The Leading Speakers Bureau

The “Green Sheikh”

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi is a member of one of the ruling Royal Families in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. He is known as the “Green Sheikh”, taking the message of sustainability to the world, activating his networks worldwide and inspiring people of all ages, religions and backgrounds. He currently serves as Environmental Advisor to the Ajman Government, and the CEO of Al Ihsan Charity Centre. He is also Chairman of the International Steering Committee for the Global Initiative towards a sustainable Iraq and honourable President of Zayed Environmental Impact Network (ZEIN) at Zayed University UAE.

“I want to impact people not by saying, but by living.”
The Harvard Crimson

[expand title=”In detail”] Educated in chemical and petroleum engineering, with an MA in environmental management, and a PhD in clean production and industrial ecosystems, the Sheikh hopes to radically reform education and respect for the environment in the Middle East. He has activated and co-ordinated the formation of environmentally and socially responsible non-governmental organisations. He has created partnerships between public, private and local communities and has advised and raised awareness among decision makers promoting these issues in the media.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A former chemical engineer turned environmentalist, the Sheikh is striving to do his part to educate and persuade people to moderate their lifestyles. In his presentations he tells audiences that despite the fact that the hurdles are huge, sustainability has got to be implemented and not bounced about like the latest popular buzzword.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A passionate and engaging speaker, the Green Sheikh travels the world delivering compassionate presentations extolling the virtues of holistic living and the importance of environmental awareness.[/expand]
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Senior Director at IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Energy Expert

Wolfgang Knell is an expert in energy market liberalization in Europe and the strategic choices and opportunities. His focus is to develop strategies and transformation processes for his clients in the context of the liberalization of Europe’s gas and power markets. He is the author of two books on environmental issues including energy management and market opportunities. He is International Account Director at Cambridge Energy Research Associates, International Account Director at CERA, Senior Account Director IHS CERA at IHS and Account Director at IHS CERA Consulting.

“A respected voice on oil & energy matters”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr. Knell holds an undergraduate degree from Fachhochschule Mainz, a master’s degree from Southbank University, and an MBA from the University of Bradford. Before joining CERA, Wolfgang Knell was a Senior Manager with Arthur D. Little International, Inc., where he was concerned with utility reorganization, strategic assessments of markets, mergers and acquisitions, applied technology opportunities, and business strategies. Previously he was Director of Strategy and Planning with Lafarge S.A., where he was responsible for industrial business strategies and company development. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Wolfgang Knell offers an intimate knowledge of our current energy sources and offers expert advice about future trends in energy development, consumption and delivery. He is ideally positioned to advise organizations around the world on the future of an increasingly climate conscious world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Wolfgang Knell has an engaging and informative speaking style, bringing to life thought-provoking content about current energy and industry trends.[/expand]
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President of Worldwatch Institute, Sustainable Energy Expert & Author

Christopher Flavin is President of the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based international research organization focused on energy, resource and environmental issues. Worldwatch is recognized around the world for its pathbreaking work on the global connections between economic, social, and environmental trends. Chris has spent his career at Worldwatch where he previously served as Senior Vice President and Vice President for Research.

Christopher has spent more than two decades documenting the vast potential of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency on a planetary scale

[expand title=”In detail”] Christopher Flavin is a cum laude graduate of Williams College, where he studied economics, biology, and environmental studies. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and serves as a board member of the Climate Institute and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in Japan. He is on the advisory boards of the American Council on Renewable Energy, and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. He has participated in several historic international conferences, including the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and the Climate Change Conference in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. He also testifies before national and state legislatures and meets frequently with government and international leaders.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Having anticipated many of the changes now under way in world energy markets, Christopher Flavin is a leading voice on the need to build a low-carbon economy that will meet human needs without undermining the Earth’s ecological support system who speaks frequently to business, university, and policy audiences. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Christopher Flavin’s vast media experience, having appeared regularly on radio and television, including the BBC, CNN, NPR, PBS’s Newshour, and Voice of America is evident and his presentations are as memorable as they are powerful.[/expand]
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Managing Director of IHS CERA’s Global Oil Group

James Burkhard leads the team of IHS CERA experts that analyse and assess upstream and downstream market conditions and changes in the oil and gas industry’s competitive environment. His expertise covers geopolitics, industry dynamics and global oil demand and supply trends. He also leads the IHS CERA Global Energy Scenarios, which combines energy, economic, and security expertise across the IHS Insight businesses into a comprehensive, scenarios-based framework for assessing and projecting global and regional energy market and industry dynamics.

