SWM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Sustainability Adviser
Role
Key responsibilities: Project management and business development
I have been with SWM since January 2014 and my role primarily consists of a) project managing our consultancy work and b) looking for opportunities to win new work. As with all SWM staff, I also get involved in all other activities, such as engaging with our Members, overseeing the completion of our Annual Roadmap Monitoring report, participating in our flagship conferences and events and, of course, project delivery.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Andy Whyle is an SWM Associate and a long-time advocate of Sustainability West Midlands, helping to establish and Chair SWM's Green Business Network. He was one of the inaugural Top 50 Green Leaders in 2010 and the recipient of the Green Leader (Private Sector) Award in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Certified Accountant
Role
Angelina is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) and works as Head of Finance, UK Anti-Doping, an independent not-for-profit low emission vehicle research and consultancy organisation, specialising in assessing, implementing and validating ultra-low emission vehicle strategies.
In this role, Angelina is responsible for ensuring the business runs efficiently and all financial and governance requirements are met. Angelina oversees the financial management of a portfolio of UK and EU grant funded projects, as well as the day-to-day operation of a c30 employee operation. In addition to these financial management responsibilities, Angelina also looks after HR and the general operations of the business and deals with company policies, employee relations and IT. Angelina has assisted in the launch of several new companies, including Stichting Cenex Nederland, where she is a Director.
Role
The main purpose of my role is to lead the organisation in line with our mission and vision, and to secure the internal and external resources necessary to achieve this. I manage the day to day operation of SWM and lead on finance, risk, HR, and business planning. I also develop and lead on implementation of our strategic plan. As with any small organisation I also provide project delivery and support.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
B.D. Dalton is a investor and business owner who is focussed on delivering success whether it is helping with Wealth Management at Temple Row or consulting on growth through Rockfine Group, B.D. is enthusiastic and driven to help. He has spent 25 plus years designing plans for people to secure their financial future. He is both a US and UK citizen and believes that a truly global society needs to understand its impact. The largest impact can be felt when we not only understand what we do, but how we can influence great outcomes from others.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
- Founder and Director of Accelar
Charlene is a Founder and Director of Accelar, which exists to help organisations accelerate the green transition. She is a chartered Town Planner, and her work revolves around embedding sustainability into large infrastructure and regeneration strategies and schemes. She's helped shape the early stages of complex programmes, strategies and projects, and executed them successfully. Ultimately, Charlene loves being able to help clients with their green transition.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Job Titles:
- Stakeholder & Engagement Officer
Role
At SWM I am responsible for communicating news, events and opportunities on our website and other online channels, with the help of our Volunteer Communications Officer. As well as general communications activities, I also provide support on events, membership and some project delivery.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Job Titles:
- Sales Director at National Express West Midlands
Daljit Kalirai is Sales Director at National Express West Midlands with over 25 years' experience in the travel and transport sector. She was born in the West Midlands, educated locally and lives local with her husband and two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Senior Sustainability Adviser
Role
I joined SWM in April 2022 after fifteen years working in higher education, local government, and as a director for a community energy society. I bring to SWM my skills in research, knowledge transfer and community engagement, and my knowledge in sustainable energy and sustainable built environments. My role is to advise and support local authorities, businesses, community groups and other organisations across the West Midlands to improve their sustainability practice. I manage and deliver projects and research, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and write reports and strategies. I am also working to ensure that all of our activities contribute to our Roadmap priorities, and that the West Midlands is leading in contributing to the national target of net zero gas emissions by 2050, while reducing health inequality and driving inclusive growth.
Role
Mohammad is Managing Director of Nazir Associates.
Role
Gbenga joined the board in 2023 and is a Chartered Civil Engineer working as Modern Methods of Construction Lead at SYSTRA UK & Ireland
About Hannah
Hannah joined SWM as Young Director in November 2020. Hannah is a chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), working at Arup in Solihull.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Ian's background is Local Government, starting as a highways engineer, finishing as Chief Executive. During his career he dealt with every community facing service and most of the backroom processes.
Following an early retirement, Ian joined the Board of the Stoke & Staffordshire LEP to assist with regeneration and sub-regional transportation. Following this he became Chair of the Staffordshire Local Pensions Board dealing with pension arrangements for 117,000 people in 400 organisations. He also gave consultancy advice for infrastructure projects in England and Wales.
