2007 Annual Report published
Our latest Annual Report outlines all of our successes in the last 12 months, and includes full social, environmental and financial accounts for the company. Our activity over the last year has given us financial returns which far outstripped the average return for the commercial property sector. The results of our Tenant Satisfaction survey have also proved equally favourable, with a majority of tenants very happy with the services we provide. As one of the very few property sector organisations to ask their tenants if they’re happy with their landlord, its great to know we are providing the best service that we can, year on year.

Ethical Property enters the world of blogging!
Our Managing Director, Jamie, has recently started a blog. He will be posting his views and opinions on current issues for Ethical business, social enterprise and civil society as a whole. This is our way of inviting online discussion with our partners, building users and anyone else who is interested – as well as for Jamie to let off some steam!

Movement into Europe
We have successfully purchased our new building on Rue d’Edimbourg in central Brussels. With renovation to begin soon, we hope to complete the works, ready for tenants to move in, by the end of 2008.
The centre is within walking distance of the European Parliament and other key EU headquarters, making it an ideal location for social change organisations throughout Europe to establish their Belgian base.

The Old Music Hall, Oxford - Head Office move
The first stage of the building refurbishment has been completed, and Ethical Property Company Head Office moved in on Tuesday 11th December. The address is 106-108 Cowley Road Oxford OX4 1JE.
The rest of the building is scheduled to be ready for tenants to move into in early May 2008.
The extensive refurbishment is designed to enhance both disabled access and environmental performance. It includes the installation of a 5 storey lift and stair core, a new insulated roof and double glazed windows throughout, low flush eco-toilets and showers and bike racks for cyclists. There will also be a straw-bale building overlooking the garden.

First Scotland property open
Our first centre in Scotland, Thorn House, is to be found in the heart of Edinburgh, at 5 Rose Street, one street back from Princes Street, behind Jenners department store and close to St Andrews Square. It could hardly be more central!

New extension at Development House
Our application to Hackney Council for planning permission for the redevelopment of the car park adjoining Development House has been successful. The development will provide us with a 4 storey 10,000 sq ft development on the site which will enable us to provide further affordable space to London groups as well as a larger conference suite opening out onto a roof terrace. This will be built to a high environmental specification including passive cooling and other energy-saving measures and will provide secure parking for 60 bicycles.

Rod Schwartz joins board of directors
We are pleased to announce that Rod Schwartz was voted in as a director of the company at the last AGM. Rod is the Founder and Chief Executive of Catalyst Fund Management and Research Ltd (http://www.catfund.com), a venture capital firm founded in 1997 and focused on the social, ethical and environmental business sector since 2004. Until August last year, Rod was Chair of Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, and he is also involved with a number of businesses and organisations in the social sector as a non-executive director or advisor; these include Passion Organic, UK Social Investment Forum and, until recently, Justgiving.com and UKVillages.com. Rod’s extensive experience as an analyst, strategic consultant, corporate advisor, venture capitalist and entrepreneur will bring a valuable new dimension to the Ethical Property Company’s Board.