Green Growth
The Race to Net Zero
We launched our Race to Net Zero project diving into each of the ten sectors, looking at the political and policy landscape which underpins each one, and what still needs to be done if the Prime Minister’s ambitions for a green industrial revolution are to be realised.
We will hear from business leaders, industry experts and politicians on what has been achieved and what they think the Government still needs to do. We will look at what impact COP26 has had, if any, on spurring politicians into action.
We will be sharing research, insights and analysis into each key sector, and we will be running a series of events bringing together businesses, politicians and other key stakeholders to look at what more can be done to ensure all ten sectors reach the finish line.
Net Zero 2023 Insights
More than three-quarters of people would support development of solar, onshore wind, and offshore wind farm projects in their local area
At a time when the energy sector has never been under more pressure, we wanted to understand public attitudes on the key questions like:
- What renewable energy projects would the Great British public be supportive of being developed in their area?
- Which renewable energy sources do the Great British public think the Government should be doing more to support?
- Does the Great British public support the Government’s 2050 net zero goal, and which political parties do they trust to achieve it?
Our thinking
Talk to us to find out more about how to position yourself within the green economy and climate change agenda.
We work with our clients to ensure they play their part in the race to net zero – providing solutions, new thinking and expertise to get them on the right track.
Our work in the green economy
STARBUCKS
Cavendish Advocacy supports the business in understanding the policy environment as it emerges, but more broadly at the standing of the brand in political circles. We do this by looking at the business and advising on what stories it should tell about itself. Starbucks deals with several inaccurate pre-conceptions and our counsel is based on pulling out the aspects that confound critics or by focusing on new initiatives that will do likewise.
STONEWATER
Initially tasked with providing stakeholder engagement backing at a local level to support development sites, the brief developed to become a national public affairs programme, focused on raising Stonewater’s profile with political stakeholders in Westminster and influencing the direction of Government policy.
CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION
The UK Branch of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is part of an international charitable organisation whose statutory aims are in the fields of arts, social welfare, education and science. They aim to create the conditions for change by connecting across borders of all kinds – national, cultural, organisational, disciplinary and social.
Our senior team
TOM BRADLEY
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Verity Barr
Director
Sam Clough
Board Director
James Bird
Director
kevin whitmore
DIRECTOR
Steve norris
Senior Strategic Advisor
Jamie Gordon
Director
James Bird
Board Director
With a background in journalism, as a local councillor and a threetime Parliamentary candidate for the Conservative Party, James is a seasoned public affairs and PR professional who is adept at navigating the politics of Westminster and Whitehall, as well as the media lobby. He has an exceptional network ranging from BEIS through to No.10, as well as extensive links into the new ranks of Conservative MPs.
James has worked on issues relating to decarbonisation and net-zero with a range of clients, including energy companies, trade associations, and social housing providers.
Tom Bradley
Associate Director
Tom leads Cavendish’s Energy & Green Growth practice. He has extensive experience in working with highly regulated businesses and working across the energy and environment sectors. He has previously worked with companies such as Western Power Distribution, Cadent Gas, and Shell. Prior to entering consultancy, Tom worked in both Westminster and Brussels, providing policy advice to Conservative MPs and MEPs.
A Conservative Party parliamentary candidate at the last election, Tom has an extensive network within Westminster and the regions. Outside of work, he is a trustee and Non-Executive Chairman of a rural charity.
David Button
Senior Account Director
David has considerable experience of designing and delivering public affairs and communications programmes across the housing, transport, healthcare, energy, FMCG and infrastructure sectors.
He has an excellent track record of helping clients to build their influence with the Government and Parliament, being an expert in the parliamentary and legislative process, as well as raising the profile of campaigns and asks.
His work has helped clients to achieve changes to legislation including securing government funding for infrastructure projects, exemptions to UK and European legislation and regulations, and reversing harmful policy decisions that would have a detrimental effect on their commercial interests.
Verity Barr
Director
Verity heads up BECG’s Birmingham office. She has over 20 years’ experience in developing and delivering integrated strategic and creative campaigns for businesses involved in the built environment.
Having also led community and stakeholder engagement for major DCO projects, she combines her knowledge of the planning system with a broader corporate communications approach.
Sam Clough
Board Director
With over 15 years’ experience across a diverse range of sectors and clients, Sam delivers digital, social and campaign strategies fit for today’s challenging communications landscape. Sam is a member of BECG’s board.
Sam has worked with a range of energy and green growth clients, including Associated British Ports (ABP), Vattenfall, United Utilities, Bradwell B and Northern Powergrid.
Kevin Whitmore
Director
Kevin is specialist in local government public affairs and offers a strong cross-party network with stakeholders across the political spectrum in the North West.
He has helped to deliver major investments into the region’s energy infrastructure and has experience of supporting regulated businesses such as United Utilities, Northern Powergrid and Northern Gas Networks, as well as bodies including Transport for the North with their external affairs.
Ally Kennedy
Director
Ally is a communications specialist with expertise across planning communications, political advocacy, stakeholder and community engagement, and media relations.
Ally’s expertise covers the infrastructure, energy and development sectors where he provides strategic communications advice and support to a range of clients across the UK.
Ally sits on the BECG Group board. Prior to consultancy, Ally worked at the Westminster HQ for a major political party, as well as at a regional level.
Steve Norris
Senior Strategic Advisor
Steve Norris is a former Transport Minister, Conservative Party Vice Chairman and twice candidate for London Mayor.
Steve has extensive global experience in infrastructure, property, and transportation. He is President of ITS-UK, the UK arm of the ITS Global Network and a former board member of Transport for London. He is Chairman of the Council of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.
Jamie Gordon
Director
Jamie is a senior strategic and operational leader with 30 years’ experience in communications. He has worked on some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, including: HS2 Phase 2b, National Grid’s Milford Haven to Gloucester gas pipeline, both the Hinkley and Bramford to Twinstead Connections and various other DCOs such as Vattenfall’s Norfolk Vanguard, the AQUIND (also a DCO), NeuConnect and Viking Link Interconnectors.
Jamie is also a Board Director for the charity Community Energy South and sits on various advisory panels.
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