LEARN MORE ABOUT
GENEE AND OUR TEAM
Genee is an environmental sustainability consultancy created to support organisations of all types and sizes become ready for a zero-carbon economy.
We do this by supporting organisations to reduce their environmental impact and realise the many benefits of integrating sustainability into business practices.
The team believe using the national standard Investors in the Environment is a great way to achieve this and we are delighted to be the North East of England delivery partners.
We have a talented and friendly team who make working on green and sustainability projects rewarding and fun. Collectively our genee team has decades of experience in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, funding applications, strategy development and delivery and Corporate and Social Responsibility.
Jo Holmes BSC MSc MIEMA CEnv
Managing Director
Jo drives genee and all its projects to have the maximum impact for her customers and the region. She has worked in the environmental sector for over 20 years, leading regional projects with a focus on partnership working. She has an extensive network from running environmental consultancy businesses for the past 15 years.
This experience enables her to empathise with organisational aspirations to deliver sustainability whilst running the day-to-day operation. She is committed to demonstrating that positive environmental performance can positively impact an organisation’s bottom line. Jo has an Environmental Management degree and a Masters degree in Environment, Health and Safety. She has lived in the North East for 30 years.
"My passion for the North East and the environment began in 1993 whilst studying Environmental Management at Northumbria University. Since then, I have worked with many organisations in a diverse variety of roles, giving me a wealth of expertise across the environmental and waste management sectors. Working to green the North East economy is a challenge we must all strive for and I am excited to be working with businesses across the North East to make this a reality".
Ellen Holmes BA MA AIEMA
Sustainability Advisor
Ellen has numerous years of experience within customer service, and has worked for local, national and international not-for-profit organisations. She has a Sociology degree and a Masters degree in Peace & Conflict Studies, and is passionate about amplifying local voices when it comes to making change. She has worked on local projects such as Food Newcastle, Newcastle's Sustainable Food Partnership, and with many of the organisations that make up Newcastle's VCSE sector.
She is looking forward to applying this to her work with genee, and their involvement with the Going Green Together Project, which focuses on the voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector, and their work directly with the community in the North East & Cumbria.
“I’m excited to be working with genee on their upcoming projects, which focus on the sustainability of organisations in the North East & Cumbria and how we can work towards a Just Transition for the community as we move towards a greener economy”
Lucie Higham
Associate Communications Consultant
Lucie is a former journalist and experienced public sector communicator with more than 25 years’ experience. Currently Deputy Communications Manager at NHS Pennine CCGs. Skilled in Journalism, Media and Public Relations, Crisis Communications, Event Management and Digital Communications.
Lucie is also Director of Redmoor Communications CIC, a social enterprise with a decade of experience in delivering social media training to public, private and third sector organisations and public relations.
"I'm thrilled to bring my expertise to help genee and their clients bring awareness to an issue as important as climate change".
Karen Faulkner MCMI
Associate EDI Consultant
Karen is Director and co-founder of Positive About Inclusion CIC - an equality, diversity and inclusion consultancy and training provider. Established in 2020, when two colleagues left long-standing and successful careers in the social housing sector, Positive About Inclusion is proud to be a North East social enterprise with a social mission at its heart.
Karen is a qualified coach and mentor with a proven track record of delivering outstanding results in a customer and community context; collaborating with community groups from a range of backgrounds to put customers at the heart of decision-making. Karen volunteers as a mentor for The Girls Network supporting girls to achieve their full potential, not limited by their background or gender.
"The relationship between inclusivity and environmental sustainability is rightly becoming more recognised as the challenge we must all face. I am delighted to be supporting the vital work of genee in the North East and beyond."
Alison Quilliam
Associate Consultant
Alison is an experienced Environmental Manager with over 23 years’ experience working within the Wallcoverings and Manufacturing Industry. She has a degree in Environmental Management from Northumbria University and is a Practitioner member of IEMA. Alison has a wealth of experience in the implementation and continual improvement of Integrated Quality and Environmental (ISO14001 / ISO9001) Management Systems and has worked closely with Local Authorities, Environment Agency, CTSA’s & HSE. She has extensive knowledge of organisational compliance with environmental legislation, including Environmental Permitting.
Alison has practical experience with overseeing a wide range of environmental issues, improving environmental performance and achieving organisational goals. Additional key knowledge includes the Chain-of-Custody system for both FSC and PEFC forestry management systems; RSR Environmental Permit; Climate Change Levy commitments and energy management system; waste management; health & safety. She has sat on the the British Coatings Federation Ltd, Wallcoverings Sector Council Technical Committee.
“I’m looking forward to assisting businesses in the North East to identify, measure and reduce their environmental impacts. The implementation of an environmental management system is a key tool to demonstrating an organisation's commitment to environmental improvements.”