Business Interest Group

Valuing Nature Business Engagement activities are led by Guy Duke.

The Valuing Nature Business Interest Group was established in 2015, to:

  1. consider business risks and opportunities related to the Valuing Nature Programme Research Goals 
  2. make recommendations on research and innovation priorities related to these research goals, as seen through a business lens
  3. advise on measures to enhance business impact of Valuing Nature Programme projects, extending research through innovation to commercialisation
  4. advise on opportunities for funded projects to engage with specific businesses, such as through secondments or links/synergies with business-led research and innovation
  5. advise on links with relevant business impact initiatives in the UK and internationally.

The current membership of the BIG is:

  • Peter Young, (CHAIR, BIG), Trustee Green Purposes Company, Trustee The Wildlife Trusts
  • Julia Baker, Biodiversity Technical Specialist, Balfour Beatty
  • Martin Ballard, Group Environment Manager, Willmott Dixon
  • Ruth Barden, Head of Environment and Catchment Strategy, Wessex Water
  • William Bird, CEO, Intelligent Health
  • Dan Cooke, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Viridor
  • Chip Cunliffe, Director of Sustainable Development, AXA XL
  • Jonathan Dobson, Sustainability Strategy Manager, United Utilities
  • Richard Ellis, Vice President CSR, Walgreens Boots Alliance
  • Dan Fairweather, Director Livestock, Agriculture & Fisheries, Global Asset Protection, Willis Towers Watson
  • Mark Gough, CEO, Capitals Coalition
  • Andrew Griffiths, Head Environmental Sustainability UK&I, Nestlé
  • Colin Holm, Seniro Advisor - Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Highways England
  • Carmel McQuaid, Sustainable Development Manager, Marks and Spencer
  • Sarah Ottaway, Sustainability and Social Value Lead, Suez
  • Mike Packer, Director, Ecosystem Assets
  • Chris Plester, Senior Sustainability Adviser, National Grid
  • Phillippa Pearson, Source Protection Manager, Welsh Water
  • Steve Thompson, Environmental Sustainability Manager, National Grid
  • Susan Twining, Chief Land Use Policy Adviser, Country Land and Business Association
  • Kené Umeasiegbu, Head of Environment, Tesco
  • Dan Wicks, Head of Earth Observation, Satellite Applications Catapult
  • Stuart Wilson, Midlands & West Team Leader & Ecological Adviser, Highways England

Past members: 

  • Stuart Bailey, Group Head of Sustainability & Climate Change, National Grid
  • Olivia Gray, Chief Operating Officer, Capital Science and Policy Practice, Willis Towers Watson
  • Tony Juniper, Sustainability Advisor, Tony Juniper Ltd
  • Ian McAulay, Chief Executive, Viridor
  • Louise Newport, Scientific Policy Manager, Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Extreme Weather, Department of Health
  • Christopher Price, Director of Policy & Advice, Country Land and Business Association
  • Mat Roberts, Director of Sustainability Strategy, Interserve
  • Nick Veck, Head of CEO Office, Satellite Applications Catapult
  • Fiona Wheatley, Sustainable Development Manager, Marks and Spencer