Greentech Festival Speakers 2024

Norbert Ruecker is Head of Economics & Next Generation Research at Bank Julius Baer. Within the team, he has an analytical emphasis on commodity markets and specifically energy. Additionally, he focuses on the structural changes in world energy markets and the implications for global mobility, as part of the Next Generation thought leadership. Norbert Ruecker is a member of Julius Baer’s Responsible Investment Committee. He joined the Research department in 2006 after finishing his studies of Economics at the University of Zurich (Switzerland). He started as an equity analyst, specialising in clean energy and oil & gas and has accumulated sound knowledge in this space thanks to personal interest and university studies. Besides banking, he is engaged in a Swiss energy business association, acting as Chairman of the Energie-Cluster, and a Swiss foundation for African wildlife conservation.

Bella is a trustee for the Born Free Foundation and a director of Reserva Youth Land Trust. She chaired the Civil Society advisory council for COP 26 and her documentary, ANIMAL, filmed alongside Jane Goodall, explores the possible solutions to the sixth mass extinction. Her book published by Penguin, Children of the Anthropocene, came out earlier this Summer.

Climate change is an existential challenge and I am passionate about driving towards a zero carbon economy. As Chief Operating Officer for E.ON UK Solutions, I lead a team committed to delivering a smart, sustainable and personalised energy world, that benefits customers and improves people’s lives. I have spent 30 years working in major operational, commercial and supply chain roles for companies including Land Rover, BMW, Boots and as a Management Consultant for Ernst & Young. I joined E.ON in 2009 and held a number of senior roles in Supply Chain, Field Operations, Customer Service and Sales, before being appointed to the UK Board in 2017 as Managing Director of Residential. In September 2020 I was privileged to take up my biggest and current challenge.

Andrea is the co-founder and CTO of Net Zero Insights – an AI-powered platform to access information about thousands of climatetech startups such as climate impact metrics, funding rounds, patents, traction, contacts, and others. His passion for big data and programming allowed him to develop the tech behind Net Zero Insights. Before co-founding Net Zero Insights, Andrea worked at Morgan Stanley as a Quantitative Risk Analyst.

Sir Paul Smith is one of Britain’s foremost designer. He is renowned for his creative spirit, which combines tradition and modernity. Famous for its clothing and accessories collections, Paul Smith specialises in an inventive use of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge design to create beautifully made, desirable, modern pieces. Paul Smith is loved across the world. From its origins in one small shop in Nottingham, England, in 1970, Paul Smith has grown into a global business, selling in over seventy countries. Starting with one men’s collection, the business now comprises collections for men, women and children, including, shoes, accessories, fragrance and home furnishings. Throughout its development Paul Smith’s values of curiosity, quality and authenticity have remained constant.

Albert leads the global analyst team at BloombergNEF (BNEF), a leading provider of primary research on commodities and the low-carbon transition. He oversees BNEF’s research output on the low-carbon transition, including clean energy, transport, buildings, industry and sustainable finance, providing strategic oversight and managing the development and delivery of BNEF’s global research agenda. Albert and his team work closely with energy companies, technology and manufacturing companies, financial institutions and policymakers, supporting them as they navigate the transition towards a cleaner future. Albert joined BNEF in 2009 and was previously Head of Energy Smart Technologies and Head of Product, before assuming his current role. Albert holds a MEng in Electrical and Information Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

As the CEO for the World Green Building Council, Cristina Gamboa leads the world’s largest network of organisations accelerating sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere. As a leading voice within the #BuildingToCOP Coalition, Cristina continues to play a pivotal role in championing globally the built environment as a priority climate change and sustainability solution. As an economist with a leadership record in sustainability, policy and multi-stakeholder partnerships, Cristina is a trusted advisor and convener for international platforms such as the WEF, IEA and UN Climate Change conferences. Cristina is from Colombia and resides in London, UK.