Katie White is the Labour MP for Leeds North West, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. She currently holds the Government post of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero). Before going into politics, Katie worked at Friends of the Earth where she co-led the campaign for the Climate Change Act.
In 2009, she worked with the UK government to prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15), before going on to work at the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
She was previously Executive Director at WWF-UK.
She was awarded an OBE for her services to tackling climate change.

Aidan Lane has been shaping the landscape and green roof industry since 1981. With a horticultural background, he is passionate about promoting sustainable solutions and driving positive change. Dedicated and experienced, Aidan works tirelessly to ensure the industry delivers innovative, environmentally responsible practices for a greener future.

Alan is decarbonisation and sustainability consultant at Zenith, joining the company in 2002. Having held a number of roles within the business he has recently led the company’s carbon neutral and net zero programmes, he is responsible for the strategic delivery of customer fleet solutions, including the transition to zero emission vehicles and collaboration on customer sustainability ambitions.

I joined First Bus in 2022 after 21 years in the automotive industry, the last 10 years of which I spent developing zero emission propulsion technologies including HV traction batteries. At First Bus my projects have included our Leicester, Bramley and York electrification projects, which delivered nearly 200 Zero-Emission Buses and associated infrastructure to service. My new role is focussed on opportunities to support the wider bus and road transport sectors on their own decarbonisation journey, by sharing our UK-wide charging infrastructure. I am passionate about decarbonisation generally and have the firm belief that technology can play an important part in a brighter future for all of us.

Asif Husain-Naviatti has had a career for three decades in international public service with the United Nations and World Bank. He has held senior UN leadership roles, including Secretary of the Advisory Commission on UNRWA, a subsidiary of the UN General Assembly, and was the architect of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s historic Call to Action on AIDS, transforming the global response.

Asif currently Chairs the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, the UK’s largest place-based climate body, having previously chaired many other international and UK bodies. He has held Senior Visiting positions at Columbia University in New York and Leeds University’s School of Earth and Science, and has published widely on climate change governance.

Beverley is Founder and Managing Partner of Clean Growth Investment Management, a venture capital fund manager that invests in the UK's most promising early stage cleantech companies that have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She is also CEO of Carbon Limiting Technologies (2006), a cleantech consultancy for corporates, financiers, government officials and SMEs. Prior she was a founder and Vice President, Shell Technology Ventures.

Beverley is a thought leader in early stage cleantech investments and commercialisation with over 40 years’ experience in the international energy sector. She specialises in accelerating innovation to market and scaling companies by providing strategic insights, developing industry partnerships and identifying novel ways to overcome barriers to entry. Her ambition is to create a better, sustainable world and she firmly believes that this will be achieved through climatetech innovation playing a transformative role in the global economy. In 2023, Beverley was awarded an OBE by His Majesty King Charles III for services to Net Zero innovation. She is a NED and Chair of Investment Committee at Great British Energy and previously an independent member of the UK’s cross-government Net Zero Innovation Board chaired by the chief science advisor, Dame Angela McLean. Beverley is a Fellow of the Energy Institute. She holds a BSc in Mining Geology from University College Cardiff.

A passionate sustainability champion who works to drive authentic corporate sustainability, Caroline leverages technology, insight, and communication skills to guide organisations towards impactful net zero transition strategies.  Her broad commercial experience and sustainability qualifications allow her to identify opportunities for value creation, empowering businesses to unlock the opportunities of the low-carbon transition, while reducing risks.

As Deputy Director for Innovation and Engagement at the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, Chelsea leads the development and delivery of the Centre’s innovation strategy, driving partnerships that translate climate research into real-world impact. Working across disciplines, sectors, and geographies, she collaborates with businesses, policymakers, and communities to co-design solutions that turn climate research into tangible action.

Chris Burn is the Head of Business and Features for The Yorkshire Post. He was previously the title's Political Editor and before that was Assistant Features Editor. Having joined The Yorkshire Post in 2017, he previously worked for The Sheffield Star and The Shropshire Star.

David, based in Glasgow, is trained as a Mechanical Engineer. He has worked in operational and engineering roles in the chemical industry for more than 40 years, most recently as a site director. He is now an Executive Coach and Consultant, focussing on supporting manufacturing organisations as they transition to Net Zero. He is currently chair of Bradford Manufacturing Futures, an organisation established to ensure the continued success of the city’s industrial base through collaboration and leadership in sustainable practices.

David is Transport for the North’s Principal Policy and Strategy Officer for Decarbonisation and Technology, leading work on decarbonisation reporting, climate change vulnerability assessments, and tracking emerging transport technologies. He previously worked at the Department for Transport on low carbon fuel policy, contributing to the rollout of E10 petrol, leading the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate, and advising industry promoters on the design of advanced low carbon fuel production schemes to ensure compliance with policy requirements and sustainability standards. Prior to that, he worked in Strategic Planning at Network Rail, helping to integrate local stakeholder needs into regional rail planning to support decarbonisation, capacity enhancements, and modal integration. He has also worked in consultancy on stakeholder engagement for major infrastructure and regeneration schemes, including HS2. David holds a Master of Environment degree from the University of York.

