Mohammed Saddiq, whose sustainable and innovative ideas have included Bristol’s pioneering poo-powered bus, has been appointed as the independent chairman of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership.
Mohammed, pictured, managing director of GENeco – a Wessex Water subsidiary – has taken on the voluntary role and will chair the partnership’s board from October. 
Bristol Green Capital Partnership, a community interest company (CIC), is playing a key role in ensuring that the work done in the lead up to and during Bristol’s year as European Green Capital in 2015 continues.
Mohammed helped attract global focus to the city last year when GENeco launched the poo-powered bus, which ran on biomethane produced at Bristol sewage treatment works.
The Bio-Bus helped reduce carbon emissions when it was used during Bristol’s European capital year, attracting interest from environmental organisations and the government.
The same gas was also injected into the natural gas network to power more than 3,000 homes and businesses in Avonmouth and Shirehampton.
The outgoing chair of the partnership, UWE professor Jim Longhurst, said: “I am very pleased that Mohammed has accepted the board’s invitation to become Bristol Green Capital Partnership’s first independent chair.
“I join my fellow directors and our executive team in congratulating him. We look forward to Mohammed joining us, an important step forward in our organisation’s development as we work to realise a sustainable city-region for all.”
The board is made up of senior representatives from major city organisations alongside two directors elected from the partnership’s wider membership. This continues a process of the partnership’s development following the appointment of a new chief executive in June.
Mohammed said: “I look forward to helping drive forward the sustainability agenda about which I am passionate. Together, the partnership’s directors, executive team and more than 800 member organisations will make a leading contribution to our vision of a sustainable city with a high-quality of life for all, and to ensure all the good work of Green Capital year ‘doesn’t stop here’.”
He brings strong business experience from more than 20 years working in senior engineering and management positions in the water and waste industry.
He oversaw the formation and has been managing director of GENeco, helping deliver its vision of carbon neutrality and zero waste to landfill by 2020.
Bristol Green Capital Partnership chief executive Ian Townsend said: “I look forward to working closely with Mohammed in his new independent chair role. This is a great time to be joining us, as we work towards our vision through enabling our members, delivering on projects and leading on sustainability debates in the city.
“His business experience will be a great asset to the partnership and help us to build even stronger links with organisations in Bristol and the city region.”
