Sarah Ridgeon – Now officially a rising star
Our very own Policy and Communities of Practice Officer, Sarah Ridgeon, has been recognised as a Rising Star in the ENDS Power List 2026.
The SocEnv family as a whole is delighted with the news that Sarah was selected to receive this well deserved recognition for her work. She joins an exciting group of early-career professionals in the inaugural class of ENDS Power List Rising Stars, including those working as ISEP, Mott MacDonald, the Woodland Trust, WRAP, WSP and more.
What does this list mean? In the words of ENDS themselves – “No two ENDS Rising Stars followed the same path, but all were nominated for our new Power List category this year – a celebration of early-career leaders of the UK environment sector.”
Reaction from our network
We know that Sarah will shy away from the limelight and not shout about her achievements – so we decided to do it for her. Here are a few words from those close to Sarah’s work:
I am absolutely delighted to see Sarah recognised as a rising star. Watching her grow since joining the SocEnv team in 2018 has been a genuine privilege. Her insight, dedication, and steady leadership have been instrumental in shaping our communities of practice, and this recognition reflects the impact she makes every day.
Emma Wilcox CEnv
CEO, Society for the Environment
Well deserved recognition for a fantastic star in the making! Sarah has her finger on the pulse of environmental policy issues and positive engagement to realise the opportunities. Her discipline and organisation skills ensures sustained progress of self and others. A star to keep tracking across the horizon!
Martin Ballard CEnv CMgr FISEP
Head of Environment, Wates Group
For any organisation, developing a 20-year strategy is a daunting task. When SocEnv set itself this challenge Sarah was asked to work with the Steering Group, which I led, and to prepare material for discussion at each meeting. Her research and thoughtful drafting stretched the Group’s thinking and inspired it to develop a strategy which will set the course for the Society for the next 20 years. For an early career professional – indeed, for any professional – it was an achievement of which she can be immensely proud.
Prof. Ian Barker HonFSE CEnv
Former Vice Chair, Society for the Environment
Sarah is quite simply a wonderful, calm and unflappable expert member of our Pledge To Net Zero steering committee. She leads much of the work that we do and her expertise and support is simply indispensable. This award is wholly deserved – congratulations and thank you, Sarah!
David Symons CEnv
Future Ready Global Lead, WSP
This recognition for Sarah is absolutely deserved – she should be rightly proud. Her enthusiasm to get things done, and get things done to the best of our collective abilities across the Environmental Policy Forum activities, is infectious and energising. Sarah is already a star – but the future is even brighter.
Will Pope HonFSE CEnv
Chair, Environmental Policy Forum
ENDS Power List 2026
The annual ENDS Power List celebrates the work of 100 impactful environmental professionals and leaders across sectors and disciplines – including lawyers, consultants, influencers, rising stars under 35, and more.
Alongside Sarah’s inclusion, a total of 17 SocEnv registrants – Chartered Environmentalists and Registered Environmental Practitioners – have been recognised for their leadership and influence in their environmental work. Find out more in the link below:
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