Integra features in King’s Award Magazine as CEO reflects on royal recognition

"It shows that our approach, with sustainability at its heart, is not only the right direction for Integra, but also for the construction sector." - Gary Parker, CEO

Our CEO, Gary Parker, recently spoke to the King's Award Magazine to reflect on winning the prestigious award in the Sustainable Development category.

The interview featured in the King's Award Magazine 2026, with Integra highlighted as a past winner.

Gary discussed what receiving the King's Award means for Integra, and shared his top tips for other businesses considering nominating themselves for royal recognition.

What inspired Integra Buildings to apply for a King’s Award?

We applied for The King’s Award because we truly believed our approach and commitment to sustainable construction is what sets us apart in the modular industry.

For a business, there is no higher accolade, and we applied with the aspiration to stand alongside Britain’s very best companies and showcase our contribution to UK construction.

We wanted to demonstrate that modular can play a significant role in creating a sustainable built environment. The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development does exactly that.

How did you prepare your submission, and what key areas did you focus on?

It was an opportunity for us to closely examine our own operations and processes – from the buildings we manufacture and the materials we use, to the investments we’re making to reduce the carbon footprint of our headquarters site.

Our submission focused on key points of difference. We’re one of a small number of modular companies to hold four ISO certifications, and we’ve invested significantly in our people to broaden our technical and digital capabilities, with a clear focus on sustainability.

We wanted to demonstrate our original thinking around circular economy principles in modular construction, and how offsite methods can lead the way in sustainable building practices.

Did you learn anything about your own company during the process?

In collating all of the information needed for the entry, we were reminded of just how far we’ve come as a business, and the significant milestones we’ve already reached.

We’ve cut gas consumption on site by almost a quarter since 2022, and reduced waste to landfill from 70 per cent to just 1.2 per cent in three years. We have more than 1,000 rooftop solar panels generating clean electricity, and all of our buildings are designed to be 100 per cent reusable and relocatable.

Naturally, the process highlighted areas of focus and improvement but, above all, we learned that we can be proud of what we’ve achieved and the challenges we’ve overcome to become a more sustainable business.

How did your team contribute to the application?

They say a business is nothing without its people and, in this case, that could not be truer.

The breadth and depth of data and information needed for the entry required input from all of our departments – from production and technical, to our SHEQ and business development teams.

It really was a team effort, and it highlighted the expertise and the commitment we’re so proud to have in our people.

What does winning a King’s Award mean to you and your team?

To put it simply, it’s the proudest moment in Integra’s near-30-year history.

This award is a very special royal recognition for everything we stand for – pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and making a positive, lasting impact to the world around us.

It also shows that our approach, with sustainability at its heart, is not only the right direction for Integra, but also for the construction sector. It reflects the passion and hard work that each and every one of our team puts in, day after day. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve all achieved together.

What advice would you give to others considering applying?

Be bold, and be brave, and go for it! We’re inherently modest as a company – we let our work and our buildings do the talking, so putting ourselves forwards for a King’s Award was a step out of our comfort zone.

The confidence and the belief we’ve gained from being successful is immeasurable. If you think you have the story to tell, and the evidence to support it, then take that leap and enter. You won’t regret it!

How will you use your Award to promote your business going forward?

It’s a message to our clients, partners and the industry that, by working with Integra, you’re working with a company at the forefront of sustainable development and practice.

We were the only modular construction company to receive a King’s Award in 2025. That means no one else in our industry can currently say they have and, for us, that’s a huge USP.

We very quickly saw the impact of the King’s Award when we were named Pioneer of the Year at the 2025 Offsite Awards in September – our industry’s own Oscars. The King’s Award was integral to that submission, and we believe stood us apart from finalists in what was a highly competitive category.

What advice would you give to other businesses starting their sustainability journey?

Start small, and focus on the simple steps you can take that will make a positive difference.

You don’t need to have all the answers straight away (we certainly didn’t!), and one thing I can say is you will make some mistakes along the way but, if you keep moving forwards, you will achieve your goals and see the benefits.

Break it down into bitesize pieces, and go at the pace you’re comfortable. Don’t try and jump too many hurdles too soon, and involve your whole team and company in the process.

Would you consider applying for another King’s Award in the future?

We absolutely would, but only if we felt we were deserving of one! As the country’s most prestigious business accolade, we would apply again if we thought we’d made the progress and achieved the successes befitting of a King’s Award.

As a company, we’re not resting on our laurels. We’re ambitious, we’re pushing ahead, and I hope in the future we’ll be in a place to stand alongside Britain’s very best businesses once again.

In your view, what are the key benefits of being a King’s Award holder?

Quite simply, it is royal recognition and acclaim for the work we do – very few companies can say they have that. When I co-founded Integra almost 30 years ago, I never could have believed we would be where we are today.

The King’s Award trophy is the first thing people see when they walk through the door of our head office. Quite rightly, it has pride of place at the forefront of our trophy cabinet!