Compass Group names chief climate and sustainability advisor

Compass Group UK and Ireland has announced the appointment of Charles Godfray as chief climate and sustainability advisor to its executive team.

In the role he will shape the organisation’s commitment of reaching climate net zero by 2030.

Godfray is a population biologist with interests in the environmental sciences and has published in fundamental and applied areas of ecology, evolution and epidemiology. He has spent his career at Oxford and Imperial College and is currently director of the Oxford Martin School and professor of Population Biology at Oxford.

In addition, he is co-director of the Livestock, Environment and People (LEAP) project at the University of Oxford that included an ecolabelling pilot, which Compass supported across its Business and Industry sector.

Carolyn Ball, director for delivery of net zero, said: “Specialist guidance will play an increasingly integral role in the business decisions needed to deliver our climate commitments, so this level of direction and thought leadership within our executive team is a real privilege for everyone at Compass and all those working with us.”

Godfray added: “Compass’ size and scale means that it is uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the food system. The team’s commitment to working with suppliers, clients and its people is outstanding and I’m looking forward to contributing to their ambition. Together, we must create the blueprints for the wider industry to learn from.”