Meet the 2025 Judging Panel
Cat McIlwraith
Technical Manager - The Rivers Trust
​Cat is Technical Manager at The Rivers Trust, leading on remote sensing and wetlands while supporting project delivery across the movement. With over a decade of experience, she works on modelling for Nature-Based Solutions and exploring AI in river conservation. Her background includes entomology, GIS, and catchment management, and she has also worked with NGOs such as the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. A long-standing member of the Constructed Wetland Association, she has contributed to national guidance and served on its committee.
Cécile Faraud
Head of the Clean Construction Programme - C40 Cities
Cécile is Head of the Clean Construction Programme at C40 Cities, supporting global mayors to drive a just, resilient, and low-carbon built environment. A systems thinker, she promotes circular, inclusive approaches and facilitates collaboration between cities and the construction sector. Previously, she led the London City-Business Leaders initiative at CDP, shaped the Circular City programme in Peterborough, and worked on sustainable development in South-East Asia with the French Embassy in Bangkok.
Joe Dance
Strategic Ecologist - Savills
Joe was the recipient of the Biodiversity Champion award in 2024 following work in successfully realising nature recovery opportunities at a Habitat Bank in Cheshire East. Joe now holds the position of Strategic Ecology Director at Savills, advising landowners, planners and developers on a wide range of biodiversity matters and delivering nature recovery at all scales.
Macarena Cárdenas 
Senior Advisor, Resilience and Nature, UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)
Macarena Cárdenas is a Senior Advisor at the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), project lead of the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap, and co-developer of the Nature Positive Framework for the Built Environment. With over 22 years of experience across science, academia, and the non-profit sector, she explores the deep connections between ecological systems and human activity.
Matt Tompsett
Head of Environment and Sustainability, Kier Highways
Matt is responsible for setting the companywide steer for environmental and sustainability issues. Matt started his career working for a habitat conservation charity before moving into highways about 15 years ago. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and an active member of several steering groups inc. the CECA Carbon Group and IEMA Climate Change Group. Matt has worked with CIRIA to develop various guidance documents such as ‘Green Infrastructure on Linear Assets’ and ‘Microplatic Generated on Construction Sites’.
Melissa Ralph CMLI
Making Space for Nature Manager, Cormac
Melissa is a chartered Landscape Architect in Cornwall, with over 25 years’ experience, specialised in an ecological approach to engagement, design, delivery and management of high quality urban green space. Her expertise results in multiple benefits for increased community, wildlife and climate resilience in Cornish towns.
Neil Harwood
Associate Director (Ecology/Nature), Arup
Neil is a team, skills and industry leader in relation to ecology, biodiversity and nature. His real passion lies in accelerating the restoration, regeneration and recovery of nature at all scales. He has 25 years of professional ecological consultancy experience, including large-scale infrastructure and masterplan developments in the UK and overseas (Middle East, China, Americas), and was based in Australia for 3 years (remainder in UK).
Nicola Keen
Associate Landscape Architect, Groundwork London
​Nicola is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute and an Associate Landscape Architect for Groundwork London. At Groundwork, she works as part of multidisciplinary team to co-design and deliver community-focused projects which make practical social and environmental improvements and enable people and nature to thrive. Nicola has a background in strategic green-blue infrastructure, SuDS and nature-based solutions.
Richard Thomas
Group ESG Director, Trustgreen
Richard Thomas is the Group Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Director at Trustgreen. With over two decades of experience dedicated to environmental stewardship, Richard has been instrumental in integrating sustainability and corporate social responsibility across various sectors. At Trustgreen, he leads initiatives that encompass environmental impact, biodiversity, and the company's broader ESG strategy.​
Sameer Pethe
Principal Consultant – Resilience, BRE
Sameer is the Principal Consultant and Innovation Lead for Resilience at BRE, bringing a wealth of expertise in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure resilience particularly from the global south. His diverse experience, spanning over 14 years, encompasses collaborations with local, national, multilateral, and international entities such as RedR, UNICEF, UNDRR, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Shane Frost
Head of Business Development & Technical, GreenBlue Urban
With over 20 years’ experience in green and blue infrastructure integration, Shane’s expertise spans the evolution of sustainable urban design, from early tree pit systems to today's integrated solutions. Shane's practical knowledge of implementation challenges has made him a valued advisor to local authorities, designers, and developers.
Tanith Cook
Head of Conservation (Epping Forest), City of London Corporation
Tanith is a Chartered Ecologist with over 15 years’ experience in ecological consultancy. Since April 2024, she has been Head of Conservation for Epping Forest, overseeing the management of one of Britain’s most important ancient wood-pastures. Tanith leads on habitat conservation, arboriculture, and biodiversity, drawing on expertise from major infrastructure projects and contributing to professional training through CIEEM. She also represents Epping Forest in the media, championing its ecological and cultural value.