Meet the judges

Akaraseth is a DPhil Candidate at the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. His research aims to understand and quantify the fiscal implications of physical climate risks. This involves producing a comprehensive framework on the total economic losses due to climate risks, demonstrating the impacts of climate risks on sovereign creditworthiness, and assessing the effectiveness of fiscal instruments to manage climate, systemic, and compound risks.

Together with his research at Oxford, Akaraseth is a Research Affiliate at the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL) in Sustainable Finance and Energy Access, respectively. He is also a Trustee at Engineers Without Borders UK, an advisory board member at Fossil Free Research, and a member of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Environment Programme (UNEP), Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

As Professional Development and Education Policy Advisor, Lydia is positioned within the Institution to provide oversight of the full education journey of an engineer. From developing policy positions on primary, secondary, and technical qualifications to providing insight for graduate schemes and professional registration, Lydia ensures there is coherent messaging from policy through to membership activities. Lydia also supports strategic partnerships in helping young people see the value of engineering and transition into the engineering workforce, and is pleased to support the Engineering for People Design Challenge. 

Lydia’s engineering journey started with the EDT’s Headstart programme, followed by a Year in Industry Placement at a Commercial Vehicle Fuel Systems Design and Manufacturing Company. On completion of her MEng in Mechanical Engineering at Brunel University, Lydia returned to Delphi Technologies, working her way up to Senior Engineer within the Product Development Team.

Since mid-2020, Ben has been with AECOM’s Climate Change, Sustainability and Resilience team, and is currently an Associate Director based in their Edinburgh office. A large proportion of his time is spent on carbon accounting and carbon management for large infrastructure projects across multiple sectors, including water, power, road, rail and aviation, although over the last couple of years, there has been an increasing focus on projects associated with hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. Ben’s role in these projects is to assess their whole-life carbon impact and provide targeted support on how carbon emissions can be minimised over the whole lifecycle. He has political experience from four years spent providing research support and policy advice to a group of MSPs within the Scottish Parliament. Ben previously worked as a skilled marine engineer in both the Royal Navy submarine service and later in civilian life.

Ellie Grebenik has over 13 years of experience working in sustainability with specific experience in waste management, low-carbon transport and energy access. She joined Energy Saving Trust in 2017 delivering a multi-million-pound work plan of activities in Scotland aimed at encouraging low-carbon travel to consumers and organisations. In 2021, she moved into the energy access team within Energy Saving Trust leading projects including the Efficiency for Access Coalition and the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme which aim to ensure those living in off and weak-grid communities have access to affordable and efficient appliances. She feels that inspiring and supporting the next generation is key to ensuring the green agenda remains a top priority and giving students the opportunity to engage with a real-world design brief, mentors and stakeholders provides them with valuable experience before joining the workforce.

Lee Hibbert is the Senior Content Director at Publitek, a global B2B marketing agency specialising in the deep-tech sector. As an award-winning journalist, editor, and content strategist, Lee has over 25 years of editorial experience. He has led and managed teams across print and digital titles, having been the long-standing editor of the Institution of Mechanical Engineer’s flagship publication Professional Engineering.

Lee was also the lead editor on IMechE’s best-selling book Engineering Attractions, which looked at the UK’s rich heritage in industrial engineering. And he has written technology articles for national newspapers, including the Telegraph. 

Now Lee manages content strategy and output for Publitek’s clients across UK/Europe, helping deliver integrated campaigns in areas such as industrial automation, the Internet of Things, mission-critical power, artificial intelligence, infrastructure-as-a-service, supply chain and logistics, and more.

Lloyd is a chartered civil engineer with over 10 years of highway engineering experience specialising in surface water drainage design and extensive experience working with Non-Motorised User (NMU) Groups concerning scheme assessment and design. Lloyd has worked on several multi-million-pound large-scale infrastructure projects, producing technical notes, and evaluations of design proposals in consideration of design and construction monitoring at various stages of construction including the operations and maintenance (O&M).

In addition to being a civil engineer, Lloyd is a Director for a Not-for-Profit organisation, ConStructEd, which offers practical hands-on construction experience to students helping them build their confidence, transversal skills, and overall employability. Lloyd is passionate about STEM engagement, an active STEM Ambassador since 2009, engaging with children and young adults helping to develop the young workforce.

Currently the Director of The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Scotland, Ben’s career to date has been mainly in economic development supporting the built environment, including several years with Scottish Enterprise as Construction Sector Manager, in a senior role establishing the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre and three years in consultancy.

Ben is also a member of the management committee of Castlehill Housing Association covering Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire & Moray and a Director of their commercial subsidiary in addition to being a Trustee of the Green Action Trust, an organisation focused on environmental regeneration.

Originally from Palestine, Doa’a has been in the UK since 2018 where she received a scholarship for her Masters at the University of Leeds. Now living in Govan she works as a funding officer for Govan Community Project and works with groups of refugees and people seeking asylum with the British Red Cross.

With two decades of experience across the Americas, Europe & UK infrastructure value chain, Craig advises PE/Investment Managers, Asset Operators and the A/E/C community on their leadership and talent needs; acquiring leaders who act on ESG initiatives to drive change.

Passionate about leadership, Craig advocates for business to be used as a force for good, as well as how high-quality infrastructure has the power to support the transition to Net Zero. He began his career with a FTSE 250 global recruitment and human resources organisation, founded his own boutique search consultancy and is a past Ambassador for the Association of Executive Recruiters. 

Also, Craig is a certified Hogan Assessor and has attended Cambridge Judge Business School and the London School of Economics & Political Sciences.

Michael Mapstone manages the Anglo American Foundation, an independent charity that works to empower young people to create a greener, fairer future.  Prior to this, Michael was Director of External Affairs and Global Engagement at Charities Aid Foundation, responsible for global policy and programmes focused on strengthening civil society.  He has significant experience of international development, grant making, policy, organisational development and civil society.  Previously, Michael was Strategic Adviser with the Commonwealth Secretariat, leading on partnerships and stakeholder management strategy, and led the global private sector strategy at Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO).

Nina lives in Govan and is someone seeking asylum. She is a member of the Govan Community Project Women’s Group which is a fantastic opportunity for her to engage and feel supported by the community.

As Sedia is still in the asylum process he is not allowed to work. Instead he volunteers with Govan Community Project food bank to distribute food to people who need it. Before the pandemic Sedia volunteered with the Govan Community Project food bank once a week.