About Us

"As Director of Research in Industrial Sustainability at the University of Cambridge, my focus has
always been on driving meaningful change, change that’s both practical and scalable.

I believe sustainability can’t be tackled in isolation; it demands collaboration across disciplines.
That’s why I lead the Centre for Industrial Sustainability, bringing together experts from diverse
fields to develop solutions that genuinely work for businesses and the planet.

One of the most effective ways to bridge theory and practice is through what I call ‘living labs.’ These
are real-world environments where students, researchers, and industry partners collaborate directly.
It’s about co-creating solutions, testing them in real time, and making sure that academic research
has a practical impact on the shop floor.

Resource efficiency is another pillar of my approach. There’s a tremendous amount of what I call
‘invisible waste’ in manufacturing: energy leaks, unnecessary movement, poor use of materials. If we
focus on eliminating these inefficiencies, businesses can become more profitable and sustainable at
the same time.

But none of this works without an overarching strategy. Too often, companies jump into
sustainability by focusing on quick fixes—installing solar panels, cutting plastic use, without
addressing the bigger picture. We need to ask: What’s the long-term vision? Sustainability has to be
integrated into every level of the business, from leadership decisions to shop floor operations, and
that requires a clear, strategic framework that aligns environmental goals with business objectives.
 

It’s not just about tweaking existing processes, we need to rethink the very business models
companies use. Instead of sticking to linear ‘take, make, dispose’ systems, we need to embrace
circular economies. That means designing for reuse, recycling, and longevity from the start.

Ultimately, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about transforming entire industrial
systems to be smarter, more resilient, and economically viable in the long term. The good news? We can do this without waiting for expensive new technology, many of the solutions are already within
reach. But it starts with imagination, a clear strategy, and the will to implement it"