Tell us about your professional experience before discovering the Corporate Governance Institute.

With over 25 years of experience in sustainability and environmental management, I’ve led ESG transformation across diverse sectors including construction, manufacturing, facilities management and waste management. My career spans senior roles at Soletanche Bachy, Mace Group, Gate Group, and the Environment Agency, where I’ve delivered measurable carbon reductions, implemented ESG frameworks, and achieved third-party certifications such as ISO and BREEAM. I’ve been recognized for driving innovation in low-carbon solutions, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability reporting, including receiving the CQI International Sustainability Award. My leadership is grounded in systems thinking, data-driven decision-making and a commitment to empowering teams to create lasting environmental impact.

What challenges or opportunities were you facing in your career or on your board before taking our course?

Before starting the ESG Diploma, I was already leading sustainability efforts across five different business units within the UK Zone of Soletanche Bachy, part of the global VINCI Group. Each unit had its own priorities, systems, and culture, which made it challenging to create a consistent ESG strategy that worked across the board. I had to balance local needs with group-level expectations, while also keeping up with fast-changing regulations and growing pressure from clients and stakeholders to show real progress on environmental, carbon reduction and ethical practices.

One of the biggest challenges was making sure everyone, from site teams to senior leaders, understood and supported sustainability (ESG) goals. I also had to navigate complex reporting requirements and align our work with international standards like ISO, and the emerging PAS 2080. The ESG Diploma gave me the tools to tackle these challenges more strategically, helping me strengthen governance, improve communication and lead change with more confidence and clarity.

Why did you choose to study for the Diploma in ESG with us to help with these challenges/opportunities?

I chose the Corporate Governance Institute because I needed a deeper understanding of how ESG fits into corporate governance at a strategic level. Leading ESG across five business units within Soletanche Bachy UK, part of the global VINCI Group, meant I was constantly balancing local actions with group-wide expectations. The ESG Diploma helped me connect the dots between sustainability, risk, ethics and board-level decision-making. The TCGI’s practical, business-focused approach gave me the tools to strengthen governance frameworks, improve reporting and influence leadership more effectively. It helped that the diploma was externally recognised too.

Can you describe any particular elements of the course that stood out to you or made a significant impact?

One part of the ESG Diploma that really stood out to me was the focus on ESG risk review and governance. It addressed a real need I was facing in my role – working across five different business units within the UK Zone of Soletanche Bachy, part of the wider VINCI Group. Each unit had its own way of working, and I needed a clearer, more structured approach to managing risk and aligning governance across the zone. The course helped me understand how to connect enterprise risk (ESG) with director decision-making, improve accountability and build stronger frameworks that support both compliance and long-term impact. It gave me the confidence to lead Risk and Governance more strategically and effectively.

How has completing this course influenced your career, leadership approach, or governance or ESG skills?

Completing the Diploma in ESG with the Corporate Governance Institute has already made a real difference in my work. It gave me the structure and insight I needed to develop a comprehensive UK Zone Governance Manual for my company, aligning five distinct business units under a clear ESG framework. It also directly supported a recent enterprise risk review, helping me approach ESG risks with greater clarity and confidence. The course helped bridge the gap between sustainability and governance, giving me practical tools to lead more strategically across the UK Zone.

What did you find most beneficial about studying with the Corporate Governance Institute?

The course stood out because it didn’t just cover theory; it gave me real-world solutions I could use straight away. The modules on ESG risk review and governance were especially valuable, helping me shape our UK Zone Governance Manual and guide a recent enterprise risk review. It gave me the clarity and confidence to lead ESG more strategically and make a real impact.

What advice would you give future learners wishing to pursue the Diploma in ESG?

If you’re thinking about taking the ESG Diploma at the Corporate Governance Institute, go for it, but be ready to apply what you learn straight away. The course is practical, not just theoretical, and it’s designed to help you tackle real challenges in your workplace. For me, the modules on ESG risk review and governance were especially valuable: they addressed gaps I was facing within Soletanche Bachy UK Zone.

I’d recommend approaching the course with a clear idea of what you want to improve or implement. Whether it’s reporting, stakeholder engagement, or building a governance framework, the course gives you tools you can use immediately. It helped me develop a UK Zone Governance Manual and guide a recent enterprise risk review, so the impact was tangible.