What Peterborough Environment City Trust does

Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is a UK registered charity (No. 1023929) and company limited by guarantee (No. 2834975) founded in 1993 and headquartered in Peterborough. It operates as a community-led environmental organisation delivering projects of local, regional, and national significance across four service areas: Nature (tree planting via Forest for Peterborough and Woods for Whittlesey, mini forests, wildlife corridors), Food (community fridges, Fab Food in 15 schools, Cool Food), Waste (food waste reduction, Waste Less Save More programme), and Energy (free home energy advice, FutureNow online portal, Winter Warmth Partnership). Its proprietary Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation scheme is sold/licensed to organisations, and the wholly-owned trading subsidiary Green Energy Switch (founded 2006, originally PECT Consultancy Ltd) delivers energy advice and switching services with profits gifted back to the charity.

PECT generates revenue from a hybrid mix of restricted grants (Big Lottery Fund, Department of Health, Fenland District Council, corporate partners such as Sainsbury's and Tesco), public donations and fundraising, fee-based workshops and events (£13–£15 standard, £29.96 Forest Bathing+), and subsidiary trading income. Customer segments span local communities and residents, schools, vulnerable and elderly households, low-income families, and SMEs seeking environmental accreditation. Distribution is omnichannel: the WestRaven Community Café and Garden (physical hub), direct school delivery, home energy visits, community fridges, and partner venues including Nene Park Trust, The Green Backyard, and Project Abundance UK. PECT operates within Peterborough and surrounding Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, and East Lindsey, and participates in the England–France BLUEPRINT Interreg circular-economy partnership.

There is no evidence of proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or software products beyond content portals. The organisation employs 11–50 staff, is governed by a board of trustees, and is led by an interim CEO following Carly Leonard's 2022 departure. The most significant single funding line — a £1 million Big Lottery grant for WestRaven Big Local — is scheduled to expire in 2025, representing a material concentration risk for forward planning.

Name

Peterborough Environment City Trust

Legal name

Peterborough Environment City Trust

Website

https://pect.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PECT is a Peterborough-based environmental charity (founded 1993) delivering community-led programmes across nature, food, waste, and energy, plus the proprietary iiE accreditation scheme, funded by grants, donations, workshops, and subsidiary Green Energy Switch.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable donations and fundraising: PECT relies on public donations and fundraising activities to support environmental projects and community initiatives.
2. Grant funding from government and foundations: PECT receives grant funding from government departments (Department of Health, Big Lottery Fund), local councils, and charitable foundations to deliver specific projects.
3. Workshop and event fees: Some workshops and events charge fees (e.g., £15 standard tickets, £13 early bird rates), while others are free to attend.
4. Subsidiary commercial operations: In 2006 PECT founded subsidiary company PECT Consultancy Ltd (now Green Energy Switch). Any profits from Green Energy Switch are gifted back to PECT to fund vital work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

PECT is an environmental charity delivering community-focused programs across five service areas: Nature (tree planting, wildlife corridors, mini forests), Food (community fridges, Cool Food), Waste (reduction initiatives), Energy (free home energy advice via subsidiary Green Energy Switch), and Eco Education (school programs). It also runs the Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation scheme for organisations and the FutureNow online hub for home energy upgrades.

Product overview

PECT (Peterborough Environment City Trust) is an environmental charity offering a portfolio of community-focused environmental services and programs rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include the Energy Advice Service providing free home energy guidance, the FutureNow online portal for Net Zero home upgrades, and Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation scheme. Service areas span Nature (tree planting, wildlife corridors, mini forests), Food (community fridges, Cool Food program), Waste (reduction initiatives), and Eco Education (school programs, Climate Education platform, Wild Literacy). PECT also operates large-scale infrastructure projects like the 45-mile Green Wheel cycle network and Forest for Peterborough tree planting initiative. These programs are delivered through partnerships with local authorities, schools, businesses, and community organizations across Peterborough and surrounding Cambridgeshire areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Investors in the Environment (iiE): An environmental accreditation scheme designed to help organisations save money, reduce their impact on the environment, and get promoted for their green credentials.
• FutureNow
• Green Energy Switch
• Forest for Peterborough
• BLUEPRINT
• CHESS

