Each year the Sustainability Leaders Awards entries are judged by an esteemed panel of sustainability experts, hand-picked for their specialist knowledge and experience within their own specific field.
Scroll down to check out who will be judging the 2022 entries. The judges will whittle down a shortlist of finalists and decide upon the winners.
Elaine Cohen
Managing director
Beyond Business
Elaine is an expert voice in the field of CSR, sustainability strategy and reporting and the CSR interface with Human Resources Management. Elaine is the founder manager of Beyond Business Ltd (www.b-yond.biz), a specialist CSR Consulting and Sustainability Reporting firm, working with clients on all continents. During Beyond Business’s 12 years of activity, Elaine has personally worked on the preparation of more than 80 published CSR/Sustainability Reports, several strategic CSR processes, social and environmental audits, assurance processes and related services for global clients such as Caesars Entertainment (USA), Nexeo Solutions (USA), Liberty Global (Europe), Mahindra Sanyo Steel (India), Ajinomoto (Japan), Cushman & Wakefield (USA), Strauss Group (Israel), Netafim (Israel), ECI Telecom (Israel) Teva Pharmaceuticals (Israel) and many more. Elaine is the author of three books in the field of sustainability and sustainability reporting, and writes the widely-read CSR Reporting blog. She lectures widely on corporate sustainability and reporting and Sustainable Human Resource Management, is a frequent conference chair and judge in sustainability award programs. Elaine was selected as a Trust Across America 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and tweets as @elainecohen to 18,000 followers.
Martin Fry CEng FEI
Chair
Energy Management Standards Committee
Martin Fry has been in the energy management consultancy business for many years. He now plays a major role in international energy management standards, committee chair for the British Standards Institute and heading UK delegations to drafting committee meetings, for example for ISO 50001 on Energy Management and ISO 50002 on Energy Audits.
Martin is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at City, University of London, where he is a module leader for the Energy and Environmental Technology and Economics Master’s Degree.
Martin is Hon President of the Energy Services and Technology Association. On ESTA’s behalf he is a member of the Executive Council of the Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies, PGES.
Ryan Jude
Programme director
Green Finance Institute
Ryan joined the Green Finance Institute in 2020, having previously worked in investment banking, specialising in power, energy and infrastructure and with a particular focus on renewable energy transactions. He is currently leading the Institute’s Zero Carbon Heating Taskforce, part of its flagship Coalition for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings. Ryan joins green finance journalist Helen Avery in hosting the Institute’s Green is the New Finance podcast series.
The Green Finance Institute was launched in 2019, on the Green Finance Taskforce’s recommendation to the UK Government. The Institute brings together global experts and practitioners to co-design sector-specific financial solutions that channel capital towards an inclusive, net-zero carbon and resilient economy. The Institute serves as a vital interface between the UK public and private sectors, unlocking the deployment of capital at pace and scale towards impactful, real-economy green outcomes.
Sarah Mukherjee
CEO
IEMA
Sarah Mukherjee is the CEO of IEMA. She was the BBC's Environment Correspondent for many years, presenting on national and international BBC radio and television news, working – and winning awards - across the world. Since leaving the Corporation, she has had leadership roles in utilities and agriculture. She was a panel member for the National Parks Review and sits on the National Food Strategy Advisory Panel. She is a Trustee of the Woodland Trust and a governor of Harper Adams University.
Sarah has been a Campaign for Real Ale beer judge and a rugby reporter in the past - two activities she still enjoys - and is a runner and yoga addict.
Anya Ledwith
Founder
Eshcon
Anya Ledwith has a mission to make environmental management the business norm. Founder of award-winning consultancy Eshcon, Anya works with a range of sectors, from micros to multinationals, on ISO 14001 EMS, carbon reporting & ESOS energy audits. Being both a consultant and implementer of systems, Anya see both sides & understand the challenges faced, so tailoring advice accordingly. This helps clients embed the environment into core business activities and so gives them the results they are looking for: real improvements & commercial benefits. Reducing risk, promoting efficiency, saving money & winning business: This is Effective Environmental Management.
Anita Longley
Chair
Institute of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability
Anita has over twenty years experience at a senior level in the private and public sector. She is CR professional with particular expertise in sustainability in the energy industry. Anita is currently Chair of the Institute of CR and Sustainability, (ICRS). Launched in June 2014 the ICRS is dedicated to supporting CR and sustainability professionals to be brilliant at all stages of their careers. It recognises, promotes and supports high standards of professional practice. Anita is also a trustee of the Scottish Power Foundation and until recently NED at Secure Meters. As Director of CR at RWE npower for 12 years, Anita established the CR Team and developed the CR strategy for the UK business and for the generation business across Europe. Anita has also participated in a number of charity fund raising activities, including rowing the English Channel and climbing Kilimanjaro.
