Eco-Impact: Business Travel, Meetings & Events

Joe Whittle plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable travel initiatives at Travel Counsellors. As the Head of Sustainable initiatives, he contributes to programs designed to reduce the environmental impact of travel and educate customers on sustainable choices.

Travel Counsellors has introduced resources like their Green Leaf labelling system, which highlights eco-certified properties vetted through the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Additionally, the company offers tools to calculate, report, and offset the carbon footprint for clients, supporting more responsible travel decisions.

Joe’s work helps push these initiatives forward, aligning with Travel Counsellors’ commitment to creating greener travel options and earning the title of “Large Sustainability Champion of the Year” in 2023. This reflects both his and the company’s dedication to sustainable tourism growth and innovation

As Chief Executive, Lori is responsible for the overall growth strategy and continued prominence of Manchester Central.

Blending over 30 years of experience in the global business, events and exhibitions market, with her Canadian heritage and passion for community-driven approaches to achieving strategic objectives, Lori oversees the operations and future direction of the venue with her hands-on, personable approach.

Prior to Manchester Central, Lori held a successful seven-year tenure as Chief Growth Officer and Managing Director at Montgomery Group and has worked alongside the Mayor of London leading strategy and delivery for the Park Royal Industrial Area as part of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation.

Patrick Hart is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship and a key figure in driving sustainability initiatives at Lufthansa Group.

As the Key Account Manager for the North of England and LHG’s Sustainability Champion, leading efforts to embed environmentally responsible practices across the organisation.

He plays an integral role in the SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Taskforce, contributing to LHG’s ambitious sustainability agenda anchored in the principles of AVOID, REDUCE, and COMPENSATE. These principles guide innovative strategies like intermodality, fleet modernisation, operational efficiency, waste reduction, and climate protection through certified CO2 compensation projects.

In his role, Patrick is deeply committed to educating colleagues and clients about the importance of sustainability. He leverages his expertise to introduce tools and resources that promote responsible business practices and foster a culture of environmental responsibility. Initiatives such as Green Fares are among the impactful programs he champions, ensuring sustainability remains a priority in LHG’s operations and customer offerings.

Through his leadership, Patrick has helped position LHG as an industry frontrunner in sustainable practices, inspiring others to adopt greener approaches. His efforts not only align with the company’s environmental goals but also make a lasting impact, reinforcing LHG’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and shaping a sustainable future for travel.

Having worked in broadcast marketing for 15 years with the BBC, Rich left his role to pursue an area of personal passion – climate change and the environment – by taking a Masters in Sustainability at the University of Salford. On completion in April 2024, Rich started a new phase of his career at Marketing Manchester as the Tourism Sustainability Manager, a new role designed to develop, implement, and promote sustainable practice across the tourism and events industry in Manchester.