Team

Polly established UK100 in 2016 and is the face of the organisation. She is a campaigning and communications specialist with extensive experience in media, government and politics. Polly liaises with local leaders and directly elected mayors and is able to develop and maintain strong relationships with extensive contacts across the political and nonprofit spectrum. A former broadcast journalist (BBC 1993-2007), she was special adviser at DECC (2008-10), Director of Communications on Sadiq Khan’s selection campaign to be a London Mayoral candidate (2015), and Head of Communications and Campaigns at Citizens Advice (2013-15).

Jason has 25 years’ experience of leading teams, directing evidence-based public policy initiatives, creating influential programmes and delivering strategic impact, specialising in transport and the environment. Jason’s key skills lie in collaboration, communication and strategy development and implementation to marry up politics, policy, media, culture and commercial opportunities in order to achieve impact. Before starting at UK100 in 2018, Jason previously worked at Sustrans, Campaign for Better Transport, Greenpeace and the Department for Transport.

Rupert has a track record of managing successful innovative campaigns across the health, charity, environment and political sectors. Rupert’s key strengths include integrating communications and campaign strategy development, social media and website management, building stakeholder engagement and media relations. He previously was Public Engagement Officer for a Green Party MEP, and has worked for the Centre for Justice Innovation, Global Action Plan, Release and TalkingDrugs.

Cllr Christopher Hammond joined UK100 in June 2021 to manage our growing membership. He is the former Leader of Southampton City Council, where is still serving as a councillor. As leader he prioritised investing in young people and halting climate breakdown. Away from UK100 and Southampton City Council, Christopher is a small business owner in Southampton and a Board Member of the Local Government Association’s Environment, Economy, and Transport forum to name just a few roles. Born and raised in Dagenham in East London, Christopher holds a degree from Bournemouth University, which named him its 2019 Alumni of the Year. In 2020, he was shortlisted for “Leader of the Year” in the LGIU Councillor Awards.

Talia joined UK100 in February 2020 and has been our Network Programme Manager since July 2021. Talia is responsible for the development of UK100’s membership pledge programme that secures leaders’ commitment to tackling the climate emergency and reaching Net Zero and the support UK100 provides to accelerate their delivery of ambitious local climate action. Talia’s previous experience is in campaigning and relationship management, including for NGO Sail to the COP at COP25 in Madrid, advocating for fair and sustainable travel, and for PETA UK. Talia has a BA in Modern Languages and Cultures (Arabic and French) from Durham University and an MSc in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, cycling, hiking and keeping up her languages.

Harriet joined UK100 in March 2021 as an Executive Assistant and since August 2021 has become our Network Programme Officer, executing exciting projects to support UK100's growing membership of local leaders. She has previously supported marketing campaigns for SDC, sustainability projects at the University of Manchester, and been an energy advisor for Crew Energy, a charity organisation that supports those suffering from fuel poverty. Harriet has a BA in Geography from the University of Manchester. In her free time she enjoys cooking, painting and cycling.

Pete joined the team in March 2022 to support UK100's growing membership of local leaders. He previously worked with Brighton Bike Hub, Brighton Energy Co-op, and South Coast Alliance for Transport and the Environment. He has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Sheffield and has worked on environmental campaigns about energy, transport, divestment, fossil fuels, and buildings. When he's not working, he enjoys growing vegetables, camping, woodwork, playing in his ceilidh band, and fixing broken things.

Karen joined UK100 in November 2020. She has been working on climate issues for 19 years and her extensive experience lies in research and advocacy - developing insight and policy tools and leading campaigns to affect positive change. She spent the last four years advising European parliamentarians on climate, air quality and transport and working with communities across the South East. Karen’s doctorate from Oxford University explored the policy implementation processes necessary to decarbonise transport. Karen began her career at The Climate Group where she worked to establish the States and Regions Alliance - now the Under2 Coalition. Karen has been playing rugby since 1996 and enjoys long distance running and baking vegan treats.

Liam is a committed climate advocate with a journalism, politics, and humanitarianism background. After a lost decade as a DJ and promoter, he worked with the BBC, Green Party, and Mines Advisory Group (MAG). Liam joined UK100 as a Communications Manager in 2022. He is a part-time gig-goer, lacklustre runner, and full-time film bore in his spare time. Liam is a passionate Sam Neill fan and advises everyone to watch Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

Zoe joined UK100 in May 2021 as a Parliamentary and Advocacy Intern and since September 2021 she has been working as a Campaigns and Communications Assistant. She has previously worked in a local sustainable food cooperative and as a research assistant on a project which assisted people to engage with their local councillors about climate action at Hope for the Future. She has been involved in climate campaigning, including helping to run a campaign which successfully persuaded the University of Sheffield to switch to using an 100% low-carbon energy provider. She studied a BA in English Literature and an MA in Global Political Economy at the University of Sheffield. In her free time she enjoys climbing, cycling and reading.

