Press release: The CEO of Ashden has announced she will be leaving the climate solutions charity early next year

Harriet Lamb to step down

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Posted By:

Robin Clegg

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Having been in charge for nearly four years, Harriet Lamb will be taking up the position of CEO at WRAP, a climate action NGO. The search for a replacement will be led by Prospectus, a specialist recruitment agency for the charity sector 

Under Harriet’s leadership, Ashden has campaigned for the rapid acceleration of green jobs and skills in the UK and low-income countries  as well as pushing for funding to kickstart a retrofit revolution in UK homes. She has also spearheaded the ambitious coalition campaign Let’s Go Zero!, supporting UK schools committed to becoming zero-carbon by 2030. 

Since 2001, the organisation’s centrepiece Ashden Awards have showcased innovators with grassroots solutions, in the UK and internationally, to improve lives and livelihoods whilst also helping tackle the climate crisis. Harriet has proved to be key in raising their profile internationally and pushing for new Awards such as for energy access for refugees and nature-based solutions as part of a just transition to a low-carbon future 

Her determination to establish a new coalition of African voices calling for adaptation funding to improve energy access led to the creation of the Power Up campaign whilst her behind the scenes advocacy work has sought to  influence UK government policy, giving a voice to disenfranchised and minority groups.  

Harriet Lamb in discussion with Brian Eno at the 2022 Ashden Awards, London. Credit Andy Aitchison/Ashden
Brian Eno in discussion with Ashden CEO Harriet Lamb at the 2022 Ashden Awards ceremony in London. Credit: Andy Aitchison/Ashden

Harriet Lamb said: “I am proud to leave the organisation in cracking form with a dedicated team full of energy and commitment to tackle the climate crisis.”  

Sarah Butler-Sloss, Ashden founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, added: “Harriet has been a passionate and tireless advocate for climate solutions that can create a more just and fair world, represented in the inspiring climate champions the Ashden Awards showcases every year and the programmes and campaigns it runs to amplify and scale their impact.  The Ashden family thank her for her great contribution and wish her very well in the future.” 

A lifelong campaigner for social and environmental justice, Harriet was CEO at peacebuilding organisation International Alert and before that spent 15 years leading Fairtrade in the UK and globally, for which she was appointed a CBE in 2006.  

For further information on the Ashden CEO role please contact: Linda Griffiths, director, Executive Search at Prospectus. 

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