MEET THE TEAM
We have a dedicated team of Sustainability professionals based in USW's Estates and Facilities Department that facilitate the delivery of our wider carbon reduction programmes.
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A range of staff from across the university are represented in the USW Sustainability Committee that provides overarching governance, direction and leadership for our ambitions for driving sustainability improvement as a strategic priority.
We also work with a wide network of Sustainability Champions and dedicated Sustainability Focus Groups cantered around priority themes identified in our Net Zero Strategy. These groups consist of enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff who are working on action plans to deliver estate wide improvements in their respective sustainability areas.
THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Gill Hemus, Interim Chief People and Operating Officer
Gill Hemus is a member of USW's Executive Board and has board level responsibility for People and Organisational Development, Student Life, Estates and Facilities, IT, Health and Safety and Sustainability. She will provide leadership and oversight for the teams and will provide support for USW's sustainability agenda.
Mike Bessell, Director of Estates and Facilities
Mike is part of the senior management team and is ultimately responsible for all aspects of sustainability. He is a key member of the Sustainability Committee and is responsible for reporting on sustainability progress to the Executive Team. Mike reports to Mark Milton, Chief Operating Officer.
THE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM
Neil Bradley, Energy and Sustainability Manager
Neil is responsible for the successful implementation of the University’s net zero carbon strategy and works closely with Estates colleagues, the Sustainability Committee, external partners, as well as Academic and Professional Services colleagues, to achieve this. His aim is to minimise the carbon footprint of the institution through energy and sustainability initiatives, policy, and stakeholder engagement.
Lawrence Willmott, Energy and Sustainability Officer
Lawrence joined USW in June 2024 after previously working within the Energy and Student Accommodation sectors. His main focus is working on supporting the delivery of Net Zero Carbon projects and initiatives in line with USW’s Net Zero Strategy, which includes a diverse range of areas including energy and waste, energy billing, engagement, biodiversity, metering and monitoring, travel and transport. He aims to minimise wasted energy across the estate through data analysis and promotion of best practice.
MAINTENANCE
Paul Lewis, Maintenance Manager
Paul heads up the Maintenance team that provides comprehensive management and support for mechanical and electrical services and general maintenance such as ventilation, heating, cooling, gas, and water systems. Paul ensures the smooth, efficient and reliable running of the university's infrastructure services and works closely with the Sustainability Team to rectify any issues/faults/leaks identified in relation to building plant and performance. He also attends Energy meetings as required.
Michael Cundliffe, Maintenance Officer
Michael works together with maintenance, projects, Sustainability, BMS, and the Helpdesk to ensure that all the plant and site infrastructure continues to work efficiently, reliably and safely whilst identifying improvements for energy efficiency, water and waste reduction. Michael also has an extensive knowledge of biodiversity and horticulture and contributes to initiatives and discussions on this topic that facilitate progress against our Biodiversity Action Plan.
David Masson, Electrical Services Manager
David is responsible for the management and compliance of day-to-day electrical services, repairs and upgrades across the University by both directly employed and contract labour. He also supports the installation of new energy-saving technology being rolled out, including but not limited to air-source heat pumps, solar panels and LED lighting across our building stock, and upgrades to the existing electrical infrastructure for the successful delivery of a range of projects/programmes.
WASTE REDUCTION AND RE-USE
Andrew Moore, Security & Cleaning Manager
Andrew is responsible for managing the university's waste and recycling by collaborating across departments and ensuring USW maintains compliance with Welsh Government legislation and waste minimisation. Andrew is also responsible for the car park permit system and supporting staff and students in getting on and off campus by more sustainable means.
Danielle Booy-Pinker, Assistant Facilities Manager
Danielle oversees the day to day functions of the waste contract including the management of the waste contract, acting as the primary point of contact for waste and recycling enquiries and the acquisition and reporting of all related data. She also leads on the delivery of multiple waste re-use campaigns and projects.
PROJECTS
Miranda Thomas, Head of Strategic Estates Projects
Miranda heads up the construction and delivery of the new 12,000m2 Calon building at our Treforest campus. Miranda has been integral in ensuring the project features a multitude of sustainability considerations both through the construction and operation phases. This includes in-depth analysis of the embodied carbon of construction materials, a wealth of energy-saving plant and installations, and the enhancement of biodiversity both within and around the project.
CLIMATE ACTION
Aimee Ward, Lecturer in Design History
Outside of her academic role, Aimee chairs the Catering and Biodiversity sustainability action group, helping to steer the University’s biodiversity agenda, advise on the establishment of green spaces across our campuses and engaging staff and students in catering and biodiversity events throughout the year. Furthermore, she is a passionate advocate for embedding sustainability into the curriculum and delivers Carbon Literacy Training courses to students and staff across both academic and professional services roles.
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
To help the University reach its 2040 Net Zero target, the University of South Wales Sustainability Committee meets four times a year. The Committee is responsible for monitoring progress and milestones in USW's overall sustainability approach as well as offering a forum for various stakeholders to have a say and influence in our journey to net zero.