An executive director of purpose, sustainability & stakeholder at The Crown Estate, Judith brings decades of experience to the role and will lead the trustees in helping the UKGBC meet its governance, legal and financial obligations and achieving its mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment.

Judith, who has been a UKGBC trustee since 2019 and recently served as deputy, is responsible for ensuring The Crown Estate meets its sustainability commitments with a particular focus around net zero, nature recovery and biodiversity. Prior to this, she held positions at Shell and AstraZeneca.

Judith succeeds Sunand Prasad, who has been a trustee since 2017 and became chair in 2020. Sunand, principal at Perkins&Will and a former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, will remain on the UKGBC board.

The meeting also saw Estelle Bailey, chief executive of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxon Wildlife Trust, returned to the board, while Sam Ewuosho, director at The Next Lighthouse and Clifford Ellis, associate at BGO were appointed as ‘exceptional new members’.

Chris Oglesby, Derek Wilson and James Pearce left their positions on the board, with trustees thanking them for their service.

Smith Mordak, chief executive officer at the UKGBC, said: “Sunand has been incredibly supportive since I joined UKGBC a year ago, lending sage advice and intellectual stimulation at every turn. I’m so glad that he’s agreed to stay on as a trustee as we transition to our next strategy period. I’m thrilled that Judith is taking up the chair baton.

“I’m extremely grateful for Judith’s calm wise words and her empathetic strategic mind. Judith’s leadership will ensure we go forward into this critical period with ambition and integrity.”

Judith Everett said: “The UK Green Building Council is a hugely important organisation, committed to the future of our built environment and ensuring that it plays a central role in a regenerative economy. I am very much looking forward to working with Smith and the team to continue their great work in showing how the UK real estate sector can make a significant contribution to economic, social and environmental impact in a decarbonised future.”

Sunand Prasad added: “It has been a huge privilege, and a lot of fun, to serve as chair of the trustees board of UKGBC these last four years. We have a very talented, hardworking and creative team, passionately committed to collective action in response to the climate emergency and environmental breakdown.

“We have vastly experienced, wise and engaged trustees, and over 700 members who contribute so much. Together, in its 17 years, they have made the UKGBC a significant resource and pathfinder for the built environment sector, to government and all interested in making the difficult but exciting transition to a regenerative future. Judith Everett has had a strong part in steering the organisation over recent years.

“The other trustees and I enthusiastically endorsed her appointment as the incoming chair and I very much look forward to supporting her and the UKGBC in the times to come.”