Carol is Arup’s Global Advisory Services Portfolio leader and interim Europe Property Business leader.
He was instrumental in developing Arup’s position paper to define the circular economy in the context of the built environment and developing Arup’s work as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s (EMF) knowledge partner for the built environment. He continues to work to raise the awareness of the circular economy approach from general first principles to practice by identifying the many challenges, enablers and opportunities available to Arup and others in making the circular economy a reality. Carol regularly contributes to Circular Economy and thought pieces, presentations and interviews globally. Most notably, Carol was invited to give a key note address to the United Nations General Assembly at their Circular Economy event, in October 2018.
Brett Ross is the CEO of RiverRidge Holdings and a Director of Full Circle Generation Limited. RiverRidge is regarded as Northern Ireland’s most integrated waste management company and manages over 400,000mt of household and commercial waste each year. The company provides a highly advanced and carbon sensitive treatment and recovery service to a number of the region’s local authorities as well as a large number of Northern Ireland’s commercial entities. In 2015 Brett led the development of the Full Circle Generation Facility which is Northern Ireland’s first and only large scale waste to energy facility.
RiverRidge along with its associated infrastructure has played an instrumental role in providing Northern Ireland with a robust landfill diversion solution which has been critical to achievement of various environmental targets over the last 10 years. Brett is currently working with his team to deliver a ground breaking waste to vehicle fuel solution which will further support Northern Ireland’s drive to a zero carbon future.
John is the Director of Legal and Civic Services and City Solicitor at Belfast City Council. As City Solicitor John is the primary legal advisor to the organisation and its 60 elected members as well as to various other Councils and statutory bodies throughout Northern Ireland.
As part of his sphere of responsibility John leads the team delivering and implementing the Councils governance and decision-making process and supporting the City’s First Citizen, the Lord Mayor. In addition, John oversees the Councils information governance, equality, facilities, corporate health and safety and Births, Deaths and Marriages functions.
As a member of the Corporate Management Team over the last two local government terms, he is one of the architects of the Belfast Agenda and has played a key role in shaping policies aligned to it as well as the draft Local Development Plan.
John is a DIY enthusiast and a keen golfer.
William is a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He has led the Invest NI Corporate Finance and Property Solutions’ teams since 2012. Prior to joining Invest NI in 2005, William was the Financial Director and General Manager of a local manufacturing company.
My role is to encourage people to Reuse, Repair and Reimagine their clothing and textiles and to never put unwanted clothing in the bin. We now own 5 times more clothes than our Grandparents ever did and clothing has the 4th largest environmental impact after housing, transport and food. We are over consuming and under using our clothes.
To find out more go to https://www.instagram.com/fashionforeverni/
Jump The Hedges is a sustainable design studio based in Belfast. Founded by former Adidas designer Síofra Caherty, JTH has a material and waste led approach to product creation as opposed to the traditional fashion industry ‘design led’ approach. This approach ensures that waste material is fully utilised to create valuable and long lasting products. JTH create bags from reclaimed truck tarpaulin and waste aeroplane seat parts. Alongside creating bags the studio leads workshops on sustainability with local schools and communities.
I am an artist, musician, and creator with a very proficient range of technical and problem-solving skills required for the creative process of making art and installations. For over 10 years I have been working with various arts organisations within exhibitions and as Events Officer. My primary affiliations are with Millennium Court Arts Centre in Portadown and Belfast Exposed Photography, although I have worked with many other organisations including Golden Thread Gallery, FE McWilliams, and Naughton Gallery and have gained a wealth of experience working alongside artists.
As a consultant, I use my problem-solving skills and technical knowledge to guide artists in the construction of their sculptural and installation work. As a gallery technician I work hands-on with artists in the actual building of the sculptural and installation artwork.
Keith works in WRAP’s Policy and Insights team providing evidence and analysis to support UK Governments as they deliver their national recycling strategies. Recent work has included supporting DAERA’s Recycling Discussion Document consultation, and the development of a strategy to engage non-household businesses and organisations with tools, guidance, and support to recycle more.
My name is Maria Aaroy and I’m 19 years old. I am really passionate about the environment and work as the Chair of the Youth Working Group on Climate Action and as a Commissioner on the Belfast Climate Commission. I am really passionate about making sure that all young people are represented and listened to, especially in regards to Climate Change.
