Our Putney office is enjoyed by more than just our staff and clients; it is also home to two thriving colonies of Buckfast bees. Installed several years ago, these rooftop hives have not only provided us with locally produced honey which we donate to clients and staff, but have also become a small but meaningful contribution to urban biodiversity and environmental stewardship.

The Buckfast bee, a hybrid breed developed by Brother Adam of Buckfast Abbey in the UK, is renowned for its gentle temperament, disease resistance, and strong honey production. These traits make it particularly suited to an urban environment like Putney, where hive management requires a careful balance between productivity and safety. Our resident beekeeper, Deborah Blythe, a consultant in our personal injury and clinical negligence team, oversees the hives with remarkable dedication, and together with a small cohort of volunteers from across the firm ensure both colonies remain healthy and productive.

In the 2025 season, the hives have thrived despite some early seasonal rain. The first part of the year was cool and changeable, but once the sun emerged in May and June, the bees flourished. Starting with a single colony, we quickly saw growth in the population, prompting a “split” early in May. This process involves taking a portion of brood frames and stores from a strong colony and placing them in a new hive to encourage the worker bees to raise a new queen. By early June, the procedure had been successful: the new queen had mated, was laying fertilized eggs, and both colonies were fully established.

At present, each hive houses a robust population of approximately 60,000 bees, with home-grown queens reared from the daughters of previous Putney queens. To accommodate the increasing numbers, we have added an extra brood box to one of the colonies, providing the bees with more space to continue expanding their activities without risk of swarming. These careful management practices ensure the hives remain healthy while supporting consistent honey production for staff and clients alike.

Beyond honey production, our hives are a small but significant part of our wider environmental strategy. Bees are vital pollinators, and their presence on our rooftop contributes to the health of surrounding urban flora. We have actively cultivated a garden behind our Putney office with pollinator-friendly plants such as lavender attracting not only our bees but also other beneficial insects and birds. The activity in these spaces demonstrates the interconnectedness of urban ecosystems and highlights the positive impact even a few hives can have on local biodiversity.

The presence of bees in a cityscape is more than symbolic. Globally, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Supporting bees, even on a small scale, contributes to ecological resilience, urban greening, and sustainable food production. By maintaining our rooftop hives, we provide a safe environment for these essential insects while fostering environmental awareness among our staff and clients.

These hives represent a blend of tradition, science, and environmental responsibility, and are a small but impactful initiative that aligns with our broader sustainability goals and demonstrates our commitment to supporting urban wildlife.

In sum, the Buckfast hives atop our Putney office are more than just honey producers; they are an emblem of sustainability, community, and care for the natural world, thriving in an unlikely but highly effective urban habitat.

We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint, which includes promoting sustainable commuting options. One of the most successful initiatives supporting this goal is our Cycle to Work scheme, administered through Cyclescheme.

In 2025, we sought to further enhance numbers of staff commuting or choosing to travel by bicycle through a collaboration with bike servicing company Fettle Bike Repair, and by reinvigorating the Russell-Cooke Cycling Club. Together, these programmes encourage staff to adopt cycling as a regular, practical, and eco-friendly mode of transport.

The Cycle to Work scheme provides employees with a tax-efficient way to purchase bicycles and safety equipment, typically offering savings of up to 50%. Staff are eligible to choose from a wide range of bikes (from traditional and folding bicycles to electric models) through Cyclescheme’s approved retailers. The scheme operates via a salary sacrifice arrangement over a 12-month period, after which Cyclescheme offers further options for ownership at minimal additional cost. Importantly, while the scheme is intended primarily for commuting, bikes can also be used for personal trips, helping staff to reduce their overall carbon footprint while supporting overall fitness and wellbeing.

The uptake at Russell-Cooke has been significant. Since introducing the scheme, a growing number of employees have embraced cycling, leading to measurable reductions in car journeys and associated carbon emissions. Encouraging staff to choose active travel not only aligns with our environmental strategy but also promotes physical health, improves mental wellbeing, and contributes to reduced congestion in the local area around our various office locations.

To further support our cyclists, the Russell-Cooke Environmental Group partnered with Fettle, a trusted bike servicing company with a workshop in Putney, to provide on-site maintenance and tune-ups at our offices. This initiative allowed employees to have their bikes professionally checked by Fettle free of charge with offers for discounted follow-up repairs and maintenance at their workshop. Such events are designed to ensure that staff can enjoy safe, reliable bicycles while encouraging maximum participation. Following the success of these sessions at our Putney office, we are exploring similar opportunities for our Kingston and Bedford Row offices. Our events with Fettle were timed to coincide with the summer months and national events such as Cycle to Work Day in August, helping staff take advantage of favourable weather for commuting.

Additionally, the Russell-Cooke Cycling Club offers staff with an existing passion for cycling, and those who are looking to grow their confidence the opportunity to meet regularly for a safe and sociable group ride. In 2025 we introduced branded cycle tops for staff, fostering a sense of community and visibility while promoting cycling as a practical and stylish commuting option.

The benefits of these programmes extend beyond the environmental, individual health and convenience. By encouraging staff to cycle regularly, we are actively reducing our organisational carbon footprint, supporting cleaner air, and contributing to broader climate action goals. Cycling also strengthens our connection to the local community and urban environment, highlighting the role of workplace initiatives in promoting sustainable, low-impact commuting.

Russell-Cooke’s Cycle to Work scheme and collaboration with Fettle exemplify the integration of practical sustainability measures with staff wellbeing. The significant uptake of the scheme demonstrates both enthusiasm and commitment from employees, while the provision of expert maintenance support ensures that cycling remains a viable, safe, and enjoyable choice. By facilitating active travel, we are not only supporting our staff but also taking tangible steps toward a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future.

In summary, these initiatives show how workplace policies can encourage environmentally responsible behaviour, reduce emissions, and enhance staff wellbeing, all while fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the organization.