Event finished: 28th October 2021
To address our global climate challenges, businesses of all sizes – from both across the UK and the world – must come together to make a change. Within the UK specifically, businesses are being asked to commit to cutting carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to help make a difference. However, with the pressing need to meet these targets, the UK economy is being asked to rapidly adapt to meet these goals – making it imperative that SMEs in the ecosystem are considered, included, and supported as part of the solution.
In partnership with London & Partners and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Connected Places Catapult is proud to host a special Connections Café – A Journey to Net Zero. During this event, these three business and innovation leaders have come together to support SMEs on their journey to ‘net zero’.
This event will feature a short introduction for SMEs looking to understand where they fit on the roadmap to ‘net zero’ and a short fireside chat with two SMEs who have already committed to their journey. Attendees will then be broken out into discussions where they can talk with groups from across the UK who are keen to support the journey and will close out with an open networking session.
Speaker Biographies:
Sam Lux (Policy Advisor, BEIS)
Sam is a policy advisor in BEIS’ net zero public engagement team. She currently works in the small team delivering the Together for Our Planet Business Climate Leaders campaign for Andrew Griffith MP in his role as UK Net Zero Business Champion ahead of COP26 in November.
Lucette Demets (Head of Sustainability, London & Partners)
As Head of Sustainability at London & Partners – London’s business growth and destination agency, Lucette leads on the creation of a company wide strategy and programme on environmental sustainability, aligned with the organisation’s commitment to deliver sustainable economic growth.
Lucette was previously Head of Urban, developing and overseeing the organisation’s programme on urban innovation (including mobility, cleantech and proptech) as well as wider urban development/regeneration.
Agamemnon Otero MBE (CEO, Energy Garden)
Agamemnon is CEO of Energy Garden, co-founder of Repowering, Brixton Energy, Community Energy England, and has sat on the UK Government’s Community Energy Contact Group. He has a M.Sc Architecture: Advanced Environment and Energy and previously worked as the Director for Renewable Energy Project Finance and Social Responsibility at a financial institution. In 2014, he was named a London Leader; in 2016, he was awarded an MBE for services to community energy; and in 2017, he was named one of the 51 Most Impactful Green Leaders globally by CSR Congress.
Louise Palmer-Masterson (Stem & Glory)
Louise Palmer-Masterton is the founder of multiple award-winning restaurants Stem & Glory; hip and trendy but accessible plant-based restaurants, serving delicious gourmet vegan food from locally sourced ingredients, 100% made on site. Stem & Glory also offers click-and-collect and local delivery in London and Cambridge.
Dr. Alexander Schmidt
Background in Internal Business, PhD in Financial Econometrics, entrepreneurial experiences in Data Science and Consulting, leading partnerships at Normative – the world’s first carbon accounting engine.
ReLondon
ReLondon business transformation provides free advice to small and medium sized businesses in London to transform the way they do business, creating sustainable value and growth through circular economy strategies and innovations.
Applications are currently open for their Build Back Better advisory support to help business’ green recovery from the pandemic by identifying new circular opportunities and developing an action plan. Applications close at the end of November 2021.
