Eliot Whittington, the Chief Systems Change Officer at CISL and Director of CISL's EU and UK Corporate Leaders Groups, is a driving force in systemic transformation. With over two decades of experience, he leads initiatives that bring together business, government, and financial institutions for comprehensive change.
While Eliot's work has a strong focus on climate change, he also champions nature conservation, the circular economy, and plastics reduction. He represents the Corporate Leaders Group on the board of the We Mean Business Coalition, facilitating collaborations with global institutions like the World Bank, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the UNFCCC.
As Director for CISL's Policy and Systems Change Collaborations Team, Bev leads CISL's UK policy (she is Director for the UK Corporate Leaders Group), international policy, and business and nature work. With over 20 years’ experience as a sustainability professional, she leads a team that develops high impact, systemic solutions to drive policy and industrial change towards a climate neutral, nature positive and socially inclusive economy.
During her 13 years at CISL, Bev has led programmes of work that include looking at national and international leadership priorities for the UK Government, the issues of resource efficiency and industrial transformation, and a series of sustainability leadership programmes for businesses. Bev is an expert convenor and moderator, who brings experience in programme management, stakeholder engagement, event planning, research and producing concise written materials for a range of audiences.
Before joining CISL, Bev spent ten years working in the public sector, in local, regional and then national government, most recently working for the Sustainable Development Commission with a particular focus on education and health policy. Bev holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge.
Ursula Woodburn is Director of CISL’s Europe office and the Corporate Leaders Group Europe. Through her role she supports CISL’s work on systems change and leads the work across CISL’s Europe office, in particular driving corporate support for a climate neutral, nature positive and sustainable economy. She also leads CISL engagement with the We Mean Business Coalition, in particular around EU policy and its links to international policy and work with the Green Growth Partnership, which creates a common space for governments, businesses and parliamentarians to collaborate in support of a greener EU economy. Ursula joined CISL from Weber Shandwick Brussels, where she led the sustainability practice. She previously worked in the European Parliament and for an environmental NGO and brings more than 18 years of Brussels public affairs and strategic communications experience across energy, climate and transport sectors.
Ursula has a Masters in Development and Governance from the University of Antwerp and studied Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge.
Martin joined CISL from the European Climate Foundation in 2018, where he was working as Europe Group Co-ordinator. He has also led their Industry and Innovation programme and has a long track record of working on industry, environment and sustainability issues prior to taking up that role in 2015. Until 2020, he was also an expert advisor to the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 on climate and resource issues and a representative on the Economic and Social Committee’s Commission on Industrial Change. He remains a member of UCL’s European Institute Advisory Board and a member of the advisory board to the Sustainable Biomass Programme.
He became a Senior Associate for CISL in 2011 and prior to that developed his public affairs consultancy activities largely in this area. He led advocacy campaigns for a range of blue-chip multinational clients, trade associations and coalitions as he established his career in Brussels through international PR agencies such as Weber Shandwick Worldwide and Edelman PR Worldwide, as well as co-founding Brussels’ first ‘think-do tank’, The Centre.
A European of dual Belgian-British nationality, his interest in the EU began as a student. He gained a first class degree in European Studies (French and Italian, Joint Honours) from the University of Bath, and went on to be awarded a Doctorate from the same institution for a thesis on interest representation in the EU on environmental issues. This focused on the activities around the packaging and packaging waste Directive, the most lobbied piece of legislation in the EU’s history, at the time. As convinced ‘pro-European’, he continues to support the UK’s active involvement in the EU.
Adeline joined CISL in August 2023, as Programme Manager for Corporate Leaders Group Europe (CLG Europe) and EU nature programmes nature, and is based in Brussels. She has been active in EU policy affairs since 2008.
She first came to Brussels in 2009 to work in the European Parliament on a number of topics, including International Trade, Foreign Affairs and Transport. She then moved to the world of climate philanthropy in 2018 to join the European Climate Foundation, focussing on Industry and Innovation, to implement strategies to enable deep decarbonisation of the European economy. After that, she worked as senior policy advisor at the climate think tank E3G on buildings decarbonisation, with a specific focus on heating and cooling as well as energy efficiency and the politics of the transition. At E3G, she worked with a broad variety of stakeholders representing the whole of society, and gained practical experience in facilitation and convening complex ecosystems.
She holds a Bachelor in History from Paris Sorbonne University and a Master’s degree in European Affairs from Cergy University in France.
Andrés joined the Brussels office of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) in 2023. As Project Coordinator for the Corporate Leaders Group Europe (CLG Europe), he specializes in European and global sustainability and climate policy. His role includes leading advocacy campaigns, engaging with CLG Europe members and policymakers, and developing policy content to support CISL’s mission of activating leadership globally to transform economies for the benefit of people, nature, and the climate.
Annabelle joined CISL in May 2016. Her focus is on international climate policy and research and content delivery for the CLGs’ policy work. Her experience at CISL also includes supporting the CLG’s participation in the We Mean Business Coalition and its work with the EU Green Growth Partnership. Annabelle is based in Cambridge.
