As Swansea University’s sustainability manager Heidi is a keen advocate of the ethos that a greener business model is beneficial to any organisation. Heidi manages the team that is primarily responsible for greening the running of the organisation, which in turn will help it maintain its excellent reputation and financial sustainability.

Craig Nowell, Director of Estates and Facilities Management said: “Heidi has worked hard over the last 12 months to develop a proactive sustainability culture via engagement with staff and students in green issues, via embedment of appropriate systems that will green our estates and operations. We are delighted that her efforts have been recognised with this prestigious award.”

In March this year the University was awarded the EcoCampus Silver Award in recognition of its work to improve the environmental performance of the University. March also saw the University celebrating its first ever sustainability month, organised by Heidi, with a series of events ranging from a research showcase “Sustainability Speed Seminar” to a “Walk, Talk and Slurp” lunchtime walk.

Heidi also co-ordinated a lot of the work that led to the University improving its position in the People and Planet Green League published by the Guardian – climbing an impressive 52 places to become one of the most improved universities in the UK to receive a 2:1 honours award.

Heidi said; “The improvement in environmental performance is down to the actions of many people in the University and the Student’s Union have been instrumental in pushing the green agenda forward. Staff and students volunteered to take part in our Green Impact Scheme this year and attendance at many of the events we have organised has been amazing. It demonstrates how any organisation relies on empowering its staff to take greener actions in the workplace because it has made it easy for them to do so. We are determined, through staff and student engagement, to become as efficient as we possibly can.

 “In the coming year our University will be publishing its Sustainability Strategy alongside a  carbon management plan and a biodiversity plan for its campus. The new Science and Innovation Campus will allow us to become more efficient and innovative, with an ever increasing research profile. We are facing an exciting future! “

Picture: shows Dr Heidi Smith receiving her Go Green, Women in Business Award from sponsor Bethan Thomas from RWE.