„I am thrilled to announce the official launch of European Green Logistics Space (EGLS) as of today. I am honored to be joined on this journey by an incredible team of logistics experts with whom I have had the privilege of working throughout my career”, announced the CEO of the company, Ian Worboys, in a post.
These include the co-founders Amos Chia, CIO and Glen Lonie, CFO. the country deads – Phil Sutton, Mario Sander, Patrick Rebel, Dominika Surovcova, and Simon Stacey; also, team members – Edgar Simmons, Philip Ho, Toby Last, Max Weber, Thomas Unzen, Magda Dvorakova.
EGLS is dedicated to investing in and developing sustainable logistics real estate across Europe and the UK. Its strategy involves creating modern, sustainable big box and urban logistics facilities both by improving, retrofitting and modernizing existing assets and through ground-up developments. For all its projects, it will aim to work with investors and occupiers to meet the highest standards of sustainability.
„This marks an exciting new chapter, and I look forward to sharing our progress and projects with you. Stay tuned for updates as we build a more sustainable future for logistics real estate!”, Ian Worboys, added.
After many years spent in logistics and development, seasoned executive Ian Worboys decided to put all his experience and knowledge into his own project. He founded EGLS to promote long-term sustainability in logistics and development, arguing that although companies working in his industry like to throw around terms such as “green business”, only a few actually operate in an environmentally friendly and considerate way. According to Worboys, sustainability is not just about building logistics centers with solar panels and green facades; it is about placing these buildings in a wider context. Developments of the future, he believes, should also consider how the buildings will affect the landscape, the livelihoods, and the living standards of the people in the surrounding villages and towns.
lthough Ian Worboys is originally from the United Kingdom, he has been living in Prague for more than 15 years. That’s why he decided to run his new company EGLS out of the Czech Republic. It is also strategically located in the heart of Europe – it is no coincidence that three of the top ten logistics and property development companies are based here.
From the Czech Republic, Worboys wants to fundamentally shift the approach to the construction and renovation of warehouses, logistics centers, and data centers. “Our vision is the industrial buildings of the future – ones that put the least possible burden on the planet, but at the same time make business sense. Investing in the future costs a lot. It’s not just about new technologies, but also about pushing the boundaries overall. We don’t just want to meet minimum requirements to get green building certification and talk about sustainability; we want to set a new level of development”, says Worboys.
At the heart of his new company lie the principles of the so-called ESG or sustainability management system. ESG collectively refers to environmental, social, and governance factors that are used to measure corporate sustainability and responsibility. This makes it easier for investors to assess whether and to what degree a company is responsible and sustainable.
Yet Worboys doesn’t want ESG to be just a figure on an investor report for his company. He wants EGLS to stand on these principles and base all its decisions on them. As such, he and his team face a big challenge and have an ambitious plan ahead of them – to shift the established standards in a relatively conservative industry. “We can have solar panels on the roof, but to meet the future we have to go one step further and go the extra mile. Even if we don’t have to. We have to look at the bigger picture of the whole project. How are we impacting the local economy with the project? What are the social impacts? How can we support the local community? Those specific measures then take different forms, taking into account several factors. I can sponsor a local children’s football club. Give people in the area jobs. I can get my employees regularly involved in cleaning up the surrounding villages,” he says, laying out a new perspective on the construction of large halls and logistics centers on the outskirts of towns and villages.
One of the key areas that EGSL wants to address fits into this way of thinking about logistics and development. They call it Green Back and it is about revitalizing existing properties.
Worboys recognizes that the future is not just about building new, modern industrial complexes to the highest standards; it’s about taking what already exists and elevating it to the next level. “We understand that there is no land to spare these days. And that in many cases it has more added value if it is used for agriculture. That’s why we plan to create a logistics network across Europe also from old and disused buildings, which we will renovate to meet our standards for green and sustainable buildings,” he explains.
Having worked in the business for decades, Worboys knows that to get anywhere near his dream, he needs to surround himself with the right people. That’s why he’s assembled his team out of the seasoned professionals whom he met throughout his career. “Ninety percent of them I have worked with in the past. Because of that, I know how they approach their work and what kind of people they are. It was important to me that we share core values and that we see the future of our industry similarly,” he says, adding that a strong and experienced team is also a prerequisite for blazing a new trail in the industry and gaining the trust of partners.
“Investing in the future often doesn’t have an immediate return. It is therefore imperative that we are able to outline to our partners a vision of where we are going, a world we will build for. To gain their trust, because they will not be investing for short-term business advantage, but out of a certain conviction and desire to participate in the future”, Worboys notes.
He assembled his team with one more idea in mind. “Over the years, I’ve also come to understand something: I want us to do a top-notch job, but at the same time never lose the fun and enjoyment out of it. I want people to come home from work happy in the afternoon, because then they’ll be nicer to their family, to their neighbors, to the strangers they meet along the way. They’ll have a sense of well-being and that will spread”, Worboys says with a smile.
The company’s strategy revolves around five key areas:
- GreenBox: Purchasing existing green warehouses and assets.
- GreenDev: Building new warehouses to the highest green standards.
- GreenBack: Purchasing older warehouses and converting them to green ones.
- GreenUrban: Transforming warehouses near city centers for last-mile delivery.
- GreenData: Developing green data centers across Europe.
EGLS has ambitious plans with several projects lined up in the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia. The company intends to continue its expansion to Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands in the following year and possibly aims for further growth into the Nordics.
Worboys selected the Czech Republic as EGLS’s headquarters due to its unique location at the center of Europe. “Czechia is the heart of Europe, and it is no accident that three out of ten top logistics companies have their headquarters here,” he explains.
Leading the Czech and Slovak team is Dominika Surovcová, who brings a strong financial background and extensive real estate expertise from her previous role in industrial development at Trammell Crow Company, a leading US developer.
“Despite the ongoing evolution required in Czech and Slovak legislation regarding green development and the length of the approval process, I am excited about the promising projects that are already beginning to take shape,” says Surovcová, Managing Director of CZ and SK.
EGLS is committed to shaping a greener future for logistics and property development, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable solutions across the industry.
Ian Worboys has 42 years of logistics experience across 13 European countries. He was involved in and oversaw the development and management of over €10 billion and in excess of 8 million square meters of logistics space. For ten years Ian was CEO of P3 Logistic Parks. As Managing Director for Trammell Crow Company, he assembled a team from scratch to build a development business on site and in planning of €0.5bn in 22 months. He also spent 11 years at Gazeley (GLP), the renowned logistics real estate developer and operator, and started Gazeley’s European expansion. He was Chairman of the Industrial Agents Society UK and, in 2016, was awarded Industrial Professional of the Year by the Financial Times and CEEQA.
