Our Board
Our board of trustees sets the strategic direction of the charity, and is responsbile for governance, finance and exploring new opportunities for the organisation. To get in touch with one of our board members, email them using the format [firstname].[lastname]@2050.scot.
John Lowe // Chair
John works in ESG in the financial services industry, where he contributes towards integrating sustainability into business practices. He previously held roles focusing on the measurement of company performance against strategic aims. He has been involved with 2050 Climate Group since joining as a Trustee in 2021 and became Chair of the Board in 2023.
Jakub Vrba // Vice-Chair
Jakub is a Senior Research Analyst at Energy Saving Trust where he works on energy access projects in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. He also sits on the company-wide Sustainability Committee. He has been involved with 2050 Climate Group since 2017 after joining the Young Leaders Development Programme. Jakub is a Chartered Engineer and holds an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems & the Environment from the University of Strathclyde.
Robert McCall // Treasurer
Robert works at a financial institution where he has held roles in ESG and policy. He is currently training to be a Chartered Accountant and has held a number of external voluntary roles in the past. Robert lives in Edinburgh and holds a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Edinburgh. He joined the board as treasurer in 2023.
Alex Irwin
Alex is a solicitor specialising in clean energy at Shepherd & Wedderburn. She works with renewable energy developers on onshore, offshore, solar and battery projects across Scotland. Alex also represents 2050 Climate Group on the Climate Emergency Response Group. In her spare time, she can usually be found at a yoga class, exploring the countryside or baking.
Kirsty Mitchell
Kirsty is a lawyer specialising in environmental and energy law, with a particular interest in climate change, ESG and sustainability. Kirsty has been involved with 2050 Climate Group since 2019 when she completed the Young Leaders Development Programme. Soon after, she joined the charity as an operational volunteer, forming part of the team responsible for delivering the programme. She became a Trustee in 2023. Prior to her involvement, Kirsty participated in sustainability-related volunteer projects in Latin America and New Zealand, and studied Law and French at the University of Edinburgh.
Rachael Martin
Rachael is a senior environmental consultant at Ramboll, project managing large environmental impact assessment (EIA) projects in the renewable energy, electrical transmission and urban development sectors. Rachael coordinates developers, local authorities and environmental specialists in the preparation of planning applications. Rachael has volunteered within YLDP and Leaders Networks subgroups after completing the YLDP in 2015/16. She became Co-Chair of the YLDP subgroup in 2020.
Emma Yule
Emma is completing a PhD in environmental and atmospheric sciences at Edinburgh University focused on extreme events and climate risk. She also works as a tutor on the Carbon Management Masters. Prior to this she has worked as a consultant and data analyst in the private sector and for an environmental NGO aiming to help companies reduce emissions. Emma is particularly interested in climate science and science communication as well as adaptation and how we can transition to a low-carbon economy in a fair and just way.
Kirstin McEwan
Kirstin is an environmental communications professional who has worked with a number of different public sector bodies in digital marketing and online outreach of topics such as nature conservation, natural capital, recycling and circular economy. She recently supported COP26 as a Green Zone Team Leader and is a programme mentor with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s From Linear to Circular course on circular economy. Kirstin completed the YLDP in 2018/19, and was a member of our COP26 Blue Zone cohort in 2021.
Sally Allan
Sally is a Service Designer, specialising in human centred and sustainable design. Sally focuses on helping organisations see their services from a user perspective, balancing their business needs and challenging organisations to think differently about their carbon impact. Sally joined the 2050 climate group in 2022 and is part of the learning and development team, focusing on strategy. Sally has a MChem in Chemistry from the University of St Andrews and has worked on creating sustainable materials in various geographies around the world.
Candice Maharaj
Candice works as a legal analyst for a financial consultancy firm, working with a wide range of clients in both the private and public sectors. She joined 2050 Climate Group as a Trustee in 2022. She has an LLM in International Law from the University of Edinburgh. Her areas of speciality include environmental law, climate change law, law of the sea and marine environment, international economic law, and humanitarian law. Candice lives in Trinidad and spends a lot of her spare time by the sea.
Shauna Zheng
Shauna is a Product Manager, leading cross-functional teams to help solve issues around climate engagement in the private sector. She is an advocate for tech for good, spending her time identifying solutions that enable and empower users to achieve sustained behaviour change. She has a degree in Business Management from Limerick Institute of Technology and has a keen interest in the ‘business as a force for good’ movement. Shauna joined the Board in 2022 as a Trustee. She is usually found wild swimming around Scotland.
Conor Ellis
Conor is a public engagement and informal learning sector specialist, and the current Head of Learning and Engagement at Dynamic Earth Science Centre. A Geographer by background, Conor has worked across the science and cultural engagement sector, including for Glasgow Science Centre, National Museums Scotland and also at Edinburgh Science. Conor joined the 2050 Climate Group as a Trustee in 2023.
Gianlorenzo De Santis
Gianlorenzo (Santo) is a chartered marketing professional with a decade of experience in sustainable agri-food innovation. He is currently working to improve the efficiency of the global grain value chain at Ag-tech robotic startup Crover Ltd. He is also a YLDP alumnus and and joined the 2050 Climate Group’s board in 2023.
Leanne Atkinson
Leanne works for WWF-UK as a climate change policy advisor. She has a background in psychology and a master's in global environmental politics from the University of Edinburgh, with previous work experience at the Environment Agency. Leanne lives in Edinburgh and when not working you can find her dancing salsa or somewhere outdoors. Leanne joined the Board in 2023.
Bernadette Butfield
Bernadette is a Senior Marine Policy Officer specialising in fisheries and protected areas with the RSPB. She works with governments, industry and other key stakeholders to mitigate human impacts on the marine environment. Bernadette joined 2050 Climate Group as a Trustee in 2023. In her spare time, Bernadette can usually be found exploring the coast or walking in the hills.
Iona Gatenby
Iona is a Solicitor specialising in planning law. Iona has experience in advising on renewable infrastructure projects such as hydrogen, wind and waste to energy and has previously worked in the transport sector for an EU institution. In her spare time she can be found by the sea, swimming, surfing or paddle boarding. Iona joined the 2050 Climate Group as a Trustee in 2023.