USEFUL PROJECTS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Graduate Sustainability Consultant
Alex holds a Master's Degree in Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure from Imperial College London, and a Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Birmingham.
Alex takes a multi-disciplinary approach to his work, embedding deep technical knowledge of materials science in broader sustainable development paradigms, including circular economy, carbon reduction, and regenerative design. […] Read More Alex Dhesi Graduate Sustainability Consultant
Job Titles:
- Sustainability Consultant
Reema holds a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University, India and an MSc in Sustainable Architecture: Evaluation and Design from Oxford Brookes University. She is interested in […]
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programmes, Anna developed a strong understanding of sustainability concepts in the built environment and worked closely with industry stakeholders in the pursuit of sustainable goals. Her achievements included the co-development of reports including the Framework for Defining Social Value, the dissemination of the industry leading Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition as well as the authorship of a thought piece addressing the just transition to net zero carbon.
Anna has a first-class degree in Geography (BSc) from Bristol University; she is passionate about the climate and ecological crises and social inequality and chose to centre her studies around climate science and policy. Wanting to be part of the solution, Anna brings her enthusiasm into projects with an overarching aim to support positive outcomes for people and the planet. To support her existing experience, Anna is also working towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Sustainability Consultant
crisis in terms of its drivers, effects, and feedbacks. This prompted a desire to work towards its resolution, leading to a keen interest in sustainable development.
Since starting at Useful Projects Ben has worked on a project developing a decarbonisation routemap for Business Improvement District in London Bridge, engaging with multiple stakeholders across interviews and workshops. He has also worked on a variety of place-based sustainability strategy projects, conducting research into best practice, and supporting strategy development.
Job Titles:
- Socio - Economic Consultant
Carolyn is a socio-economic consultant at Useful Projects with an academic background and professional experience in sustainable economic development.
After completing an undergraduate degree in International Development, Carolyn gained experience as an Economic Development Associate with the Canadian consulting firm Research on Investment where she analysed data on the economic and social value creation of potential projects to help guide the decisions of public sector clients across North America and Europe.
Before joining the Useful Projects team in August 2021, Carolyn completed an MSc in Political Economy at the London School of Economics. There, she was engaged as a Researcher at the LSE's Policy Lab, and gained essential research and data analysis skills.
In her time at Useful Projects, Carolyn led the socio-economic needs analysis for East West Rail and was instrumental in the development of their Social Value Strategy. She has also conducted local needs analysis projects for South Western Railway and several major masterplans, to inform strategy development.
Ben holds a first-class degree in Physical Geography from the University of Sussex. During his time at university Ben developed an in depth understanding of the mechanisms of the climate
Carrie has a multidisciplinary background, with over 10 years' experience in architecture, environmental design and building performance research. She is passionate about creating communities which are sustainable in practice as well as in design. To this end, Carrie has worked on several post occupancy evaluation projects which explored the reality of how buildings are inhabited and operated post completion. She has also developed and managed numerous consultancy and research projects which advised on energy consumption, waste, materials and behaviour change for major developments both in the UK and internationally.
Carrie is a visiting lecturer and design tutor at the UCL Institute for Environmental Design. In 2016, she completed a PhD at the UCL Energy Institute, where her research investigated occupant understanding, acceptance and interaction with new ventilation technologies in low energy dwellings.
Daniel focuses on developing low carbon solutions that find an optimum balance between energy efficiency, environmental conditions as well as broader sustainable considerations
Catherine is a highly experienced architectural designer and built environment consultant, who is known for creating social value, and designing lean and beautiful buildings and infrastructure.
She founded our sister company Useful Studio in 2013 and directs the practice while also serving on the Useful Simple Trust Board. Catherine led the process of the Useful Simple Trust becoming Certified Social Enterprise and B Corp.
Her first degree, a BSc in Environmental Design, was at the University of Colorado, Boulder and she has a Masters of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania where she was granted scholarships for academic performance throughout and graduated top of the class while winning the Final Thesis Prize.
Her work for Useful Projects focuses on social value consultancy, strategic masterplanning, building design, infrastructure design and corporate consultancy.
Catherine is co-Chair of the B Corp Built Environment Group.
Jo has worked in the London Olympic Delivery Partner's Sustainability Team and on development of sustainability strategies for the 2014 Brazil World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Sustainability Strategist
Gabriela is an Associate Sustainability Consultant, leading the Sustainable Places offer within Expedition Engineering and Useful Projects. She is a Chartered Engineer (MCIBSE) with over 9 years' experience in building […]
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Claire spent over seven years at Bioregional, scaling up the sustainability consulting offer, and over six years at Business in the Community. She is experienced at providing sustainability consulting services across diverse sectors from start-ups to FTSE100, spanning the built environment sector as well as corporate clients.
Claire has a breadth of experience from developing corporate sustainability strategies, undertaking stakeholder consultation, developing circular strategies and guidance, future trends insights reports, and thought leadership in the form of reports, blogs, and podcasts.