I grew up within the farming community in the Clogher Valley in County Tyrone and found myself incredibly lucky to start working for the RSPB in 2006. My role then was to give advice to farmers in County Down who wanted to manage their land for yellowhammer (known locally as yellow yornies). Now fifteen years later as an Area Manager I am fortunate enough to be able to lead a passionate and ambitious team of conservationists that strive everyday to save nature in East NI. Alongside the teams that are working on and off reserves, I am constantly inspired by the interminable energy of our Education Team who work across NI to engage and reconnect young people with nature. It’s been a fair few years since I had the job of scraping out our cows on the Massey Ferguson 135 on the family farm after school, but maybe it’s those fond memories that has me so excited about the future of the RSPB NI specialised farm machinery enterprise, no one needs to worry I won’t be driving, I have got a wee bit rusty!
Will Ennett is currently Head of Sustainability at TalkTalk and has over 15 years’ experience in building strong commercial partnerships across the TV, film, technology and telecoms sectors. Will is responsible for driving the sustainability agenda within TalkTalk, a value provider of fixed line TV, mobile and broadband in the UK.
Will has collaborated with leading businesses such as Sky, Lloyds and Environment Agency within the Business in the Community Net Zero taskforce, creating webinars and factsheets to help businesses in every stage of their net zero journey.
I am an artist, musician, and creator with a very proficient range of technical and problem-solving skills required for the creative process of making art and installations. For over 10 years I have been working with various arts organisations within exhibitions and as Events Officer. My primary affiliations are with Millennium Court Arts Centre in Portadown and Belfast Exposed Photography, although I have worked with many other organisations including Golden Thread Gallery, FE McWilliams, and Naughton Gallery and have gained a wealth of experience working alongside artists.
As a consultant, I use my problem-solving skills and technical knowledge to guide artists in the construction of their sculptural and installation work. As a gallery technician I work hands-on with artists in the actual building of the sculptural and installation artwork.
My experience spans over 2 decades working primarily with galleries, museums, health trusts and schools specialising in facilitating, programming and coordinating workshops/events/programmes for engagement combined with a natural passion to combine arts, heritage and the environment to provide creative outlets.
I derive from a background of Education through art in a gallery environment, addressing topical issues and identifying how hands-on workshops stimulate creativity and especially for those who are visual learners. My work as a freelance artist has a particular emphasis on promoting design and innovation. Through introducing recycled/ found materials along with design briefs, opportunities are provided for participants to investigate and discover by applying various problem-solving techniques, allowing them to see and think differently.
Jude Stephens is Senior Lecturer in the GIbson Institute for Land, Food & Environment at QUB where she delivers a Masters programme in Leadership for Sustainable Development.
Jude has a background in animal care, renewable energy and rural development. She has been actively involved in the visual arts in Northern Ireland for many years.
She is a director of a community interest company that aims to promote sustainability through locally based, grass roots projects, the most recent ones exploring the revitalisation of the wool industry for both traditional and innovative products, and the establishment of a dye garden growing plants which have natural, non toxic dyeing properties for fabric. She is a volunteer for Jubilee Community Farm, a community supported agriculture project, and for Pets as Therapy, a charity which organises pet visits to patients in hospital and residents in care homes.
Honours degree in Biology, a Masters in Oceanography and a PhD in Marine Ecology from Queen’s University Belfast, and has worked with Ulster Wildlife since December 2020. Annika previously worked for Seafish as Regional Manager, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) as Senior Scientific Officer, Northern Ireland Environment Link, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast, as well as a self-employed environmental consultant. Annika has coordinated large multi-partner projects and has extensive stakeholder engagement experience. Annika leads the Living Seas, Species Conservation, Nature Reserves and Nature Recovery Networks work areas within Ulster Wildlife.
Honour degree in Zoology & Aquatic Biology, a Masters in Oceanography, a second Masters in Environmental Governance, and has worked with Ulster Wildlife since July 2019. Heidi previously worked for Love the Oceans in Mozambique as Site Manager overseeing shark fisheries monitoring, coral reef and megafauna surveys and school education programmes. Heidi is a SOSF Project Leader, manages the Living Seas team which encompasses Ulster Wildlife’s marine conservation work and has been developing blue carbon projects within Living Seas, including the first blue carbon habitat restoration project in Northern Ireland.