Mike Pitts
Deputy challenge director
Innovate UK
Mike is the Deputy Challenge Director for Transforming
Construction – the government’s Industrial Strategy
programme linked to the sector deal and managed by
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. He acted
as interim Challenge Director in securing the programme as
part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Mike was previously Head of Urban Systems at Innovate UK,
covering the priority areas of Urban Living and Smart
Infrastructure. He joined Innovate UK in 2012 to lead on
embedding sustainability across Innovate UK’s strategy. He
has also led Clean and Cool entrepreneur Missions in 2013
to Brazil and 2015 to San Francisco and ran the Resource
Efficiency programme during 2013/14.
Innovate UK
Block 4, Floor 2, Polaris House, North Star Avenue,
Swindon SN2 1FL
Tel: +44 (0)1793 442 700
Email: support@innovateuk.gov.uk
www.innovateuk.gov.uk
Previously Mike spent five years driving sustainability-led innovation in the chemical industry with Chemistry
Innovation. He has developed and managed projects on lifecycle analysis, renewable chemicals, industrial
biotechnology and resource efficiency across the chemistry-using industries. Mike holds a PhD in organic
chemistry and spent his early career in several technology spin-outs leading R&D teams developing process
technology for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and electronics industries.
Phone: +44 7920210844
Email: mike.pis@innovateuk.gov.uk
Twitter: @pittso
Blog: https://innovateuk.blog.gov.uk/author/mike-pis/
Trewin Restorick
Chief executive
Hubbub
Trewin Restorick is Founder and CEO of the award-winning charity Hubbub UK www.hubbub.org.uk which transforms the way environmental messages are communicated by bringing people and organisations together as a force for good. He is also Chair of Student Hubs http://www.studenthubs.org/ Previously Trewin created Global Action Plan the UK’s leading environmental behaviour change charity. Trewin is a frequent media commentator on environmental issues and was trained by Al Gore as one of his climate change ambassadors. Before starting Global Action Plan, Trewin was Director of Fundraising at Friends of the Earth where he created PaperRound London’s leading community recycling business. Prior to Friends of the Earth, Trewin worked at Plymouth City Council and produced a youth TV programme for the BBC called Something Else.
Caroline Ashley
Global Director of System Change Programmes
Forum for the Future
By background, I call myself 'socio-economist' - which means I know enough economics to engage in economic thinking and debate, but am always interested in the social and political drivers and outcomes of economic systems. The common themes across diverse professional roles have been around how we create a more inclusive and sustainable economic system and what counts as genuine impact. I'm fascinated by how citizen engagement, innovation, incentives, policy change, and windows of opportunity create change.
I've worked in international development for 30 years, including 3 years each in post-apartheid Namibia and pre-revolution Tunisia. Both taught me a lot about how change happens, or doesn't happen. In over a decade with the Overseas Development Institute, I worked on how the tourism sector - and then business sectors more widely - can be inclusive. Since then I have worked with challenge funds, impact investors, corporates and social enterprises, promoting inclusive business models. At Oxfam GB, I led innovative programming to build more just economic systems, focusing on women's economic empowerment and reform of agribusiness value chains. I've grown my own consulting company, worked for multiple donors and development banks, and had spells in the UK Parliament and US Congress.
One of my first roles, in Namibia, was to bring social equity and economic modelling into the sustainable development strategy of the new Environmental Planning Directorate. But since then, I have seen environmental and poverty discourses evolve separately not in sync. Having witnessed how development gains are being wiped out by climate change, I know the imperative of bringing together the best developmental and environmental action, North and South, to shift our global system onto a sustainable footing that works for all.
Lara Young
Group climate change director
Costain
As Group climate change director, Lara’s role encompasses challenging existing business models and processes to guarantee carbon management through to ensuing climate change mitigation and sustainability are designed and integrated into infrastructure at all lifecycle stages – from conception and design, to delivery, operation, and disposal. The biology graduate, who later went on to complete a MBA, joined Costain in 2015 having identified the infrastructure market as one in which she could make the biggest positive impact.
Henry Majed
Co-founder
MyMynd
Henry is a Future Proofer tackling the impact of Covid19 on Mental Health & Wellbeing in business and society. He recognises the potential for business to contribute at scale towards achieving the SDGs, and passionate about developing the next generation of responsible leaders. Henry was previously the Partnership Director at Innovation Gateway.
