Cranfield apprentices named among sustainability’s brightest rising stars

Two Cranfield University apprentices have been recognised for their drive, determination and potential to lead the UK towards a more sustainable future. Julia Anukam and Lucie Rowley feature in the prestigious edie 30 Under 30 Class of 2024, an annual list identifying young climate visionaries already making a significant contribution and displaying great potential to change the course of climate action.

For Julia, currently working as Senior Sustainability Manager at leading housebuilder Vistry Group, the announcement of her nomination for the list came as a complete shock. She said: “Working in sustainability, I had heard of the 30 Under 30 list and knew people who had been named on it, but I didn’t think I would ever be nominated – let alone selected – for it. “So, when my manager told me he had nominated me, I was just happy he considered me worthy. I definitely never expected to be selected for the final list, but I am delighted I was. “Since the announcement, lots of people in the company and in my wider network have reached out to congratulate me, which has been lovely.”

Vegan for almost a decade, Julia has always been a conscious consumer, but it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that she thought about aligning her passion for sustainability with her career. After initially gaining a master’s degree in sustainability, she worked as a consultant before coming to Cranfield to develop her practical skills through the Sustainability Business Specialist Apprenticeship.

“I think Covid encouraged a lot of people to think about what they really wanted to be doing with their lives,” she said. “There were a lot of ‘looking in the mirror’ moments, and I think I had mine. I don’t look back; aligning my career to my values is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

“The apprenticeship was great. By allowing me to base assignments on the business I was working with, it really elevated my ability to operate with confidence and with trust that I knew what I was talking about. I very quickly saw progression and by the end of the two-and-a-half years I was looking after a team that I had coached and mentored, and all of it could be trailed back to what the apprenticeship empowered in giving me all the tools, skills, frameworks, know-how and the network to apply sustainability in all of these different scenarios and situations.”

For Julia, working in sustainability is about being part of the solution.

“As much as the situation is dire right now, it is ok to think about, dream of and aim towards a very different scenario, to reimagine existing systems, challenge what has been and try to create the world we want – one that is better for ourselves and for future generations,” she said.

“I believe in people being change agents and being able to actualise the kind of world that we’re looking for. So, I’m optimistic. We’ve just got to keep going, evolve to perfection and remember it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

“I’m a passionate believer in bringing lots of diverse voices into the conversation and demystifying sustainability as a topic, because it can feel very elusive sometimes and yet there is so much that people can contribute, often without realising. I come from a low income background, and a lot of opportunities some of my friends and colleagues had growing up, I didn’t. I always felt like I had a ceiling to what I could do and achieve, and it has taken time and the encouragement of some great coaches and mentors for me to realise my potential to really contribute to this conversation.

“Now I want to do that for other people, because at the end of the day this is about people and their environment. I want to be the leader that creates other leaders, that mobilises people within and outside of a business to see that they can contribute to this and be part of this too, because we all need to join together if we are going to make it happen.”

Dr Rosina Watson, Associate Professor of Sustainability and Co-Director of the Sustainability Business Specialist Apprenticeship, said: “The whole ethos of this apprenticeship is to equip changemakers with the competencies and confidence to lead for positive sustainability impact in their own organisations, and into their wider industry sectors and communities.

“Everyone at Cranfield who has worked with Julia and Lucie is delighted to see their personal impact being recognised by edie 30 Under 30. We are very proud of them both for flying the flag for young, female sustainability leaders and hope the Cranfield course team, as well as their fellow apprentices, have played a part in supporting their success.”

edie’s 30 Under 30 initiative aims to shine a spotlight on talented sustainability and net zero professionals – aged under 30 – who are delivering on efforts to build a better future and showing great promise.

Each year, 30 rising sustainability stars are selected by a panel of independent judges and offered an unrivalled opportunity to connect with one another, gain valuable industry recognition, develop their skills and knowledge, and use their collective expertise and influence to disrupt the status quo and accelerate corporate climate action.

Commenting on this year’s list, judging panel member Andrew Griffiths said: “These young leaders represent the hope that emerging generations bring to climate action and sustainability through their tireless efforts to make a meaningful positive impact on the world in all sorts of ways. “I thoroughly recommend that others take the time to connect with, support and be inspired by these remarkable individuals.”