George leads on food and farming programmes, including the Grow Yorkshire partnership that brings together key regional food and farming organisations. He has supported the inclusion of food and farming in the Combined Authority Local Growth Plan and the Route-map to Carbon Negative. He has led on the development of a farm study that highlighted current challenges and a way ahead for farming in the region.

Greg is Professor of Transport Governance at the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds. He has researched issues surrounding the design and implementation of new policies for over 20 years. He is an expert in climate and energy policy in the transport sector and the governance of smart mobility. He leads the Place theme in the national Energy Demand Research Centre and is Director of the INFUZE project which is exploring post car-ownership futures.

Greg Wright is an award-winning journalist who has worked for daily and weekly newspapers, regional magazines, the UK's national news agency and a pioneering news website which earned a place in The Guinness Book of Records. He has won 15 business journalism awards and is ranked at 158 in Richtopia's list of the top 250 business journalists in the world. In 2010, he was voted the Yorkshire Society's media personality of the year. His role as The Yorkshire Post's deputy business editor has given him the opportunity to chair a wide range of political debates and business seminars.

Harry Baross has been a strategic and project development lead on climate change across Yorkshire for over four years. As Regional Project Manager for the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub and Net Zero Coordinator for the Hull and East Yorkshire Business Growth and Skills Hub, Harry works to support public and private collaboration in developing net zero projects. Harry’s work has included supporting the development of heat networks, solar and battery farms, and electric vehicle chargepoint deployment, working on aspects from economic modelling through to skills development and careers guidance. Hull born and bred, he works with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, and the newly formed Great British Energy, to accelerate project delivery and commercial investment at a regional and local scale.

Ian Hughes is CEO of Zenith’s Corporate and Consumer division, joining the company in 2010. He is responsible for in-life operations, accident management, customer service, new customer acquisition, existing relationship management and Zenith’s LCV proposition.

Ian and his team are ensuring Zenith is at the forefront of the transition to zero emission vehicles, and is taking some of the UK’s biggest companies on the journey to net zero through strategic fleet solutions.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, Ian has recently been named Chairsperson of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) Leasing and Fleet Committee.

James has worked at Techbuyer for the last 3 and a half years, earning status as a registered environmental practitioner. Inspired by one of Techbuyer’s internal sustainability courses, he joined the team in 2023 and has overseen a number of successful projects that have reduced material waste, improved data collection and contributed significantly towards company targets in educating more young people in sustainable use of technology.

James Mitchinson is the Editor of The Yorkshire Post and Editorial Director for National World Yorkshire, a role to which he was appointed in 2016. He has been a journalist for 23 years, the majority of which he has held editor roles at numerous titles. James has led The Yorkshire Post team to myriad industry awards, including campaign of the year for the Power Up The North initiative - bringing together rival publishers in a way not done before or since - Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain (PAMCo) and Regional Newspaper of the Year, the latter not having been achieved by The Yorkshire Post for some 20 years prior. He is a married dad to two boys and a grassroots football coach and volunteer.

Jenny started out as an Energy editor for an online wire service at education and science publisher McGraw Hill. Having qualified as a barrister she worked from Chambers in London and Leeds, taught Law at the University of York, and managed global donations for top ranked Givewell charity Against Malaria Foundation. Jenny was elected as Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council in 2023. She lives in York and is old enough to remember when Wild Swimming was just swimming.

Laura is an Environment Project Manager with over 25-years’ experience working in the energy and environment profession with the last 5 years working in local government for Calderdale Council in the Climate and environment Team.
An environmental science graduate with extensive background in energy management, energy efficiency and low carbon initiatives across the public and private sector.
She has recently led the development of the Calderdale Local Area Energy Plan and is now working to take forwards the key priorities of the plan - working out how to deliver the priority projects, developing business cases, partnerships and obtaining funding, to help Calderdale scale up and deliver its ambitions to meet its net zero targets across all sectors.
Laura is passionate about involving local communities and stakeholders in net zero decision making as a principle, she is skilled in strategic engagement, supporting strategic planning, unlocking barriers and embedding climate action into climate governance structures, partnerships and corporate processes.
Key focus areas currently include: strategic energy, local area energy planning, public sector decarbonisation, warm and resilient buildings, domestic retrofit, EV Infrastructure, renewables, hydrogen and heat decarbonisation.

Laura Guymer is a seasoned learning and development professional with over 25 years’ experience across both the public and private sectors. Currently working as Assistant Director of Skills at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the region’s skills and employment landscape.