Gail Freeman
Director of Development
Global Action Plan
As Director of Development at UK environmental charity Global Action Plan, Gail oversees the development and funding of new ground-breaking work to bring government, businesses, and young people together to work on a sustainable future. GAP is currently running innovative business partnerships such as the Persil Dirt is Good programme and the Blueair Freedom to Breathe programme.
For nearly twenty years, Gail has worked for environmental charities where she has helped conceive and source funding for initiatives co-produced with communities ranging from improving wellbeing to tackling air quality to tackling fuel poverty. Many of these have been in partnership with businesses, particularly in the utilities sector.
Her career highlights have included overseeing London’s Sustainable City Awards, and advising on the sustainability strategy for the London 2012 Olympic Games. As Interim CEO of London Sustainability Exchange, she led the charity into a successful merger with Global Action Plan.
Michael Rea
Chief operating officer
The Carbon Trust
Michael joined the Carbon Trust in 2002 as Director of Strategy, responsible for developing existing and new services to reduce carbon emissions and develop low carbon technologies. He has carried out a number of strategic and operational roles at the Carbon Trust, including Director of Technology Development and his current role of Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Michael was at McKinsey & Co where he specialised both in corporate and business unit strategy and performance improvement. Prior to that Michael worked at Procter and Gamble in product supply. Michael is a graduate of University College Dublin where he completed a BEng (Mech). He was awarded the faculty gold medal in his final year. He also completed an MBA at INSEAD, Paris in 1996.
Alastair Mant
Director of Business Transformation
UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)
Alastair is part of the UKGBC leadership team and leads the scoping and delivery of projects to provide the built environment industry with the tools and guidance it requires to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment. This includes fostering a culture of open innovation which Alastair believes is needed to achieve the necessary step change in environmental and social impact. Current project topics include net zero carbon, climate resilience, circular economy, and nature-based solutions. Alastair was previously a director at a national property consultancy, is a Member of the RICS, and a Practitioner of IEMA.
Wayne Hubbard
Chief Executive
The London Waste & Recycling Board (LWARB)
Wayne is the Chief Executive Officer of the London Waste and Recycling Board, where he oversees the day to day running of the organisation. He has been heavily involved in LWARB since its establishment and has substantial local government and waste industry experience. Prior to LWARB, Wayne worked as Head of Waste Policy at the Greater London Authority and has also held roles at the London Borough of Haringey and East Sussex County Council. Wayne has over 20 years’ experience in the waste industry.
Susanne Baker
Partner, Technology Sector
ERM
Susanne is responsible for techUK's Environment & Compliance Programme. The programme, which spans issues such as eco-design, chemicals policy and producer responsibility legislation to conflict materials, circular economy and climate change policy, helps techUK members to get to grips with the latest compliance issues, policy developments and environmental trends, and in turn works with government to ensure that regulation in this area is targeted and effective. Before joining techUK, Susanne worked in the policy and representation team at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation. For several years she was a senior writer for The ENDS Report, an environmental policy and business journal, and worked in several Whitehall press offices. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science from Kings College London and is a fellow of the RSA.
Lola Okunrinboye
Environmental Manager
Archirodon Group
Lola Okunrinboye is a Chartered Environmentalist and Sustainability professional. She is an Environmental Manager for Archirodon Group, NV, an international construction company. She founded Ecolola Sustainability, an environmental and sustainability consultancy with experience across various industries and countries. She is a self-motivated leader, inspiring speaker, and facilitator. She is a change maker, innovative thinker, goal focused with proven achievements. Lola’s passion for engagement has encouraged her to leverage technology as a tool for connecting and building a strong network. Lola commentates on BBC Scotland as a specialist contributor on environmental and sustainability issues. she mentors and coaches Environmental and Sustainability professionals and helps Sustainability professionals enhance their visibility and vocalize their value so they can land their dream career. She has presented as a speaker and panellist in several forums and conferences internationally discussing topics ranging from to intersectional environmentalism, sustainability and career progression to mention a few. Lola is a graduate of University of Sheffield, UK where she completed a BEng degree in Chemical and process Engineering and an MSc in Environmental and Energy Engineering. Lola sits on various committees and working groups which include the OGUK diversity and inclusion committee, Energy Institute Professional Affairs committee. She is a full member of the Energy Institute and IEMA. She leads the Women in Sustainability Network hub in Aberdeen.
James Bidwell
Chair
Springwise
James Bidwell is co-founder of Re_Set, a leading next generation strategy consultancy for innovation and
sustainability whose mission is to ensure its clients thrive in a disrupted world. Re_Set empowers and equips
businesses and governments to make a positive global impact and create a new vision of success. He is also the
owner and Chair of Springwise, the world’s largest source of global innovations. Committed to positive change,
Springwise is essential reading for CEOs, innovators, investors, educators and corporates from all sectors. Both
companies are members of 1% for the planet and certified B Corporations, part of a growing community of
businesses committed to redefining the role of business in society as a force for good.