Honours degree in Geography and a Masters in Conservation Biology & Ecological Management from Queens University. Erin has worked with Ulster Wildlife since February 2021, having previously undertaken a placement within the Sea Deep project in which she analysed the distribution of sharks & skates within Northern Irish waters. Erin carried out a nature skills traineeship with Ulster Wildlife before taking on the role of Sea Deep Project Coordinator at the organisation. In this role, Erin coordinates the citizen science-based data collection programmes & various public engagement activities, working to increase the understanding of local shark and skate populations.
has a Bachelor degree in Biology and Masters degree
Debbie Caldwell is the Climate Commissioner for Belfast City Council. She is an experienced climate change specialist with over 20 years’ experience working in international development. She co-chairs the Belfast Resilience and Sustainability Board and the Climate Commission.
John Barry is co-Chair of the Belfast Climate Commission and is based at Queen’s University Belfast in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics.
Alice Owen is a Professor in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds. She has extensive experience of working in the private and public sectors and is business lead for PCAN.
Jamie Brogan is Climate Partnerships lead at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) where he is responsible for a portfolio of partnership projects aiming to deliver impact at scale.
Belfast-based Irish Designer Marie Nancarrow started Titanic Denim has a way to make her own personal contribution to the planet, all whilst paying homage to her rock‘n’roll upbringing. Being born in the late 1960s into a family of musicians, Marie is a true child of the revolution; “My dad played guitar with Van Morrison and my brother had his own band too, so patching up jeans became the fabric of my teenage years. Few people know that fast fashion is a major contributory factor to landfill and greenhouse gases, or that it takes an average of 8,000 litres of water to make one pair of jeans. I wanted to create an ethical fashion brand that helps to deal with these issues; even if it’s in a small way.”
Marie now repurposes old denim into bespoke high-end wearable “pieces of art” – everything from jackets and dungarees to kidswear, aprons and laptop covers. She will also soon be launching her new RESCUED collection of Luxury Sustainable Bags.
My name is Mary I run Corporate & Creative Image which is a styling and Image Consultancy. My background has mainly been in Accountancy but after some hardcore personal development I realised I wanted something more colourful and creative and I wanted to feel more visible. I soon realised this was a common issue amongst women.
I provide both styling and image services helping people dress for their colouring, shape, lifestyle and personality. My aim is to align the outside with the inside so you can be your authentic self. It is only when we are truly ourselves that we can attract like minded people and achieve our goals whether that be to have a new home, find a partner or build an empire.
Confidence plays a major role in all this which is why I get you to become an expert in yourself. It is only then that you can accomplish anything. Everyone has it within them and it’s not a question of “can I?” but more “who’s going to help me?”
Corporate & Creative Image are advocates of sustainable fashion. During personal styling services it is often pointed out that looking expensive can be achieved for very little when you know how to. It is my responsibility as a business to gently encourage and educate my clients and followers on what changing their buying habits can do.
Accomplished athlete, business woman, speaker and leader, Taylor May has a well rounded background spanning multiple industries. She has a versatile skillset and demonstrated history taking on complex start-up, scale-up, and change management challenges. She wields her operational, people leadership, business development, and project execution talents with grace, achieving results on a global scale.
Kevin currently leads Urban.MASS which provides cost-effective sustainable and autonomous mass transi systems for cities which are scalable and on-demand. He is previously an Associate Director at ARUP.
Ryan has 15 years experience in enterprise and startup technology companies, most recently leading a NI based startup through capital investment and acquisition. With a background in product development and more recently in sales and leadership Ryan relishes an opportunity to help concepts fulfil their full market potential.
Matt has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs of the UKs entrepreneurs across 5 major cities creating over 1050 jobs for the UK economy and raising over £30million of investment.
ohn spent 15 years in media before launching a tech startup in 2015 and then joining Ulster Bank in 2015 to help entrepreneurs reach their potential. Since then, John has worked with more than 650 startups, helping them raise circa £30m in investment.