Tom Delay CBE

Chair-designate, Tom Delay, is a board member of Severn Trent Plc and Chair of the Corporate Sustainability Committee. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Centre for Climate Finance and Investment at Imperial College London and the Global CO2 Initiative at the University of Michigan.

In 2001, Tom was appointed as the founding Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, a position he held until 2024. He grew the organisation to become a world leader – advising businesses, governments and financial institutions on carbon emissions reduction and the development of low carbon technologies, markets and businesses. He also chaired a renewable energy company and the investment committee of Carbon Trust Investments.

A chartered engineer, Tom worked for Shell for 16 years in general management, commercial and operations roles in Africa and Europe. He then moved into management consultancy with McKinsey and A.T. Kearney. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Southampton and completed an MBA at INSEAD, Fontainebleau.

In 2018, he was awarded a CBE for services to sustainability in business.

“Never has net zero been more important, or more challenging. Company directors have a unique role to play as the board is where the interests of consumers, investors and other stakeholders come together – they must chart a strategic approach that works for all. Company strategy, a reserved matter for boards, should reconcile the here and now with the needs of a sustainable future, for both the company and the environment. It must make business sense of climate change. With philanthropic backing, Chapter Zero is trusted and impartial. It supports company directors, its members, by sharing experience, good and bad, and building skills so that they can lead in the boardroom.”