We are the next generation: How will we safeguard our future?

Will Arnold

Will is currently Head of Sustainable Materials at the Useful Simple Trust, which focuses on regenerating both the built and natural environment. He was also formerly the Head of Climate Action at the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), and has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainability across the engineering profession. He is the lead author of the Part Z proposal, which aims to introduce regulation of embodied carbon in the UK and drive meaningful decarbonisation across the construction sector.

Joanna Gilroy

Joanna is currently the Group Sustainability Director at Balfour Beatty, where she leads sustainability initiatives across some of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects. Their work spans transportation networks, power and utility systems, and major social and commercial buildings, driving measurable progress toward a more resilient and responsible built environment. Prior to this she was also Head of Sustainability & Environment at Kier, and Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility at the FTSE 100 distribution and logistics group – Bunzl.

Prof Anusha Shah

Professor Anusha Shah is a globally recognised leader in climate resilience, water, and environmental engineering, with more than 26 years’ experience delivering sustainable and nature-positive infrastructure internationally. As Past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, she became only the third woman and first person of colour to lead the institution in its 205-year history.

She is Founder and CEO of Plan for Earth, an organisation focused on accelerating systems change in climate adaptation, sustainability, and nature-positive infrastructure, and previously served as Global Senior Director for Climate, Water & Nature at Arcadis. She is also Trustee at Green Alliance.

A passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and climate justice, Prof Anusha has received Honorary Doctorates from the University of East London and Heriot-Watt University, honorary professorships from the University of Wolverhampton, University of Edinburgh, and Amity University, and has lectured widely including at Cambridge, Oxford and University of East London. Her awards include recognition among the UK’s Top 50 Women Engineers in Sustainability.