Nationally, Ian was editor of Municipal Engineer, a member of the Sustainability Guidance Panel, the Expert Panel for Urban Engineering, and a reviewer for the Management Book of the Year prize. Internationally, he has published and spoken widely about city management.
Ian currently assesses engineers for their final professional qualifications, is Treasurer for Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) West Midlands Regional Executive, and a Governor of Staffordshire University. In his spare time, he enjoys sailing, walking, and cycling.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Jessica joined the ESG leadership team at Mills & Reeve in 2022 as the firms first ever Sustainability Manager. She brought with her a wealth of impressive experience of working in both the professional services and not-for-profit sectors.
Since a young age she has had a passion for the natural world, a personal letter from David Attenborough is one of her most prized possessions! Jessica has spoken about building her successful career in CSR and how she made the move to an ESG focussed role at the United Nations. She has huge experience in helping businesses focus on more than the bottom line and a long track record for delivering positive change in communities across the UK and beyond.
Since starting her role she has delivered several high-profile initiatives, including setting the firm's Net Zero target and creating their inaugural Carbon Reduction Plan. She sits on the ESG committee and is instrumental in setting the strategic direction for ESG, monitoring the firms KPI's and driving forward the firm's sustainability ambitions.
Jessica is a frequent guest on the Mills & Reeve Talking ESG podcast, regularly provides sustainability insight to the Legal and professional services sectors through thought leadership pieces and speaking at ESG events both locally and nationally.
Jessica is delighted to be representing Mills & Reeve on the SWM Advisory Committee, this role will complement her other memberships of the Business in the Community West Midlands Board, Legal Sustainability Alliance and the Net Zero Protocol working group with The Law Society. Outside of work she is a proud trustee for Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer. Jessica lives in Shropshire with her husband, son and stepson and is inspired through her work to build a better world for everyone to enjoy.
Job Titles:
- Associate Project Manager at OVO Energy
- External Advisory Committee Member
Jesusoorefunmi Olaoye (Soore) is an Associate Project Manager at OVO Energy, working on implementing zero carbon projects for households which helps in achieving OVO's Plan Zero aims by 2035. His experience and unique mix of entrepreneurship cuts across Telecommunications, Renewables, Environmental and Management consulting in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria, Mozambique, Congo DRC, Ghana) and the United Kingdom. Given his dedication to sustainable development, he has been instrumental in developing other businesses and social change initiatives, serving as a volunteer, mentor, and strategist over the past 7 years
Role
SWM Young Director, 2022 - 2023. Circular Economy Project Delivery Officer, West Midlands Combined Authority.
Job Titles:
- Programme Manager
- Project Manager
- Director of Programme
Role
Lindsay is the Director of Programme and Project Management Group for Acivico Group Ltd, a wholly owned company of Birmingham City Council, delivering professional construction and property consultancy services.
Lindsay is an experienced Project Manager and Programme Manager and has worked in the property industry, predominantly in the public sector, for over 25 years and has significant experience in a wide range of project work. She has had valuable experience in working with local and national funding bodies, attracting match funding for her clients. As part of the Route to Net Zero journey, Lindsay is heavily involved in a number of projects and programmes in relation to implementing sustainable energy solutions with her clients.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Slingshot Design Ltd
Mat is the Managing Director of Slingshot Design Ltd, a company he started back in 2000.
Mat has worked in the graphic design and web design industry for 25 years. Throughout his career, he has used his spare time to hone his design skills and learn new technologies. After training, Mat worked at design, advertising and marketing agencies. He became aware of the internet which was in its infancy and in his spare time learned how to make basic websites and interactive animations. There were very few people doing this at the time and meant that the companies he worked for where able to offer websites and multimedia to their clients for the first time.
In 2000, Mat started Slingshot, a graphic design and web design company. In the last 20 years as Managing Director, he has worked on a wide variety of projects, produced award winning designs and been published in several design books. As well as being a skilled graphic designer, Mat is a competent website programmer. This combination of skills means that he is able to offer everything from logos to complicated e-commence websites, all to a very high standard.
Role
In my role as Project Officer, I am supporting research, reporting, and the delivery of projects run by various colleagues across the team at SWM. The main topics covered include Net Zero Innovation and Climate Change Adaptation.
Job Titles:
- External Advisory Committee Member
Job Titles:
- Events & Partnership Officer