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WHO ATTENDS
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Available On Demand
Keynote
Tanya Arnold Host Public Sector ExecutiveExperienced TV and Radio presenter and reporter and podcast host, recently gone freelance after many years as staff at the BBC.
Most recently I've presented BBC TV's Rugby League World Cup coverage, and hosted the 5Live Rugby League World Cup podcast. I was also the the pitch side reporter on a number of games including doing the interviews with the victorious wheelchair team for radio. For the women's games I played a key role in bringing together an all female on air team and we got record viewing figures for women's rugby league, which will hopefully prove to be a new platform for the game to build.
Host of the former weekly BBC highlights programme Super League Show.
Sports Reporter and presenter for BBC Look North in Yorkshire, reporting, planning and covering all different sports in the region.
I've covered two Olympic Games and one Commonwealth Games - 2012 was a very big career highlight. I found myself live on BBC1 interviewing Peter Wilson moments after he'd claimed old in the shooting.
I've hosted numerous awards ceremonies, conferences and panels, both sporting and non sporting.
I'm always looking for new opportunities to do new things, and challenge myself! -
Available On Demand
Transport
In 2023, transport was the largest emitting sector in the UK as it contributed 29.1% of the nation’s carbon emissions. Whilst the push for net zero had already begun, this was still an increase of 3.7% when compared to 2022.
In order to try and combat this, local authorities are introducing plans to increase clean air in towns and cities nationwide. Some of the ways that this is being done include improve active travel infrastructure, and improving public transport access to the places that people need to be. The government has also committed £291m to support active travel schemes that will support cleaner and greener public spaces.
Kicking off the online conference, this panel will delve into understand the challenges and solutions faced by the public sector as it looks to deliver better, more sustainable transport.
Richard Burton Active Travel Champion Forest of Dean District CouncilKeith Melton Portfolio Holder - Climate Change and Net Zero Newark and Sherwood District Council
Sarah Spink Strategic Partnerships Lead Midlands ConnectSarah has been working with Midlands Connect since early 2016, working to develop the Sub-national Transport Body into a single voice for the region. She spends her time working with the partners to ensure an integrated approach to their work. She also is a Teaching Fellow at Aston University.
Prior to joining Midlands Connect Sarah spent 20 years working as a transport planner and economist, developing business cases and proposals for projects all over the world; this includes working on business continuity and behavioural change for London2012, integrating transport services with the Dubai Metro and assessing bids for railways in South Africa.
Katie Pudney Electric Vehicle and Charging Strategy Lead Essex County Council -
Available On Demand
AI Innovation and Emerging Technologies
The second panel discussion of the conference will see panellists coming together to discuss the role that technology and innovation can play as the public sector works towards its net zero goals.
One such technology is artificial intelligence, which has already begun to make strides in improving sustainability and innovation across the sector. With this including projects that can help with energy optimisation, the future of sustainability could lie with AI and whatever technology might come next.
Join us for this panel to get the key insight into how technology can help to achieve net zero by 2050.
Alex Buckman Innovative Solutions Architect Energy Systems CatapultSteve Cornes Principal Energy Projects Officer Nottingham City CouncilBilaal Hussain Principal Climate Emergency Analyst Westminster City Council
Carl Magnus Von Behr Doctoral Researcher Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of CambridgeCarl-Magnus von Behr is an industrial engineer with a focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving within healthcare management. His academic and practical work aims to enhance healthcare systems through innovation and operational efficiency.
In collaboration with AI specialists from the University of Cambridge, von Behr co-founded innex.ai. This venture introduces an AI-driven platform designed to streamline information retrieval and facilitate knowledge sharing among NHS Estates and Facilities Management staff.
Shanika Mahendran Cabinet Member for Climate, Sustainability and Innovation Milton Keynes City CouncilCllr Shanika Mahendran is the Cabinet member for Planning and Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council. Shanika is the youngest councillor and first Asian woman to be given a cabinet position in Milton Keynes.
