2024 Public Sector Net Zero

Andrew Hunt is currently a Green Energy and Sustainability Manager at Oldham Council, bringing experience from previous roles at Oldham Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Trafford Council and Bury Council. Andrew Hunt holds a 1988 - 1991 BSc (Hons) III in Business Studies from the University College of Swansea. With a robust skill set that includes Strategy Development, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Awareness and more, Andrew Hunt contributes valuable insights to the industry.

Maggie has been an environmental campaigner since 1989 and has led Durham County Council’s Sustainability Team since 1995 supporting local, national and international partnership initiatives. Maggie Bosanquet is the Low Carbon Economy Team Leader at Durham County Council where she leads a team managing the County-wide response to the climate emergency and net zero targets. This includes a multi-million pound electric vehicle charging infrastructure programme, whole building retrofits and renewable energy installations, energy and carbon monitoring and reporting, a programme of support for businesses, schools and community groups and a major focus on energy master planning and sustainable heat.

She leads a high level, strategic net zero partnership across the County and is actively involved in a range of knowledge sharing partnerships with local authorities and other net zero partners at local, regional and international level. Maggie sits on various boards and committees and in 2022 she was awarded an Honorary PhD (Doctorate of Science) for her work by Durham University.

Marion oversees our strategic transport planning and infrastructure, which includes the ongoing refurbishment of the Tyne Bridge which is scheduled to be completed before the iconic structure’s centenary year.

Shealso leads on the city’s ambitious net zero ambitions and mapping out the key actions needed in Newcastle to achieve them. Within this, Marion also has responsibility for tackling air pollution, a key element of which is the city’s clean air zone (CAZ), as well as biodiversity including tree planting and maintenance.

Katharina Winbeck is an environmental and social scientist, specialising in developing major public initiatives. She worked in health, housing, regeneration, environmental & major projects planning and transport. For the past fifteen years she has been developing sustainability, environment, transport and infrastructure policy. She has worked for the NHS, three London Boroughs, Transport for London, the Audit Commission and now for London Councils. Katharina is passionate about London and environmental sustainability.

Councillor Averil Lekau was elected to the Royal Borough of Greenwich in 2014.  Councillor Lekau became Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport in 2022 and represents Thamesmead Moorings ward.  Councillor Lekau is a former Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care and Housing and Anti Poverty and is a former  member of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board, Housing and Anti-Poverty Scrutiny Panel, Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel, Licensing Committee and Woolwich and Thamesmead Area Planning Committee.  Councillor Lekau has also chaired the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel and has served as a member of the Council’s Planning Board, Community Safety and Environment Scrutiny Panel and Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel.

 

Councillor Lekau is currently a member of London Council’s Transport and Environment Committee and Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.  Councillor Lekau represents the Royal Borough of Greenwich on the Port of London Authority’s Ports and Infrastructure Group and Environmental Protection UK.

Connexin is a UK-based digital service and smarter technology provider with an industry-leading offer across three areas: broadband, smarter solutions and digital training. Jason Legget heads up Connexin’s Smarter Places team and is a prominent leader in the field of smarter city development. With over a decade of experience in transforming cities through technology, he has worked with government agencies and private sectors to drive sustainable, connected urban environments.

The work undertaken as Head of Sustainability in the Trust and ICB provides a grounding and understanding of ESH in manufacturing, health care generally, AI, pharmaceutical, digital, technology, energy and retail. The nature of how we work contributes to environmental and social degradation.

It is important that being Head of Sustainability the role encompasses public relations, operations and, of course, the staff on the journey to combat the environmental impact a company and we have.

I have worked with simple and complex commercial, change, design, planning and other teams within Client, Contractor and Subcontractor organisations. I understand the levels of communication and the needs of each of these organisations to ensure gateways and others are achieved.

I understand that whilst the environmental and social impacts are addressed it doesn't come without the commercial role. In bringing in new technologies and working ethos the outcomes must be matched with a change in behaviours to enhance the financial impacts which can be a reduction in costs, or an increase which could be offset with new clients and benefits, not previously available.

I also understand the complexities required from risk management to procurement, financial reporting and managing the supply chain. In review, I would confirm I have the following qualities strong commercial awareness, strong client liaison skills, project management and team leadership. Together with an extensive understanding of flexibility and a talent for negotiation. I would see myself as a proactive not a reactive person.

For over 25 years I have been implementing commercial strategies for startups and larger multinational organisations across Europe building strong commercial pipelines for long term growth and investment. I have now re-established a base in the North East and am focused on helping develop businesses enabling inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Ravinder Singh has a successful background in digital consulting/ transformation, AI/ ML, Gen AI/LLMs, IoT, Emerging Technologies & Innovations, enterprise architecture, sustainability, standard, assurance and audits, cyber and information security, program/ project management with budgets up to £1.5bn with broad ‘C-level’ experience in both public & private sectors including World Bank, UK government, Switzerland, Thailand, Colombia, Ukraine, Rwanda, India and other governments, Defence, Big-4 consulting, BFSI, software houses, R&D, telecom & Oil/utility sectors. Ravinder has 2 Copyrights of Software, published 14 research papers, Nominated for Shri Dewang Mehta National Award for Innovation in Information Technology, India; Listed in Who's Who in the World 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 (32nd and 31st Edition) and Who's Who in ASIA (1st and 2nd edition) published in 2006 and 2012, by Marquis Who’s Who, USA; Co-Author of book on “Model Driven Business Process Engineering” by Amazon (2016), & Bentham Science (2014). Accredited IPA Reviewer; Certified PMP, Prince-2, ITIL, Lead Auditor-ISO 27001. CMMI, ISO 9001; Editor of PG, UG and Certificate course material, Board of Studies, Curriculum Design, & Visiting Faculty to various universities and colleges.

As Zero Carbon Council Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, I am involved in developing and delivering council’s carbon neutral target on it operational emissions by 2030 and beyond. This includes building energy efficiency, renewable energy, fleet decarbonisation, EV charging infrastructure for fleet, carbon accounting & reporting, supply chain emissions, working towards embedding lifecycle carbon management in council’s decision making process through PAS 2080, innovation projects for hard to decarbonise areas like use of hydrogen in heavy fleet, etc.

Victoria Saunders holds a master’s degree in chemistry and is a passionate advocate for green technology, with extensive experience in the sustainable technology sector. She has specialised in hydrogen, working for industry leaders Johnson Matthey Plc. and Plug Power Inc. Currently, as the Innovation Lead for Hydrogen in Transport at Innovate UK, the government’s innovation agency, Victoria spearheads initiatives, including the £20 million Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub in collaboration with the Department for Transport. Her mission is to break down silos across industry and government, share real-world insights, and advance the UK hydrogen market to deliver zero-emission solutions for challenging sectors such as heavy-duty transport, aviation, construction, and agriculture.

Working at Lancashire County Council since 1991, I have been fortunate to work in a number of roles including Road Safety, Business Travel Planning, Community Safety and Active Travel within Public Health before I began my current role as project lead for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. Although I am a keen cyclist and advocate for Active Travel, I have also owned an electric vehicle since 2015 and have made many trips to mainland Europe where I have researched effective micro and macro transport solutions en route. At home, we have recently an air source heat pump installed, and I have a tendency to steer conversations to sustainable living themes!

Having come from a fleet and finance background. Anthony has been working in and around renewables for the best part of the last decade, in both the private and public sector. Now working as a Senior Public Sector Partnerships Manager at Believ based in Edinburgh with roots in Belfast, covering both Scotland and NI. With a commitment to environmental sustainability and taking an innovative approach to transportation challenges to continue to drive progress in the EV sector.