Wolf Safety and the River Sheaf: Local Stewardship in Sheffield

Being based in one place for generations creates a sense of responsibility. For Wolf Safety, that responsibility includes the stretch of the River Sheaf that runs alongside our Saxon Road site — an urban river closely linked to Sheffield’s industrial past and its future

A recent article by Sam Gregory in Now Then Magazine explored how businesses along Sheffield’s rivers can play a positive role in caring for these important local environments. The article included comments from Wolf Safety Managing Director Alex Jackson, who reflected on Wolf’s long-standing relationship with the River Sheaf and the sense of responsibility that comes from being based in one location for so many decades.

The River Sheaf runs close to Wolf’s factory, flowing through a part of Sheffield shaped by industry, transport and manufacturing. For many years, rivers such as the Sheaf were often hidden or overlooked, running behind factories, under roads and beside railway lines. Today, however, there is a growing appreciation of their value — not only as part of Sheffield’s industrial history, but also as living environments that support wildlife, improve local surroundings and offer benefits to the people who live and work nearby.

For Wolf, this connection is both practical and personal. As Alex explained in the interview, being based at Saxon Road for so long has created “a sense of stewardship of the area”. He also spoke about the desire for the local environment to be pleasant, and the hope that visible improvements might encourage other businesses to take ownership of the spaces around them too.

That sense of long-term responsibility has been reflected in practical action over many years.

When Wolf acquired land opposite the factory in the early 1990s to create a new car park, the development included a riverside walkway as part of a wider ambition to create connected routes along the River Sheaf. While this particular section remains unconnected at present, Wolf has continued to look after the area. The company owns the riverbank and part of the river adjoining the site, and recognises the responsibility that comes with that position.

The river environment has changed considerably over time. Alex noted that the Sheaf is far cleaner than it used to be, with fish now present in the river and a variety of wildlife seen in the area, including mandarin ducks, herons, foxes and even a kingfisher. These signs of recovery are encouraging reminders that urban rivers can become healthier, more attractive and more valuable when they are respected and cared for.

Wolf has also taken steps to improve the immediate surroundings of the river. Planting around the car park includes British tree varieties such as birch and hawthorn, which have matured over time and helped create a greener, more natural setting beside the Sheaf.

In addition, Wolf works with Riverlution, part of The River Stewardship Company, to help maintain the riverbank adjacent to the car park. This includes cutting back trees and plants, collecting litter and removing debris from the watercourse several times a year. These are not always highly visible actions, but they make an important contribution to the condition and appearance of the river environment.

This local environmental responsibility sits alongside Wolf’s wider sustainability work. Wolf’s Environmental Management System has been certified to ISO 14001 since April 2014, and sustainability continues to be an important part of how the company operates day to day.

As Sheffield continues to rediscover and reconnect with its rivers, businesses have an important role to play. The River Sheaf is part of the city’s industrial past, but it is also part of its future — a living watercourse that can support wildlife, improve local places and contribute to the wellbeing of the people who work and spend time nearby.

Wolf Safety is proud to play a small but meaningful part in looking after this stretch of the River Sheaf, continuing a long tradition of responsible manufacturing, local commitment and care for the environment around us.

This blog references comments made by Wolf Safety Managing Director Alex Jackson in Sam Gregory’s article for Now Then Magazine: “Connecting Limbs: With floods threatening livelihoods, how can businesses better look after Sheffield’s hidden rivers?” published on 24 April 2026.