Local authorities can now access financial consultancy from Global City Futures via the Local Net Zero Dynamic Procurement System (DPS) from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). 

The Local Net Zero Accelerator Programme (LNZAP) is managed by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub (GSENZH) which supports local authorities and public sector organisations in developing and financing local net zero projects. 

The CPCA, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, York and North Yorkshire can access the programme to meet their climate commitments using service suppliers that have undergone a robust selection process. 

Global City Futures is an award-winning B Corp consultancy with specific expertise in developing proposals and business cases using the HMT 5 Cases ‘Green Book’ model. This year they led on financial consultancy to appraise funding solutions for the decarbonisation of buildings, estate and energy provision across eight districts of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). They are currently providing programme management and business case development for Exeter organisations supporting a new decarbonised heat network in development for the city. 

Sophie Winterbotham, Director at Global City Futures: “We are very pleased to have met the high-level criteria needed to provide services in the categories of consultancy, public sector finance and financial advice to further net zero goals. Using specialist consultants ensures public funds are used efficiently and comply with regulations, and we always aim for extra value via our projects through added sustainability or social value.”

“We have seen the public sector really engaging with decarbonisation for heat, energy and operations in order to drive their emissions down. Having been engaged on a number of schemes across the UK, we are optimistic that targets can be met with solid business cases that deliver and fund low carbon solutions for decades to come.” 

The Local Net Zero DPS from the CPCA is open now, enabling buyers to access skills, knowledge and experience in finance, legal services, procurement and other specialist fields. 

Last week the Global City Futures team went on our annual away day – but this year, we wanted to use our time out of the office for some good. 

We registered with the Surfers Against Sewage Million Mile Clean, received our litter picking equipment and headed for north Devon.

The Million Mile Clean is running every year until 2030, aiming to mobilise 1 million volunteers to clean over 10 million miles of UK landscape, and is described as the biggest initiative of its kind.

Each member of our team took their time as they found the sand to initially look mainly free of litter, but on closer inspection finding numerous smaller pieces of non-biodegradable plastics and packaging within the shoreline debris.

Altogether the team rescued over 5kg of waste from returning to the sea, which was kindly recycled for them by The Thatch at Croyde. Braver members went in to enjoy the water and enjoyed reflecting on our current projects in The Thatch afterward.

We will be submitting our results to The Brand Audit, where SAS will analyse the results from millions of volunteers over the 19 year project.

At the end of last month Roli Martin was very pleased to be invited to speak on climate and sustainability solutions at the Exeter Science Park.

Roli spoke on Global City Futures’ expertise in ‘Implementing Net Zero Interventions’ looking at government and public sector structure, financial models, drivers and barriers.

The centre was host to students from GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science) Masters programme in South Africa. They are studying for the University of Exeter Climate and Business Global module – an immersion in the cultural, economic, academic and business environments of Exeter.

During their stay in Exeter they spent time at the Met Office, Plymouth Science Park Ltd as well as the University of Exeter, visiting key businesses and touring parts of Devon.

Dr Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Science Park thanked Roli for his time and expertise, adding “I thought you set out a compelling story for change as well as perhaps how to deal with resistors!”

Other speakers representing the innovative and growing companies in the south west were: Tim Wheeldon who discussed the new net-zero Zeal Hotels, Naomi Harnett who set out East Devon District Council ‘s sustainability activities; Rebecca Mitchell from Quanterra Systems who outlined how they are measuring carbon at the landscape level; and Paul Morris from Oxi-Tech Solutions Limited explaining how they are developing a greener way of cleaning water for the agricultural sector among others.

We are delighted that three – three! of our team are on the Exeter 30 under 30 List – ‘a showcase of the next generation of leaders and change makers’.

The 30 under 30 List was compiled by Exeter Tomorrow magazine from nominations throughout the city’s business community.

Will Treadwell, Consultant

Will is taking on decarbonisation for cities with a razor-sharp financial vision of sustainable and affordable development.

A financial Consultant at Global City Futures and a chartered accountant, Will is successful in developing sustainable funding solutions for the public sector and will be applying his expertise to decarbonisation projects for Exeter in 2024. 

Working with NHS clients and local authority leaders, he focuses on delivering retrofit, heat network and gap funding that meet net zero aims. 

Having grown up in Exeter he takes a special interest in GCF’s projects that can bring benefits to his home city.

In 2023 Will supported delivery of funding solutions to decarbonise 45 publicly-owned buildings for a large UK combined authority – a project he envisages being replicated for the benefit of more cities. With interests in specialist gap and innovative financing solutions, he is one to watch as part of this sustainable consultancy delivering services with wide social benefits.