Within the City Council, Cllr Shanika Mahendran’s portfolio focuses on Climate, Sustainable growth, Net Zero, Innovation, Tech, AI, Culture and Events.
She formally worked as a Programme Manager (Air Quality and Transport) at the Labour Climate and Environment Forum and holds an MSc in Sustainable Cities from King’s College London, specialising in urban sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Shanika is an MK Gallery Trustee, A High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Goodwill Ambassador and Volunteer at Milton Keynes charity Ride High, which helps disadvantaged children gain confidence through riding and caring for horses. She also attended the University of Buckingham, achieving a First Class degree in Art History and Journalism.
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Available On Demand
Alternative Fuels and Solutions
Last year’s change of government brought a renewed vision for how the country will be powered. Whilst alternative fuels such as wind and solar have become more widespread, there is still something of a reliance on fossil fuel.
In recent years, the nation’s reliance in importing fuels has also meant that there was a lack of energy independence. The mission to tackle this has already begun, with the government establishing Great British Energy changing the rules around where significant infrastructure such as wind farms can be placed.
This panel will focus on the challenges that face the nation’s move to more sustainable energy, and how those challenges can be overcome for the good of the planet.
Cllr Mohammed Rafique Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Spaces Leeds City Council
Hawarun Hussain Net Zero Programme Manager North East and Yorkshire
Bret Willers Head of Climate Change & Sustainability Coventry City CouncilBret is Head of Climate Change & Sustainability for the City of Coventry. He is responsible for strategic oversight of all energy and environmental programmes across the City as a Council and also Citywide for an independent Sustainability & Climate Change Board in partnership with other public, private and third sector partners and stakeholders. Much of this work includes a number of major energy transformation initiatives the Innovate UK funded Regional Energy Systems Operator (RESO) in Coventry. He also oversees two professional environmental consultancies (Business Sustain and the Green Business Programme) which support SME’s and large companies with advice support and guidance for energy and environmental management, health and safety and compliance with standards (e.g. ISO4 0001) and legislation.
A former Director in Birmingham City Council and CEO of Sunderland’s New Deal for Communities Regeneration Programme with over twenty years senior management experience in local Government and the Charitable sector (Henry Doubleday Research Association and Soil Association) with a particular focus on addressing environmental and sustainable development issues. Bret led the development of the City of Cardiff’s first Environmental Strategy with achievements that earned the City the status of first ‘Energy City’ (with Newcastle) and ‘Recycling City’ (with Sheffield) and winning an International Council Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) award during the Rio Earth Summit. Coventry, a CDP ‘A’ Rated city, is committed to delivering a zero carbon agenda cutting across all areas of its business activities covering transport as well as buildings and infrastructure and in addition to the RESO Project it has a number of joint ventures delivering energy infrastructure across the City.
A Graduate ecologist from University College Cardiff and Chartered Biologist and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Royal Entomological society with a history of addressing environmental and public health issues. Bret represented Welsh interests on the Environment, Energy and Regional Development policy at the Wales European Centre in Brussels and represented Eurocities in the EU’s Urban Environment Expert Group assisting in the drafting of the Aalborg Charter and the European Strategy for Sustainable Cities and Towns as well as representing local government interests during the development of the UN’s Habitat II Global Strategy and Programme for Sustainable Human Settlements in the New York PrepComm meetings and the Summit in Istanbul.
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Available On Demand
EV Infrastructure
As the nation continues to learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles, and they become more accessible, one hurdle that must be overcome is the continued lack of EV infrastructure.
More and more chargers are popping up around the country, however issues still remain about how they will be funded, where they should be placed, and how they can be integrated into communities that existed long before they were conceived. One solution has been the LEVI fund, which is has supported local authorities with their EV infrastructure goals, however more must be done if public confidence in EVs is to improve.
To learn more about how the public sector can support the push for improved EV infrastructure, this panel will bring key insight, including looking into how authorities can support the goal of installing 300,000 charge points by 2030.