Before joining CISL, Annabelle worked for ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, where she contributed to the launch of a multi-year programme to accelerate local climate action and supported the delivery of ICLEI’s Pavilion at COP21. Prior to this she completed an internship for the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park in France where she evaluated its climate policy.
Annabelle holds an MA in Sustainable Development from Sciences Po Lille and a BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Kent and Sciences Po Lille’s Joint Programme in social and political science.
Aoife joined Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) in January 2023 as a project manager to support on UK, European, and international climate policy work through our ambitious Corporate Leaders Groups.
Prior to joining CISL, Aoife worked at the UN Environment Programme New York Office as an intergovernmental intern. She supported meetings and prepared reports on emerging environmental issues during the High-Level Political Forum and UN General Assembly. She also gained experience in UK local government across climate, communications, public health, and democratic services through a two-year management graduate scheme.
Aoife holds a BA in Geography and an MPhil in Polar Studies from the University of Cambridge. She also undertook a year of graduate study at Harvard University as a Herchel Smith Scholar, focusing on climate change and environmental policy.
Aurore joined CISL in May 2017 and is based in Brussels. As Operations Manager, she supports the Centre for Policy and Industrial Transformation, providing coordination and project management for the CLG Europe secretariat. Her main focus is event support and Brussels engagement.
Prior to this, Aurore was working as an executive assistant and interpreter for a culinary school in Italy. She holds a degree in Germanic Languages and one in Multilingual Communication.
Edmund joined CISL as a Project Manager in the Business and Nature team in 2022. He works on projects that help businesses understand their impacts and dependencies on nature and ways that these can be addressed, with a view to facilitating systemic change across sectors and geographies.
His recent work has included guidance for the fashion and textiles industry on setting science-based nature targets and supporting CLG EU with their business briefing on nature restoration. He has worked on CISL’s engagement at key international moments including COP15 and New York Climate Week and maintains a network of relationships with partners working to address the biodiversity crisis.
Edmund holds a BA in Geography and MSc in Global Sustainability Solutions, both from the University of Exeter, and prior to joining CISL he worked in biodiversity consultancy with projects spanning a number of sectors. He previously completed an internship with the British Antarctic Survey researching the greenhouse gas emissions from whole-lifecycle food production and consumption in the polar regions.
Francesco joined the Brussels office of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership (CISL) in 2022. As project manager, he currently supports the Convening team, working closely with partners of the Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) Europe, including the WMBC, the GGP and European National Business Networks to coordinate and manage EU and international activities and events.
Francesco previously gained valuable experience as a policy intern at CISL, a Bluebook trainee at the European Commission (DG BUDG), and through positions at FINABEL – European Army Interoperability Centre, the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), and the Italian Embassy in Israel.
Graduating cum laude in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs from Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Francesco focused on the history of European integration and the Middle East in his studies. His dissertation examined the Euro-Israeli relationship from 1957 to 2009, exploring various aspects. Francesco's key areas of interest encompass international affairs, European politics, and political economy.
Harry joined CISL in October 2022 as Programme Manager in the Policy and Systems Change Collaborations team, focussing on nature and climate resilience. Harry has led several projects for the UK Corporate Leaders Group helping use the voice of UK business to push for greater climate leadership from government.
Before joining CISL, Harry worked for 10 years on nature, agriculture and land use policy for a number of organisations. This included as environmental policy lead for the Country Land and Business Association (a trade association for farmers and landowners), where he worked closely with the UK government on the development of post-Brexit agricultural and environmental policy. He has also worked on agricultural policy for the RSPB, spent 3 years working in the UK Parliament convening a cross-party group on agroecology, and managed an annual conference on sustainable agriculture.
Harry has an MA in Environmental Policy from the University of Essex and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh.
Isabelle is the Project Manager for the UK Corporate Leaders Group (CLG UK), managing its membership and external stakeholder engagement, CLG UK's comms and website, and the UK Business Group Alliance for Net Zero. She joined CISL in December 2019.
Isabelle has coordinated events and webinars across UK and international workstreams; assisted with publications for CLG UK, the Corporate Leaders Network and research projects; and is experienced in grant management and other financial processes. This included the organisation of high-level roundtables for government and business leaders; the delivery of a letter to the Prime Minister from over 100+ businesses; and managing logistics for the UNFCCC COP27 and COP28 Summits.
Prior to CISL, Isabelle worked as a Recruitment Advisor with the NHS. She also completed a Wildlife Conservation and Media internship in Costa Rica, surveying the unique fauna in the Osa Peninsula to assess the effects of climate change and forest disturbance. Isabelle holds a BSc in Geography and a MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Nottingham.
Jenifer joined CISL as a Project Manager in October 2021, upon finishing her Master’s degree at the London School of Economics in International Development, Gender and Globalisation. Jenifer has previously worked for the United Nations, responding to complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. She has also worked as a researcher at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School and in the third sector, as a project manager at NGO Plan International. Jenifer also holds a first-class BA in International Relations from Warwick University. Jenifer is a native English speaker, with a command of French and German.
