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Making a difference for COP26 #TogetherforourPlanet

10 min to readESG
Net zero is a common goal, delivered collaboratively across industries - so who's shaping our low-carbon future?
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As COP26 comes to a close, the urgency of the challenges ahead is becoming clear. Addressing the climate emergency requires action, a combination of often small stories, each of which adds up to big change - individuals, working #TogetherForOurPlanet.

We?ve covered some of those stories as part of our series with Fully Charged, highlighting the practicalities of organisations and individuals moving to electric vehicles. Now we're looking to share an even broader range of viewpoints, told by people who are a making a real difference as transport edges closer to its zero-carbon future.

Some of the key names in that process are outlined below - to help you keep pace with what's happening in this ever-changing sector. If you've done something to help decarbonise transport, or if you know someone who deserves some recognition, please get in touch.

Tim Anderson

Group Head of Transport, Energy Saving Trust

The EST supports the government's decarbonisation plans, including developing active transport schemes, administering grants and assisting with chargepoint strategies. Anderson joined the trust in 2007 from the fleet and rental sector, and now heads up its transport programmes, promoting efficient driving, car-sharing and electrification.

Greg Archer

UK Director, Transport & Environment

Formerly of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, Archer joined NGO Transport and Environment in 2012, in charge of its UK campaigns. The organisation promotes the roll-out of clean transport solutions, and campaigns for governments and industry to deliver ongoing improvements.

Twitter: @GregGtarcher

Kevin Booker

IT & Fleet, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

A triple Guinness World Record holder for electric vehicle economy driving, Booker has also worked hard to champion EVs in his job. He has helped spearhead electrification of the Authority's fleet, despite challenging duty cycles and terrain, and roll out a growing network of chargepoints which are helping plug gaps in the Welsh charging infrastructure.

Twitter: @kevinb3510

Katie Black

Joint Head, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV)

Black joined OZEV last November, just ahead of its rebrand from OLEV align with the Government's transport decarbonisation plans. A member of The Automotive Council, she brings experience from the National Infrastructure Commission and Department of Energy and Climate Change and is jointly responsible for the cross-departmental team co-ordinating funding, strategy and support for the UK's growing plug-in vehicle market.

Jordan Brompton,

Co-founder and CMO, myenergi

Myenergi was founded in 2016, with a range of UK-designed and manufactured smart charging products to help electric vehicle drivers use the greenest possible energy. The company has since supplied 120,000 devices globally, offering the ability to draw electricity only from users' domestic solar panels, or integrate grid supply to prioritise higher speeds.

Dan Caeser

Joint CEO, Fully Charged

A long-term promoter of clean energy, Caesar is responsible for Fully Charged's electric vehicle video channel and its expanding portfolio of events - now held all over the world. He's also a passionate EV advocate, often found raising awareness of the technology and dispelling 'FUD' (fear, uncertainty and doubt) about it on social and broadcast media.

Tom Callow

Head of Insight and External Affairs, BP Pulse

With a background in automotive technology PR, and years of experience working within the electric vehicle sector, Callow has become a go-to spokesperson at events and in the media. He offers in-depth knowledge of the market, charging infrastructure and regulations, and a deep-rooted enthusiasm for moving fleets and drivers into plug-in vehicles.

Twitter: @au_tom_otive

Prof. David Cebon

Director, Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and Cambridge Vehicle Dynamics Consortium

Based at Cambridge University's Engineering Department, Cebon is one of the UK's leading experts on heavy goods vehicles and the technologies required to decarbonise them. The Centre's most recent research is proposing overhead cabling for 7,500km (4,660 miles) of the road network, enabling electric trucks to use a pantograph as a power supply (similar to trains) instead of needing hydrogen fuel cells or large batteries.

Twitter: @davidcebon

Fraser Crichton

Corporate Fleet Manager, Dundee City Council

Crichton has been at the spearhead of making Dundee one of the UK's most EV-friendly cities. As well as electrifying its own fleet, the council has introduced rapid charging hubs supplied by on-site solar panels and energy storage, hosted demonstration events to highlight the benefits for local residents , and changed licensing rules to incentivise private hire operators to switch too.

