Environmental Sustainability Seminar 2024

Morwen (Mo) Mands started her career as a qualified accountant in the energy and FMCG sectors. A personal interest in sustainability led to a career shift, with Mo taking on the role of Head of Sustainability at Highland Spring Group, where she oversaw the launch of the company’s rail freight facility – the first in Scotland in over a decade – and its strategy for adapting to the Deposit Return Scheme.

She joined the iconic Scottish hospitality brand, Gleneagles, in January 2024, becoming the company’s first ever Director of Sustainability. Responsible for delivering a long-term sustainability strategy across both The Gleneagles Hotel and Gleneagles Townhouse, she is supporting the business to minimise the environmental impact of its operation and achieve its ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find Mo practising her golf swing or walking her dogs in the Scottish countryside.

Pete is focused on the role of business in the transition to a sustainable future. He leads the sustainability plan and government engagement at Sysco GB, the foodservice supplier comprising Brakes, Fresh Direct and other distributors.

With over a decade’s experience in corporate sustainability he’s worked with brands including IKEA, Mars, and Vodafone. Before joining Sysco he lead the integration of Carlsberg’s sustainability plan in the UK while developing the brewer’s sustainability communications and ESG reporting globally.

He holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of Exeter, is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, and a Trustee of Meals & More, the holiday hunger charity.

With a career spanning more than 20 years in pivotal customer-facing roles in the UK’s recycling and waste management industry, sustainability is at the heart of everything Carla does.

After several years at SUEZ, Carla joined Biffa in January 2020, to drive project development related to the Resources & Waste Strategy.

More recently, Carla has taken a prominent position leading Biffa’s involvement in major legislative changes designed to enable the UK circular economy.

This includes consulting with the government on policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Scheme, Digital Waste Tracking and Simpler Recycling, while helping businesses and local authorities understand the changes and their impact.

Carla is also heavily involved in Biffa’s innovation projects and trials, with a particular focus on the re-use of materials, and emerging technologies.

Carla's unwavering commitment inspires greener resource management, making her a driving force in reshaping industry perspectives.

Emma is Head of Sustainability for Nestlé UK&I, focusing on delivering the ambitious net zero climate commitment and driving the business to be a force for good. Prior to joining Nestlé, Emma led a team at WWF on food system transformation and before that was in Unilever’s sustainability team working on bringing the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan to life. She also holds a doctorate in supply chain sustainability

Tim has significant experience with private equity backed businesses including M&A and debt transactions. He has a successful record of creating and implementing strategies and change management, including growth, operational improvement and ESG.

Tim is part of the team that in 2017 acquired the master franchisee and development agreement for the UK from Burger King Europe. Tim has led the establishment of the business infrastructure, an imbedded ESG strategy and the acquisition of franchisees that has grown the business to revenues of circa £400m. Prior to that he has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality sector, operating at board level across a range of sectors including pubs, hotels, contract and concession catering and casual dining.

Tim chairs the Sustainability Committee of the Hospitality Sector Council, as well as being a member of the Council, with the objective of co-creating solutions with Government to the sustainability challenges facing the hospitality sector. Tim also sits on the Advisory Board of UK Hospitality and is Chair of its Sustainability Committee and also the Finance Committee of the sector benevolent charity Hospitality Action.

Managing Director of Exclusive Collection founded in 1981, a family-run independent group of 7 country house properties, two spas, golf club, cookery school, inn and award-winning restaurants.

Exclusive Collection became the first hotel group in the UK to become an accredited B Corp leading the way in sustainability for the hospitality sector, redefining sustainable luxury. Exclusive is pushing hard to grow its own with 5.2 hectares of vineyard, planted acres of orchards and some hugely productive kitchen gardens, championing zero and low food miles.
Winning this year’s Cateys Sustainable Business Award, along with the AA Eco Friendly Hotel Group and HOSPA’s Inspirational Sustainability Leader of the Year award, innovation and sustainability are at the core of Danny’s philosophy, as demonstrated by the opening of the spa at South Lodge with its biomass boilers, wild swimming and Botanica an innovative restaurant catering for vegetarians, flexitarians and free from, all sourced locally and sustainably. Hillfield and The Wellhouse restaurants both sourcing hyperlocally their food and drinks from the surrounding areas, as well as planting their own vineyard at South Lodge focusing holistically on carbon and biodiversity.

Danny and all the team are ESG driven, and mindful of the footprint and impact Exclusive Collection have on the environment and society.

Currently serving as the Sustainability Operations Manager for Gaucho and M Restaurants, Alyson has a diverse career spanning the hospitality and non-profit sectors having entered the industry as Assistant Account Manager at the Sustainable Restaurant Association and working as the Operations Manager for a food poverty alleviation charity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holding degrees from both the University of Leeds and the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy – the first university of its kind, offering a holistic approach to food studies – Alyson is passionate about creating a more sustainable food industry and is committed to driving responsible practices to foster positive changes.

Richard West is Sustainability Manager at Freemans Event Partners and leads the ‘Move to Net Zero’ sustainability strategy. Through his wealth of industry experience, delivering the biggest events in the UK - from the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Six Nations at Twickenham Allianz stadium to the Cheltenham Races - Richard is in a unique position to bring practical sustainable solutions into events and stadia.

As part of his role, Richard focusses on measuring the environmental impact of food and drink at events, implementing strategies and initiatives to reduce emissions and waste. Over the last twelve months, he has overseen the launch of carbon-labelling across all Freemans Event Partners’ menus to encourage spectators to make informed choices and project-managed the delivery of a Net Zero Zone at the Formula One Grand Prix. The Net Zero zone ran on power supplied by hybrid battery generators and featured meat-free food outlets as well as “reverse vending machines” rewarding fans with 10% off their food & drink when returning bottles.

