The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) has today announced the appointment of Janine Cole, Sustainability and Social Impact Director at Great Portland Estates, as the new Chair of the BBP Board. Janine has been a BBP Board member since 2019 and takes up the role of Chair from 6 September. Louise Ellison, who has Chaired the BBP Board since 2013, steps down as she leaves her role as Group Head of Sustainability at Hammerson. 

Janine starts her tenure at a critical time for the industry. With COP26 just around the corner, the BBP’s work will continue to focus on providing industry leadership and practical solutions to accelerate near term action and improve the sustainability of commercial real estate portfolios.  

With the membership growing from 14 to 44 members and the launch of the Managing Agents Partnership during her tenure, Louise has been instrumental in positioning the BBP as a leading organisation for property owners committed to sustainability. Initiatives such as the BBP Climate Commitment, the Real Estate Environmental Benchmark and NABERS UK are spearheading industry transformation. The BBP would like to take this opportunity to thank Louise for her incredible commitment to the organisation since its inception and her personal contribution over the last 8 years as Chair, in making the organisation a force for good in the industry.  

The BBP today also announces the expansion of its Executive team who are responsible for supporting the Board, Membership and Working Groups and managing the day-to-day operations of the organisation. Jonathan Hulbert joins the team as a Senior Sustainability Programme Manager and will be responsible for overseeing the BBP’s extensive programme of work. Jonathan brings with him a wealth of experience in sustainability and real estate, spanning over a decade with Npower where he has been responsible for the energy and sustainability programme across Npower’s real estate portfolio.  

Sarah Ratcliffe, CEO at Better Buildings Partnership said: “Louise has been a driving force behind the BBP for many years and I would like to thank her for the outstanding leadership she has shown and the personal support that she has provided to me as CEO. I could not be more delighted that Janine will be the new Chair of the BBP and to welcome Jonathan to the BBP Executive - the BBP is in fantastic shape to support its members and drive the urgent market transformation needed.” 

Janine Cole, Chair of the Better Buildings Partnership, Sustainability Social Impact Director at Great Portland Estates said: “It is a privilege to be asked by the Board of Directors to take on the role of Chair at a critical time for the industry. The urgent need to address the climate crisis has never been more evident - recent work by the BBP on initiatives such as the Climate Change Commitment and NABERS UK supported by Louise’s collaborative approach and leadership has already delivered transformational change for the industry.  I look forward to continuing that approach working with the BBP Executive, the Board and the wider membership as we collectively respond to the huge challenges of climate change.” 

Louise Ellison, Group Head of Sustainability, Hammerson said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with so many like-minded and talented people in enabling the BBP to flourish and become one of the most important sustainability organisations for our sector.   I am delighted to be handing the Chair on to Janine who I know will provide the leadership required for the BBP to continue developing industry-focused solutions to the great challenges climate change is presenting.”