Celine Cluzel

ERM Partner, Element Energy

A mechanical engineer by background, Cluzel has spent more than a decade specialising in low-carbon transport at green energy consultancy firm Element Energy. A regular at conferences in the meantime, she provides strategic advice to a wide range of public and private sector clients support them efforts to the environmental impact of their operations.

Twitter: @EE_Celine

Gary Cook

Joint Head, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV)

As joint head of OZEV since November 2020, Cook is part of a cross-departmental team overseeing the strategies, infrastructure and funding needed to decarbonise road transport and support the UK automotive industry. Past roles within the civil service have focused on climate change, health and support for growing businesses.

Sam Clarke

Chief Vehicle Officer, Gridserve

Clarke is one of the early fleet adopters of electric vehicles, co-founding Gnewt Cargo in 2008 and offering a case study others have been able to work from. He joined Gridserve in 2020 - just as it was opening its first electric forecourt and shortly before it acquired the Electric Highway chargepoint network - and is tasked with helping other organisations with their electrification goals.

Twitter: @sam_e_v

Helen Clarkson

CEO, Climate Group

The Climate Group was set up to encourage organisations to make more sustainable choices and share best practice with their peers. Clarkson joined as CEO 2017, bringing experience helping household-name US companies with their sustainability goals, and holds board-level positions with several large-scale projects working towards reducing businesses' environmental impact.

Twitter: @hl_clarkson

Graeme Cooper

Head of Future Markets, National Grid

National Grid is a vital stakeholder in the transition to electric vehicles. Cooper's role includes co-ordinating collaborations between the Government and the automotive and energy sectors, to set strategies and provide the required infrastructure. He's also leading a project which will connect around 30GW of offshore wind generation to the transmission network, further reducing the carbon intensity of electric vehicles.

Twitter: @bartlettsboy

Charlie Cook

Founder and CEO, Rightcharge

A civil engineer by trade, Charlie founded Rightcharge as a platform to help electric vehicle owners make smarter choices when they plug in. It offers useful insight to help select and order charging equipment, select the right tariffs and identify the cheapest, greenest times of the day to top up.

Robert Evans

CEO, Cenex

Cenex - the UK's centre of excellence for low-carbon and fuel cell technologies - helps bring cutting-edge innovations to market. Evans has led the organisation since 2005, working with stakeholders across the industry to create partnerships, further research into electric and hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure, and root that expertise within the UK.

Paul Hollick, MD

The Miles Consultancy (TMC) and Chairman of The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP)

Already known for TMC's data-rich insights into UK fleets, Hollick became chair of newly-formed industry body AFP in 2020. Addressing the biggest concerns for operators, the organisation has since been working hard to support fleets as they transition to electric vehicles, helping with policy-setting and sharing best practice, engaging with stakeholders and establishing an EV Hub with detailed advice for members.

Chris Jackson

Head of Fleet Partnerships, Centrica Business Solutions

Having spent over a decade working within the finance and leasing sector, Jackson is tasked with building relationships with fleets and leasing companies and developing solutions which enable them to use electric vehicles. The company's own 12,500-vehicle fleet will be electric by 2025, and the supporting innovations are being shared with business customers.

Twitter: @ChrisJ_fleet

Charlie Jardine

Founder and CEO, EO Charging

Founded in 2015, EO Charging began with a user-friendly smart-charging solution tailored towards the needs of electric vehicle fleets. The company now counts many of the UK's biggest operators among its clients, and its portfolio of hardware and software products has expanded to include systems for domestic users too.

Twitter: @cjardine

Edmund King

AA President

As president of the AA since 2008, King has campaigned tirelessly on causes affecting motorists, co-ordinating research, liaising with government and speaking out about key issues at events and in the media. He's a keen cyclist and EV driver, and a long-term champion of safer, lower-carbon transport.

