Investing in thought leadership to get results

Posted on: 21 September 2022 in Issue 3

The University has engaged a leading sustainability consultant to help guide the development of our sustainability plans.

Dr Louise Ellis has over 25 years’ experience leading organisational and culture change in the UK and internationally, specialising in realising organisational purpose and environmental and social equity.

As Director of Sustainability, she helped the University of Leeds become a sector-leader in sustainability, through its creative approaches to embedding sustainability and responding to the climate crisis via the curriculum, research, and transforming its university operations.

“I’m excited to have Louise working with us, she will provide a new perspective and objective view of our sustainability strategy and associated action plans,” says Nicola Davies, Director of Finance and Executive Lead for Sustainability. “Drawing on her considerable experience, Louise will work alongside our existing highly qualified colleagues in this area, se, providing the additional capacity and insight we need to develop a roadmap which will enable us to achieve net zero carbon by 2035.”

Louise adds: “The University of Liverpool has a long history of working in the city and addressing environmental impacts, and there is huge potential for it to address some of the most fundamental issues facing society today. I am so excited to be able to work with the University and help set out the milestones and key targets it needs to hit in the next decade to become net zero.”

Before becoming Director of Sustainability at the University of Leeds, Louise was a Lecturer in their School of Earth and Environment, focusing on organisational sustainability and leading the MSc Sustainability and Consultancy.

Louise is also currently a Trustee and Board Member of the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and a Non-Executive Director at Harrison Spinks, the first bed manufacturer in the UK to achieve Carbon Neutral+ accreditation. 

Work on the University’s net zero plans are gathering momentum, and will be launched at the Leadership Away Day in November.

If you would like to know more, please contact sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk.