Our team

Dougal is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registered via the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and Chair of the Society for the Environment Board. He is also SocEnv’s Board champion for World Environment Day.

Dougal is a founder and CEO of Grown in Britain, a not for profit organisation that sets standards for our trees, woods and forests and delivers research to improve local supply chains for forest products. He is also Chairman of the Forestry Commission’s SE Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee and a passionate advocate for the promotion of technical qualifications in the UK.

His career includes positions as Head of Profession for the Defence Estate, Regional Director for the Government Office South East and a Rural Director at Defra. Whilst at Defra, he undertook a career highlight in creating the South Downs National Park.

Emma began her career at the National Physical Laboratory after completing her PhD in physical metallurgy at the University of Surrey and her degree and Masters in Materials Science at Brunel University. Building on her academic background, Emma’s career has spanned knowledge transfer, training and skills across various technical disciplines. Having established the Energy and Efficiency Industrial Partnership and playing critical roles in creating two Skills Academies, Emma became the Chief Executive of the Society for the Environment, the Chartered Organisation responsible for registering environmental professionals, in 2015. Emma is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of IOM3 as well as a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Programme.

As well as the Chair of the IOM3 Sustainability Development Group (SDG), Emma is a member of the UK Government’s Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel (GAAP) and a Board Member of the Future Water Association.

Emma is passionate about sustainable development, noting that ‘many of the environmental challenges we face stem from our use of materials’. She strongly believes materials professionals are vital to a sustainable future and the SDG is a body of expertise to respond to critical issues about sustainable development and the environment.

Geoff joined the Society in July 2016 from the Engineering Council where he was Licensing Executive for almost four years. Prior to this Geoff spent 24 years in various roles within the City & Guilds Group, including six years with the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM). During his career, Geoff has gained an excellent knowledge of quality and audit procedures within the educational field and brings with him a wealth of experience, particularly in process improvement.

Geoff says “I am really enjoying being part of the challenging, yet exciting future of the Society for the Environment, and working closely with the Licensed Members.”

At home, Geoff is kept busy by his twin daughters, two cats, listening to music and watching live sport.

Elaine joined the team in 2009 after numerous years in the Construction and IT sectors. She worked as a freelance IT trainer for various training companies, including involvement in training staff for a national bank during the rollout of new in-house software. Additionally, Elaine has experience as a supply teacher for CLAIT and RSA, as well as in Business Studies in IT. She has held managerial roles in several steel fabrication companies and served as a PA to a Finance/Personnel Director in the fashion industry, along with working as a clerical officer for a microbiology and public health laboratory in the Midlands.

Elaine supports the Chief Executive at Committee meetings and serves as the secretariat for the Nomination Committee. She is also involved with IEMA's Diverse Sustainability Initiative and the People of Colour network.

Phil graduated from Coventry University with a 1st class honours degree in BA Sports Management. He gained valuable experience of stakeholder management, communications and event management as a Sports Regeneration Officer before moving into the events industry. He moved up the ranks at a corporate events company for 7 years, finishing as the Sales and Marketing Manager.

Phil joined the Society in 2017 in a newly created role as Marketing Executive. Since then his eye for detail and ability to develop relationships have proven to be valuable to the team. He’s always keen to hear ideas and develop opportunities for Licensed Members, partners and registrants alike.

Outside of work Phil doesn’t stop. In the winter months hockey is the activity of choice (with the odd opportunity to hit the slopes with a snowboard), but in the summer it’s all about bouldering, camping, hiking and kayaking. However, overriding all of this is his love of photography – you’ll be lucky to catch him without a camera in hand.

Sarah Graduated with Distinction from the University of Nottingham with an MA in International Social Policy. Her work experience is also in the Policy sector, having previously held a role in the Policy department at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. In addition, she volunteered as a Research and Campaigns Trainee at Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent Citizens Advice Bureau.

Her role at the Society involves co-ordinating our Soils and Stones project and ensuring the views and concerns of our Licensed Members, registrants and partners are heard by key decision-makers. Sarah is also the secretariat of the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) and lead of two leading climate initiatives: Pledge to Net Zero and Professional Bodies Climate Action Charter.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, travelling and watching sports - in particular cricket. Top of her bucket list is going to watch a Test match in Cape Town!

Katie joined the team in 2019 having a history in administrative work. Her current responsibilities include general enquiries, Member Hub website updates, custodian of the CEnv, REnvP and REnvTech registers, facilitator of registrant transfers, Secretariat of the Honorary Fellows (HonFSE) Panel, and a Carbon Champion for the Society.

Outside of work, she loves to explore her natural surroundings and has a passion for nature photography, with inspiration from wildlife, woodland and vistas. In contrast, she also enjoys gaming and sleeping the day away.

Sophie graduated with Distinction from the University of Portsmouth with an MPA in Public Administration. Her work experience has been within the communications field, she runs her own sustainability website and social media pages too. She joined the Society for the Environment in 2022 in the newly formed Marketing Officer role. The role includes managing various communications channels, creating visuals, coordinating engagement projects and contributing to the overall growth and knowledge sharing objectives of the Society.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, making YouTube videos on books, and travelling.

Tom has worked for over 20 years within a Further and Higher Education college, specialising in technical education and apprenticeships, with responsibility in delivery, quality assurance, technology enhanced learning and compliance, for a wide range of sectors.

Before SocEnv, Tom worked at the Science Council. A key focus was connecting science disciplined apprenticeships with new routes to professional registration, recognising the experience and skills educational pathways deliver. The work has required collaboration and networking with professional bodies, employers, apprentices, educational policy makers and other stakeholders within the educational space, promoting the value of professional body engagement within educational provision, and the benefits of professional registration for individuals, employers, and the wider sector.

Tom lives in Suffolk with his partner, and is kept busy with his two children, as well as the family cockapoo, tabby cat and cashmere loppy bunny. Blissed by the outdoors and arts, Tom loves nothing more than running, time with the family and spending time in nature, with a particular love for beach life.