Northwest property firm Assura has promoted its existing development lead Simon Gould to the new role of head of sustainability and innovation.

Gould has worked for the Warrington-based primary care premises company for 14 years, and has been tasked with implementing Assura’s goal of delivering only primary care buildings which are net zero of carbon for both construction and operation by March 2026.

Assura stated that Gould has grown the company’s in-house development operation to historic levels, with currently 15 schemes catering to 183,000 patients live on site, and a £60 million pipeline of 13 further schemes which are set to be on site within 12 months. He has championed the company’s commitment to achieving BREEAM certification on all new-build schemes, as well improving energy and environmental outcomes for GP practice buildings, including the ultra-low carbon design of West Gorton Primary Care Centre in Greater Manchester.

Assura chief executive Jonathan Murphy said: “To deliver on our ambitious aim to be the UK’s leading listed property developer for social impact, we will need really focused leadership. As such, I’m pleased to have Simon now bringing together all our hard work on sustainability and ultimately making sure that we reach our full potential, making a real difference to the NHS and our environment.”

Gould said: “Sustainability is at the very heart of our strategy and efforts to support the NHS’s commitment to become the world’s first net carbon zero health system. Our sustainability focus ranges from delivering the first net zero carbon primary care centre for both construction and operation – years before the national target – to delivering an EPC rating of B or better across our buildings, and making renewable energy sourcing the norm, as well as developing our sustainable supply chain.”