Green Tech Conference 2025

Steve is co-founder and CEO of Creative Concern. An experienced strategist, writer and communications consultant, Steve specialises in ethical and sustainability issues, integrated campaigns, city strategies, brand development and creating strange installations out of trees, lights and beautiful type.

Recent projects include work with C40 cities, World Green Building Council, World Resources Institute, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Newcastle City Council, Plymouth City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Steve’s spent the last few years also helping to create a European network of partner agencies, called Do Not Smile – www.donotsmile.com

He is currently a board member of the Greater Manchester LEP, and was recently the interim chair of the Community Forest Trust and has previously chaired Manchester’s Climate Change Partnership. A long time ago he was Communications Director at Sustainability Northwest and Head of Campaigns at the Vegetarian Society of the UK.

Specialties: Particular areas of expertise include climate change, place making, city strategies, culture, sustainable transport, food issues and the natural environment.

Mark joined the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) in May 2012 as Director of Environment for Greater Manchester and transferred to GMCA in May 2017. In this role, Mark provides strategic support to the Greater Manchester Low Carbon Hub by leading the development and delivery of strategies, policies, research and demonstration projects for environment and low carbon work areas.

Current projects include the a smart energy demonstration project on aggregation of heat using Air Source Heat Pumps, domestic energy efficiency programmes, community energy promotion, natural capital investment planning, climate change adaptation research plus developing joint work programmes between GM and several government departments, including the Urban Pioneer for the UK’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

Prior to his current appointment, Mark joined the Northwest Regional Development Agency in 2002, culminating in the role of Director of Energy and Environment. In this role, Mark managed a project investment portfolio of circa £30m/annum, providing innovative and strategic leadership to the Agency’s work on energy & environmental technologies sector development; climate change and carbon reduction; sustainable consumption & production and environment quality.

Mark holds a science degree in Organic Chemistry and Industrial Ecology; postgraduate qualifications in Leadership and Hydrobiology and several management qualifications.

Effa Ettah is a speaker, trainer and project manager with decades of experience in various sectors. His passion for research and how it translates innovation into solving contemporary challenges informs his interest and participation in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence initiatives across the Greater Manchester.

Alex joined Bruntwood from Salford University in 2006 having recently completed a BSc Building Surveying degree from University of Salford. Alex initially worked as a Building Surveyor in Bruntwood’s Manchester City Centre portfolio. In 2009 Alex became Chartered and then in 2012 moved to head up the Birmingham portfolio.

Alex always had a keen interest in building services and in 2010 began a part-time masters in Building Services Engineering at Brunel University, graduating with Distinction in 2016. In 2017 Alex moved to a central role within Bruntwood and is currently Head of Infrastructure & Energy, playing a key role in Bruntwood’s Net Zero Strategy and roll out of solar PV installations.

Niamh Allen is the Managing Director of Sustainable Smart Technologies, a technology solutions company specialising in smart buildings. She leads the overall business strategy and operations, focusing on driving growth and market expansion. Formerly Sales & Marketing Director, Niamh has a proven track record of driving initiatives that deliver impactful business results. She prioritises innovation and strategic leadership and is passionate about advancing women in tech. Niamh is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of female entrepreneurs by sharing her experiences and championing their success in the tech industry.

From working on 60+ equity investment rounds raising £40M+ to heading up growth at creative industries tech scale-up StagePlayer+, the streaming platform used by the legendary Duran Duran, the Multi-Platinum Grammy-Nominated KALEO, and other world-class artists. Vimesh has form and experience having been directly involved with everything it takes to grow disruptive scale-ups and is using this to empower the founders making the world a better, more interesting place.

Elizabeth is a Green Innovation specialist at the GM Business Growth Hub, working with Greater Manchester businesses to grow through development of new greener products, services, and technologies.

She supports new developments from idea generation to commercialisation as well as increasing understanding of the circular economy and developing new circular business concepts. This is through 121 support, collaboration with academic expertise, and connecting people and networks.

She has worked on product development and innovation for a range of companies from cutting edge research & development to large manufacturing sites. She has a technical background in textiles and materials science, with a 1^st Class BSc Hons from the University of Manchester.

Sarah is a Principal Consultant with sustainability consultancy Anthesis, specialising in supporting financial services to understand, assess and respond to climate risk. She has over 10 years’ experience in climate science and the finance sector and has been recognised for her contributions through awards including “Best Use of Risk Analytics to Promote Resilience” at the London Cat Modelling Awards in 2020. She is passionate about climate, sustainability, and communication, and thoroughly enjoys exploring technical solutions for the complex challenges posed by climate change. Her focus areas include quantifying the impact of climate risk and opportunity and helping firms respond to regulatory requirements. Outside of work, Sarah is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She enjoys running and wild swimming through the Yorkshire Dales, where she is currently based, with her partner and two (very active and lively!) dogs.

