The Sustainable Development Group provides a body of expertise to respond to key issues about sustainable development and the environment. The group aims to promote whole life-cycle thinking and is home to the Resources Strategy Subgroup. IOM3 works to support professionals in materials, minerals, and mining to be champions of the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient society. More information on the Institute's sustainability principles, scope and commitment, and progress can be found on the Sustainability Governance page.
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Meet the Sustainable Development Group Leadership Team
Matthew Thomas
Dr Matthew Thomas CEng FIMMM began a Technical Apprenticeship at TATA Steel in 2008, where he embarked on a hands-on journey through various laboratories, gaining essential insights into steel-making processes and emission monitoring. Presently, Matthew holds the position of Environment Lead Governance at TATA Steel UK within the Sustainability and Environment Department, focusing on environmental management systems and long-term sustainability strategies.
Matthew’s qualifications include an Engineering Doctorate at Swansea University, UK, a BEng in Material Science at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and an HNC in Chemistry, and a BTEC in Engineering at Bridgend College, UK.
Responding to the appointment Matthew said, ‘I am determined to lead by example and to propel our Technical Community toward even greater accomplishments in the realm of sustainable development. My ambitions for this role align with the mission to actively contribute to the UK's net-zero and sustainability goals.
I intend to champion robust environmental practices, drive innovation in sustainable initiatives, and promote the reduction of our carbon footprint. It is my firm belief that the preservation of our environment for future generations hinges on the collective efforts of dedicated professionals like those within the group. Together, we can address critical issues concerning sustainable development and environmental stewardship, advancing our field's critical role in shaping a sustainable future.
In the footsteps of my esteemed predecessor, Emma, I look forward to working closely with the current and future members of the group to realise these ambitions. The challenges we face are significant, but with unwavering commitment and a shared vision, we can make substantial progress in shaping a more sustainable future. I'm excited to embark on this journey as the Chair of the IOM3 Sustainable Development Group and to build upon the exceptional work of my predecessors’.
Jeremy Ramsden
Prof Dr Jeremy Ramsden FIMMM studied natural sciences at Cambridge University and received his doctorate from EPFL for research into photocatalytic semiconductor nanoparticles. After postdoctoral studies at Princeton University, the Szeged Biocentre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and ETHZ (chemical engineering), he became a member of the Basel University faculty of natural philosophy. Subsequently professor and chair of nanotechnology at Cranfield University, concurrently director of bionanotechnology at Cranfield University at Kitakyushu. Sometime visiting professor in Argentina, France, Georgia, Hungary and Japan. Hon. Professor of Nanotechnology at the University of Buckingham from 2012, editor-in-chief of the journal Nanotechnology Perceptions 2005–22. Latterly cofounded several high-tech companies developing nanomaterials and nanodevices. Jeremy has published about 350 peer-reviewed articles, as well as books on nanotechnology, bioinformatics, biomedical surfaces, climate change, complex systems etc. Many of his recent articles and conference talks deal with sustainability. Jeremy is a IUPAC Fellow.
Dawn Bonfield
Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng is currently President of the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council and the global issue related to the extraction and supply of rare and critical materials are crucial to the world’s ability to transition to renewable energy, and to enable the developing world to develop sustainably. Dawn's hope is that the IOM3 Sustainable Development Group will lead the conversation in the UK on this issues related to critical and rare materials, and the associated skills needs, and develop and understanding of the global picture for sustainable materials supply, in collaboration with others.
Andrew Dunster
Andrew Dunster works at BRE, a construction-related RTO. He is active in the fields of sustainable use of construction materials, particularly cements, construction aggregates and concretes. He also has a wider interest in the foundation industries and their impact on construction. Andrew has been a member of the SDG since 2010. He is interested in learning from non-construction industry sectors and contributing to occasional papers, webinars etc. Andrew has other links with IOM3, including to the Cementitious Materials Subgroup, part of the Ceramics Group; and also to the Construction Materials Group.
Richard Thackray
Dr Richard Thackray holds a degree in materials science and a PhD in metallurgy from Imperial College London. Richard is a key member of the team for SUSTAIN, the EPSRC funded future steel manufacturing research hub. His current research interests are related to the production of steel, including development of mould powders for continuous casting, inclusion engineering in steels and using novel powder metallurgical techniques for the production of stainless steel components. Richard is also involved in several projects that look at aspects of sustainability in steelmaking, in particular initiatives to quantify and reduce energy consumption in steelmaking, reuse and recycling of waste material, life cycle assessment of critical elements in steel and alternative materials for iron making. Richard is a past chair of the IOM3 Iron & Steel group and won the IOM3 gold medal in 2021 for significant contribution within the steel sector.
