Arup exec appointed chair of Manchester Climate Change Partnership

Mike Wilton, the leader of the engineering consultancy’s Manchester office, has taken over from Creative Concern’s Steve Connor, who has been holding the role on an interim basis.  

Wilton, a civil engineer by trade, has worked for Arup for more than three decades having been appointed as associate director in 1987.  He now heads up the firm’s Manchester office, leading a team of more than 350 staff. 

Wilton will chair Manchester Climate Change Partnership, a group of representatives from organisations across the city that aims to steer Manchester towards carbon neutrality by 2038.

The previous chair was Gavin Elliot, head of BDP’s Manchester studio, who stepped down earlier this year. Connor, who is chief executive of consultancy Creative Concern, has been holding the post in the interim. 

The partnership includes representatives from Manchester City Council, Manchester’s universities, developer and property owner Bruntwood, Manchester City Football Club, Electricity North West, and Manchester Cathedral, along with other cultural, community, and public organisations across the city.  

Manchester Climate Change Partnership works with these partners and the wider community to ensure that the city develops and successfully implements a climate change strategy that is consistent with the Paris Agreement. 

Over the next three years, Manchester needs to reduce its CO2 emissions by at least 15% every year, a goal that will require major changes in the city’s transport, buildings, energy and food systems.

Wilton said: “MCCP has done some great work to identify the significant reductions in carbon emissions required and has started us on the journey to becoming one of the world’s first zero carbon cities. 

“As we emerge from the present pandemic, we need to work together to create a more sustainable and resilient future. By building back better and greener, we can not only improve our climate resilience and create a zero-carbon future, but also help live happier and healthier lives.”   

The low carbon economy and related topics will be debated at Place North West’s Decarbonising the North West event on 4 March 2021.