Paul Beers is a low carbon and sustainable operations consultant
Dr. Paul Beers MSc PhD
Paul Beers’ career reflects his extensive experience in the use of science, education and skills in business development and commercial success.
After 14 years working in higher education Paul joined Unilever and gained a significant amount of commercial experience in this multi-national company working in the corporate environmental unit. He moved on to join the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) responsible for leading the development of Environmental Technology Skills across the West Midlands.
In 2004 he founded his own company and developed and delivered change management programmes, strategy advice, and consultancy to The Dept. for Business, Innovation & Skills, (BIS) now known as The Dept. for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, (BEIS), The Dept. for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), The Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), LSC, The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA), the Northwest Environmental and Food and Drink Business Clusters as well as numerous private sector organisations.
Paul acted as an independent ministerial advisor to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, where he advised ministers on maximising the contribution of low carbon and environmental technologies to the UK economy. He chaired the UK Forum for Environmental Industries Skills Interest Group and has also been an expert member of a number of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) review panels.
As part of his consultancy Paul now writes learning material for The University of Derby Online, mentors students and teaches subject modules for the MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Management.
Graduate researcher of Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick.
Researching the biotransformation of hydrocarbons to active pharmaceuticals.
PhD Student SERC CASE award University of Hull and ICI Fine Chemicals. Thesis Subject: 'An Investigation into the NAD-dependant DNA-ligase from Escherichia coli'
Lecturer in Food and Environmental Microbiology, University of Humberside/Lincoln
Projects including: probiotics in dairy products; biofuel production using a fluidised bed and the bioremediation of waste streams from fish farming (Picture: Loch Shiel, Scotland)
Visiting Lecturer at the Agricultural University Athens.
Biodegradation Scientist SEAC Environment, Unilever Research Port Sunlight.
West Midlands Environmental Technologies Skills Manager, Learning and Skills Council. Responsible for developing and implementing a skills and education policy for the environmental industries of the West Midlands
Acting as an Independent Advisor to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills on Low Carbon and Environmental Technologies
Associate Academic University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL)
Developing course material and teaching Sustainable Business Management and Ecology and Conservation modules on the MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management. Mentoring independent study students working on a range of environmental and industry/business specific projects.
Co-founded Going Green and launched the project in Parliament. https://www.goinggreen.co.uk
Helping Sherrington Associates develop The 4A Model of Sustainable Leadership and continue to provide advice and support to the senior management on the subject of sustainability and sustainable leadership.
Sherrington Associates won the Innovation in Learning Award at Green Expo 23 for our work on the 4A-model of Sustainable Leadership. This award recognises innovation that not only addresses a need, but seizes an opportunity to create a new market.
The Carbon Reduction Award won by Going Green at the North Cheshire Business Awards. It celebrates Going Green’s innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions.
What is sustainable development?
One of the recognised definitions of sustainable development is:
"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"
In practice this means moving from the historical linear business model of take-make-waste to a circular model of borrow-use-return. Most companies find that moving from a linear to a circular business model leads to cost savings and an increase in the bottom line. Working sustainably is not only good for the environment it usually has financial benefits as well.
