You
“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.”
Dame
Jane
Morris Goodall DBE
(3 April 1934 – 1 October 2025)
Running Order
6:00 PM Drinks Reception
6:30 PM
Welcome from Robert Lobatto, KAS Head
6:35 PM
Careers in Sustainability Panel Discussion
Audience Q&A
7:30 PM 8:00 PM
Meet the panellists and connecting
Advice from an Old Alfredian
Although Richard Oblath (OA 1972) is unable to join us on stage today, he has generously shared his insights on sustainability, shaped by a career that has spanned metallurgy, materials science, and decades of leadership in the global energy industry. His reflections highlight both the urgency and the opportunity of rethinking how we live, work, and power our world.
Richard reminds us that sustainability is not one field, it is every field. In his words, “Sustainability impacts and is impacted by everyone whatever their role. It is also personal choice, not just the industry or work one is engaged in.” Whether you’re in science, finance, politics, the arts, or education, each decision we make, from the food we buy to the transport we use, has an influence on the future we are shaping.
From his vantage point in the energy sector, Richard acknowledges the challenges of transition. Renewable technologies often require heavy upfront investment, and politics can either accelerate or stall progress.
Yet, he is clear that sustainable solutions can be profitable, viable, and widely adopted, “Making products and services that are sustainable is more easily accepted by consumers, so long as they are reasonably priced and the benefits are understood in simple terms.”
His own journey into sustainability was not a straight line. After a PhD linked to energy and a long career with Shell, Richard shifted into the “new energy business”: investing in renewable power and developing bio-methane projects. Looking back, he insists that every career, whether scientific or not, will need to factor in sustainability: “In my opinion, everyone should consider sustainability in all they do—not just in their careers.”
For young people wondering how to begin, his advice is both practical and empowering:
Explore your passion first, then look at how it intersects with sustainability. Stay technically curious, even if you pursue the arts or humanities. A basic understanding of science and technology, he stresses, is vital for the leaders of tomorrow. Above all, remember that change is possible. Human ingenuity, he believes, gives us reason for hope.
Richard is candid about the moral dimension of sustainability, too. Decisionmaking, whether in business or in daily life, often comes down to values. He invokes the “Golden Rule”, treating others as we would want to be treated, as a compass.
The principle is simple. If we all want to live in a healthy, flourishing environment, then our choices should reflect that. Sustainability is not only for scientists and engineers. In truth, lawyers, politicians, artists, musicians, communicators, and citizens at large all have vital roles to play.
Richard’s reflections remind us that sustainability is not an abstract idea. It is woven into every subject, every sector, every choice.
Whether you are a student thinking about your future, a parent reflecting on your family’s habits, or an alumnus working across industries, the call is the same: to think beyond the short term and consider the impact we leave for generations to come. As Richard puts it simply: “Whatever your passion is, look for its influence and impact on making the world more sustainable—then see where that viewpoint takes you.”
Meet the Panel
Preeyus Patel OA
Preeyus is an Associate Director at WSP, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting their engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity.
At WSP, he manages the environmental and social impact of major projects across the UK, Europe and the world. He is experienced in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental Law and Policy, and Project Management.
Preeyus is also the Founder of the Eco Times, an online platform that informs readers through the latest news articles and opinion pieces
from people of different professions, backgrounds and upbringings, while inspiring people everywhere.He is passionate about having a positive impact on the environment, society and the world.
Dr Sally Watson
Sally has a strategic role in Mott MacDonald leading on Excellence, Innovation and Digital for the 1200+ people in the UK water and environment business. She is also the Development Manager for our UK and Ireland water utility clients. Prior to this she was the Global Leader for Mott MacDonald’s Water Resources Practice. She is a nonExecutive Director of British Water and has supported the development of Spring, the UK water sector innovation accelerator.
Sally has a diverse background with over 30 years’ experience across consultancy, academia and the water industry. Her technical expertise covers groundwater and water resources, including groundwater modelling, company and regional water resources planning and the impacts of climate change.
