About Us
Ben Lewis BA, MSc
Ben completed his MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College in 2009 (Imperial Environmental Technology MSc), culminating in a research project that explored the commercial viability of 'social business' concepts in a profit maximising environment.
In particular the research developed a commercial value proposition for such an initiative and a theory of change analysis of how such an initiative would likely happen within a given company, based on existing business structures.
Ben is a theory of change practitioner and currently a research intern for nef, investigating what businesses can learn from nature as they respond to the challenge of sustainability.
He previously worked as a Lloyd's insurance broker, working with markets and clients in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and brings a practical commercial understanding of business and the inherent pressure on them to constantly outperform and maximise financial returns.
Milly Snell MA Hons
This spring Milly is undertaking a Schumacher College course in complexity and ecosystem services. She has also been involved in bio-diversity and ecological restoration projects in rural India. These projects have focused on the maintenance of ecosystem services and have been designed to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
She is involved in a variety of London-based community projects, most recently the Hackney Pirates, 'an innovative educational project aimed at filling a gap in the school system'.
Milly previously worked as a producer and project manager with preeminent photographers and artists, and was responsible for researching, managing and delivery of a broad range of creative projects for commercial, charity, gallery and editorial clients.
Advisors
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Dr Heléne Clark
Dr Heléne Clark is Director of ActKnowledge, leaders in Theory of Change methodology worldwide. She presents and trains TOC and evaluation internationally, has taught research methods, urban and economic geography and serves as board member or advisor for a number of non-profit organisations.
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Dr Mike Tennant
Dr Mike Tennant works in the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, and convenes the "Business and Environment" Option on the MSc Environmental Technology. His interests focus on using systems thinking and ideas from complexity to imagine and create sustainable futures for business.
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James Waters
James is an ecologist by training, and has worked in environmental and sustainability consulting. He now works as an interdisciplinary scientist at the Tyndall Centre, with an interest in climate change, ecosystem services, and the resilience of vulnerable communities. His research has included publications on the economics of biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as adaptation to climate change through ecosystem-based approaches. He is currently carrying out a PhD examining the resilience of social-ecological systems, with a focus on the role of ecosystem services in poor urban areas.