Our Stories

Phil Prior

ESG Manager

As Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles become increasingly important across the industry, new career opportunities are emerging for people from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. ESG is helping to transform construction by driving lower carbon emissions, improving resource efficiency, enhancing biodiversity, and raising standards for health, safety and community impact. 

One person helping to lead that change is untypical’s ESG Manager Phil Prior, whose career journey demonstrates that there is no single route into construction. We caught up with Phil to learn more about his role, the growing importance of ESG, and why construction offers rewarding career opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds. 

Here is Phil’s story. 

My Route into Housebuilding

My route into construction wasn't the most obvious one. I studied Environmental Conservation at college before going on to complete a degree in the subject at Bangor University. With a strong interest in environmental issues and a background in chemistry, I started my career in plant disinfectant manufacturing before moving into the charity sector. 

I joined the Royal British Legion as a Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Officer before progressing into the role of Sustainability Advisor. One of the projects I'm most proud of was helping to remove plastics from the charity's iconic remembrance poppies. It was fantastic to be involved in a project that made such a positive environmental impact and contributed to the organisation winning the Charity Times Sustainability Award in 2024. 

In January 2025, I joined untypical as ESG Lead. It was a chance to bring together my experience in sustainability, environmental management and organisational change in a completely new industry. 

What attracted me to construction was the opportunity to make a real difference at a time when the industry is changing rapidly. 

The sector is working towards significant reductions in carbon emissions, while also looking at how materials are sourced, used and disposed of more responsibly. untypical is genuinely trying to do things differently, with ambitious targets around waste reduction and sustainability, and I wanted to be part of that journey. 

One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the variety. ESG touches almost every area of the business, so no two days are ever the same. 

I can be involved in reviewing waste transfer notes and compliance documentation, carrying out site waste audits, analysing carbon data, developing training materials, supporting sustainability reporting or working with site teams to identify practical ways to reduce waste and emissions. 

A big part of my role involves looking at carbon reporting and helping identify opportunities to reduce emissions, whether that's through site operations, diesel usage, plant machinery or the homes we build. I'm also involved in auditing our sustainability-linked finance commitments and helping develop best-practice guidance across the business. 

It's a role that covers a huge range of activities and that's what keeps it interesting. One day I might be in front of a spreadsheet analysing data and the next I'll be out on site speaking with colleagues and seeing first-hand how processes work in practice. 

While ESG can sound highly technical, many of the skills I use every day are transferable. Problem-solving is a big part of the role, whether that's reducing waste, analysing carbon data or improving processes. Strong communication skills are equally important, as I work with colleagues across the business to help deliver our sustainability goals. 

Analytical thinking helps me turn data into practical actions, while teamwork is essential when collaborating with different departments to find solutions. Adaptability has also been key throughout my career. I didn't come from a construction background, but the skills I developed in manufacturing and the charity sector transferred directly into this role. 

For anyone interested in ESG, I'd recommend developing communication, problem-solving and analytical skills. Technical knowledge can be learned, but the ability to work with people, think critically and adapt to change will always be valuable. 

The construction industry is going through a major period of change, with sustainability becoming increasingly important across everything we do. 

The introduction of the Future Homes Standard provides a clear direction of travel for the industry. While there is a significant amount of legislation involved, it gives businesses certainty about what they need to achieve and the standards they will be working towards in the future. 

For people interested in sustainability, it's an exciting time to be involved in construction because there are genuine opportunities to influence how homes are designed, built and operated for generations to come. 

One of the most interesting aspects of moving into construction has been seeing how sustainability strategies translate into real-world action. 

When you're looking at reports and data, things can often appear very straightforward. However, once you're on site, you quickly gain an appreciation for the practical challenges and opportunities that exist. Understanding how sustainability works in practice has been one of the most valuable learning experiences for me. 

Some of the most rewarding moments come when different teams work together to solve problems. For example, we've explored ways to reduce timber waste through alternative stairwell solutions in timber-framed homes. Seeing ideas develop into practical improvements that deliver measurable benefits is incredibly satisfying. 

Alongside my career, I also completed a Level 7 Sustainability and Business Specialist Apprenticeship, gaining a Master's qualification while continuing to work full-time. 

It's one of the achievements I'm most proud of. Being able to apply what I was learning directly to real projects made the qualification much more valuable than simply studying the theory in isolation. 

I don't think enough people realise that you can achieve Master's-level qualifications through apprenticeship routes. The support I received from my employer at the time was invaluable and I'd encourage anyone considering further education to explore these opportunities.  

Learning while working allowed me to continue developing professionally while gaining practical experience at the same time. 

One thing I've learned is that construction needs a huge range of skills and expertise. It's not just about building homes; it's about sustainability, engineering, finance, project management, health and safety, technology, environmental management and much more. 

My own career has taken me from environmental conservation and manufacturing to the charity sector and now into housebuilding. That journey shows there isn't one set pathway into the industry. 

We'll always need homes, and as sustainability becomes increasingly important, there will continue to be opportunities for people who want to help make a positive difference. For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is helping bring people along on that journey and being part of creating a more sustainable future for the industry. 

Looking back on my career, it's clear that the skills I've developed have been just as important as the qualifications I've gained. Construction offers opportunities for people from a wide range of backgrounds, and employers are increasingly looking for individuals who can communicate effectively, analyse information, solve problems and work collaboratively. If you have those skills and a passion for making a positive impact, there are exciting opportunities to build a rewarding career in the industry. 

If you're passionate about sustainability, innovation and creating meaningful change, construction could be a career path worth exploring.