James specialises in leading positive and transformational change in business and has held many Board level and
CEO roles. He outlines his philosophy in his book, Disrupt! 100 Lessons in Business Innovation, published by
Hachette and now an Amazon best seller. He was listed in the Financial Times Creative Business Top 50, and
named as one of London’s 1000 most influential by the London Evening Standard. During his time as Marketing
Director at Selfridges, he was described as the “ring master extraordinaire” and “a theatrical agitator”.
James is also a high-profile speaker and commentator. He speaks regularly on navigating disruption, the rapid
pace of change, the role of innovation in helping solve the climate crisis and how to achieve cultural shift. He is a
visiting lecturer at the University of Bristol and Cambridge Judge Business School, a participant in the London
Business School Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme, and committee member and judge at the World
Retail Congress and mentor at Red Bull Amaphiko Academy.
Committed to protecting and securing the future of the natural world, James chairs the UK Steering Committee for
1% for the Planet, an international organisation, whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual
sales to environmental causes. James is also a UK ambassador for B Corp.
Kirsty Rice
UK Environmental Lead
Japan Tobacco International
Kirsty Rice is the Environmental Lead for JTI UK and is responsible for helping the business develop and deliver against its ambitious Environmental Plan 2030 which looks at five focus areas of emissions, energy, waste, water and stakeholder engagement. Kirsty has significant experience in the field of sustainability, previously the principle energy adviser for the UK’s largest conservation charity and property owner. She is also an accredited CIBSE Low Carbon Assessor, CIBSE ESOS Assessor, IEMA Internal Auditor and PRINCE2 Project Manager.
Ben Kellard
Director of Business Strategy
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
Ben leads CISL’s business strategy advisory work. He helps leading businesses to align their purpose and corporate strategies that include evidence-based ambitions. He specialises in developing best-practice for how to develop and integrate a sustainable purpose into an organisation, such as the ‘Leading with a sustainable purpose’ report that captures the practical lessons from four leading companies.
Ben draws on twenty years of experience as an organisational consultant, eleven of which were with the international sustainability not for profit, Forum for the Future.
Nina Skorupska
Chief Executive
REA
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE FEI has been the Chief Executive of The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) since 2013 where she works with her team and members of the association to “Grow the Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Economy”. She has over 30 years’ experience in the energy industry working in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Nina is also currently a Board member of the European Renewable Energy Federation (EREF), Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL), Transport for London (TfL) and Deputy Chair of the Board of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Campaign. She sits on a number of Advisory Groups including Carbon Trust, 10:10, Entrepreneurial Women in Renewable Energy (EWIRE) and University of Nottingham Industrial Advisory Board for Energy.
Crista Buznea
Head of Marketing
Ecologi
Crista Buznea is Ecologi’s Head of Social and Community. She has spent her career working in the marketing, tourism and sustainability industries for some of the world’s best brands including TUI and Heathrow.
Crista has previously created award-winning content that positioned sustainability as a key marketing message for TUI UK, reaching 4.5 million holiday-makers in the process. She also worked on a sustainable travel education programme that reached and engaged over 60,000 pupils. Crista holds a MSc in Responsible Tourism from Manchester Metropolitan University and is one of Edie’s 30 Sustainability Leaders Under the age of 30.
Since 2018 she’s been energising over 1000 students by delivering sustainability visiting lecturer presentations. Her biggest passion is inspiring young people to make the world a better, more sustainable place.
Claire Shrewsbury
Director
WRAP
Claire is Director of Insights & Innovation at WRAP, in which role she is responsible for WRAP’s policy and insights work, technical support for local authorities and grant management across the UK.
The teams support Defra in its implementation of the Resources & Waste Strategy and similar support programmes for the devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland. Claire joined WRAP in 2008 and was previously a consultant with AEA Technology.
Frederik Dahlmann
Associate Professor of Strategy & Sustainability
University of Warwick
Fred is Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at Warwick Business School where his research and teaching interests are driven by a focus on understanding how companies respond to and integrate global sustainability challenges into their business strategies, management practices and corporate governance systems. Specifically, he studies how companies address climate change and reduce corporate carbon emissions, their engagement with interconnected sustainability challenges such as the energy-food-water nexus, and the role of sustainable business models and organisational purpose in driving industry transformation. He has a BSc from Loughborough University, and an MSc and a PhD from the University of Bath. He also gained professional experience in the construction sector and from working as an energy analyst in London.
