CSR at the CSR Awards in partnership with The Green Organisation, as well as winning the Climate Action Award at the Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards and being named One-To-Watch.
United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
In 2023, Version 1 joined the UNGC which has helped us progress significantly towards our own net zero target (validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative) as well as aligning with universal principles on human rights, labour and anti-corruption. We have been fully supportive and involved in the launch of the UNGC Network Ireland, primarily as advisory board members and collaborating, learning and sharing with other Irish businesses that are leading the charge. .
Forging Ahead, as we move forward, our focus will not just be on how we achieve our own ESG goals, but how we can help our customers drive their own sustainability agendas. Understanding their needs and adding value through sustainable approaches is fundamental to our vision of driving long-term, sustainable business for everyone. And our success is built on the power of people, our teams that deliver relentlessly for customers and our own organisation, and of course our ESG team. Having won Sustainable Team of the Year at the 2025 Business Eye Sustainability and ESG Awards, it was then a real honour to have our Head of ESG, Lorna McAdoo awarded Excellence in ESG Leadership at the 2025 Workplace Excellence Awards. Lorna’s leadership has positioned Version 1 at the forefront of being a responsible business, not just as a necessary corporate requirement, but by embedding, shaping and driving belief and impact across the organisation and individuals.
Everything we do is guided by a deep-rooted culture of ethics and we strive to always be making a difference and setting new standards for ESG excellence in our industry.
Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here.
