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.

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.

Christopher is the Network Membership Director for UK100. He is our strategic lead for our work in Local Government and the head of the Membership Team. Previously, Christopher served as the elected Leader of Southampton City Council from 2018-2021 and as a Councillor (2013-2022). In 2020, he was shortlisted for ‘Leader of the Year’ in the LGIU Councillor Awards. Christopher holds a degree from Bournemouth University, which named him its 2019 Alumni of the Year. In 2018 he established an award-winning restaurant in Southampton.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ruby joined UK100 in 2022 as an Events Intern. She has a MA in Digital Media and Society, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Sheffield. She has previous experience working in events and communications at NGOs such as Consumers International and Hope For The Future. Outside of work, Ruby likes attending gigs and festivals and is a fan of early 2000s pop music.

Alyssa joined UK100 in 2022. She is a detail-orientated Operations Assistant with a passion for climate policy reform. Alyssa’s previous experience is in the youth climate space, advocating for greater funding for youth movements, supporting grassroots organisations in their project development, and promoting climate education at all levels. She also has experience in environmental consulting and events management. Alyssa has a Bachelor of Commerce from Canada’s McGill University in Managing for Sustainability and an MSc from the University College London in Environment, Politics and Society. When not plugging away at her spreadsheets, Alyssa is most likely enjoying time outside on her bicycle, training for a marathon, or swimming.

Roxanne joined UK100 as Campaigns Manager in July 2022 and has a background in local government and national politics as well as experience in the charity sector. In her twelve years as an elected councillor Roxanne introduced the first scheme in the country to award business rate discounts to Living Wage accredited employers, set up the local Food Aid Network and worked with debt advice charities and residents experiencing financial hardship to overhaul and 'poverty-proof' council debt recovery systems. Her previous local government leadership roles include Chair of Scrutiny as well as Cabinet Lead Member for the Environment. As well as managing the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Poverty, Roxanne's work at a national level has included advising the Shadow DEFRA team where she led on policy development and communications and well as legislative amendments and scrutiny. Roxanne has played a leading role in several national and local environmental campaigns and enjoys hiking, philosophy and taking care of her pet hens and guinea pigs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.