Joel Tickner

Associate Professor at University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Director of GC3

Joel Tickner is a leading thinker and strategist on innovation on safe and sustainable chemistry, serving as an advisor to industry and governments.  His research focuses on the development of innovative scientific methods, collaborations, and policies to implement and accelerate the design and application of safer products and manufacturing processes.  His research has led to the establishment and growth of the field of chemical alternatives assessment, the process of comparing alternatives for chemicals of concern. He is the founding Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of Alternatives Assessment, a professional association dedicated to advancing the science, practice, and policy of alternatives assessment and informed substitution.

Tickner also founded and is Executive Director of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a collaborative business to business network that brings together more than 130 companies and other stakeholders along the value chain from major chemical manufacturers to brands and retailers, to accelerate the commercialization of green chemistry innovations.  The GC3 occupies a unique role as a highly credible convener and facilitator of green chemistry commercialization, with access to leading-edge research and practice. It offers a tangible opportunity to influence and scale fundamental industry shifts, achieving significantly greater adoption of green chemistry.  Tickner is professor of environmental health at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, where he also co-directs the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute.

Dr Michael Warhurst

Executive Director of CHEM Trust

Dr Michael Warhurst has been Executive Director of CHEM Trust since July 2014, leading the organisation and working with his team and other NGOs to improve EU chemical policies such as REACH and chemicals in food contact materials. He leads CHEM Trust’s work on Brexit.

Prior to CHEM Trust, he worked on waste & resources at Friends of the Earth, heading up Friends of the Earth Europe’s Resources and Consumption programme for over 5 years. Prior to this he worked on chemicals policy at WWF European Policy Office and Friends of the Earth, working on the initial stages of EU chemicals law REACH. 

He is a PhD Biochemist, with an MSc in Environmental Chemistry and a degree in Biochemistry.

Paul Ellis

Head of Sustainable Chemicals Management at Kingfisher

Pauls current role in Kingfisher, parent company to B&Q and Screwfix in the UK and Castorama and Brico Depot across Europe, is “Head of Sustainable Chemicals Management”, prior to moving into sustainability , he was General Store manager for 15 years and managed some of the largest B&Q stores within the UK. Pauls entry into sustainability was during the development of the WEEE and ROHS regulations in the UK where he honed his skills in lobbying , and REACH,  where he represented retailers views at the ECHA , through the Euro commerce and EDRA (European DIY retailers association) associations.

Within his current role, has launch an industry leading chemicals phase out road map (https://www.edie.net/news/7/Kingfisher-to-phase-out-certain-chemicals-across-supply-chain), with a focus on the phase out of the most hazardous chemicals and introduction of 5 green chemicals by 2025.

Paul is passionate about chemicals , although not a chemist, and see real value in collaboration among all players in the value chain, he is also on the Advisory Board of the GC3 , and encourages all retailers to consider the benefits of developing a stronger position on the most hazardous chemicals with a focus on development of safer alternatives.