SSN logo social_instagram social-facebook social-twitter location calendar plus minus internet clock carrotdown

Secretariat team

The SSN team is part of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, based at the University of Edinburgh. The team manages network services and the delivery of the annual work programme.

Meet the SSN Secretariat team:

Image of George Tarvit

George Tarvit

Director

George joined ECCI in May 2018 to lead our work on the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN). Before joining ECCI George managed the SSN and a range of sustainability and climate change initiatives at Keep Scotland Beautiful. He has experience of climate change policy, carbon accounting, public sector climate change reporting, managing events and communications, and working with a wide range of organisations to support public sector action on climate change and sustainable development. Prior to leading SSN George worked for Oxfam as Trade Campaign Manager, before taking up post as Oxfam Scotland’s Parliamentary Liaison Officer. George has a degree in Community Studies.

June Graham

Programme Manager

June joined ECCI in May 2018 as part of the Sustainable Scotland Network team. Her role includes supporting members to take action on emissions reduction and sustainability. She manages the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties annual compliance reporting programme which covers over 180 organisations, including local authorities, NHS boards, universities and colleges and a broad range of national and regional public bodies. Previous roles include coordinating trans-European partnership projects on urban sustainability research and practice, managing UK and Scottish environmental research programmes and developing water environment regulatory frameworks. June has worked for Sniffer, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment Agency, Wales. She has Masters in oceanography and in environmental resources.

Image of Sarah Bryant

Sarah Bryant

Research and Engagement Officer

Sarah joined ECCI in January 2023 through her role as Climate Change Officer with Sustainable Scotland Network. Since July 2023, Sarah has taken up her new role as Research and Engagement Officer, which sees her working jointly across three different organisations: Sustainable Scotland Network, Climate Partnerships and the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN). Sarah's work mainly focusses on designing, delivering and analysing a series of Statutory Guidance stakeholder engagement workshops on behalf of the Scottish Government as well as conducting research into models for effective place-based climate governance in Edinburgh. Sarah holds a BSc in International Development and Food Policy from University College Cork, Ireland's leading University for sustainability as well as a MSc in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh. Sarah is a member of the Statutory Guidance Advisory Group and formerly represented Ireland at the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth.

Image of Ruth McAlister

Ruth McAlister

Research Intern

Ruth joined SSN in October 2023 as part of a research internship through the Bright Green Business Environmental Placement Programme. Ruth’s work mainly focuses on developing public sector sustainability case studies. She has a BSc in Ecology and Environmental Science from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Ecology and Conservation from the University of Aberdeen. She has previously worked as a field ecologist and wildlife research assistant.

Image of Becky Ferguson

Becky Ferguson

Programme Administrator

Becky joined the team in October 2023 to assist with SSN membership, reporting activities and financial administration. Becky holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Sciences from the University of Stirling and previously supported delivery of the SSN workplan with a specific focus on climate change reporting from 2015-2017. Prior to that role she worked within the Climate Challenge Fund team at Keep Scotland Beautiful for a number of years providing advice, support and training to colleagues and community organisations in relation to project development, measurement of carbon reduction and impacts, grant application assessment amongst other things. She currently works part time, also being employed as a Farm Secretary for rural farm businesses in the South Of Scotland.

Image of Lucy Crockert

Lucy Crockert

Communications Officer

Lucy joined SSN in September 2018. Her role supports programme delivery, including delivering SSN communications, supporting member events and budget management. Lucy has experience of working within the sustainability sector and is skilled in project management, communications, marketing and events. Prior to joining the SSN team, Lucy worked as Programme Manager at Bright Green Business where she managed the Bright Green Business Network and Environmental Placement Programme. Lucy has a degree in Business Management from Queen Margaret University. Lucy is also a Trustee of climate charity, 2050 Climate Group.