SIR RICHARD BRANSON | Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group

Sir Richard Branson is a successful international entrepreneur and is Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group. Virgin is one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands and has expanded into everything from air and ground travel to telecommunications, health, space travel and renewable energy through more than 200 companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000people in 29 countries. He invests in alternative fuel research and energy efficiencies.

JIGAR SHAH | CEO Carbon War Room

A renowned visionary committed to renewable energy, Jigar Shah launched SunEdison in 2003 based upon a business plan he developed in 1999 for a university class. That plan became the basis of the SunEdison business model: Simplify solar as a service. This model changed the status quo, allowing organizations to purchase solar energy services under long-term predictably priced contracts and avoid the significant capital costs of ownership and operation of solar energy systems. Under Shah’s guidance, SunEdison pioneered the solar power services agreement (SPSA) model, which has turned solar services into a multi-billion dollar industry. SunEdison now has more solar energy systems and megawatts under management than any other company.

PETER BOYD | COO Carbon War Room

Peter Boyd brings to the Carbon War Room over 15 years of experience in strategy, marketing, operations, and business development.

Peter serves as COO, joining the War Room as Director of Operations for the Carbon War Room (CWR) in February 2009, following over ten years in the Virgin Group. Peter was integral in starting CWR, he served as the Launch Project Director, when the initial concept was first instigated in Necker Island in 2008.

JANINE CAHILL | CEO Future Journeys

An expert in innovation, foresight, strategy and organisational change, Janine assists organisations to develop larger scope for business opportunity, creating a collaborative environment where people think differently, explode with capability and generate concepts and ideas to profit their organisation.   Generate new business models, new products and services and new profitable growth paths resulting in long term sustainable growth.

Allan’s role at the City is to deliver its Green Infrastructure Plan and major energy and climate change projects, including trigeneration, renewable energy, alternative waste treatment, automated waste collection and decentralised water. Since his appointment 2 years ago the City has reduced greenhouse gas emissions in its own buildings and operations by 17% and is well on the way to reducing its emissions by 70% by 2013/14 as well as setting in place the green infrastructure for its Local Government Area.

CHARLIE FINNIE | Managing Partner, Greener Capital
Charlie Finnie is the Managing Partner of Greener Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in clean technology solutions. Greener Capital’s current portfolio includes investments in solar, clean transportation, next-generation biofuels, carbon sequestration, waste-heat-to-energy, utility-scale energy storage, and green building construction. Prior to founding Greener Capital, he was a General Partner at Crosslink Capital, a venture capital firm. Before that he was a Research Analyst at technology-focused investment banks Volpe Welty & Co. and Alex. Brown & Sons. In 1985 he worked as an analyst at the Solar Energy Industry Association in Washington D.C., but later realized he was twenty years too early. He also serves on the board of Sungevity the fastest growing solar installer in California.

Creating Climate Wealth Australia is presented by: