LONDON, 3 March 2025 — UK100, the UK's only network dedicated to supporting ambitious local leaders committed to tackling the climate crisis, has today announced a significant expansion of its leadership team with the appointment of three new Co-presidents alongside three new board members.
The expanded team of Co-presidents will see Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council (Labour); Cllr Andy Mellen, Leader of Mid Suffolk Council (Green Party); and Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council (Liberal Democrat) joining existing Co-president Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council (Conservative).
Fellow incumbent Co-president Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, is stepping down from her UK100 role, but is no less committed to local climate action and the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority remains a committed member of the network.
The appointments come at a crucial moment for local climate action, with the government’s transformative devolution agenda presenting opportunities and challenges for councils across the UK working to accelerate climate progress while delivering local growth.
Members of the UK100 network have all pledged to meet their ambitious climate targets ahead of the government’s 2050 goal. The new Co-presidents will represent the network on the national stage, advocating for the powers and resources local authorities need to deliver on these ambitions.
UK100 has also announced three additions to its board: Graham Duxbury OBE, Chief Executive of Groundwork UK; Clem Cowton, Director of External Affairs at Octopus Energy Group; and Kristy Owen-Jardine, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
The existing board comprises; Jo Rogers, Chair and Director of Operations and Governance at ReLondon, Rishi Madlani, UK Head of Sustainability at Investec, Madeline Carroll, Director, UK Programme at European Climate Foundation, and Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of The Climate Change Committee.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council and new UK100 Co-president, says:
“I’m passionate about tackling climate change and this role will provide the opportunity to advocate for the robust policies along with financial support and investment that we so desperately need from Government to enable us to deliver on the challenging targets we’ve set ourselves.
“At South Tyneside Council, we have been trailblazers when it comes to the green agenda and have used every opportunity available to us to take action in our journey towards net zero and cleaner, more secure energy sources. Our work to decarbonise our operations and increase our renewable energy capacity has even earned us prestigious awards. Yet despite all this, we are at risk of not meeting our net zero targets.
“That’s why I am thrilled to be stepping into this new position, because a collaborative and united, cross-party approach is necessary to bring about national policy change, influence behaviour change in our communities and drive the rollout of new technologies.”
Cllr Andy Mellen, Leader of Mid Suffolk Council and new UK100 Co-president, says:
"As the first Green-led council with a majority in the UK, Mid Suffolk has demonstrated that ambitious climate action can win public support when it delivers tangible benefits for communities. I'm delighted to join UK100's team of Co-presidents to champion the crucial role of rural authorities in the transition.
"The climate emergency doesn't respect political boundaries, and neither should our response. UK100's cross-party approach is exactly what we need – bringing together diverse perspectives but united in our commitment to local climate leadership. Together, we can show that local authorities, when properly empowered, can lead the way in creating a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all."
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council and new UK100 Co-president, says:
"When we think about tackling the climate crisis, the power of collective action in local areas is often overlooked. This is where UK100's work is so vital – championing innovation and replicating good practice across different types of councils.
"As we approach the critical point on many councils' journeys to their ambitious 2030 targets and the UK’s 2050 climate goals, we need to honestly assess progress and redouble our efforts. The next five years will be critical in determining whether we can deliver on our climate commitments while improving lives and livelihoods. I'm excited to work with fellow Co-presidents from across the political spectrum to demonstrate that local leaders can and must be at the heart of the UK's climate strategy."
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council and continuing UK100 Co-president, says:
"I'm delighted to welcome Tracey, Andy and Lucy as my fellow Co-presidents. Their appointments further strengthen UK100's commitment to cross-party collaboration on climate action. While we may come from different political backgrounds, we share a common understanding that local leaders are uniquely positioned to deliver practical climate solutions that work for their communities.
"In tackling the climate emergency it is crucial that parties of all colours work together to achieve our shared goals. History will not look back favourably on politicians who let petty squabbles get in the way of progress."
Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100, says:
"I'm thrilled to welcome our expanded team of Co-presidents and new board members at what is a pivotal moment for local climate action. Having every major political party represented in our leadership team sends a powerful message that climate action transcends traditional political divides.
"Tracey, Andy, Lucy and Richard are outstanding local leaders who bring diverse perspectives but share a commitment to ambitious climate action. Their collective experience – from urban regeneration to rural sustainability – will be invaluable in advocating for the powers and resources local authorities need.