“James is a leading advisor to international energy companies, governments, financial institutions, and technology providers”

[expand title=”In detail”] Previously James led Dawn of a New Age: Global Energy Scenarios for Strategic Decision Making—The Energy Future to 2030 which encompassed the oil, gas, and electricity sectors. He was also the director of the IHS CERA Multiclient Study Potential versus Reality: West African Oil and Gas to 2020. In addition to leading IHS CERA’s oil research, he served on the US National Petroleum Council committee that provided recommendations on US oil and gas policy to the US Secretary of Energy. He led the team that developed demand-oriented recommendations that were published in the 2007 NPC report Facing the Hard Truths About Energy. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]James is a dynamic speaker whose vast knowledge of energy markets and the wide ranging impact that volatility has across the world benefits prestigious events worldwide. He works with companies to assess how market, economic and political risks could change the upstream and downstream competitive environment and explores the business opportunities. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]James’ speaking style coupled with an incisive understanding and enlightened capacity to explain and discuss the world energy scenario has contributed to his reputation. He is keen to provoke intense interaction in his invaluable presentations.[/expand]
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Architect & Sustainable Design Expert

Michael Pawlyn was part of the core team of architects who worked on the design of The Eden Project. In 2006 Michael was appointed to represent Grimshaw as a Founder Member of the UK Green Building Council and in 2007 was elected as a committee member of ‘The Edge’, a think-tank dedicated to addressing important political, social and professional issues.

“Michael is one of the most passionate advocates of sustainable architecture”
Sir Michael Grimshaw

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1999 he was one of five winners in ‘A Car-free London’. In September 2003 he joined an intensive course in nature-inspired design at Schumacher College. He has lectured widely on the subject of sustainable design in the UK and abroad and has delivered a talk at the Royal Society of Arts. He has also delivered a talk at Google’s annual ‘Zeitgeist’ conference and at the Royal Geographical Society’s annual conference ‘Sustainability and Quality of Life’.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Michael offers audiences the benefit of his considerable expertise and shows organisations ways in which they can balance economic growth and help to maintain a healthy environment.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic and engaging speaker, Michael’s presentations are immaculately prepared and filled with far-reaching insights.[/expand]
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Professor of Environment at the ESADE Business School

Francisco Lozano Winterhalder is currently Professor of the Environment at ESADE Business School (Barcelona) and Professor of Environmental Ethics at the Borja Institut of Bioethics (Barcelona). He also belongs to the International Society for Environmental Ethics. He was previously a Member of the Board at the Spanish United Nations Association where his research focused on climate change, economy and ecology and bio-diversity. He was recently appointed professor of the MBA and of the International Course for Executives in environmental issues.

“Prof. Winterhalder’s research encompasses not only the physical changes to the environment caused by climate change but also the social, ethical and cultural changes”

[expand title=”In detail”] Francisco is a biologist and also has a master of arts in Philosophy. He is a member of the UNESCO Club in Barcelona where he acted as Secretary-General for a time. He has also participated in the creation of a macro project within the 2004 Forum of Cultures organised by UNESCO which was held in Barcelona. His ultimate projects are Programmes of cooperation in Africa and Latin America Projects for transferring technologies and knowledge in Asia-Pacific.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Professor Winterhalder talks in great detail about a range of subjects: environment, universe and life and culture, cultures and values. In his main field of work, the environment, he also looks at social, political and economical repercussions of global climate change and in general, of the most important environmental issues.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Preparing his presentations to precisely suit each event, Professor Winterhalder challenges and inspires audiences with his expertly delivered speeches. Each presentation is followed by a lively Q&A session which is both highly stimulating and valuable.[/expand]
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A Recognised Leader on Issues of Clean Tech. & Energy Efficiency

Paul Dickerson is a corporate turn-around expert and international leader on the new wave of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that will power the world in the 21st century. He launched Haynes and Boone’s Clean Tech practice group in 2008 and was recently appointed to the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council and also serves on the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council of Houston.

