How Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd (Bec) Uses Values and Behaviours to Drive Business
BEC (Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd) is a values-led, profit-for-purpose organisation that reinvests its profits into projects that benefit the local community.
BEC’s core values (adopted from the utropia foundation principles) - Self-Worth, Support, Kindness, Respect, and Integrity - are not only cultural pillars but strategic tools embedded across all aspects of the business, from procurement and partnerships to decision-making and leadership – they drive business and maximise impact.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN CULTURE
BEC’s purpose is to build extraordinary communities by creating value and unlocking potential through sustainable actions. By partnering with aligned organisations, BEC addresses local challenges and maximises community impact. BEC’s purpose shapes its values, behaviours, and long-term strategy.
VALUES IN ACTION
Guiding BEC's interactions to drive business.
Self-Worth – knowing you have value and can contribute to make a difference
BEC empowers its team through ownership and autonomy. For example, individual staff members led the achievement of the Menopause Friendly Employer accreditation and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, driving national recognition while boosting internal pride and staff retention.
Support – helping others become self-sufficient
BEC builds a connected ecosystem by fostering meaningful collaborations in a supportive environment, offering true and honest support to their partners and collaborators.
Kindness – demonstrating thoughtfulness and consideration By prioritising thoughtfulness and consideration, BEC ensures that the team feels valued and supported, fostering a positive and united environment. Through regular team briefings and an open-door policy, every individual is provided with the opportunity to express their views and be acknowledged.
Respect – giving to others what you would like to receive yourself
Respect is about fully appreciating the life, experience and viewpoints of others, without trying impose our own interpretation. BEC ensures developments are rooted in respect for the community. Extensive engagement for projects like The Bus Station and LEVELS has ensured local support and uptake - minimising resistance, streamlining planning, and strengthening local reputation.
Integrity – being truthful and honest in all that you say and do
Being honest and truthful, standing up for those things that matter to us as human beings is what integrity means to BEC. It is not something that is only applied when it suits, BEC encourage its team to hold themselves and each other accountable. Ultimately creating trust and reassurance in others.
BEHAVIOURS IN ACTION
Directing BEC's interactions to support business operations.
Leadership – Courage to Shape a Better Future. BEC takes bold, future-facing decisions - investing in underutilised assets, driving regeneration, and pushing forward ambitious place-based strategies that others may avoid due to risk or complexity.
Responsible for Actions. BEC holds itself accountable for outcomes, even when it’s difficult. Regular team briefings, impact reporting, and open dialogue ensure every team member understands their role in delivering on commitments - and taking ownership and pride in results.
Driven to Make a Difference. BEC is passionate and committed to seizing opportunities. When they believe in a project, they seek support relentlessly to achieve its goals. BEC persists without giving up.
Partnering People and Change. BEC treats everyone with dignity and respect, working collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver change and build partnerships based on shared successes and mutual trust. Whether supporting tenants' growth or partnering with local authorities, BEC proactively shapes positive interactions.
Being Commercially Astute. BEC balances purpose and profitability, achieving value for money. Developments are scoped for commercial viability and longevity, allowing reinvestment in community initiatives without compromising financial stability.
Working with Integrity. BEC selects suppliers based on value alignment, sustainability, and fair practices, alongside cost. This approach aims to enhance project delivery and build enduring partnerships. Suppliers and partners are subject to regular review to ensure continued adherence to BEC values and behaviours.
Environmentally Responsible: BEC is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, understanding, and best practices. BEC is committed to continuously improving its management of environmental impacts. BEC integrates sustainability into project design and delivery, striving for low-carbon impact and environmental regeneration through developments such as REVIVE and LEVELS. This approach positions BEC as a leader in responsible property development within the community.
For BEC, values and behaviours are more than statements - they are consistently demonstrated through action. They shape business decisions, define the organisation’s impact, and strengthen BEC’s legacy as a values led business and a trusted force for sustainable regeneration in West Cumbria.