Bryony Chetwode Design Engineer Public Transport and Low Carbon Research Public Transport Strategy - Inclusive Economy & Sustainability Swindon Borough CouncilWith a background in both Geography and Law, public transport policy seems a natural home for someone who is an advocate with a passion for connectivity, equity, and placemaking.
Swindon Brough Council recruited her in 2023 where she writes and works collaboratively upon strategies which will deliver better connectivity and sustainable transport options. She is leading their Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure vision and taking joy from a multidisciplinary approach.
As part of DG MOVE Advisory Body, Bryony provides advice to the European Commission and European Rail Association, representing the European Passengers Federation at the UN. She enjoys people and is equally at home talking about Public Transport at a local drop is session as internationally.
Bryony remains involved with developing all things bus and rail including Strategic Public Transport Plans across the Western Gateway, Peninsula and England’s Economic Heartland.
Bryony lives in Devon.
Jack Adams EV Infrastructure Project Manager Wakefield CouncilI am an experienced project professional who started in the events industry but changed area into the built environment and climate change. I am currently focused on the installation of EV charging infrastructure across the Wakefield District.
I am an Full Member of the Association of Project Management and am a volunteer in the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Branch's PMO and led the Communications workstream.
Theo Parkes Senior Officer of EV Infrastructure Nottinghamshire County CouncilTheo leads on the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project at Nottinghamshire County Council (lead authority for the Second Midlands Consortium). With one of the largest tenders outside of London now live, I have had involvement in all stages on the site selection process, including balancing on-street LEVI sites with our EV Cable Channel pilot project.
Shamala Evans-Gadgill EV Infrastructure Programme Manager Coventry City CouncilTransportation and Innovation: CVLR Programme Delivery Manager and EV Infrastructure Programme Manager/Senior Engineer –
Shamala is a 4th-year part-time PGR within the Research Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility at Coventry University and is also an experienced Senior Civil Engineer and Programme/Project Manager in designing and implementing challenging, complex and wide-ranging infrastructure projects. Her experience includes (1) Innovation projects within the decarbonising transport platform, renewables, battery storage and management; (2) Local Transport Plans, including Network Efficiency projects and Waste Management projects; (3) Traffic Management, including traffic-calming measures; (4) General roadworks, including road geometry; and (5) Regeneration, public realm, and urban environment projects.
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Available On Demand
Estates
Net zero responsibilities for public bodies don’t just relate to how they can support communities to become greener, they also need to look inwardly to how their physical buildings and properties can be more efficient.
Be it an office, a town hall, a police station, or a hospital, organisations are constantly looking at new ways to reduce the emissions being produced by their buildings, which has led to new ways of working and thinking. New lights, heating sources, or even solar panels are all supporting this push.
The final panel discussion of the conference will take a look into how some organisations have been successful in reducing their own emissions, some of the challenges that come with this work, and how you can make your workplace greener.
Cllr Tricia Ayrton Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Environment Rochdale Borough CouncilAfter a career in special education and studying for a doctorate in English Literature, Tricia became an elected member in Rochdale. She is now one of two deputy leaders for Rochdale Council and holds the portfolio for climate change and environment.
Cllr David Beavan Cabinet Member for Housing East Suffolk Council
Cllr Adrian Andrew Associate Leader Walsall Council
Janet Smith Head of Sustainability The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust & WalsallMy personal motto is create, communicate, lead and inspire to achieve excellent outcomes. I have a track record of delivering successful results, engaging and getting the best out of others and developing a positive, innovative and solution-focused culture within a team.
I have more than 30 years’ experience in project management. Fifteen years of which were spent in managing United Nations agencies funded health and other development projects in both urban and rural communities. I am highly skilled in conceptualising and developing programmes and projects which led to consultancies with among others the World Bank - Economic Development Institute. I have produced project proposals and business cases which were funded by both International and National funding agencies