Cllr Joe Porter has over 8 years of experience in local government. He joined the team first as an Intern in October 2021, then as Parliamentary Officer in January 2022. He is a District Councillor and the first ever Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. He led efforts to put together the Council’s Climate Change Strategy, which was ranked as the second best district Action Plan in the country in 2022. He has sought to champion nature-based solutions such as peatland restoration in the Peak District and helped put together the Staffordshire Sustainability Board. In September 2020, he received a ‘Points of Light’ Award from the UK Prime Minister for his community leadership during the Coronavirus pandemic and in December 2021 he was shortlisted for ‘Young Councillor of the Year’ in the LGIU Councillor Awards. He holds a degree in Marketing and Politics from Keele University. Joe also serves on the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) Steering Committee, the Canal & River Trust Council, as a School Governor and as a Parish Councillor. In his spare time, he loves doing conservation work, baking, running and going out campaigning!

Stuart joined UK100 in December 2021 having worked in the Third Sector for over 20 years. His experience includes Senior Leadership roles including Chief Officer, Regional Manager and Business Development Manager. He has managed environmental, health and wellbeing, employment and community sustainability programmes in charities and social housing sectors. He is also an experienced relationship manager in the education, grant funding and communications sectors and has qualifications in Information Management, Project Management and Community Engagement. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his children, is a movie buff and a fan of England Cricket and Kidderminster Harriers.

Katie is an experienced project management and operations professional with a demonstrated history of managing high performing teams within the digital advertising industry. Her expertise include strategic management and planning, financial and commercial acumen, contract development and negotiations, process improvement and cost and margin control. Katie comes from an extended career at Oath (Advertising.com, AOL and Global Solutions) and is now applying her skills to make a positive impact on environmental causes.

Suzie joined UK100 in August 2020 as Operations Assistant. Having completed a Masters degree in Oil and Gas Management at UEL, Suzie was intrigued by the innovative role renewables have in the energy sector. In light of this, Suzie gained an internship at RenewableUK and then went onto working at The Climate Group. Suzie is now UK100's Mental Health First Aider and can be found in the organisation of all things fun and games.

Neil is a project management and production professional, with experience working in financial services (EY), across the third sector, and with private sector clients for Bora-Co. Following an early career working on sustainability projects he has focused on business improvement and “work for good” initiatives, with clients including Sky PLC (Sky Ocean Rescue), Delphis Eco, and Kantar TNS. At UK100 Neil has managed the production of the 2020 report into financing the transition to Net Zero, a series of local energy workshops, the development of a Knowledge Hub, and coordinated the inauguration of the APPG on Sustainable Finance - inter alia.

Tania joined UK100 in November 2021 as an Executive Assistant. She has experience working within local authorities as well as knowledgeable experience within the HeatTech sector focused on reducing carbon footprints. Outside of work she enjoys painting, reading and volunteering in translation services.

Hywel is an experienced systems practitioner, promoting future proofing particularly through action on decentralised governance and energy. He has advised Ministers on energy and the built environment, including Zero Carbon Homes, EcoTowns and the Energy NPPSs. He helped create and develop UK100, and now works part time for the Active Building Centre helping develop buildings that are energy capable.

Roger has 30 years experience holding elected office in local and regional government. As a former Deputy Mayor of London and Chair of the London Assembly, he has considerable practical knowledge of the challenges facing decision makers in decentralised authorities. He has advised newly devolved governments in Iraq and Jordan and he provides political coaching for elected members and candidates. Called to The Bar in 1997, he is an experienced advocate and speech writer.

Rachel qualified as an accountant in 2007 and has a wide range of experience in helping companies, charities and social enterprises in achieving their financial goals. She is passionate about the Net Zero agenda and has pushed forward a number of initiatives related to this in her home town of Reading, including as a director of local cooperative Reading Community Energy Society. Rachel believes that compliance, clarity and a sense of control are vital in helping organisations succeed. She is also a skilled communicator and aims to make sure the numbers tell the story - and are even enjoyable. Outside of having fun with spreadsheets she enjoys gardening with her children and is an avid podcast and audio-book listener. Rachel joined UK100 in Autumn 2020 and combines this with her other work as an accountant and trainer. Rachel is also a Councillor on Reading Borough Council.

Marilyn joined UK100 in January 2020 as Finance Officer. Her experience spans global organisations, architectural practices and creative businesses where focus has been on care in the community projects and sustainable design. She has developed a forensic approach to business finances and is passionate about contributing to the success of any organisation she works for. She is also a long-standing member of Greenpeace and WWF. After work, Marilyn is re-learning the guitar and is an ardent knitter in the Nordic style.

Charles has broad international experience developing innovative funding and managing infrastructure-related investment across the public and private sector. This experience comes from working on energy efficiency investment opportunities for the UK Green Investment Bank, and more than 25 years in banking, in both lending and debt capital markets as an adviser and funder.