Future Sustainability Advocate finalists
Alisher Asqarov
Early-career engineer championing sustainability in Uzbekistan’s logistics sector
Alisher Asqarov, a civil engineer at Bureau Veritas, demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainable engineering through his work on the First Dry Port Logistics Hub project. He actively applies BREEAM, EDGE and LEED principles to drive resource efficiency, focusing on energy-optimised building envelopes, water-saving fixtures and waste reduction. Through continuous professional development and knowledge-sharing with colleagues, Asqarov is establishing himself as an emerging sustainability advocate, promoting evidence-based design decisions and inspiring his team to embrace practical environmental improvements in Uzbekistan’s infrastructure development.
Alisher Asqarov
Early-career engineer championing sustainability in Uzbekistan’s logistics sector
Alisher Asqarov, a civil engineer at Bureau Veritas, demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainable engineering through his work on the First Dry Port Logistics Hub project. He actively applies BREEAM, EDGE and LEED principles to drive resource efficiency, focusing on energy-optimised building envelopes, water-saving fixtures and waste reduction. Through continuous professional development and knowledge-sharing with colleagues, Asqarov is establishing himself as an emerging sustainability advocate, promoting evidence-based design decisions and inspiring his team to embrace practical environmental improvements in Uzbekistan’s infrastructure development.
Ayesha Batool
Bridging research and practice to advance sustainable building design
Dr Ayesha Batool is a sustainability consultant and researcher whose work connects environmental design research with professional practice. Based in the UK, she has supported certification of 60 BREEAM projects across healthcare, residential, hospitality, offices, logistics and data centres, most achieving Excellent or higher. Her research in daylight and occupant behaviour informs a human-centred approach to sustainability. She has developed structured certification methodologies, established internal knowledge-sharing forums, and actively mentors emerging professionals while supporting Nottingham's net zero ambitions.
Ghena Zakhour
Championing sustainability through expertise and innovation
Ghena Zakhour, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Rider Levett Bucknall, demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing sustainable construction across diverse UK sectors. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Environmental Sciences and BREEAM Advisory Professional, she has delivered measurable outcomes including achieving BREEAM Excellent with innovation credits on education projects and reducing embodied carbon by 5% through life cycle assessments. Her leadership spans healthcare, social housing, and public sector projects, while mentoring graduates and championing knowledge-sharing across the industry to embed sustainability thinking within organisational culture.
Justin Vermeer
Championing grassroots sustainability in UK construction
Justin Vermeer, Principal Sustainability Manager at RED Construction Group, exemplifies future-focused leadership in sustainable construction. In three years, he has driven RED’s transformation from reactive compliance to proactive excellence, delivering three BREEAM Outstanding certifications with three more in progress. His innovative “bottom-up” approach embeds ESG principles across all projects, while pioneering social value initiatives like Community Wood Recycling partnerships. Through comprehensive continuing professional development programmes and the “RED to Green” strategy, Justin is building collective sustainability intelligence, preparing the next generation to deliver construction aligned with 1.5°C targets and UN sustainable development goals.
Nahla Abdalla
Emerging sustainability leader driving excellence across diverse projects
Nahla Abdalla, a consultant in Arup’s sustainable buildings team, demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainability through her expert delivery of BREEAM and WELL certifications across various project types. Based between London and Birmingham, she has developed innovative internal tools and processes that support colleagues while championing circular economy strategies and occupant wellbeing. Recently achieving Full Chartered membership with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals, Nahla consistently receives outstanding feedback for her technical expertise, collaborative approach, and dedication to mentoring junior team members in sustainable design practices.
Ayesha Batool
Bridging research and practice to advance sustainable building design
Dr Ayesha Batool is a sustainability consultant and researcher whose work connects environmental design research with professional practice. Based in the UK, she has supported certification of 60 BREEAM projects across healthcare, residential, hospitality, offices, logistics and data centres, most achieving Excellent or higher. Her research in daylight and occupant behaviour informs a human-centred approach to sustainability. She has developed structured certification methodologies, established internal knowledge-sharing forums, and actively mentors emerging professionals while supporting Nottingham's net zero ambitions.
Ghena Zakhour
Championing sustainability through expertise and innovation
Ghena Zakhour, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Rider Levett Bucknall, demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing sustainable construction across diverse UK sectors. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Environmental Sciences and BREEAM Advisory Professional, she has delivered measurable outcomes including achieving BREEAM Excellent with innovation credits on education projects and reducing embodied carbon by 5% through life cycle assessments. Her leadership spans healthcare, social housing, and public sector projects, while mentoring graduates and championing knowledge-sharing across the industry to embed sustainability thinking within organisational culture.
Justin Vermeer
Championing grassroots sustainability in UK construction
Justin Vermeer, Principal Sustainability Manager at RED Construction Group, exemplifies future-focused leadership in sustainable construction. In three years, he has driven RED’s transformation from reactive compliance to proactive excellence, delivering three BREEAM Outstanding certifications with three more in progress. His innovative “bottom-up” approach embeds ESG principles across all projects, while pioneering social value initiatives like Community Wood Recycling partnerships. Through comprehensive continuing professional development programmes and the “RED to Green” strategy, Justin is building collective sustainability intelligence, preparing the next generation to deliver construction aligned with 1.5°C targets and UN sustainable development goals.
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Nahla Abdalla
Emerging sustainability leader driving excellence across diverse projects
Nahla Abdalla, a consultant in Arup’s sustainable buildings team, demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainability through her expert delivery of BREEAM and WELL certifications across various project types. Based between London and Birmingham, she has developed innovative internal tools and processes that support colleagues while championing circular economy strategies and occupant wellbeing. Recently achieving Full Chartered membership with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals, Nahla consistently receives outstanding feedback for her technical expertise, collaborative approach, and dedication to mentoring junior team members in sustainable design practices.