Techbuyer Becomes a Member of the GDSA

Following the GDSA Summit in May 2024, Techbuyer is delighted to have officially become a member of the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance (GDSA)! 

We will be working alongside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), as well as other names within the technology sector, to help inform government on sustainable IT best practice.  

What is the GDSA?  

The GDSA is an alliance of businesses, including big names in the industry, such as Dell and Microsoft, that have been invited to collaborate with Defra for a sustainable IT future.  

The GDSA is designed to bring Defra into conversation with government digital leaders, government suppliers and others to ensure digitalisation presents a net benefit for society and the environment.    

The alliance works together to review risks, opportunities and developments in sustainable best practice for IT hardware. This allows the alliance to inform government practice and legislation around the use, maintenance and disposal of technology.  

Being part of this alliance allows us to collaborate with representatives from the public sector and with business from around the world. This level of knowledge sharing and collaboration is essential for the development of innovative ideas and practices as digitalisation takes root.  

Meet Our GDSA Team 

4 members of our team have joined the GDSA, each with their own specialism within our business, to help inform the alliance and bring expertise back into Techbuyer in different ways.  

Steve Sexton | CEO 

Techbuyer has been and continues to be passionate about sustainability best practice. As leading refurbished Information Technology experts our success in ensuring digital sustainability lies deeply with the partnerships and relationships that we hold. 

Being invited to become a GDSA member allows Techbuyer to work closely with many like-minded organisations, collectively problem solving through government led collaborations.  

Techbuyer is very excited to add value, by helping identify risks and opportunities within current policies to ensure that ultimately all digital waste is minimised as much as possible. 

Astrid Wynne Rogers | Head of Public Sector and Sustainability 

The GDSA looks like an initiative that can make a large positive impact on how the UK purchases and runs its IT infrastructure and software services. I got the impression that a lot of capable, knowledgeable and dedicated people have committed to this. I like the combination of assessment and concrete actions as well as how open everyone is to discussion and sharing knowledge. It seems like a place I can learn and develop as well as share my knowledge to date. As someone who has learned on the job over the past 7 years, this very much appeals to me.  

I believe I have useful skills and experience to contribute. I have worked on four major research projects on energy efficiency and circular economy. I am Chair of the Sustainability Special Interest Group at the Data Centre Alliance and led the Sustainability Best Practice Whitepaper. I built the sustainability function at a large SME from the ground up and now lead the research, sustainability and public sector function.  

I also have a lot to learn. I know the company can do better on biodiversity and green procurement. Some of the best guidance on this comes from government and it will be a privilege to work with some of the people who are guiding this.   

Paul Thorogood | Resource Recovery Manager  

As Techbuyer's Resource Recovery Manager I am passionate about joining the GDSA as I am committed to promoting sustainable practices in the technology sector. The GDSA's mission to foster digital sustainability aligns perfectly with my personal and professional values. 

My role at Techbuyer has been motivated through dedication to reducing electronic waste and maximising the lifecycle of IT assets where possible, as well as finding innovative and ethical recycling solutions. I am excited about the collaborative nature of the GDSA, which brings together diverse stakeholders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions, leading to learning and development opportunities for me personally and professionally. I am excited to contribute in any way and to learn from others in the sector. 

James Lord | Head of Infrastructure  

As Head of Infrastructure, my role at Techbuyer means that I’m constantly looking for ways to improve the efficiency of the devices we use, as well as how we can keep equipment in use for longer. I’m looking forward to working with like-minded companies who can share their expertise on efficiency and cascading assets.  

Our aim at Techbuyer is to increase the circularity of our business – in terms of technology, we have a zero-to-landfill policy, however ideally I want to grow the use phase of the technology we use and to explore innovative methods to achieve this. Our membership with the GDSA will allow us to explore this in more detail. 

Aiding Sustainable IT Development 

Sustainable pathways for IT hardware adoption is a fundamental value of our business. From conducting leading research into server efficiency and hardware performance, to extending the lifespan of IT hardware through refurbishment and reuse, we work to develop more resilient, more efficient and more circular solutions for enterprise IT.  

Joining the GDSA offers us a platform to share the work and research we do, as well as learn from the experience and expertise of others in the industry.  

The development of sustainable technology practices begins with government and large business. With the UK Government collaborating with the alliance and adopting more sustainable IT habits – utilising refurbished technology, practising environmentally friendly, yet secure, disposal methods, and exploring energy efficiency in their technology – these methods become more readily available and attractive to businesses around the world.   

Techbuyer’s Sustainable IT Solutions 

As a global provider of sustainable IT solutions, we work with businesses around the world to offer IT services and products that don’t compromise environmental best practice.  

From procurement and maintenance to eventual disposal, our services are designed to promote sustainability, without diminishing on performance, power or capabilities. We aim to provide the best overall solution for every IT decision, protecting our environment, as well as providing viable business option on a case-by-case basis.  

Find out more about our sustainable IT solutions here.