Meet the Team

Clare Wharmby

Programme Co-Director

All about increasing the pace and scale of climate action.

I’m passionate about using evidence for decision-making that delivers a sustainable and just net zero Scotland. After 20 years working on public sector climate change, I’m really excited to lead the delivery of the SCIS.

Judi Kilgallon

Programme Co-Director

Bringing people together.

Having worked across the public sector delivering new projects and driving change, I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration. Effective climate action needs to be embedded across local authorities, and shaping work with partners and communities.

Alex Rathmell

Capacity Building Manager

Bringing my experience to power local climate action across Scotland.

I’ve been working in climate and sustainable energy for many years in both the public and private sectors.  Local authorities have a unique role to play in the net zero transition, and I believe we need to act now to empower them with the capacity and resources they need.  The SCIS is leading this drive in Scotland, and I’m excited to be adding my own knowledge and experience to this fantastic team.

Annika Schwochow

Local Lead

Facilitating engagement and collaboration to achieve area-wide emissions reduction.

To achieve our national climate change targets, we need to understand and listen to the needs and ambitions of local authorities, facilitate collaboration, and ensure climate action is data-driven and transparent. I aim to empower local authorities to engage with available data and technology through capacity building and collaboration.

Hannah Oliver

Local Lead

Making space for people to enable positive climate action.

SCIS is a fantastic demonstration of the power of a collaborative approach to tackling climate change. I am here to support local authority officers on their journeys to reducing area-wide emissions and enabling positive change within their local area, because people are at the heart of effective local climate action.

Joanna Keel

Local Lead

Supporting local authorities to make evidence-based decisions around climate change.

Local authorities are uniquely placed to drive positive action on climate change within their local areas and communities. I aim to support and champion local authorities in reducing their area-wide emissions, while making sure that council officer voices are heard and appreciated.

Michael Seaword

Local Lead

The climate emergency is also an opportunity to create better.

My goal is to support local authorities to turn ambition into impactful action in reducing area-wide emissions.

Morgan Watkins

Local Lead

Empowering local authorities through meaningful collaboration

I'm passionate about fostering local-led thought leadership and believe that our differences are our greatest strengths. I aim to encourage meaningful collaboration that drives impactful climate action by creating spaces where every voice is valued.

John Rembowski

Project Officer

Recognising the need for clarity in action in the face of crisis.

The SCIS gives Scotland a unique opportunity to implement and accelerate place-based, data-driven, collaborative climate policy interventions at the local level. My aim is to support the SCIS team and our local authority partners to seize this opportunity and drive just and equitable transitions across the country.

Alreem Alshimmari

Data Manager

Collaboration is my guide, driving action far and wide.

Collaborating with both local authorities and our partners to drive action for all of Scotland is my ambition. I’m excited to support SCIS in the management of all the needed data and training to deliver the service, with the addition of an innovative flair to how we tackle climate challenges.

Kira Myers

Data Insights Lead

I’m passionate about using data for storytelling.

With data we can visualise and communicate shared problems and solutions ultimately driving data-informed decision making. From my experience helping local authorities and multi-stakeholder organisations to use data in strategically thinking about climate change action, I’ve seen how bringing data together can help bring people together.

Aileen Whitehead

Data Officer

I am delighted to join the SCIS team where I can use my knowledge of carbon management to support local authorities. The data collected will enable us to build a comprehensive picture of emissions and the climate actions needed to address them.

Harrison Clark

Data Officer

Applying a quantitative approach to social and policy challenges.

Tackling climate change requires global and interdisciplinary collaboration, and data science provides a common language to set goals, track progress, and explore new avenues for protecting the planet. My work has largely focused on leveraging data to guide climate-smart policies and behavioural decisions, especially around infrastructure improvements: I am excited to apply those skills to SCIS.

Killian Bohan

Data Officer

Understanding our emissions through data, driving decarbonisation through collaboration.

I am thrilled to be part of the SCIS team in tackling this pivotal challenge of helping local authorities understand their emissions and driving climate action. With my experience as a carbon management consultant, I hope to bring expertise in translating complex data and identifying opportunities in our path to net zero.

Maja Pitcairn

Data Officer

Delivering evidence-based climate solutions at pace and scale across Scotland.

I believe the provision of high-quality, accessible data to local authorities and their partners can empower decision makers to drive impactful climate action in their areas. I am passionate about enabling net zero interventions that bring a wealth of socio-economic, adaptation, food security and biodiversity-related co-benefits to Scottish landscapes and communities.