We offer our welcome and congratulations to the following newly-elected Executive Members, who were elected unopposed. below you can fine their election statements and any designated role:

Ajai Ahluwalia

As a long-serving member of SERA and Labour Party member, I seek your support and vote to be elected to the SERA executive committee.

I have dedicated my professional career and personal time to the progression of renewable energy as a means of preventing the negative effects of climate change.

On the SERA exec, I would continue to share my knowledge and experience with SERA members thus ensuring that the Labour Party continues to push a positive agenda on this.

Jo Blackman

In my first term on the SERA executive, I have been active in shaping debates on the climate and nature crisis, including chairing SERA events on the phase-out of fossil fuels and future of CCS.

I am keen to continue this active role in shaping Labour policies and debates to address the challenges facing our planet, drawing on my experience as Councillor and Cabinet Member for the Environment and as an environmental campaigner and campaign strategist.

Leonie Cooper

Leonie Cooper AM was elected as a London Assembly Member in 2016, re-elected 2021 & 2024. She has served as either Chair or Deputy Chair of London's Environment Committee since then. Leonie has set the Committee's agenda & produced her own reports, ensuring biodiversity net gain and the urban greening factor went into the London Plan 2021.

A longstanding Executive member & previous Chair, Leonie is keen to continue to use her knowledge, expertise & experience for SERA's benefit.

Rachel Eden (Treasurer)

As Treasurer I’ve worked closely with the rest of the Executive, including current and previous co-chairs, to ensure our finances are on a sound footing. I’ve taken on whatever task is needed whether clearing up glasses, chasing invoices or reviewing our financial strategy.

SERA must continue to have a strong voice and develop how we empower our members to influence policy. I’m standing again as I want to see through what needs doing to strengthen our financial systems and effectiveness.

Bill Eyres

I am standing for SERA Exec to campaign together for nature recovery and water quality to be at heart of our Government’s actions and approach. I was previously Chair of SERA during the last Labour Government between 2001-2005 and was at the heart of our efforts campaigning for renewable energy to be at the heart of Labour’s energy policy. A growing membership, a strong relationship with CLPs and high profile campaigns in the party are key.

Phil Fenton

As a former SERA organiser, I know our environment is fundamental to everything we know and love and as a member of the SERA Executive I have championed the Circular Economy and will continue to do so if re-elected. A transition from our existing take-make-waste system that degrades the environment to a circular economy that can bring real green growth should form a key plank of Labour’s plans to tackle the climate and nature crisis.

Christian Fuller (Young Members representative)

I am a committed and passionate environmentalist, raised in Snowdonia, and currently pursuing a master’s in environmental law. I have advocated for marginalised people, and as the generation most impacted by the climate crisis, I will amplify young voices in SERA and increase engagement.

I bring hands-on experience, having co-led my University Labour Society, worked for the Party in 2023, and helped co-ordinate SERA’s 2024 GE campaign. As Youth Representative, I will push for bold, progressive, and actionable policies.

Jessie Jacobs

I’m seeking re-election to SERA’s Executive Committee, where I’ve proudly served for two years, supporting organisational development, member engagement, conference organising and campaigning.

As a former metro mayoral candidate, I’m experienced in advocating for bold, transformative environmental policies. I’m passionate about oceans, low-carbon transport, and engaging communities in climate decision making. I’ll champion the Green New Deal and sustainable policies that put people and planet first, ensuring SERA remains a powerful voice for climate action within the Labour Party.

Rishi Madlani

I am seeking re-election to the SERA Executive as a Councillor who campaigns on climate and environment. I have over 15 years professional experience in Climate & Sustainability as well as supporting academic work and providing insight to the UK Climate Change Committee.

We need to hold our Labour Government to account on Net Zero & biodiversity goals and drive future ambition - bringing our party membership with us on the challenges ahead.

Sandy Martin

Labour in government is taking huge strides to put the UK on a sustainable trajectory. However, political resistance will be significant. SERA can and must provide support to the greenest possible agenda for our government, and channel the aspirations of our members to ensure Ministers appreciate the support they have from the membership for their environmental measures.

We must build our membership and engage better with them, so that SERA can properly fulfil its function as a critical friend.

Ken Penton

I’m a climate campaigner and trade unionist. As SERA Executive Co-Chair I have led on the development of the organisation, our Labour conference programme, and our successful General Election campaign that resulted in 106 SERA members being elected. If re-elected, I will focus on member engagement in policy and campaigning, regionally and nationally, since, as Labour’s environment and climate affiliate, we have a critical role to play in Government policy development and implementation to address the climate and nature emergencies.

Mike Reader MP

With 20 years’ experience working in the construction sector globally, Mike brings real-world expertise to Parliament. A local resident in Northampton, he’s fighting for a greener, fairer and more prosperous Northampton.

Melanie Smallman

Currently SERA’s representative on Labour’s National Policy Forum, Melanie is a longstanding environmental and Labour campaigner, former SERA co-chair, secretary and national organiser. Melanie is committed to getting members’ voices heard in Labour’s policymaking process and to promoting environmental issues within the Labour and Trade Union movements. With Labour in Government, it is vital that SERA keeps the environment at the top of the political agenda and has an even greater impact in the face of the growing climate emergency.

Lisa Trickett

For me, SERA is about securing a just transition and shaping environmental policies that transform the lives and opportunities of all our communities.

As Co-Chair my priority has been to ensure that SERA has the credibility and the capacity to ensure our collective voice is heard. We have more opportunity to shape policy than we have had for some time but the challenge we face is ever growing. I am asking for
your support to help meet that challenge.

Starling Wilkie (representative for Wales)

Born and raised in the Peak District, I have lived in Wales since 1988. I am committed to ensuring that the SERA has a strong voice in Wales and vice versa.

Deputy General Secretary of the Co-operative Party 2008-2021, I led on strategic planning, governance and membership. This also included co-ordinating, expanding and advising the Co-operative Party Senedd Group and drafting policy. I have been a member (& Chair) of the Welsh Labour Executive & currently Chair Cardiff West CLP.

Peter Wood

I believe SERA’s priority should be to develop a platform for Just Transition that brings electoral success. If elected, my contribution would be to build SERA’s campaigning capacity, its local/national structures, and links to unions & CLPs.

Professionally, I am an Open University academic and independent researcher on sustainability. Currently on the SERA Scotland Executive, I am also the three-times elected Co-Chair of the University and College Union’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Committee, and Open University Branch President.

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Please note that the SERA Scotland election is due to take place in May and we will update on the elected representative for Scotland in due course. Matthew Crighton will stay on as the representative for Scotland until the conclusion of this election.

We would like to thank the following retiring Executive members:

Alex Sobel MP

Alice Nott

Rebecca Bell

Kate Chappell

Alan Whitehead