"Our new board members also bring invaluable expertise across energy, finance, and community climate action. And honoured Clem, Graham and Kristy have given up their time to support us in our mission to unite ambitious, cross-party local leaders to tackle climate change in their communities.
“I'd also like to express my sincere thanks to Mayor Tracy Brabin for her service as Co-president during a critical period for UK100's development. Her leadership has helped the network grow while positioning local authorities as essential partners in the UK's clean energy transition."
Graham Duxbury OBE, Chief Executive of Groundwork UK and new UK100 board member, says:
"When we think about tackling the climate crisis we too often default either to global agreements or individual actions. This overlooks the power and potential of collective action in local areas – where councils and communities co-design solutions that promote both sustainability and equity. UK100 is right at the cutting edge of this – championing innovation and replicating good practice. I'm delighted to be supporting this vital work."
Kristy Owen-Jardine, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and new UK100 board member, says:
"I am excited to join the UK100 board as I am passionate about driving practical, ambitious and community led solutions that support the transition to net zero. I am eager to contribute my expertise to further the goals of UK100."
Clem Cowton, Director of External Affairs at Octopus Energy Group and new UK100 board member, says:
"All politics is local, and councils are at the vanguard of delivering decarbonisation initiatives that have a real impact on people's daily lives. Ensuring these improve wellbeing and enhance communities will be crucial to maintaining support for climate policies, and UK100 does fantastic work helping leaders navigate this."
ENDS
More information: Liam Ward, UK100, liam.ward@uk100.org +44 (0)7518 864 210
Notes to the Editor
About the Co-presidents:
Cllr Tracey Dixon is the Leader of South Tyneside Council, a position she has held since November 2020. Prior to becoming Leader, she served in various Cabinet positions including as Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing. She also serves as a Cabinet Member for the North East Combined Authority, Chair of the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Advisory Group on Commercialisation, and Chair of the APSE Northern Region. Professionally, she co-owns and runs a restaurant, with an extensive background in hotel management.
Cllr Andy Mellen is the Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, heading the first-ever Green Party majority council in the UK since May 2023. He also serves as a Suffolk County Councillor for Thedwastre North Division. Andy's background is in agriculture; he runs a mixed farming business and has previously worked in education and development in Nigeria and Malawi. He holds an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from Imperial College and is a passionate advocate for grass-roots sustainability initiatives.
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha is the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, a position she has held since May 2021, and has led the Liberal Democrat Group on the council since 2015. She briefly served as a Member of the European Parliament for the East of England from 2019 until the UK's withdrawal from the EU in 2020, where she chaired the Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs. Lucy is a teacher by profession and holds a master's degree from the University of Cambridge.
Cllr Richard Clewer is the Leader of Wiltshire Council and has been a UK100 Co-president since May 2022. He has been a Wiltshire Councillor since the creation of Wiltshire Council in 2009 and previously served as Deputy Leader with cabinet responsibility for Housing, Communities, Climate Change, Arts, Heritage, Tourism and Corporate Services. Richard also sits on the New Forest National Park Authority and runs a wargames figure manufacturing company. His degree is in military history from King's College London.
About the new board members:
Graham Duxbury OBE is the Chief Executive of Groundwork UK, leading work on behalf of the Groundwork federation to build national relationships and partnerships, generate income, develop programmes, and share learning through policy, research and communications. Since joining Groundwork in 1998, his focus has included the improvement of neglected spaces, helping households out of fuel poverty, and environmental regeneration. He was awarded an OBE for services to communities and the environment in 2020.
Kristy Owen-Jardine is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and a seasoned operations executive with over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. She has held senior leadership roles overseeing operational strategy, risk management, regulatory change, and process optimisation across a global footprint. Kristy participated in Southwark Council's Climate Change citizens jury in 2021 and holds a degree in Natural Environmental Science from Sheffield University.
Clem Cowton is Director of External Affairs at Octopus Energy Group, where she leads on policy advocacy and government relations. She led Octopus Energy's campaign for an energy price cap and has been instrumental in advancing policies aimed at decarbonising heat and facilitating the transition to a more renewable energy grid. Before joining Octopus, Clem built a career in political consultancy, focusing on the renewable energy and clean technology sectors. She also works on community gardening initiatives in Walthamstow and is rewilding her local cemetery.
