Green Gown Awards 2021: Sustainability Champion – Staff - UWE , Helen Baker - Finalist

Helen Baker

I lead the University’s procurement team and am a long-standing member of UWE Bristol’s Sustainability Board. I have found a number of ways to extend the reach and influence of procurement within UWE and the wider sector’s approach to sustainability.

As an active member of the National Responsible Procurement Group (NRPG) I have been instrumental in raising a number of key areas: Promotion of a UWE student’s Palm Oil campaign, facilitating presentations at national HE level; Gaining support for the NRPG to adopt the “UK plastics pact.“; Facilitating the updating of the National Coding Structure to add a “packaging” sustainability risk; Facilitating the National Supplier Code of Conduct to include reference to the UN SDGs, supplier behaviour on-site and facilitated a rewording of the carbon commitment clause to bring harmony between institutions and purchasing consortia.

Locally, I have promoted student opportunities to local business such as the UWE Students Carbon Guide for SMEs.

Top 3 learnings:

1. If, at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again.
2. Keep communication channels open - up, down and across the sector.
3. Look for opportunities to promote student activity.