She has a particular interest in collaborative approaches to water planning and
Roei Haberman
Roei is the CEO ofBIP UK,a consultancy helping organisations create resilient strategies for a changing world. With more than 25 years of experience in growth leadership, business strategy, and digital transformation, he is recognised as a leader reshaping the UK consultancy landscape with bold ideas.
At BIP, Roei leads the UK business as part of a 6,000strong global consultancy operating across 13 countries.
Guided by his focus on tech, people, and value, he has positioned BIP UK as a trusted partner across industries including automotive and mobility, energy and utilities, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, property, public sector, retail, and telecommunications.
Under his leadership, the firm helps organisations embed sustainability, resilience, digital transformation, innovation, and customer experience at heir core, enabling them to
management, bringing in multisector interests and adopting a systems approach to consider wider benefits.
Sally has a Geology degree from Bristol University, a Masters degree in Hydrogeology from Birmingham University and a PhD in Hydrogeology from University College London. Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy.
transform responsibly and at pace.
In just 12 months, BIP UK has been named one of theFinancial Times Top Management Consultancy Firms, won 14 Consultancy UK Awards, and delivered landmark client projects.
Together with Verco, Roei also oversaw the launch ofMyVerco, a pioneering digital platform that empowers organisations to track, plan, and accelerate their decarbonisation journey, turning climate commitments into measurable progress.
Vibhav Nuwal
Vibhav is a sustainability and climate finance leader with over 20 years of international experience across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
He is currently Director of Climate Finance at UpEnergy, where he is leading the world’s first $200 million Article-6 Carbon Outcome Bond in partnership with a multilateral development bank.
Vibhav also co-founded REConnect Energy, India’s largest renewable energy technology and trading company, pioneering innovative solutions in renewable energy procurement and carbon markets.
Josh McCosh
James McCosh (Josh) is principal of van Heyningen and Haward Architects. He has over 25 years of experience, mostly in the education and heritage sectors and has recently led the design of two very low carbon primary schools for Urban and Civic plc.
He has taught a sustainability class to MBA students in India and is deeply passionate about the environment. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking in the Himalayas and birdwatching.
‘I am very interested in the process that creates a new building, including understanding viability and advocacy with stakeholders.’ His education and heritage skills are both employed, as for the repurposing and transformation of the former GPO Radio Station into the award-winning Houlton School.
Josh’s experience encompasses both retrofit and new build education projects, with a commitment to evidence-based assessment of operational and embodied carbon, coupled with a determination to create both beautiful and functional environments.
Josh sits on the volunteers group currently drafting LETI’s Non-Domestic Retrofit Guide.
Carol Essex OA and Moderator
Carol is the Director of Communications for KimberlyClark. She has worked as Head of international corporate affairs, communications and sustainability, sustainability strategy development, issues and crisis management for complex global FMCG companies both in house and agency. She translates business priorities into effective communications campaigns and is a trusted adviser on reputation and international issues and crisis management as well as corporate communications, public affairs and internal engagement.
Carol was elected to be the first ever corporate communication representative to visit Antarctica as part of a global environmental research
and planning team (2002). As a result, she published and delivered a report, documenting the impact corporations have on the most remote corner of the globe. Since then, she has brought that first-hand experience and leadership to help businesses lead their change in practices to address some of the planet’s most crucial environmental and sustainability issues.
KASConnected.org is an online community, forum, and engagement platform that allows OAs and KAS students to benefit from networking, internship offers, work experience, mentoring and job opportunities across the KAS community.
KASConnected.org brings together our KAS community to help educate
Connections is a series of talks and presentations delivered by Old Alfredians and KAS community members designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the soft skills necessary in real-life work scenarios and problem-solving.
Organised by the Old Alfredian and Development Office, KAS Connections aims to contribute to students’ and Old Alfredians’ education, enabling them to maximise their opportunities beyond school.
Pictured: The panel at last school year’s Inside the Industry: Working in Film Connections Forum
"We are at a unique stage in our history.
Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that.”
Sir David Attenborough
