Emma Burlow
Leading UK specialist on circular economy in business. Founder Lighthouse Sustainability. Former Director and Head of Circular Economy for Resource Futures (B Corp). Over two decades’ experience supporting businesses in resource efficiency, sustainability and circular business models.
Emma has more than 20 years of experience directly supporting businesses in resource efficiency and circular business models. She has a unique approach to translating complex sustainability principles into commercially viable propositions. Emma has broad, current and practical experience having supported hundreds of businesses, founded and managed two small consultancies, supporting clients such as Sky Mobile, Argos, Panasonic, DHL, Oxfam, Beko, Waitrose, and Central England Co-operative alongside circular pioneers such as NaturalMat; Po-Zu and Globechain.
Emma has a warm and approachable style in her work, always focusing on the practical application of circular economy theory and policy. She regularly works with start-ups, innovators and enablers such as Innovate UK, Zero Waste Scotland and WRAP in the UK to identify, support and scale up circular innovation.
Last year, Emma advised two municipalities in India through the Foreign Commonwealth Office on circular economy models and in March 2021, she will be a keynote speaker at the World Conference on Waste Management in Sri Lanka.
Emma’s experience and wide network gives her the confidence that with a shift in mindset and the rapid sharing of learning, we have every opportunity to transition to a more circular economy for the benefit of both business and society. She is passionate about finding that sweet spot between commercial benefit for business and social and environmental gain.
In February 2020, she launched her #CE100 series, which will showcase 100 mainstream examples of circular business models or services, in 2021 this will be a global list working towards 365 examples. She is a mentor for global networks Circular Economy Club and Sustainability Mentors and regularly presents and facilitates circular focused events and workshops.
Emma has a first-class Environmental Science degree from the University of Southampton and is a member of this University’s External Advisory Board for Geography and Environmental Sciences. She is Director of SevernNet – a circular economy-led business network in the Bristol Port and surrounding industrial area.