Meet the Speakers at Festival of Sustainable Business 2025

Lauren is a Sustainability Consultant and Network Manager at Future Leap. Previously working in the Fashion industry, Lauren pursued a new career direction through a degree in Environmental Science, and now advises organisations on their carbon footprint and reduction actions.

Jenny is Co-Director of the education charity Global Goals Centre, and Co-Director of Spark. With a background as a social worker, Jenny has had a diverse career path, including Coordinating for Fairtrade in the South West for 10 years.

An experienced leader in sustainable economic regeneration and inclusive growth, Toby drives regional impact through key projects like the West of England Good Employment Charter, collaborating with stakeholders to create lasting change.

As Sustainability Value Chain Lead at Renishaw, Roz embeds sustainability by reducing Scope 3 supplier emissions and developing Modern Slavery and Conflict Minerals programmes for their supply chains.

Chris Dunford is the Chair of the ASDC Decarbonisation Group and has headed the work of We The Curious on environmental sustainability since 2011. During that time he has been Elected Director of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Mentor of Arizona State University’s Sustainability in Science Museums Fellowship.

Paul started his business, Outdoors & Active, in 2006 to be sustainable and promote the outdoors, using carefully chosen suppliers, green energy, clean vehicles with the hope of one day producing his own energy.

Laura began her career in the arts, managing operations for galleries and studios, and joined Watershed in 2008. She looks after Watershed's buildings and is an active member of Watershed's Environment Group.

Kat oversees the day-to-day operations of The Bottle Yard Studios and plays a central role in business development and strategic planning. She is the Studios’ Sustainability Lead and Carbon Literacy representative.

Jeni is Head of Pies, Planet and People at Pieminister. She has extensive experience in the FMCG sector which she has used to measure and improve the sustainability credentials of this local South West business.

As the Head of Nature Connection at Belmont, Martin is dedicated to helping people understand their natural surroundings and fostering a deeper connection to nature that inspires a love for and commitment to protecting the planet.

Anna is Brand, Marketing and Events Manager at The Canteen who have made efforts to add carbon ratings to their menu, spotlighting the impact of different ingredients to consumers.

As Renishaw's Sustainability Manager, Emma is a passionately driven changemaker who is leading efforts to embed sustainability into business decisions and enhance the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.

Claudia has over 25 years' experience in the waste and renewables sector and is Director at Ceres Waste, Renewables & Environment. She is a Chair of Portishead Pool Community Trust where she leads on sustainability.

Sam Walker is the owner of Walker & Ling, an independent, family-run department store on Weston-super-Mere's high street. The store has recently installed a solar PV array on the roof of its high street store, with help from North Somerset Council, Future Leap and Solar, Sun & Air.

James Kitto, now Operations and Commercial Director at Bristol Beacon, brings 25+ years' experience in music, events, and venue management, including roles at RSC, Bristol Zoo, and Cheltenham Festivals.

Matt is responsible for Rathbones’ stewardship activities – managing a team delivering proxy voting and engagement on ESG issues. He’s spent a 20-year career in responsible investment, specialising in Climate Change and Human Rights in Supply chains.

Lauren Couch, Corporate Finance Director at GS Verde Group, has 24 years experience in finance, including banking, private equity, and venture debt. She is also NED of Bristol and Bath Regional Capital (BBRC) and Trustee of Quartet Community Foundation.

Ed Rowberry is Chief Executive of Bristol and Bath Regional Capital (BBRC), a home-grown place-based impact investor that has driven £70m into the West of England in the last decade, championing sustainable and inclusive growth.

Director of Economy and Skills, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

James Snelgrove is an Innovation and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK with 10+ years' experience leading, managing, and consulting on strategy, programme delivery, and innovation.

Alex Benstead is a Senior Advisor in the Advancing Net Zero team at UK Green Building Council, leading work on embodied carbon, energy optimisation, and carbon offsetting in the Built Environment.

Paloma Hermoso is Associate Partner and Retrofit Lead for Ward Williams Associates, and Associate Lecturer at Exeter College. As a construction professional and Passivhaus Consultant, she is passionate about appreciating the triple bottom line, decarbonisation and community-led urban planning.

Jack Allen is the Managing Director for Building Energy Experts. He is passionate to make every building energy efficient; bringing comfort, carbon reduction, lower costs and improved health and wellbeing to their inhabitants.

Simon Andrews is Managing Director of Retrofit West CIC. With a career history in housing asset management, he brings strategic insight and passion to accelerating energy efficiency in the Built Environment across the South West.

Tim is a board-level executive with deep experience in industrial and renewable energy. He leads strategy and growth at Clade Engineering Systems to drive innovation in sustainability, climate solutions, and digital transformation.

A published author and speaker, Rhian is the founder of Women in Sustainability (WINS), a global women’s network of sustainability professionals on a mission to impact positive change and influence.

Laura has 12+ years in brand, communications, and marketing strategy, and over 4 years as a Senior Sustainability Strategist. She has an MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy and experience in across a wide range of industries.

Mo Kanjilal is Co-Creator of Watch This Sp_ce, a diversity consultancy. She’s a TEDx speaker, Author, and leader driving the workplace revolution to create inclusive teams.

Katy is ESG & Sustainability Lead at AMBITIOUS PR, supporting clients to communicate their commitments, and leading the ESG strategy. Katy recently gained an MRes in Sustainable Futures from the University of Bristol.