Georgie Rutty, Business Development Coordinator

Georgie steers the Exeter-based B Corp consultancy Global City Futures as Business Development Coordinator. 

Georgie represents the new way of combining passion and career – her fundamental vision of bringing benefits to society fits with the Global City Futures mission of a sustainable future for all, while she also volunteers as a Counsellor. 

Her strong understanding of the business mission and talent to communicate brought a promotion to Business Development, having been key to establishing GCF from a successful start-up. 

Georgie has a degree in Sociology and with Global City Futures she has trained in Better Business Cases to aid the consultancy team. These qualifications elevate her bid-writing and reinforce her ability to secure high-impact projects across the UK. 

Georgie volunteers as a Counsellor for deprived local communities, making a positive impact at both individual and community levels. Her commitment to the city – with understanding of sustainability and society – Georgie is shaping Exeter tomorrow.

Ruby Newsham, Consultant

Ruby believes in a future that is sustainable and people-centred.

She is a Consultant for Global City Futures where she leads research and engagement projects, most recently with the Royal Devon Trust.

Her first role in the city was with Exeter City Futures, where Ruby brought her analytical focus to Exeter’s 2030 Net Zero Plan to engage local community groups and small businesses to define a roadmap for the city. 

A rising star at Global City Futures, Ruby has completed training in Better Business Cases and was promoted in 2023. With skills in languages, effective communication and high-quality research, she notably won delivering on a Key Worker Accommodation Assessment for multiple hospital and university sites in Exeter. 

Ruby, as do all members of the GCF team, contributes to the values and direction of the growing consultancy. She envisages leading on more projects that deliver societal benefits and a high-quality future for the city and across the UK. 

Find more about all members of the Global City Future team here

The Exeter-based professional consultants Global City Futures are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Exeter Living Awards in the Business Services and Sustainability categories.  

They work with public and private sector clients to help fund, develop and manage a range of sustainably focused projects, such as aiding local authorities to develop net zero infrastructure or hospital trusts to build sustainably. 

Roli Martin, Managing Director of the fast-growing consultancy said ‘We had the best year yet in 2022, and have grown a fantastic team of sector-specialist consultants. Congratulations to all the finalists – we are looking forward to finding out more about some of the great projects going on in Exeter. The team is really pleased to get recognition in these highly competitive awards, and it looks like 2023 is going to be just as busy.’ 

Global City Futures was established in 2017, supporting Exeter’s approach to net zero. Since then they have embraced new expertise to significantly add to their services, successfully procured further funding, worked with more clients and progressed sustainable projects across the UK. 

Roli said: ‘We are most proud of the sheer pace of development in 2022 – being able to say ‘yes’ to our clients due to the dedication and development of our core team, who have been outstanding in their attention to clients’ needs and pursuing the best outcomes. We expect continued growth and success in 2023.’ 

Global City Futures

From Green Book-compliant business case production, end-to-end project management, and expert financial advice Global City Futures has a team with decades of Big-4 experience, offering a full-service consultancy to its clients. 

The Exeter Living Awards 

The Exeter Living Awards are the business highlight of the city. They are the most prestigious, most tightly contested Awards with the greatest number of local companies involved.

 

Global City Futures are delighted that the city of Exeter is currently asking residents to respond to the first draft of a new Local Plan, with goals of being ‘a leading sustainable city’ and  ‘a liveable and connected city’ by 2040. 

Global City Futures, a leading sustainably-focussed consultancy based in the city, contributed to the Net Zero plan for Exeter launched in 2020 and are currently developing the business case for the Exeter Development Fund (EDF).

Elaine Anning, Operations Director said “We have been working closely with the city authorities and institutions who declared a climate emergency in 2019, and have kept it a top priority since. It is really encouraging to see a local plan with sustainability and a net zero goal – please, if you are local, have your say as to how you want to see the city develop. It would be incredible for Global City Futures to see sustainable development in the city that would be a flagship for the UK.”

The Exeter Development Fund is an innovative and sustainable funding solution to provide a possible 12,000 climate-ready, healthy new homes for this fast growing city, with Global City Futures working with public institutions to identify brown-field sites. Potentially these could be congestion-free communities, designed to prioritise walking and cycling, with easy access to shops and leisure, making ‘15 minute communities’. The plan, if successful, includes high-quality green spaces for socialising and relaxation, and it is envisaged that new employment opportunities will be created to support the new homes. 

Exeter residents can respond to the The Exeter Plan – Outline Draft Consultation online, where they will find more information about plans for sustainability, housing, transport, and energy, as well as supporting business growth and innovation. 

Respond to the consultation before 19th December.

More about the Exeter Development Fund