LEARN MORE ABOUT
GENEE AND OUR TEAM

Genee is a B Corp certified 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.
Being a certified B Corp means we’ve joined brands like The Guardian, innocent and Patagonia in meeting high standards of environmental and social performance..
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 18 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. Since moving back to the North East, 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.
Since joining Genee, Ellen has undertaken an IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management. She assists with the day to day running of Genee, supporting in the delivery of Investors in the Environment for our clients across the North East and North West, as well as the facilitation of the North East Recycling Forum.
“No day is the same at Genee - we work with a huge variety of organisations all striving to embed sustainability into their operations whether they are large or small. It is inspiring to see the commitment to sustainability through our clients, and I love being playing a part in helping them improve their environmental impact, receive recognition and save money at the same time."

Anne-Marie Soulsby
Associate Environmental Consultant
Annie’s lifelong passion for the environment began at a young age, inspired by the news stories she heard in the ’80s about the vulnerability of our planet. Motivated to make a difference, she earned an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University of Leeds and a Master’s in Conservation Biology from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Annie’s sustainability journey is incredibly varied from leading impactful ecological projects in Africa and winning awards for climate change solutions at MIT to consulting for the World Bank and contributing to the IUCN’s Red List at the Institute of Zoology. Annie’s a certified Carbon Literacy Trainer and an emissions reporting platform partner, helping others understand and reduce their carbon footprints. She also hosts sustainability meet ups through People, Planet, Pint, creating a space for like minded individuals to share ideas and take action together. In addition, Annie is a member of the Missing Lynx reintroduction community group and an accredited coach, guiding individuals and groups to make meaningful, sustainable changes in their lives.
"I’m truly excited to be part of a team dedicated to helping organisations make meaningful strides towards achieving genuine net zero. The Investors in Environment programme ensures that reducing environmental impact becomes a continuous process of improvement, inspiring clients to create a better, more sustainable world for everyone. With this approach, Genee is poised for a vibrant, green future ahead."

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.
“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.”

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."

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".