Event details
Join us for an insightful webinar on biodiversity, its growing importance, and the latest legislative developments. By 2030, the UK aims to protect 30% of its land and sea under the 30x30 commitment, a key step in reversing nature loss. With over 50% of global GDP dependent on nature (WEF), businesses and developers will need to adapt to new biodiversity requirements.
From February 2024, major developments in England must deliver a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), maintained for at least 30 years, under updates to the Environment Act 2021. This will extend to smaller projects (over 25m²) from April 2024 and national infrastructure from November 2025. Developers will meet these targets through on-site or off-site biodiversity units or, as a last resort, by purchasing government biodiversity credits, which are expected to cost up to £650,000 per unit.
Additionally, Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) will be rolled out across 48 local authorities, shaping conservation efforts nationwide. Businesses will also need to align with new TNFD frameworks for reporting nature-related risks.
CCS is expanding solutions to help organisations comply with biodiversity regulations. For more exclusive information, please register to watch this webinar.
Presenters
John Hales
Head of Environmental Sustainability
Crown Commercial Service
John is Head of Environmental Sustainability at Crown Commercial Service, where he leads on Biodiversity and Nature Recovery.
Previously he worked at DEFRA working on delivering the Nature for Climate Fund’s National Tree Planting Programme, co-ordinating national approaches to biodiversity improvement as part of nature recovery.
John holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a joint BA from University of Nottingham and University of Toronto. With a love of trees, freshwater and saltwater, John enjoys hiking and open water swimming in his free time.
Janet Smith
Head of Sustainability
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
I have more than 30 years’ experience in project management. Fifteen years of which were spent in managing United Nations agencies funded health and other development projects in both urban and rural communities. I am highly skilled in conceptualising and developing programmes and projects which led to consultancies with among others the World Bank - Economic Development Institute. I have produced project proposals and business cases which were funded by both International and National funding agencies
KEY SKILLS
• Strategic thinking: creative, evidence based, analytical, solution focused, thrives on change,
• Partnership building: built strong internal and external relationships over the past 11 years to deliver projects as smoothly and safely as possible
• Operational management: decisive, track record of achievement, effective service and business planning, policy formulation, strong budgetary and financial skills, resource utilisation
• Performance improvement: change management, deliver against key indicators, operate across different sectors, programme/project management
Bret Willers
Head of Climate Change & Sustainability
Coventry City Council
Bret is Head of Climate Change & Sustainability for the City of Coventry. He is responsible for strategic oversight of all energy and environmental programmes across the City as a Council and also Citywide for an independent Sustainability & Climate Change Board in partnership with other public, private and third sector partners and stakeholders. Much of this work includes a number of major energy transformation initiatives the Innovate UK funded Regional Energy Systems Operator (RESO) in Coventry. He also oversees two professional environmental consultancies (Business Sustain and the Green Business Programme) which support SME’s and large companies with advice support and guidance for energy and environmental management, health and safety and compliance with standards (e.g. ISO4 0001) and legislation.
A former Director in Birmingham City Council and CEO of Sunderland’s New Deal for Communities Regeneration Programme with over twenty years senior management experience in local Government and the Charitable sector (Henry Doubleday Research Association and Soil Association) with a particular focus on addressing environmental and sustainable development issues. Bret led the development of the City of Cardiff’s first Environmental Strategy with achievements that earned the City the status of first ‘Energy City’ (with Newcastle) and ‘Recycling City’ (with Sheffield) and winning an International Council Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) award during the Rio Earth Summit. Coventry, a CDP ‘A’ Rated city, is committed to delivering a zero carbon agenda cutting across all areas of its business activities covering transport as well as buildings and infrastructure and in addition to the RESO Project it has a number of joint ventures delivering energy infrastructure across the City.
A Graduate ecologist from University College Cardiff and Chartered Biologist and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Royal Entomological society with a history of addressing environmental and public health issues. Bret represented Welsh interests on the Environment, Energy and Regional Development policy at the Wales European Centre in Brussels and represented Eurocities in the EU’s Urban Environment Expert Group assisting in the drafting of the Aalborg Charter and the European Strategy for Sustainable Cities and Towns as well as representing local government interests during the development of the UN’s Habitat II Global Strategy and Programme for Sustainable Human Settlements in the New York PrepComm meetings and the Summit in Istanbul.
Hawarun Hussain
Net Zero Programme Manager
WY&H ICS
Have 30 years’ experience of working in NHS and parallel 14 years of Local Government as a locally elected Councillor representing the Green Party. I have worked in different workstream areas of NHS at local, regional, and national level. Currently working as Net Zero Programme Manager in NE&Y region. Was working as Net Zero Programme Lead within NHSE Midlands up to 28th February 2025.
Davina White (Host-NHE)
Event Manager
National Health Executive
With over two decades of diverse experience in event management, media, and business development, I currently serve as Event Manager at Cognitive Publishing, delivering impactful conferences and events across various sectors. My career highlights include leadership roles at Cognitive Publishing, and other media organisations, where I managed high-profile events, developed strategic partnerships, and drove growth. My expertise spans public sector, defence, NHS, and the rail industry, developing relationships and partnerships whilst creating innovative business strategies that align with emerging market trends.