re-thinking the way we live our lives

We are a select group of professionals with expertise in all aspects of healthy, sustainable, 'cradle-to-cradle' design and construction, committed to effecting change in the way we all live our lives.

We look to collaborate with like minded professionals in delivering the best and most viable zero carbon solutions within the built environment.

Fay Blair and Jae Mather are two colleagues based in Kent in the south east of England.

They both wear many hats. Jae is the Director of Sustainability at the Carbon Free Group and Fay is an Associate of Global to Local and its Foundation and SEEd Sustainability and Environmental Education.

As seasoned professionals in sustainable development, passionate about their work, they find time to support charities and social enterprises who wish to engage seriously with sustainability, as well as business and the public sector.

Working as 'critical friends' and advisors, as independent facilitators, trainers, auditors and evaluators, they've got a track record working at the local, national, EU and international levels.

Fay was a member of the UK Government Delegation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) 'Rio+10' in 2002 held in Johannesburg, and worked as advisor to the UK Sustainable Development Commission. She now contributes to work on social change, the development and evaluation of training, partnerships and learning networks.

Jae co-founded the Carbon Free Group in 2007 after years of working in the sustainability field throughout the world both in the public and private sector. He teaches the sustainable procurement module on the University of Birmingham's Executive MBA and he currently is running a sustainable accounting project for a leading London accountancy firm.

Over the past twenty plus years, they've got a handle on 'sustainable development'. As individuals, they are 'in for the long haul' committed to the long term. Mutuality and reciprocity geared to empower local communities are key ingredients.

They:

• understand the bigger picture, and have a keen sense of what is (and isn't) good practice
• know what good partnership working, community engagement and business collaboration can deliver, particularly at the local level
• thrive on helping people think and work through difficult challenges and issues

Through their extensive networks they can connect you with others who can help in practical ways, as experts or as fellow practitioners keen to find solutions like you. You can also draw from the free 'eg' online magazine resources

Whatever your background they can support your 'education for sustainable development' communication, marketing and training skills.

Fay and Jae are:

• driven by strong ethical values, believe in collaboration, and help others to be more interconnected in how they think and what they do
• keen to work for and with people who want to learn, be challenged, hear what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear
• committed to social enterprise, and empowerment in supply chains, helping people and organisations to help themselves, whether small charities, large non-governmental organisations
• experienced in working with and for government departments, local authorities, agencies, associations and the wider public and private sector
• skilled in facilitating, public speaking and presenting, brokering and supporting cross sector partnerships.