At Net Zero Now we are delighted to announce multiple senior appointments as we scale our growing business into additional sectors. We have already launched Net Zero initiatives in ten sectors, helping firms of all sizes measure, report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions following an industry-endorsed, sector-specific, standardised methodology. These “Sector Protocols” ensure businesses in each sector know what to measure and unlock multiple commercial benefits including reduced costs, increased client engagement and motivated staff.
Sandrine Ricard has joined Net Zero Now as a Non-Executive Director. She is currently Deputy Director Sustainability & Responsibility of Pernod Ricard in the UK. Prior to that, she was Head of Sustainability at Chivas Brothers. Sandrine has spent over 15 years within the sustainability area and is very passionate about Sustainable Business. She is a board member of the Institut Oceanographique Paul Ricard which combines research, science and outreach.
Luke Jackson, Senior Associate at Turquoise International and Fund Manager for the Low Carbon Innovation Fund, has also been appointed to the Net Zero Now board, bringing a strong finance and investment background with a focus on cleantech, climate tech and renewable energy. Luke started his career working in renewable energy and public infrastructure financing before moving over to venture capital investment and advisory at Turquoise. Luke sits on the board of five portfolio companies in the cleantech space, ranging from semiconductor to AI and agritech start-ups.
In addition to the Board appointments, Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science at University College London, has joined as a climate advisor to Net Zero Now. Professor Maslin is a leading scientist with expertise in global and regional climatic change and has published over 190 papers in journals such as Science, Nature, and The Lancet. He has written 10 popular books and regularly appears on radio and television. He advises companies from start up to transnational on how to transition to net zero emissions.
These three appointments bring a powerful combination of skills and expertise to Net Zero Now across strategy, business leadership, finance and sustainability. Since its inception in 2021, our company has launched and scaled sector-specific Net Zero initiatives for hospitality, salons, accountancy, law, tech services, financial advisers and sports events. It works with a range of key partners to help lead change in their sector:
-Trade associations including, ICEAW, ACCA, AAT, TechNation, Tech UK, and The Sustainable Restaurant Association
-Big brand partners including Coca Cola, L’Oréal, Liontrust Asset Management and Pernod Ricard
It now offers services to c.1m businesses in these sectors, with plans to expand into many more sectors in 2024.
Net Zero Now has raised investment from the Low Carbon Innovation Fund and SydnicateRoom, and also been the recipient of a SmartGrant funding from Innovate UK, which invests in game-changing and world-leading ideas that offer significant potential for rapid economic return to the UK.
Sandrine Ricard said: “Tackling climate change requires action from businesses across the whole value chain. The Net Zero Now model makes it simple, putting accessible tools and insightful data into the hands of businesses of all sizes. I’m looking forward to working with the leadership team to help every business in the UK play their part in the transition to a more sustainable economy.”
Mark Maslin said: “I believe there is nothing more important than helping businesses and governments to go Net Zero as soon as possible. And Net Zero Now exists to make it easier to make the business switch to caring for our environment.”
Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director of Net Zero Now, said: “We have two connected missions as a business - to boost business growth and tackle the climate crisis. We do that by equipping Britain’s businesses with the credible, consistent carbon data they need to build a competitive advantage as we transition to a low-carbon economy. We already offer solutions to over hundreds of thousands of businesses across nine sectors. Bringing in the brightest talent onto our Board and at a senior advisory level will supercharge our growth, supporting our exec leadership as we scale our offering further and deliver on our mission of transforming multiple industries to a low-emissions operating model.”