Amer Gaffar is director of the £4.1m Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University and a sustainability professional with more than 23 years’ experience in the sector. Amer is a passionate advocate for fuel cell and hydrogen technology and Net Zero innovation. He has a track record of building successful innovation programmes such as the £6m Greater Manchester Electrochemical Hydrogen Cluster which has led to him being invited to multiple inquiries for the Department of Net Zero and Security, the House of Lords and Commons, the Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society to provide evidence on key net zero ambitions for the UK with a focus on the role of Hydrogen and Innovation.  In 2024 he was Invited and approved to become a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts Manufacture and Commerce. In addition to his role at the Centre, Amer leads several projects to make Greater Manchester a centre of excellence in hydrogen and fuel cells such as Europe’s first targeted programme of Hydrogen Education (HySchools) and authored the Greater Manchester Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy. Amer also holds board and advisory positions within the Energy Innovation Agency, Trafford Green Hydrogen and Hydrogen Safe.

Stuart leads the investment team at Sustainable Ventures, a specialist early-stage climate-tech investor that has made 54 investments to date across software, hardware and advanced materials. Stuart has 25 years of investment experience across debt, private equity and, over the last 10 years, in climate-tech venture capital. In his career, he has worked with businesses from inception and spin-out through to acquisition and listing.

Rachael Shah is an award-winning leader with 12 years of experience across commercial and non-profit, sector, including impactful roles at The British Red Cross & Co-op Group. In March 2023, she pivoted towards sustainability, applying her expertise in change management, delivery, and innovation to guide Swiscot Textiles ( Now Vision Linens) on their environmental efforts.

Committed to driving positive change, Rachael leverages her skills to support the wider SME community to achieve their sustainability goals, fostering innovation, and setting new standards for environmental responsibility. Her vision for a sustainable future emphasises the crucial role businesses play in addressing environmental challenges, aiming to inspire and empower organisations towards greater ecological stewardship.

In 2021 Rachael completer her MBA from Manchester Metropolitan University with a dissertation that looked at consumer perceptions of B-Corporations within consumer retail. Rachael is also a member of the Pro-Manchester Green Committee. Rachael is also an honorary industry fellow at Salford Business School where she shares her experiences with students.

With a 25+ career spanning a range of industries tackling energy, water, waste and resource issues, addressing compliance, reducing emissions and encouraging innovation at both corporate and SME scales, I have expertise in the field and broad appreciation of the challenges and opportunities we face. My early career spanned a number of roles in United Utilities latterly addressing biosolids recycling and carbon management. The last 10 years have been spent exploring roles in recycling, waste management, resource efficiency and eco-innovation.

Currently I deliver support services as a Senior Innovation & Growth Specialist for Innovate UK Business Growth, it’s my role to encourage and facilitate responsible innovation and growth, addressing current and future needs and capabilities of the UK’s ambitious SME’s.  Greentech has a role to fulfil, however the biggest challenges exist in the appropriate deployment of these solutions, limited by awareness, short-sighted opportunities, financing and legislation among many other non-technical barriers.

Emily is a Director in Deloitte’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assurance team. She has a wealth of audit and assurance experience and specialises in non-financial corporate reporting and independent assurance over sustainability data, information and controls. Emily’s team is at the forefront of the everchanging sustainability reporting landscape, and work with some of the largest UK and global clients, across sectors, to improve their sustainability reporting.

Scott is a Chartered Health, Safety, and Environmental Practitioner with 15 years’ experience across sectors including pharmaceutical design and build, housebuilding, commercial fit-out, and the data centre industry. He has consistently provided strategic leadership in health, safety, and environmental management while championing sustainability and aligning operations with ESG principles.

Scott has guided organisations to achieve industry-leading standards, earning awards and embedding a culture of sustainability and excellence. His expertise includes integrating ESG considerations, ensuring compliance, and delivering innovative solutions with long-term value.

Outside work, Scott is a keen photographer with a passion for nature and enjoys paddleboarding along the UK’s stunning coastlines and connecting with the natural world he strives to protect.

Stephen is the CEO and co-founder of Positive Planet and has been involved in the sustainability sector for ten years.  He set up Positive Planet in 2021 to help companies create social and environmental change through business practices that prioritise people and the planet. Today Positive Planet is already working with over 500 companies, helping them to transition from intent to impact on their net zero pathway. They work with organisations of all sizes and sectors including well known brands such as Brewdog, Belfast Harbour, Casey and Aberdeen FC. Stephen is passionate about the ‘green economic revolution’ and the opportunities it creates for companies to grow more sustainably. Stephen is a frequent speaker on topics related to social value, ethical leadership and sustainable development, and he continues to advocate for initiatives that drive positive global change. His mission is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and sustainable world.

Mark is founder and managing director at NetZero.co.uk, a Manchester based Climate technology business. Following a twenty-year career in the digital automotive sector, Mark returned to university and was awarded an MBA from Manchester business school before launching the business in 2019.

Proud to be a B Corp, the business uses a hybrid model of carbon consulting and technology to streamline carbon reporting, analysis and reduction whilst engaging employees and customers with the Engage Carbon Portal within Net Zero’s proprietary software NetScope.  The NetZero.co.uk team, work with local SME’s and corporates such as Santander, VW and QBE in addition to sports partners such as MCC Lords, SRO Motorsport and World Netball where technology is used to leverage engagement and awareness amongst fans.

