Local man shortlisted for top award

When Iain Cox saw the impact that his own actions were having on the environment it set him on a new trajectory that could land him with a leading award next month.

The 43-year-old (pictured) has been shortlisted for the Sustain Wales Sustainability Champion Award for inspiring real change in his place of work but it all started with an eye opening trip through South East Asia more than 15 years ago.

“I began my career as an apprentice engineer before gaining a degree in Industrial Product Design,” said the former Welshpool High School pupil. “I spent 10 years working in various design and manufacturing companies.

"It was during my early career designing products that rely on a fast turnaround in terms of manufacture and consumption when I began to consider how my actions impact on the environment.

“I travelled to the Far East to find out what happens to these types of products when they are disposed of, and in the Philippines I saw huge waste tips that people were living on and scavenging from. This experience made me to stop and think.”

In 2000 Iain moved to Cardiff to work as a business design advisor.

“Alongside my job I completed a Masters Degree in Environmental Decision Making,” he said. “This led to a role in eco-design, working with high growth businesses on environmental issues relating to products and packaging and ultimately to me setting up in business called Ecostudio in 2008.”

Ecostudio designs capacity building programmes and delivers green and innovative growth strategies that enable commercially sound, environmental and social objectives to be met.

Iain has published several peer-reviewed articles about the practical application of sustainable development in business and supply chains and has developed the Sustainable Business Review – a self-assessment toolkit for food businesses to communicate their sustainable credentials to customers.

His work has led to his inclusion on the shortlist of three and with your vote, he could win the top award at the ceremony being held at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on November 17.

To vote for Iain, visit http://www.cynnalcymru.com/sustainability-champion-2016/.