Helen McIntosh Fellowship Award

In February, London South East Colleges conferred a fellowship on Helen McIntosh, President of the South East London Chamber of Commerce.

Helen has been a long standing supporter and advocate of the college, supporting their role as a Strategic Partner of the Chamber. Helen has always ensured that LSEC is well placed to engage with, shape and influence agendas across SE London.

The fellowship was presented by Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington, after he had opened LSEC’s new University Centre at the Orpington Campus.

known as The Crystal. At the time it opened, it was the first building in the world to reach the highest sustainable award levels, LEED and BREEAM. It was bought by the GLA in 2019 and the City Hall is now situated next to the redeveloped Royal Victoria Dock in Canning Town.

Our host in the first-floor balcony area was Len Duvall OBE, Assembly Member for Greenwich and Lewisham. We were given a tour of the building including the GLA Assembly Room where the 25 AMs regularly meet. London’s Living Room has also relocated and both venues are now on the ground floor.

By Mark Jennkinson Director, Crystal Associates

I’m talking (or writing) about the other Green Day, when on 30 March 2023 the UK Government launched its new energy security strategy entitled ‘Powering Up Britain’. In more than 2,800 pages and over 40 documents, the Government set out its plans to develop the UK’s energy security, and its response to international competition for green investment.

As well announcements on nuclear, Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS), and hydrogen it laid out plans to speed up the deployment of renewables, boost energy saving through the Great British Insulation Scheme, decarbonising transport including through a £350 million investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

So, is ‘Green Day’ going to save us?

It’s fair to say the reaction to the strategy has been mixed. The two Green Day hits mentioned above could sum up some of the commentary!

Climate change has arrived, yet the country is still strikingly unprepared. Not my words but those of the Climate Change Committee, the