The SMS team is about its rich fabric of collaborating supporters and partners, our shared goal to learn from each other and build together.
The people who keep the SMS wheels in motion represent a variety of skills and experience. The team has been deliberately constructed to facilitate a dynamic and diverse range of expertise.
Name: Natalie Bayliss
Role: Founding Director
Experience: managing large sustainability-focused collaborations, eco-engagement with schools and launching new organisations
Loves: chicken keeping, long walks, yoga and swimming
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Rachel Warren
Role: Director of School Sustainability
Experience: marketing in private and not-for-profit sectors, career and leadership coaching
Loves: wild swimming (the cold and silence), allotment growing and muddy hands, time with her perfectly imperfect family
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Andrew Forbes
Role: Non-executive Director – education
Experience: UK education & education setting leadership
Loves: outdoors, gardening, long walks, running, paddle boarding and family life in the countryside
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Dahlia Verjee Laval
Role: Board Advisor – sustainability and leadership
Experience: leadership development with a focus on DEI, ESG investment analysis and business sustainability management
Loves: landscape & wildlife photography, wine and weightlifting
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Jo Oldham
Role: Non-executive Director – human resources
Experience: building and motivating exceptional teams, organisation design and recruiting
Loves: nature, singing and sea swimming
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Naheel Suterwalla
Role: Non-executive Director – chair
Experience: fundraising and project management in both NGO & charity sectors
Loves: cooking with her sons, pilates and playing tennis
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Leon Palmer
Role: Sustainability Manager
Experience: developing sustainability and green skills in colleges, energy efficiency advice and ESOL teaching
Loves: cycling, football, coastal walks, cooking and playing gigs
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Name: Michelle George
Role: Sustainability Manager
Experience: teaching (in the classroom and the great outdoors) and sustainability project management
Loves: crafting, singing, outdoors, socialising and music
Learn more: LinkedIn profile
Sustainability Managers for Schools (SMS) 