At CISL, Jenifer works as a project manager, working to coordinate Aviation Impact Accelerator, manages industrial UK-based decarbonisation research projects in a project management and policy function. She also supports CLG Europe’s Materials and Products Taskforce.
Martina joined the Brussels team in June 2023 as Project Coordinator, supporting the Materials & Products Taskforce and coordinating project activities and events.
She has previously held roles as an Intern at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, a Schuman trainee at the European Parliament (DG IPOL - Directorate General for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs), and as EU Affairs Assistant at EURACTIV in Brussels. Martina's on-the-ground experience includes her role as a Project Coordinator for a development project with Iraqi refugees in Amman, Jordan.
Martina's graduated cum laude from the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, specializing in the fields of international relations and development cooperation. Her areas of focus encompass international and European affairs, development policies, and sustainable economy.
Omer joined CISL in February 2024 as a project coordinator within the Policy and Systems Change Collaboration team, following the completion of his MSc in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex.
Previously, he managed projects and facilitated programs with civil society organizations and UN agencies in Afghanistan, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and National Priority Programs. In his most recent role, he conducted research analysis for Knepp Estate, which informed their social media strategy. Prior to this, Omer contributed to articulating a new strategic vision for UNDP Afghanistan, employing a systems-thinking and nexus approach to address national development issues. He also served as the UNEP focal point for MEAs in Afghanistan, facilitating technical support programs to government staff on project proposal development, legal harmonization, and reporting. Furthermore, he collaborated with civil society organizations to raise awareness, provide policy support, and advocate for climate change and environmental issues.
Roger has joined CISL in April 2023. In this position as CLG Europe Senior Project Manager, he works closely with CLG Europe members to coordinate implementation of EU and international activities and events. He previously had international humanitarian and development cooperation experience in different complex emergencies in Africa, as well as managerial experience in the private sector and the Spanish public administration abroad. He has served in progressive positions of leadership over the course of his career, more recently, as General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Luxembourg, before reorienting himself towards more vocational fields such as sustainable development and the ecological transition.
Roger holds a degree in International Relations and History from Richmond, the American International University in London and an MBA from the University of Valencia in Spain. He also coaches a youth basketball team in his hometown in the South of Belgium.
Romain joined the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) in December 2018 to work as Programme Manager in the EU office and Senior Programme Manager since July 2023. Romain works on Green Deal related advocacy, including on energy. He leads the EU policy strategy of the We Mean Business Coalition, partnerships with national business networks, and the work of the Green Growth Partnership, with the common goal to support the development of a climate neutral and prosperous EU.
Sanna leads CISL’s external policy research activities and is responsible for much of the content development for the Corporate Leaders Network (CLN) and the Corporate Leaders Groups (CLGs) in the EU and the UK. After completing her PhD in social policy in 2007, Sanna has worked as a researcher, lecturer and research programme lead in the UK and Australia. She has extensive and diverse experience of research design, policy evaluation and research programme management. During her career, Sanna has worked on a wide range of policy areas, such as immigration, housing, inequality, urban development, deprivation and public health. Since joining CISL in 2017, Sanna’s work has cut across different aspects of climate and energy policy, including energy efficiency, just transition, industrial decarbonisation and climate finance in advanced and developing economies.
Serena project manages delivery for the UK Corporate Leaders Group. Prior to joining CISL, Serena gained broad international experience both in the public and private sector working as a project officer for interdisciplinary European projects within multicultural teams, focusing on the implementation of EU regional policies, Structural Funds management, institutional and capacity building, local, rural and sustainable development.
Serena worked for the DG AGRI (EC) European Network for Rural Development in Brussels, and as a research assistant for the Evaluation Unit of the Ministry of Economic Development in Rome. She holds an MPhil in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge, and a postgraduate specialisation in local development projects evaluation from the Economics and Finance Ministry School in Rome. Serena is an Italian native speaker, proficient in English and French with an elementary knowledge of Spanish.
Tsvetelina Kuzmanova is a Senior Project Manager at CISL Europe, where she works on sustainable finance policies. Tsvetelina engages with EU institutions and stakeholders to achieve policy reforms for increased public and private sector investments for a climate-neutral and nature-positive economy. Her work helps divert capital flows towards assets that contribute to sustainable development. Tsvetelina is also a Member of the Insurance Advisory Panel at the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).
Viola Meyerweissflog is CISL’s Programme Manager for the UK Corporate Leaders Group (CLG UK) managing work streams on UK policy, business and stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. She works with senior decision makers in the private and public sector to drive ambitious net zero policies at UK and international level.
Before joining CISL in 2023, she worked in government affairs as Senior Manager for Consulting and Corporate Development at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Washington D.C. leading on the US-Germany Climate and Energy Partnership and advising clients on US federal policy and market strategies. Shortly after moving to Washington D.C., she researched on US foreign and transatlantic policy issues at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Atlantic Council, and the Bertelsmann Foundation.
Viola holds an MA in International Relations from Syracuse University and a BA in Politics with International Relations from the University of York.