Outside of her work at Useful Projects, Claire co-hosts the Wicked Problems podcast which is focused on climate tech innovations.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Director of Sustainability
Before founding Useful Projects, Dan was the Head of Sustainable Development and Regeneration for the London 2012 London Olympic Delivery Authority. A recognized thought leader in this arena he regularly speaks on major platforms around the world and is highly regarded for the way in which he manages to develop and deliver imaginative and practical propositions.
Sophie has been working in the fields of sustainable design, material process and behaviour change for over 15 years
Claire is a sustainability strategist and has been working in sustainability for over 15 years. She holds an MSc in Human Ecology and Sustainable Development and a BSc in Psychology which underpin her approach to consulting.
Daniel is an Associate Energy Consultant at Useful Projects. He has a wealth of design team experience allowing him to quickly and accurately understand and meet client aspirations. .
Having played key roles in a variety of complex projects both nationally and internationally, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of the sustainable issues faced by commercial, public and domestic properties. A strong technical ability and knowledge of sustainability from first principles allows him to develop innovative, practical and cost effective sustainability and carbon management solutions.
Daniel is a Chartered Engineer, Low Carbon Consultant and SKA Accredited Assessor.
Job Titles:
- Civil Engineer
- Leader
- Director of Environmental Design
Fred is a highly experienced civil engineer specialising in environmental design and closed loop systems.
His experience includes engineering systems deployed at strategic masterplan scale as well as complex technical design. His ability to generate ideas, combined with his creative flair and aptitude for sketching allows him to produce excellent outcomes that are valued by clients and project teams.
Fred's portfolio includes the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Parks where he played key roles in the water engineering systems, as well as more recent work on developing closed loop systems for industrial processes, including a modular vertical aquaponic system and a zero waste factory in India. He is also skilled at developing bespoke tools to help understand tricky questions and support strategic decision-making, with specific expertise in the circular economy and advanced optimisation techniques.
Fred is a recognised leader in environmental and bioclimatic design and its influence on building massing and envelope optimisation, lecturing on the subject at the Bartlett, UCL.
Catherine is a highly experienced architect and built environment consultant, who is known for creating social value, and designing lean and beautiful buildings and infrastructure.
Gabriela is an Associate Sustainability Consultant, leading the Sustainable Places offer within Expedition Engineering and Useful Projects. She is a Chartered Engineer (MCIBSE) with over 9 years' experience in building performance analysis, sustainable and low carbon design, environmental comfort and wellbeing strategies. Gabriela co-authored CIBSE TM69 Dynamic thermal modelling of simple blinds (2022) and is an active member of the CIBSE Building Simulation Group.
In her spare time Gabriela is actively involved in her local climate group and organises their repair café. She is also a shareholder of a community owned zero-waste shop.
Marietta has more than ten years' experience as a researcher and sustainability advisor for the built environment.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Passive House Consultant
Kate is a sustainability engineer from New Zealand with an honour's degree in mechanical engineering. Kate has over 5 years' experience working on a variety of projects across the sustainability
science paired with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering which provide the technical foundation upon which she applies a creative and strategic design approach.
Her experience in large scale construction offers a complementary understanding of the practical aspects of project execution and construction. Her expertise includes whole life carbon analysis with a specific focus on embodied carbon, applying circular economy principles in practice and upholding best practice sustainable construction site standards.
Hayley is a certified Passive House Consultant (PHIUS), Home Quality Mark Assessor and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor.
Jo leads Useful Projects on a day-to-day basis and plays a key role in both business development and project delivery.
She is a Chartered Environmentalist with an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, and is a PRINCE2 certified project manager. Jo is particularly interested in helping clients to establish their sustainability goals, and supporting them to achieve this in practice at the organisational and project level. She also enjoys working with industry institutions to develop best practice guidance that helps the whole sector make progress. Her areas of expertise include ESG, social value, net zero carbon and the circular economy.
Jo has won the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Excellence Award, and completed the UKGBC Future Leaders Programme.
She is a former member of the Institution of Civil Engineers Circular Economy Panel for London, and the UKGBC Social Value Taskforce.
Carrie has over 10 years' experience in architecture, environmental design and building performance research. She is passionate about creating communities which are sustainable in practice as well as in design.
With a background in civil engineering consultancy and a Master's Degree in Sustainable Development from Cambridge University, Judith has over 15 years experience developing and delivering sustainable projects around the world.
Recognised for her insightful and collaborative approach to urban development, Judith is regularly invited to speak on the complexities of sustainable design in the delivery of an integrated built environment.
Judith has worked with government organisations, major developer clients and asset owners, and has particular expertise in city and urban resilience, sustainable infrastructure design, asset management and closed loop engineering.
Dan is one of the UK's most highly regarded professionals in the sustainability field and regularly speaks on major platforms around the world
Job Titles:
- Senior Sustainability Consultant
Lottie holds a first class degree in Engineering Design from Bristol University, and has four years of experience in innovation, sustainability consultancy, design research, engineering and digital technology. Her experience
and resilience spectrum within the Asia-Pacific region.
Through her background in engineering, Kate has developed strong skills in problem solving, data analysis, resourcefulness, and systems thinking. Kate's most recent role in Melbourne, Australia included measuring, managing, and reducing carbon emissions across the lifecycle for client organisations and large infrastructure projects.
