Meet the new team members
Elena Payne and Charlie Penny
Over the past year, we have witnessed an explosion in the number of organisations wanting to do better in terms of sustainability. To better equip us in helping organisations reach these sustainability goals, we are pleased to welcome two new hires
Charlie Penny (pronouns: he/him) holds an MBA from the University of Exeter, focusing on sustainability and the circular economy. Charlie is an entrepreneur at heart, with a range of experiences in starting up and later selling businesses across various sectors. Before joining Oakdene Hollins, he was the director of operations at a virtual reality immersive technology start-up in Exeter. Charlie joins us in the position of head of business development.
Elena Payne (pronouns: she/her) holds a degree in Environment, Economics and Ecology from the University of York. A degree that has become quite useful in many of our circular economy projects. Elena joins us in the position of research consultant.
To get to know our new joiners a bit better, we asked them a few questions:
Why did you decide to pursue a career in sustainability?
Charlie: Having grown up on Dartmoor and being taken across the globe as a child travelling and throughout my life, I have a love for the environment that gives us life. I have decided to transition into CE as it not only covers my passion for the environment but also allows me to use my business and leadership skills in a rapidly expanding planet positive business industry
Elena: After developing an understanding of the breadth and importance of the environment within society through my studies, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the environmental sector. Through my economics A-level, I knew that combining the economic viability of environmental importance was key. I was particularly interested in marine biodiversity loss after reading about the effect of climate change on the ocean during my geography A-level.
What topic in sustainability are you most interested in?
Charlie: Most definitely the Circular Economy! More specifically, around the data metrics of the impacts of CE.
Elena: I'm most interested in learning more about remanufacturing, as this wasn't covered during my degree and is a crucial element to the circular economy.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Charlie: I am Devon, born and bred. So, Exeter Chiefs Rugby, hiking, clay pigeon shooting and Labradors. However, I have fallen in love with mountain biking of late and am often found tearing up (or falling off) on red routes on several MTB trials across the UK.
Elena: I enjoy horse riding, and I'm hoping to join a local riding school nearby. I am also starting kickboxing classes soon!
We wish Charlie and Elena all the best on this new journey with us.