About
I'm Robert Park, an independent environmental, carbon and public affairs consultant based in Larne, Northern Ireland.
I’ve worked as a sustainability and carbon consultant since 2018 and in communications and public relations for much longer, with in-house communications roles going back to 2004. Today I focus on helping small and mid-sized Northern Ireland manufacturers deal with carbon rules that come from both sides of the Irish Sea.
Background
My training is in science. I studied Chemistry at Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London, then carried out doctoral research in materials chemistry at Queen Mary, working on biominerals. That work led to published research papers, and it still shapes how I approach environmental questions — from contaminated land to greenhouse gases.
Alongside the science, my career has covered communications and parliamentary work at the General Social Care Council, sales management at Vodafone, and leadership roles including Chief Executive of Birkbeck Students’ Union.
Much of that experience has been in and around the public sector: a national regulator, a students’ union with its own governance and accountability, and parliamentary work. Today I work with district councils, public bodies and trade associations as well as businesses. More on public sector work.
Qualifications and memberships
- BSc Chemistry — Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London
- Sustainability Leadership — University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
- Internal audit qualifications — Institute of Internal Auditors
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
My approach
I’m sceptical of ESG as it’s often sold. The value isn’t in a glossy report — it’s in the process. Building a carbon inventory forces conversations across your value chain that rarely happen otherwise, and produces management information your board can use to make better decisions.
Get in touch if that sounds like the kind of help you need.