Twitter: @AAPresident

Alexander Lewis-Jones

Founder, Other Way

Green energy specialist and consultant Alex has recently launched a data-driven platform to explore the full environmental impact of transportation. Other Way is designed to unravel the complex carbon footprint of moving people and cargo, with the wider aim of encouraging businesses to make smarter, cleaner decisions about transport

Michael Lightfoot

Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, LeasePlan

Michael joined LeasePlan having served as head of external affairs at AkzoNobel, developing influential partnerships with the World Economic Forum, United Nations and The Rockefeller Foundation. His role now includes corporate positioning, reputation management and vital relationships with global stakeholders

Robert Llewellyn

Owner, Fully Charged

Writer, broadcaster and actor Robert Llewellyn has become one of the most influential advocates of sustainable technologies. The founder and host of the Fully Charged video series, his enthusiasm and inimitable sense of humour has helped convey the advantages of low-carbon transport to a worldwide audience of millions since its launch in 2010.

Twitter: @bobbyllew

Lorna McAtear

Fleet Manager, National Grid

With a 2050 goal to become net zero, National Grid's 3,000-strong fleet will move away from petrol and diesel by 2030 ? including commercials, each of which will save almost 21 tonnes of CO2 in a six-year lifespan. Lorna is at the forefront of that change, actively encouraging manufacturers to supply electric alternatives for the specialist vehicles and plant the business needs.

Twitter: @mcatearlorna

James McKemey

Head of Insights Team, Pod Point

Chargepoint manufacturer and network operator Pod Point's insights team was set up to provide clear information about policies and incentives for electric vehicles. A sought-after spokesperson, James has had an important role myth-busting common electric vehicle misconception and helping new and existing drivers to keep up with the latest changes.

Thomas McLennan

Head of Policy and Public Affairs, BVRLA

The BVRLA's membership of 970 rental and leasing companies account for one in ten vehicles on UK roads. Tom recently took responsibility for building relationships with government, regulators and industry stakeholders, aiming to collaboratively develop policies which support a cleaner transport system and the road to net-zero.

Bob Moran

Head of Environment Strategy, Department for Transport (DfT)

An automotive engineer by background and (most recently) deputy head of OLEV, Moran is working on the regulatory framework that will support the government's Transport Decarbonisation Plan, published earlier this year. This sets out how all modes can play a part in meeting the UK's 2050 net-zero emissions target.

Twitter: @drbobmoran

Gill Nowell

Head of EV Communications, LV = Insurance and Co-founder, EVA England

Having worked within sustainable energy for more than 20 years, Gill has spent the last decade speaking out about the benefits of electric vehicles. In 2020, she co-founded Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England. A passionate advocate for electric vehicles Gill is now Head of EV Communications for LV= General Insurance and ElectriX. In April 2021 Gill was celebrated as one of the Top Women in EV for policy and campaigning.

Twitter: @Gill_Nowell

Claire O'Neill

Managing Director for climate and energy and natural climate solutions, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

A former Conservative MP and shadow chancellor, O'Neill has an impressive track record establishing initiatives to encourage the growth of clean energy and transport in the UK - including setting out the 2050 net-zero target, and Glasgow's winning COP26 bid. She joined the WBCSD in 2020, advocating sustainability among the world's biggest businesses.

Hamish Philips

Head of Auto, Delivery Unit, 10 Downing Street

Formerly head of sales at Arrival, Philips took the 'unique opportunity' of becoming electric vehicle lead within Number 10's Delivery Unit in September 2021. He brings a strong track record promoting sustainable transport. Past experience includes sales roles within Tesla, marketing at GreenTomatoCars and building fleet relationships at Transport & Environment, to help organisations transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Warren Ryan Phillips

Co-Founder EVA England

As co-founder of Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England Transport is only one element of Warren's sustainable lifestyle, his EPC A-rated home received widespread media coverage and is open to the public to learn from. Warren is also helping create communities of electric vehicle drivers across the UK, to help share advice and encourage further uptake.

Twitter: @luciddestin

Chris Ramsey

Founder, Plug-in Adventures

Perhaps best known for his overland-adapted Nissan LEAF, Ramsey has championed electric vehicle technology by pushing it to its limits. His high-profile battery-powered overland adventures include the 10,000-mile Mongol Rally in 2017, and a 17,000-mile, 14-country, pole-to-pole adventure is planned in late 2022. Ramsey also holds a Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled in 12 hours on a bicycle - some 177.8 miles.

