‘Unprecedented’ growth propels record results at sustainability consultancy

Leeds-headquartered sustainability consultancy, Tunley Environmental, is reporting a record financial year with annual turnover surpassing £1m for the first time, reaching £1.55m for 2023-24.

The company, founded by 36-year-old entrepreneur Dr Will Beer in 2017, achieved its third successive year of turnover growth in excess of 50%.

Key to the success has been Tunley’s work with maritime and ports clients looking to monitor and reduce their emissions.

This sector accounted for more than a third of the firm’s turnover, though growth has also been seen across other sectors.

More than half of the company’s turnover for 2023-24 was achieved outside the UK.

During the year, the consultancy scooped its biggest ever single deal to produce a net zero carbon emissions strategy by 2040 for Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority in Michigan.

Working on an increasing number of projects has also enabled Tunley to bolster its headcount from 10 to 17 in 12 months.

Dr Beer said: “We have seen unprecedented growth across multiple sectors, with our consultants working across pharma, EV manufacturing, industrial procurement, and construction and architecture in addition to ports and maritime in the past year.

“Those we work with are looking to benchmark their emissions, work more sustainably and also, where possible, tap into any available funding and yet do this while maintaining a profitable business, often against a harsh economic climate.

“We are seeing increasing demand from ports to create a plan for greater sustainability, especially with huge funding opportunities on the horizon.

“In the United States, ports can benefit from $3bn funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ‘Clean Ports Program’ while the EU, UK and APAC also have an increasing focus on cutting maritime emissions.

“Funding windows are often short, so it is essential to have a plan in place. We are getting an increasing number of calls asking us to come and assess current outputs and help create that plan.”

Dr Beer added that 2024 is starting strongly, with the company targeting revenues of £2.8m for the next financial year.

He said artificial intelligence is set to play a key role in the future operations of the business, and will help streamline its activities.