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Corporate Leaders Groups

Business leadership for a climate neutral economy
 

Peter Simpson, Chief Executive of Anglian Water Group was reappointed as co-chair of the UK Corporate Leaders Group (CLG UK) in January 2022. Alex O'Dell, Vice President GB & Ireland at VELUX, was nominated co-chair in March 2023. In their roles as co-chairs, Peter and Alex advise on the strategic development of CLG UK and help to represent the interests and concerns of the group’s business leaders.

Peter Simpson, Chief Executive of Anglian Water Group

Peter has been Chief Executive of Anglian Water Group since October 2013; his previous roles include Managing Director of Anglian Water from January 2010 and Chief Operating Officer from 2004. After completing an MSc in Analytical Chemistry at the University of East Anglia, Peter joined Anglian Water as one of its first graduate management trainees. Since then he has remained with the company, with spells working in America, Europe and Asia.

As a founding member, and now co-chair, of the UK Corporate Leaders Group, he has championed business action on climate change over many years. He is also an active supporter of Business in the Community (BiTC), which focuses on the positive difference business can make to communities. He currently Chairs BiTC’s East of England Leadership Team and is a Trustee of the international water charity WaterAid. He is a Past President of the Institute of Water and a former Chair of Water UK.

Peter holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and is a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager, a Chartered Scientist and a Chartered Environmentalist.  He is an Honorary Fellow of the Society of the Environment and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.  

On his reappointment as CLG UK co-chair, Peter said:

“I am proud to co-chair the UK Corporate Leaders Group, which has been instrumental in raising ambition in business and helping to shape climate policy frameworks over many years. 

“The business community has a vital role to play in delivering a just transition to a net zero society. The most progressive companies, including the members of CLG UK, are already leading the way with transformative climate action that is accelerating progress towards a more sustainable future. 

“Building on the momentum of COP26 – a pivotal moment for governments, businesses and citizens around the world – we will continue to demonstrate climate leadership from the UK business community and provide a constructive voice to government.”

Alex O'Dell, Vice President GB&I at VELUX

Alex joined VELUX in November 2022 as Vice President for UK and Ireland, where he oversees the company's core roof window business in the home renovation and construction sector. Alex is keen to drive positive changes in the built environment including promoting development of healthy homes in the new build and retrofit market whilst advocating for improvements in sustainable construction practices and policy. 

With a diverse background in consumer technology and FMCG, prior to joining VELUX, he held key leadership positions at Dyson including North Asia MD/President, Global Commercial Director, and UK Sales Director, expanding the company's presence and driving success in these regions. Before his tenure at Dyson, he was Sales Director for Canon UK's consumer imaging business and held various sales and category roles within Unilever. 

Alex has degree in Agriculture from Bangor University, and later attained a PhD in Agronomy at the University of London. His academic background led him to join Unilever as a research scientist, where he actively contributed to the company's Sustainable Agriculture sourcing initiatives.

On his appointment as CLG UK co-chair, Alex said:

"As co-chair, I am delighted to join CLG UK and support their initiatives to achieving the UK and Europe's net zero targets. By bringing together leading companies to drive action for sustainable development and policy change, I am looking forward to collaborating with opinion leaders and government teams to take decisive action towards achieving our climate goals.”