Natasha Robinson

Joint Head, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles

As the head of OZEV (formerly OLEV), the cross-governmental team tasked with supporting the transition to electric vehicles, Natasha holds one of the most influential roles in the UK's shift to decarbonised transport. The organisation administers grant funding for vehicles and chargepoints, and supports innovation designed to keep the UK at the forefront electric mobility.

Sandra Roling

Head of Transport, The Climate Group

Sandra joined The Climate Group in 2011, forging partnerships with businesses worldwide - including establishing the We Mean Business Coalition, aimed at accelerating climate action. She would later head up the EV100 initiative, a global effort which will deploy five million electric vehicles worldwide by 2030, and is currently in charge of transport-related projects.

Twitter: @rolingsandra

Avinash Rugoobur

President and Chief Strategy Officer, Arrival

London-based startup Arrival is hoping to solve the challenges of electrifying commercial vehicles, developing a van platform that enables fast scaling of production with much lower fleet operating costs than equivalent diesel models. LeasePlan was recently named as preferred operational leasing partner, with an initial order of 3,000 vehicles in Europe.

Caroline Sandall-Mansergh

Specialist Consultant, LeasePlan

With a fleet industry career spanning 30 years, Sandall-Mansergh has worked hard to create relationships and bring the concerns of operators to the fore. She was a key part of creating the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), as a merger of ACFO and the ICFM, before moving to LeasePlan UK supporting fleets on their journey to electrification.

Twitter: @cazzabazza

Mel Shufflebotham

COO and Co-founder, Zap-Map

Zap-Map has become a household name for electric vehicle drivers, offering useful data about locations and cost, live availability and with options for users to exchange notes about faults. Shufflebotham is also an active advocate of electrification, a regular speaker at conferences and helping others understand the advantages they offer.

Twitter: @melshuff

Sara Sloman

Head of Future Mobility Partnerships, Elmtronics

Sloman joined Elmtronics after 15 years working on sustainable infrastructure projects with local authorities, managing the complexities of dealing with multiple stakeholders. A keen advocate of electrification, she's helping to shape discussions at the Association of Fleet Professionals' Committee for Light Commercial Vehicles.

Twitter: @sarasloman1

Hugo Spowers

Managing Director, Riversimple

From a motorsport background, Spowers has a unique approach to hydrogen fuel cell technology. Riversimple is based in mid-Wales and will soon begin road trials of the Rasa - an ultra-lightweight hydrogen-powered car with a 300-mile range, which will be provided on a subscription basis. A small van is also undergoing development and will be built on the same production line.

Neil Swanson

Director, EVA Scotland

The Electric Vehicle Association Scotland was set up more than ten years ago to represent the interests of drivers, and promote the benefits to a wider audience. Swanson, an engineer by background, is a long-term advocate of renewables and clean transportation, and an influential part of the community.

Twitter: @njel1312

Ade Thomas

Founder Green TV

Formerly a BBC producer and director of current affairs, Thomas has been at the forefront of promoting low-carbon lifestyles and electric vehicles. Green.TV is a multi-channel publishing network responsible for initiatives including the Oxford EV Summit, Decarbonisation Summit alongside COP26, and World EV Day, which is supported by some of the most influential brands in the industry.

Matthew Walters

Head of Consultancy Services, LeasePlan UK

During a 16-year career at LeasePlan UK, Walters has worked with many of the country's biggest fleets, gaining in-depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities they face. Now tasked with developing insight and improvement programs for customers, and helping them move to electric vehicles, he's become a well-known champion of new technology.

Steve Winter

Head of Fleet, Centrica

EV100 member Centrica operates the UK's third-largest fleet, at 12,000 vehicles, and Winter is responsible for transitioning all of them to electric by 2025. The company is also ensuring that others can benefit, developing charging, reimbursement and virtual fuel card solutions to enable other organisations to follow suit.

Published at 20 December 2021
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20 December 2021
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