Laura is passionate about skills development and the benefits of empowering individuals and strengthening regional skills ecosystems. Seeing skills as an enabler to personal, societal and community benefits, Laura is an advocate for placing decision-making closer to employers, training providers, and residents, to enable a more responsive system that can address skills shortages, raise productivity, and create more opportunities for local people to access skills development that is better aligned to local needs.

Lauren Kemp is the Heat Network Zoning Lead for the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. Based out of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, her role is to work with and engage a wide range of stakeholders from across the Hub region, promoting the opportunities of heat network zoning. Lauren joined the Hub in March 2025 from the Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Planning service at Kirklees Council. She has a background in Project and Programme delivery and holds an MSc in Sustainability and Consultancy from the University of Leeds.

Lucy Meredith is the coordinator for Leeds Community Energy, supporting local community-led renewable energy projects in Leeds. Part of a growing movement focussed on putting people and communities at the heart of clean energy. She is also sustainability lead for People Powered Homes supporting retrofit and community-led Housing development in the region.

Luke is a sustainability expert helping businesses define their ambitions and build and deliver strategic plans. He is part of the team at the Aire Resilience Company (ARC), a social enterprise focused on protecting Leeds from flooding. He leverages his background in corporate sustainability to engage the private sector and raise investment for nature-based solutions.

Mark has been Flood Risk Manager at City of York Council for six months, following a decade of experience in local authority flood risk roles at North Yorkshire Council and Norfolk County Council. He brings expertise in developing and delivering flood risk strategies that balance community needs with sustainable water management solutions.

Sarah Jones is the founder of Yorkshire based independent funeral service, Full Circle Funerals. Prior to working in funeral care she was a surgeon in the NHS and ran and exited a regional care business. Full Circle Funeral was the first UK Funeral Director to be certified as a B Corp in 2021 and Sarah now delivers the only funeral care specific Carbon Literacy Training accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project.

Scott Patient is Deputy Leader of Calderdale Council. A lifelong climate activist, he is the cabinet member for Climate Action and Housing, as well as being a member of the Calderdale Flood Recovery & Resilience Programme Board and the Chair for the Calderdale Climate Partnership. Scott has been the Cabinet member with a Climate portfolio since 2019 and was a joint proposer of Calderdale’s Climate Emergency declaration in January 2019. Scott has helped shape structures and projects at the Council which helped Calderdale win the prestigious MJ Award for Climate Leadership in 2024.

Scott has been a volunteer flood warden since 2015. His property has flooded, his community has flooded, and his children’s school has been underwater. Scott has lived experience of the impact of climate inaction. In Scott’s working life, he has a history of working with co-ops, most recently Suma as well as working in climate policy and research.

Scott was in the first cohort to do LGA climate training and has delivered some sessions for the LGA. He is a 2023 graduate of UK100’s Climate Leadership Academy. Scott helped Tracy Brabin to develop her green manifesto prior to her election as Mayor of West Yorkshire. Scott is also an active member in both the UK labour and local cycling groups and is Vice Chair for West Yorkshire for the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission a member.

Scott is the co-chair of the Mytholmroyd flood group co-chair, which won an Environment Agency award for good recruitment. Scott was a volunteer with the food growing group Incredible Edible from 2011 to 2016 and has also worked with the natural flood management community group Slow the Flow, who have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary service.

Sheridan is Lecturer in Urban Energy Systems at the University of Leeds. He is interested in how to bring about a just transition to a low carbon energy system across scales. His research focuses on the interface between social and technical aspects of energy systems, with particular focus on energy networks, energy access, and transport. He is an associate member of the Yorsksire & Humber Climate Commission and collaborated them through the Future Energy Forum, engaging with local authorities, network operators and other key actors on experiences of, and priorities for, the energy transition.

With over 40 years of experience, Tony Mooney has built a reputation for bringing people together to tackle complex and challenging projects across a wide range of industries, both nationally and internationally. His diverse portfolio includes initiatives in property, employment, football, music, and even the creative conversion of a double-decker bus into a camper van. Today, Tony is focused on the energy efficiency sector, working to reduce energy bills for those experiencing fuel poverty. Since January 2024, Tony has led the Energy Efficiency Association Lifelong Learning and Career Pathway Collaboration Project. This initiative unites colleges, universities, and commercial training providers to create a centralised online library of UK-based courses in sustainability, renewables, energy efficiency, and related green skills. The library is freely accessible and designed to support lifelong learning and career development in the green economy.

Victoria is an environmental scientist with over 15 years’ experience in UK political and public sectors. Her career has focused on river and coastal flooding and erosion, environmental regeneration and climate change mitigation. She champions the natural environment to buffer extreme events of flood and drought to support and sustain communities.

Victoria is an environmental scientist, working in the UK political and public sectors for over 15 years. Victoria’s career has focused on river and coastal flooding and erosion, environmental regeneration and climate change mitigation. Victoria’s approach utilises the ability of the natural environment to buffer extreme events of flood and drought to support and sustain communities.