Products and services

• Energy Advice Service Free energy advice service helping individuals and businesses save money on their energy bills, including home energy assessments, personalized recommendations, boiler servicing referrals, and insulation advice. Delivered through home visits, phone consultations, and community sessions.
• FutureNow Online resource hub helping residents navigate home energy upgrades including heat pumps and solar panels, understand whether electric vehicles are right for them, and access local energy initiatives in Peterborough.
• Investors in the Environment (iiE) Environmental accreditation scheme designed to help organisations save money, reduce their environmental impact, and gain promotion for their green credentials.
• Forest for Peterborough Tree planting initiative aiming to plant one tree for every person in Peterborough to benefit the environment, communities, and wildlife. One of PECT's flagship large-scale environmental projects.
• Community Fridge Project Community fridges installed at locations like WestRaven Community Café to store surplus food from supermarkets and local stores for free collection by local residents, reducing food waste and supporting those in need.
• Green Wheel Network of over 45 miles of continuous sustainable cycle routes around Peterborough city, one of PECT's first large-scale projects supporting sustainable transport.
• Eco Education Educational programs and resources for schools focused on sustainability, environmental awareness, and climate education. Includes Eco Charter, Eco Awards, Schools Sustainability Showcase, Wild Literacy, Nature's School, Food Smart, Growing Towers, and Climate Education Platform.
• Cool Food Program helping individuals reduce their carbon footprint through changes to shopping and eating habits, as food makes up around a fifth of carbon footprint.
• Climate Education Platform One-stop green hub for bringing sustainability to schools with teacher resources and action plans.
• PECT Mini Forests Initiative blending wildflower meadows with native woodland species to create rich, overlapping ecosystems in community spaces.
• Skills Bootcamp in Sustainability & Environmental Management Training program equipping individuals with knowledge and confidence to pursue careers in sustainability, available to jobseekers and those already in work.
• Wild Literacy Program taking children into natural environments to enhance understanding of the wider world and develop vocabulary through outdoor learning experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ tonnes of food waste collected annually, generating electricity for 600 homes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fenland District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Fenland District Council provided funding for the Woods for Whittlesey project, which aims to plant 5,000 trees in Whittlesey and surrounding areas. This partnership enables PECT to expand its community tree planting initiatives beyond Peterborough.
• Cross Keys HomescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Cross Keys Homes is the locally trusted organization for WestRaven Big Local project and partnered with PECT to enhance gardens at Kingfisher Court care home.
• Children's Food TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with Children's Food Trust for the Waste Less, Save More project, including training 20 Food Saver Champions to run waste saver and cooking sessions.
• FareSharecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017FareShare provides surplus food that would otherwise go to waste for use in WestRaven Community Café and Community Fridge projects.
• Peterborough City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Peterborough City Council is partner in Waste Less, Save More and other projects including FutureNow for home energy upgrades. Council collects over 4,500 tonnes of food waste annually.
• Age UKminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Age UK was a key partner in Winter Warmth Partnership providing services to elderly and vulnerable adults during winter months.
• The Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The Salvation Army was a partner in Winter Warmth Partnership helping reach vulnerable populations with warmth and support services.
• Green Energy Switch (PECT Consultancy Ltd)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006PECT subsidiary company founded in 2006. Any profits made by Green Energy Switch are gifted back to PECT to help fund vital environmental work. Operates LEAP home energy service.
• Nene Park TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNene Park Trust partners with PECT for events at venues including Ferry Meadows, The Den, and Lynch Lake. PECT conducts Pond Dipping, Nature Crafts, and other nature events at Nene Park sites.
• Project Abundance UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Abundance UK partners with PECT to deliver workshops at The Green Backyard including Permaculture, Soap Making, Herbal Balms, and Winter Food Growing workshops.
• Huntingdonshire District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuntingdonshire District Council partners with PECT for WildFest event celebrating local wildlife and natural beauty. Event is organized with 'Wild About Huntingdon'.
• Leaf and LightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal organizer delivering Forest Bathing+ Sessions listed on PECT's events calendar. Alexandra Szczurek hosts sessions at Manor Wood.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centre for Sustainable Energy: Bristol-based charity delivering energy advice, fuel poverty programmes, and community sustainability projects. Comparable to PECT's Energy Advice Service, Winter Warmth Partnership, and FutureNow work as a similar-sized UK energy charity.
• Keep Britain Tidy: Environmental charity focused on waste reduction, recycling, and community clean-up campaigns. Comparable to PECT's Waste Services, sustainability education, and community engagement programmes.
• CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England): Environmental charity advocating for the English countryside, sustainable communities, and rural environmental protection. Comparable to PECT as a UK environmental advocacy and community engagement organisation.
• Sustrans: UK charity making walking and cycling easier via National Cycle Network and community programmes. Directly comparable to PECT's Green Wheel cycle network (45+ miles) and sustainable transport/community engagement work.

Broad incumbents

• Groundwork UK: National federation of environmental and regeneration charities delivering community-based sustainability projects across the UK. Comparable to PECT as a network of locally embedded environmental charities with similar multi-thematic project portfolios.
• The Wildlife Trusts: UK-wide federation of 46 local wildlife trusts operating nature reserves, conservation programmes, and community engagement. Comparable to PECT's nature, education, and community volunteer activities but at vastly larger scale.
• Energy Saving Trust: National organisation providing energy efficiency advice, renewable energy guidance, and low-carbon transport support. Comparable to PECT's energy advice and FutureNow offerings but operating at much larger national scale.

Emerging players

• Hubbub Foundation: UK environmental charity using behavioural change campaigns to address waste, food waste, and sustainability. Comparable to PECT's community-led food waste and behaviour-change initiatives like Waste Less, Save More and Cool Food.

Regional players

• Cambridge Carbon Footprint: Local environmental charity delivering carbon reduction, community energy, and sustainability programmes in the Cambridgeshire area. Comparable to PECT as a similarly sized community environmental charity in an adjacent geography.
• Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire: Regional wildlife trust covering Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties with nature reserves, education, and community programmes. Closest regional peer to PECT given overlapping geography and similar nature/education focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sustainablepect
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUsUbku1fH5vWxenj9yACHg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SustainablePECT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-pect
• Instagraminstagram.com/sustainable_pect

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Peterborough Environment City Trust