Lizzy is the Marketing Manager at Kao Data and she has considerable experience in developing and executing B2B marketing strategies for a wide range of companies within the Technology industry. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Lizzy actively promotes opportunities for Women in Tech and works to inspire young girls to engage with STEM from an early age.

As a key contributor to Kao Data’s ESG agenda, Lizzy has spearheaded several sustainability initiatives including rewilding projects, pollinator support schemes and most recently the development of the Kao SEED Fund – an initiative that aims to support grassroots, not for profit, projects that are dedicated to sustainable growth, environmental conservation and community engagement.

Steven leads the UK market at KODE Labs, with extensive experience in Engineering, Real Estate within the proptech and smart building sectors. Steven has played a pivotal role in the deployment of KODE OS across numerous high-profile projects, helping clients achieve their sustainability and operational goals. Passionate about innovation and technology, Steven is dedicated to driving the adoption of smart building solutions that lead to more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable environments.

Lee has recently joined UrbanChain as CTO.  UrbanChain is a green energy matching technology platform that helps green energy generators supply consumers at fair prices with a view to helping move to a net zero economy.   UrbanChain’s exchange system connects generators of renewable energy with consumers, who might be private businesses, local authorities, social housing associations, hospitals or schools.

By “decoupling” renewable energy from the wholesale market it cuts through layers of bureaucracy, meaning renewable energy generators no longer need to sell to intermediaries, and those intermediaries don’t need to sell to the wholesale market, reducing costly bills.

Lee has over 25 years technology experience and has recently moved from the Fintech industry where he has had several leadership roles over the last 17 years.  He has joined UrbanChain to run and further develop the technology platform and help to grow the business.  Lee is passionate about using technology and data to solve complex problems.

Dr Silvia Tedesco is the Associate Professor for Sustainability at the Salford Business School’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation. Silvia has a >10 year academic background with extensive scientific research focused on using biomass and waste organic materials to produce the energy, fuels, and chemicals for which we are currently over-reliant on non-renewable resources.  Silvia is an active member of the BBSRC’s Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBBs): EBnet, BBNet and HVB.  Her research has also featured significant involvement with SMEs, having collaborated with companies in Ireland, Italy and the UK. She has secured grants from a number of bodies in the UK and Ireland (e.g. Science Foundation Ireland, BBSRC, Innovate UK, EPSRC via SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub) and she is keen to collaborate on grant proposal submissions to further advance the art in biomass and waste conversion and valorisation using circular and decarbonising approaches.

Adam is a co-founder of Positive Planet, a sustainable business consultancy dedicated to helping organisations integrate sustainability into their strategies. With a background as an experienced entrepreneur, Adam, alongside his colleague Stephen Henry, established Positive Planet driven by a commitment to create a purpose-driven enterprise to help address climate change.  Since 2021 Positive Planet has grown to support over 500 organisations across various sectors, providing services such as carbon footprint measurement, emission reduction strategies, and sustainability training.  Adam’s extensive business experience is complemented by his keen awareness of technology’s role in advancing sustainability. He has overseen the development of client measurement and reduction platforms, reflecting his commitment to leveraging technology for environmental impact.  Through his leadership, Adam continues to drive Positive Planet’s mission to simplify pathways to net zero, enabling businesses to make positive choices for the planet.

Alasdair has been providing environmental advice, guidance and regulatory support to businesses for over 19 years. As well as having a Master’s degree in clean technology, Alasdair is an ESOS Lead Assessor, a member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, an Associate Member of IEMA and an IEMA Associate Environmental Auditor. Currently Alasdair provides resource efficiency and net zero support to businesses, specialising in energy efficient technologies, renewables, waste minimisation and training.

Jacqueline Brownhill is the Managing Director and Co-founder of MiFi Maps, a Manchester-based startup revolutionizing humanitarian mine clearance mapping standards. By harnessing centimetre-accurate technology and real-time data visualization, MiFi Maps aims to transform the safety and efficiency of demining operations worldwide.

With over eight years of leadership experience in the humanitarian sector, Jacqui has designed and managed mine action programs across the Middle East. It was during this time—working alongside her husband and fellow mine action operator—that they identified critical gaps in mapping precision. Determined to bridge this technological shortfall, they co-founded MiFi Maps, leveraging their firsthand field experience to develop innovative mapping solutions tailored to urgent, real-world needs.

In just 18 months, MiFi Maps has secured pivotal funding from Innovate UK, Business Growth Hub, and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Their work today merges operational humanitarian expertise with entrepreneurial innovation.

Motivated by a strong desire to be part of the solution to solving climate change, Sophie co-founded Carbon Neutral Fuels in 2022. She has a background in chemistry, having worked at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory in the Insight and Strategy Team, and experience in sustainability consulting with betternotstop. Sophie believes in the power of young people to create positive change and former member of the Nuclear Institute’s Net Zero Needs Nuclear team.