Closer to home, Richard also has a keen interest in building our Head Office into a sustainability showcase. Initiatives he has led to date include launching a new EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme for all Freemans Event Partners employees, securing a new renewable energy supplier, eliminating single-plastic use and partnering with Fareshare South West to donate surplus stock from our Foodservice warehouse.

Kate Nicholls OBE has been CEO of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, since its inception in 2018. Kate previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers
(ALMR).

Kate sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity in hospitality, Kate is also the Government’s first Disabi
lity Ambassador for hospitality.

Kate is the Chair of the Institute of Licensing, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of Hospitality Action and Springboard. She has previously chaired the Tourism Alliance, London Nighttime Commission, and London Tourism Recovery Board.

Kate initially worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament on food, employment and environmental policy before joining Whitbread to work in Strategic Affairs. She has extensive experience as a political and strategic communications consultant and is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.

Passionate about driving positive change, Gina is the Head of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) at Aramark UK and Global Offshore. She’s responsible for strategising, measuring, monitoring and steering progress towards Aramarks ESG priorities to better people and the planet.

Over the past decade Stephen's leadership has steered Nutritics to become a valued partner for leading foodservice operators, ranging from WSH and Brakes to TRG, Boparan, and Fullers. He was honoured with the EY Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2022.

Cameron has 20 years procurement experience and has been working in hospitality since 2015, where he has focused on delivering sustainable solutions through the supply chain. Cameron has been Head of Commercial and Procurement at Nando’s, where he drove the transition to green energy. In 2022 he joined as Head of Procurement at Bread Factory(Interim), introducing regeneratively farmed flour into the supply chain.

Cameron is now Head of Commercial, Sustainability and Strategic projects at Wahaca, further driving the excellent work Wahaca has already done on animal welfare, carbon reduction and menu design to help customers towards lower carbon foods.

Jane’s 33-year career has spanned procurement and sustainability roles across multiple sectors – hospitality, foodservice, retail, engineering, media, and management consultancy – before bringing her to Parkdean Resorts in 2020 to set up a best-in-class procurement function, and expanding her responsibilities to leadership of ESG in 2021. Jane was part of the first cohort of the Kings College Executive ESG Programme for Hospitality Leaders in partnership with the Energy and Environmental Alliance. With a commercial background in procurement, Jane views sustainability as a key driver of business performance and stakeholder value.

Ruth Edge is the newly appointed Head of Sustainability at KFC, bringing with her over 15 years of extensive experience in the food and agricultural industry. Ruth has held influential roles at leading organizations such as Tesco, ABP, and the National Farmers Union, where she has honed her expertise in driving sustainable change and reducing the impact of supply chains.

Throughout her career, Ruth has been a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and welfare improvements. She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to bringing together diverse stakeholders across the supply chain to foster meaningful advancements in welfare, environmental sustainability, and producer livelihoods.
At KFC, Ruth will leverage her vast experience and dedication to sustainability to further the company’s goals of creating a positive impact throughout its supply chain. Her leadership in sustainability aims to set new benchmarks for responsible practices within the food industry.

Ruth is known for her collaborative approach and ability to spearhead initiatives that balance ecological, economic, and social considerations. Her work has made a significant difference in promoting more sustainable and ethical practices across the sector

Zoe is the Climate Management Lead for Barclays UK Corporate Bank, focused on delivering their net zero commitments for clients in the Commercial Real Estate and Social Housing sectors.

Zoe has over 20 years’ experience in the banking industry, working within the Real Estate sector since 2018. She joined Barclays in 2010, initially providing corporate and leveraged debt financing solutions across a range of sectors. Prior to Barclays, Zoe worked at KPMG in Corporate Finance and Macquarie Capital in Debt Advisory.

Zoe is passionate about inclusion, working within her institution and across the industry to deliver initiatives that will drive greater diversity in the finance and real estate markets.

Karim took over as CEO in 2021 to revolutionise the hotel market with their low-carbon, affordable hotel brand. easyHotel strips the complexity and unnecessary costs out of the hotel, leaving customers with more money to spend on their trip and the franchise partners with greater returns. Karim leads with a laser focus on offering a super easy product, that’s super sustainable, at a super price. Their simple values and fantastic product resonate with their customers very well; something they look to capitalise on with a strong pipeline of new hotels opening across Europe over the next few years.

What Karim enjoys most about his role…

As a fast growing, nimble brand, easyHotel gets to innovate far quicker than much of the marketplace. The new low-carbon room is of a particular highlight which is set to prove a big hit as it is rolled out across their owned and franchised networks.

Simon is a Partner in KPMG in the UK and has been operating at the FTSE Board level for over 15 years.

Simon leads our ESG Advisory practice globally. Simon’s focus is enabling companies to achieve their ambitions and potential in the climate and broader ESG arena. Simon was formerly an audit partner so helps clients understand the financial implications of their ESG decisions, and ensures that the data supporting decisions is robust.

Simon is responsible for ensuring KPMG embed ESG in to all projects delivered, as well as helping the largest clients deliver on their own transformation.

Outside of KPMG, Simon was KPMG's global representative on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’), which includes the requirements for climate transition plans, and also sat on the ISSB’s technical reference group. Simon’s passion is helping the market understand the ESG value creation opportunities, as well as the need for investment to mitigate ESG related risks, and as part of that has worked with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) on a guide around how to build the business case for sustainability.