Kate aims to build genuine connections with clients and work together to create positive change and outcomes that benefit all. She enjoys delving beyond the technical aspects of projects and is passionate about community engagement and the broader sense of sustainability, such as the social and cultural impact and value.
In November 2020, Kate was named one of the University of Auckland's 40 Under 40 Alumni for 2020, in the influencer category. In 2019, Kate was awarded the New Zealand Green Building Council Future Thinker of the Year and was selected to represent New Zealand at the Young Women Scientist Conference in Korea through the Korean Women Scientists and Engineers group (KWSE).
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant - Sustainability & Innovation
Sapna holds a first class degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bristol University and is a Chartered Engineer (CIBSE). In her previous experience she developed a strong understanding of mechanical services,
includes creating sustainability strategies, developing digital tools for public and private clients, and running testbeds for innovative technologies. Through her work, she has developed a breadth of understanding at the intersection of sustainability, innovation and technology in the built environment. She enjoys applying systems- and design-centred thinking to sustainability projects, and is working towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist.
Marietta has a background as a Civil Engineer (MEng) and holds a Master's in Building Physics & Services from Eindhoven University of Technology. She has more than ten years' experience as a researcher and sustainability advisor for the built environment.
In her work, Marietta places great emphasis on methodological rigour, thorough research, and analytical robustness. Her experience spans environmental building design and performance modelling, sustainable masterplanning, and whole life carbon analysis of masterplans and infrastructure projects. In most recent years, she has developed an expertise in net zero strategies and decarbonisation action plans for a breadth of clients in the construction sector. Through this line of work she has also been leading the development of bespoke tools that streamline clients' carbon data collection and analysis, delivering key insights and enabling impactful decision-making.
Marietta is passionate about the intersection of decarbonisation, climate resilience, environmental regeneration, community wellbeing, and social equity, and strives to deliver positive outcomes across all facets through her work.
Hayley is an Associate sustainability consultant and Chartered Environmentalist with broad ranging experience across the built environment sector including residential, manufacturing and masterplanning. She holds a master's degree in building
Job Titles:
- Sustainability Consultant With Two Years' Experience Working
Martha is a Sustainability Consultant with two years' experience working at Useful Projects. She has an MSc in Sustainability Science, Policy and Society from Maastricht University and an MA (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Edinburgh.
Since joining Useful Projects Martha has worked on a wide range of projects. She has been involved in developing and implementing sustainability frameworks and targets for masterplans, developing circular waste strategies, and has supported on study looking at how to maximise biodiversity net gain over a portfolio of sites. She has also consulted on circular economy roadmaps and ESG strategies for a real estate company.
Martha is a Sustainability Consultant with two years' experience working at Useful Projects. She has an MSc in Sustainability Science, Policy and Society from Maastricht University and an MA (Hons) […]
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Carolyn is a socio-economic consultant at Useful Projects with an academic background and professional experience in sustainable economic development. After completing an undergraduate degree in International Development, Carolyn gained experience
Job Titles:
- Graduate Energy Consultant
Reema holds a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University, India and an MSc in Sustainable Architecture: Evaluation and Design from Oxford Brookes University. She is interested in creating efficient and sustainable buildings using energy and environmental modelling tools.
After joining Useful Projects, Reema started working on retrofit projects for Central Bedfordshire and Basingstoke Council using energy modelling and Passivhaus techniques. She has also worked on environmental modelling for Meridian Water.
Job Titles:
- Senior Energy and Sustainability Consultant
Anna is a sustainability consultant with two years' experience in the built environment sector. Previously working at the UK Green Building Council coordinating their Advancing Net Zero and Social Value
low carbon solutions and environmental design for buildings. She is interested in applying this knowledge to improve design, monitoring and behaviour change to achieve truly sustainable, zero carbon communities. She is a Certified Passivhaus Consultant and is currently working towards becoming a Low Carbon Energy Assessor.
In addition to this, Sapna has a unique skill in communicating technical information through simplistic graphical symbols and illustrations - engaging and sparking interest among all stakeholders involved in the project. Her drawings have been recognised by the Engineering Club, having been one of the only M&E engineers awarded a prize.
Job Titles:
- Director of Circular Design
Sophie leads Useful Projects' circular economy consultancy services. She has been working in the fields of sustainable design, material process and behaviour change for over 20 years. She founded Thomas Matthews: an award winning sustainable communication design agency; Three Trees Don't Make a Forest: an education initiative to inspire communication designers through the practical application of sustainable process; and Greengaged: an events and network group who encourage the debate around sustainable design.
Sophie works with UK government organisations to define the role of designers within the discussion around waste streams, critical elements and resource efficiency. She is involved in building new business models that use closed loop material streams in supply chains. She plays a vocal part in promoting sustainable thinking through education and business and writes regularly for the design press, is included in Who's Who, sits on a number of advisory panels for sustainable design and sat as a trustee for the UK Design Council until 2011.
Fred is an experienced designer with a background in the design of sustainable water infrastructures and environmental planning