John Lewis
An Engineering Doctorate, Research Scientist and experience leader who has held high profile roles in heavy industry, public sector and academic settings for over 15 years. A highly motivated individual who enjoys being part of, as well as leading, a successful and productive team. Keen to learn new skills and accept challenging opportunities. Experienced in Steelmaking, Lean Manufacturing, People Management, Process Management, Project Management, Programme Management Recycling, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Chemical and Physical Testing processes. A positive attitude, results driven with meticulous attention to detail and good problem solving, communication and organisational skills. John joined the Welsh Blood Service in January 2023 as a Portfolio Project Manager. John’s current role involves facilitating projects through from start up to completion, this involves engaging with stakeholders, leading projects through the change management process and managing project portfolios that align with the business objectives. John’s experience has been managing projects and teams of people within a fast-paced industrial environment to target net zero and industrial decarbonisation. He also has experience in managing novel ideas through to completion in the academic-industrial collaborative sector. John is looking to apply the learnings from managing multi-million pound projects within the industrial sector to projects within the health care setting where the focus is on donor and patient safety and experience. Outside of work John is a family man but is not to be trusted with any DIY or power tools. His hobbies and interests centre around music and playing the cornet/trumpet in a brass band, where he has been since the age of 7, where he has competed against the top brass bands in the world and has played in the winning performance of the National Championships of Great Britain in 2013.
Stuart Patrick
Stuart Patrick FIMMM MRSC. Liveryman Worshipful Company of Horners. Volunteer IOM3 Manchester Polymer Group. STEM Ambassador.
Andy Clifton
Andy Clifton has been involved for many years in the IOM3 SDG, both during his time at Rolls-Royce as their Global Sustainability Manager, and now as the Head of Social Responsibility & Sustainability at Games Workshop. As global manufacturers, material sustainability plays an important role in both those positions and the SDG has been a great way to help Andy stay on top of any regulatory or technological developments in material sustainability and find opportunities to collaborate.
Edward Kosior
Edward Kosior - Innovator in Plastics Recycling
Edward Kosior has had 48-years in the plastics and recycling sector, with 22 years as an academic and 26 years in recycling and sustainable solutions for plastics packaging.
He has focussed on reducing polymer waste and the carbon footprint of post consumer plastics packaging through the establishment of Nextek Ltd, a science-based consulting organisation dedicated to developing solutions and innovations for end-of-life plastics and inspiring a future where sustainability is at the forefront of global priorities.
Edward's recent accomplishments have been the IOM3 Prince Phillip Medal (2019), the Sustainable Future Award (Circular Economy 2023 Award for COtooCLEAN), Alliance Prize (USD$3M for Circular Solutions for Plastics Films 2023), World Packaging Award for Excellence 2022 (NEXTLOOPP), and Packaging Europe Sustainability Awards (2023 and 2021 for COtooCLEAN and NEXTLOOPP respectively) and Visiting Professor at The Wolfson Centre, Brunel University London, since 2012.
Cynthia Adu
Cynthia is a Sustainability Manager at Hide Biotech, an innovative startup developing sustainable alternatives to traditional leather. Cynthia holds an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and MSc in Sustainable materials and manufacturing – jointly awarded by Cranfield, Exeter, and Warwick university. Her research focused on implementing a circular business model to convert industrial by-products into value for other industries such as construction, textiles, packaging, and composite materials. She also spent the first half of her professional career as a sustainability consultant at Accenture UKI sustainability services. Cynthia worked with businesses to support the transition to a Net-Zero future, her core competency was focused on Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), which involves the development of tools to help model environmental impacts associated with products and services.
Cynthia first became involved with IOM3 as a member of the Student & Early Career Committee in 2018 and is now currently a strategic advisor to IOM3, supporting the technical committee on skills and professional development. Cynthia is very interested in implementing sustainability knowledge in STEM courses. She has contributed to several panels and public outreach, like skills and capacity building for the circular economy, volunteering with the United Nations University on implementing sustainability assessment methods in post-graduate courses of developing countries, and mentorship to young black school students to show representation and importance of sustainability in STEM subjects.
Cynthia oversees the Ceramics Group, the Polymers Group, and the Sustainable Development Group.
