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Ken Smith

Ken Smith

VP Sustainability and Safety, South West Europe, Bureau Veritas

Ken has a long history in corporate sustainable development in the UK and Europe, having begun his career as an environmental scientist. Ken started his sustainability career after completing an Environmental MSc and then his thesis at Unilever where he continued to work on the impact assessment of chemicals. He went on to do an MSc in Environmental Impact and Auditing at Aberystwyth. He later completed an MSc in Organisational Change at Buckingham University (with Anglian Water).

Prior to joining Bureau Veritas, Ken led the sustainability division in Casella that was later acquired by Bureau Veritas. Prior to this Sustainability Manager for Anglian Water Group, where his sustainability strategy, execution and reporting led to Anglian Water winning the prestigious ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards.

Ken has now been with Bureau Veritas since 2008 and has held a wide range of roles in operational delivery, compliance services, advisory services, functional risk and technical support. After having been Bureau Veritas’ UK Chief Executive and Country Chief for eight years, Ken has recently embraced the role of Vice Present for Sustainability and Safety for South and West Europe. Ken’s current role reflects the strategic link between Bureau Veritas’ CSR (corporate social responsibility) strategy and sustainability, both in the way we do business, and in the services that Bureau Veritas offers. He is leading the drive for growth in sustainability services, plus driving CSR, sustainability, and safety strategies in the way we operate.

As a purpose-based leader, Ken focuses on value and cultural change, centred around people and client excellence. This approach of blending performance and integrity with ambition and humility has led to strong business growth doubling the size of UK business. Ken is also an advocate on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), gaining the Gold level Military Covenant with nearly 15% of UK employees from an ex-military background. Ken is also the “CSR Ambassador” for enabling the Bureau Veritas strategy in Europe. Alongside this, Ken is a mentor to Aspire - an organisation that supports people facing homelessness and disadvantage to secure fulfilling employment and safe housing.

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