Black Country Hero Awards: Meet the sponsor who keeps Black Country sustainability 'close to their hearts'
Whg have again joined the Express & Star Black Country Hero Awards to sponsor our 'Environmental Champion'.
Whg has championed high-quality homes for Black Country residents for more than 20 years.
The housing group is one of the leading social housing landlords in the Black Country and wider West Midlands, providing more than 22,000 homes across the region.
However, their work doesn't stop at brick and mortar.
Over the years, whg has also worked to invest in our neighbourhoods, supporting people into training and employment, improving wellbeing, and building a sustainable future.
This is why the group chose again to sponsor the Express & Star's Black Country Hero Awards for 2025, where they presented the 'Environmental Champion Award' on Thursday night (September 25).
"We're proud to be sponsoring the Environmental Champion Award", Rob Gilham, corporate director of strategy, assets and transformation at whg said. "This category is especially close to our hearts because sustainability is at the centre of our work."
The housing group had invested more than £55 million into energy-efficient improvements over the last year, and also worked on creating the UK's first 'net zero neighbourhoods' in Walsall.
Mr Gilham added: "We've set ambitious targets to be net zero by 2050, invested £55.5m into energy efficient improvements last year, and are delivering one of the UK's first net zero neighbourhoods right here in Walsall.
"For us, recognising local people who are caring for green spaces, reducing waste, encouraging recycling or protecting wildlife is the perfect complement to our own missing to create greener homes, and healthier communities."
When asked what the word 'hero' means to whg, they said that a hero 'doesn't need a title or recognition', they 'act because they care'.
Mr Gilham said: "A hero to us is someone who steps up for their community. They don't need a title or recognition; they just act because they care.
"A whg hero could be a neighbour who organises a litter pick, a group that transforms a patch of land into a community garden, or someone who inspires others to live more sustainably.
"They are everyday people doing extraordinary things, and that's what makes them so inspiring."
He added that the Black Country Hero awards are a 'fantastic' way to shine a light on those who make the Black Country a special place to live, and that they want to recognise those whose hard work and commitment sometimes go unnoticed.
He said: "The Hero Awards is a fantastic way to shine a light on remarkable individuals who make the Black Country such a special place.
"As an organisation rooted in the community, we wanted to be part of celebrating those unsung heroes whose hard work often goes unnoticed, but makes a huge difference to everyday life."
The corporate director added that the awards highlight 'the very best' of our region, and these heroes' actions 'echo' their own ambition to create greener homes, and a more sustainable future.
He said: "At whg, we're passionate about building thriving, sustainable communities.
"That's why we're so proud to support the Black Country Heroes Awards, and in particular, the Environmental Champion Award.
"The individuals and groups recognised through this category reflect the very best of our region - people who give their time and energy to protect and improve the places we all call home.
"Their commitment echoes our own ambition to create greener homes, healthier neighbourhoods and a better future for generations to come."
Allister Malcolm Glass was the winner of this year's Environmental Champion Award, with whg handing over the trophy to their champion.
