Dr Louise Ellis
Director of Sustainability
University of Leeds

Louise is Director of Sustainability at the University of Leeds and leads on developing and delivering an integrated Sustainability Strategy across all University activity. Before taking up the role of Director of Sustainability, Louise held a lectureship within the School of Earth and Environment, where she specialised in organisational sustainability and the interface between business and policy. Prior to joining the University, Louise worked for Deloitte and Mott MacDonald, where she collaborated with a number of corporate clients on projects ranging from sustainability integration to developing new power stations.

Helena Tinker
Head of Environmental Sustainability
Manchester Metropolitan University

Helena is an experienced environmental management professional with extensive expertise in environmental strategy and policy development and implementation, in both the private and public sector. She currently leads the Environmental Sustainability Team at Manchester Met University. Through Helena’s leadership, they were the first UK University to achieve ISO 14001:2015 and were ranked number one in the 2017 People and Planet University league. Helena is a Chartered Environmentalist.

How long have you worked in HE and what was your first position?

How long have you worked in HE and what was your first position?

Since 2003. Alongside my PhD I was a teaching fellow with the responsibility for developing an MSc programme in Sustainability (environmental consultancy).

I have worked in HE for 6 years. My first position was the Environment and Energy Systems Manager

What do you value most about working in HE?

What do you value most about working in HE?

I really value working in a sector which fundamentally plays a positive role in society.

A good education provides a person the power to change something they are passionate about.

If you could do another HE a job for a day, what would it be?

If you could do another HE a job for a day, what would it be?

A barista on campus as you get to see all the different communities and cultures that use our campus – and you get to know what’s going on!

To be a student for the day, to experience the services we provide.

What work accomplishment are you most proud of?

What work accomplishment are you most proud of?

There are actually quite few things; at the moment it’s a combination of my team here at Leeds and our commitments outlined in the University’s response to the climate crisis.

Developing and being part of a Team who are passionate about what they do.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

It’s ok, you’ll do okay.

Working in the environmental/ sustainability sector is challenging, as it is not  a priority for some organisations. You will be told ‘no’ many times throughout your career, don’t let this deter you from what you want to achieve, just find another way to accomplish your goal.