“A Global Energy Expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] A certified public accountant, Paul Dickerson served as Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) from 2006 until his return to Haynes and Boone (where he worked as an associate from 2000 to 2005). He oversaw the EERE’s $1.8 billion budget and helped move alternative and renewable energy technologies from the “vision” stage to real-world development. He also served as Chief of Staff for the United States and Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Department of Commerce. While at the Commerce Department, Paul was responsible for day-to-day management of the Commercial Service’s worldwide network of 1,700 employees in 260 offices and for directing the implementation of the Commercial Service’s worldwide priorities and policies.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Paul Dickerson is knowledgeable on the pressing needs of the global energy market and regularly speaks about the tangible, real-world solutions that can be implemented now, from increasing efficiency, bio-fuels, solar and wind investments, to connecting venture capitalists with the cutting-edge scientific researchers in the field of sustainable energy. He brings to every speech his experience of implementing the innovative energy solutions that will spearhead this fundamental market transformation.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Having spoken at numerous events worldwide, Paul’s presentations are well-researched and highly informative.[/expand]
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World Renowned Authority on the Environment

Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker is the co-chair of the International Panel on Sustainable Resource Use, founded by UNEP and co-chair of the Task Force on Economic Instruments for Energy Efficiency and the Environment of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). From 2006 – 2008 he was the Dean of the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Previously he was the Director of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy and also a member of the German Parliament and Chairman of the Enquete Commission. In 2008 he was awarded the German Environment Prize.

Winner of the Takeda Award “Techno-Entrepreneurial Achievement for World-Environmental Well-Being”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1981 Dr. von Weizsäcker became Director of the UN Centre for Science and Technology for Development, before becoming Director of the Institute for European Environmental Policy in 1984. He was Chairman of the German Select Committee on Globalization, later becoming Chairman of the Environment Committee. He was also a Member of the World Commission on the Social Dimensions of Globalisation. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dr. von Weizsäcker is ideally qualified to talk not only about the effects of environmental changes but also the opportunities that it is creating for businesses worldwide. He talks in great detail about the social and economic changes the world is currently going through as well as the different ways in which companies are responding and how it is possible to be green and still stay competitive.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A brilliant thinker and communicator, Dr. von Weizsäcker’s presentations are filled with numerous examples from his research and focus on the social and political repercussions of the changing world we live in.[/expand]
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Successful Entrepreneur and One of the First Dot Com Millionaires

Ben was one of the first .com millionaires after developing a search technology called Pulsar. Currently he is MD of The Rainmakers, which is an innovations and corporate venturing company. In 2007 Ben joined Brightstation Ventures a VC fund with $100m to invest, Ben is currently involved in a large number of start-up companies such as GoDine the restaurant booking service, a graduate recruitment company called Brave New Talent and he has just launched Freetricity that takes advantage of the UK governments feed in tariff scheme to provide solar power for free. Ben has advised both the UK and US governments, multinationals and global academic institutions in technology and trends. He also headed up technical and environmental investments and due-diligence for the Rotch Property Group who has over £1 Billion in asset management.

“A pioneering entrepreneur”

[expand title=”In detail”] Ben started his first business in 1995 on his 15th birthday making him at that time the youngest company director in the UK. He won ‘New Business Millennium Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2000 and was reportedly worth £18.3m in the 2001 Sunday Times Rich List. Ben has also appeared on television numerous times, including the much acclaimed Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire. Ben is currently living in the US and involved in a number of US start ups.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ben advises audiences on a wide range of business topics especially the emergence of new technologies. His business insights including his challenges and triumphs will inspire audiences to achieve success in their own companies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A true professional, Ben prepares meticulously for all events and engages audiences with his passion, humour and subject knowledge.[/expand]
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Founding Dean of College of Environmental Science Peking University

C.S. Kiang is the Founding Dean of the College of Environmental Sciences at Peking University. Currently, he is the CEO of Sustainable Development Technologies and Vice Chairman of Global Urban Development. He is a Councilor of the World Future Council, a member of the Advisory Board of the Climate Change Capital, a member of International Council of Asia Society and a member of the Global Agenda Council of Climate Change of the World Economic Forum among other roles.

“Climate change is an unprecedented crisis for humanity”

[expand title=”In detail”] Professor C. S. Kiang received a B.S. in Physics from National Taiwan University and PhD in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He spent more than 30 years in the United States, where he worked at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the School of Geophysical Sciences, Georgia Tech, and other institutions. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Kiang has played a very active role in assisting China in the development of a modern and sustainable economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Prof. Kiang explains to his audiences around the world how his vision is to set up the basic infrastructure for the development of leadership in sustainable development, exploring the world impact of what China can do for the world in the 21st century.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His speaking style coupled with an incisive understanding and enlightened capacity to explain and discuss global issues has contributed to his high popularity and reputation.[/expand]
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