3Ci Core Team
Steve Turner
Director, 3Ci
Steve is 3Ci’s Director, based in London and Manchester Steve has overall responsibility for the implementation of 3Ci’s strategy and operations working closely with its Advisory Board and Steering Group along with leaders from cities, industry, finance, and government. He has led 3Ci’s work since its inception in 2021, identifying strategic priorities, initiatives, and partnerships. […]
Steve is 3Ci’s Director, based in London and Manchester
Steve has overall responsibility for the implementation of 3Ci’s strategy and operations working closely with its Advisory Board and Steering Group along with leaders from cities, industry, finance, and government. He has led 3Ci’s work since its inception in 2021, identifying strategic priorities, initiatives, and partnerships. As a recognised leader in innovation and sustainability he has over 25 years of experience working in both the public and private sector.
Previously, he was Digital Cities Leader for Arup where he delivered sustainability focussed technology strategies for some of the largest developments in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, representing £billions of investments. He has held several senior positions across local government, primarily in London and Manchester. As Head of Low Carbon Economy in Greater Manchester he established the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area and a joint venture alongside the Green Investment Bank. He also established the city’s widely admired sustainability innovation programmes, Triangulum and CityVerve.
Zoe Jennings
Head of Programmes, 3Ci
Zoe is 3Ci’s Head of Programmes, based In London. Zoe has over 25 years of experience working and leading strategic energy and climate change programmes, in both the public and private sectors. As Head of Programmes at the Connected Places Catapult, she Is responsible for 3Ci’s pioneering programmes Including the National Net Zero Project Pipeline, […]
Zoe is 3Ci’s Head of Programmes, based In London.
Zoe has over 25 years of experience working and leading strategic energy and climate change programmes, in both the public and private sectors.
As Head of Programmes at the Connected Places Catapult, she Is responsible for 3Ci’s pioneering programmes Including the National Net Zero Project Pipeline, the Investible Cities Technical Assistance Facility, Regional Investment Net Zero Forums, and Innovative Models Programme delivering knowledge transfer between local authorities and Investors. She works at the interface between local government and business, seeking to leverage the combined scale of cities to mobilise finance and drive investment into low and net zero carbon projects across UK’s cities.
Previously Zoe worked in local and London government for 15 years, including the GLA (Greater London Authority) and the London Development Agency on climate mitigation and energy, air quality and waste programmes. She led the Mayor’s London Hydrogen Partnership and launched the first national RE:FIT framework, enabling retrofitting of public sector buildings at scale. Before joining the Connected Places Catapult, Zoe led the SETsquared Partnership Scale-Up Programme at the University of Surrey, supporting ambitious businesses to grow through engagement with research and academia, large corporates, investors, and Government.
Sue Newman
Senior Marcomms Manager, 3Ci
Sue is 3Ci’s Senior Marcomms Manager, based in London Sue is an entrepreneurial leader specialising in marketing, communication, and event management. She seamlessly merges her extensive experience to drive impactful marketing strategies and creative event execution, leveraging her expertise to shape and amplify brand narratives for a lasting impact in the world of marketing and communications. Beyond her corporate role, […]
Sue is 3Ci’s Senior Marcomms Manager, based in London
Sue is an entrepreneurial leader specialising in marketing, communication, and event management. She seamlessly merges her extensive experience to drive impactful marketing strategies and creative event execution, leveraging her expertise to shape and amplify brand narratives for a lasting impact in the world of marketing and communications.
Beyond her corporate role, Sue is a seasoned freelance photographer, specializing in event coverage and corporate photography. Her journey includes successfully founding and managing multiple small businesses, showcasing her ability to secure sponsorships and deliver profitable results.
Paulius Mackela
Cities Climate Investment Manager, 3Ci
Paulius is 3Ci’s Cities Climate Investment Manager, Based in London and Oxford. Paulius leads the development of 3Ci’s National Net Zero Project Pipeline – a comprehensive registry of locally and regionally led bankable projects designed to deliver Net Zero outcomes. In this role, he works with UK authorities to help them identify project opportunities and […]
Paulius is 3Ci’s Cities Climate Investment Manager, Based in London and Oxford.
Paulius leads the development of 3Ci’s National Net Zero Project Pipeline – a comprehensive registry of locally and regionally led bankable projects designed to deliver Net Zero outcomes. In this role, he works with UK authorities to help them identify project opportunities and oversees the collation and analysis of data and its dissemination.
He also plays a vital role in supporting the broader initiatives of 3Ci. This includes spearheading the creation of custom place-based investment models and actively supporting the implementation of an innovative Net Zero Neighbourhood financing model. Paulius has extensive experience in city government and private investment sectors, his work advocates for a holistic, place-centric, blended finance approach to facilitate the transition to a Net Zero future.
Mariana Berganton
Strategic Programmes Manager, 3Ci
Mariana is 3Ci’s Strategic Programmes Manager, based in London. Mariana works in the Programmes Team and leads the delivery of a number of projects. She co-ordinates the 3Ci Net Zero Investment Taskforce chaired by Catherine McGuinness CBE, working closely with institutional investors to shape 3Ci’s business case and the Net Zero Neighbourhood model. Mariana is […]
Mariana is 3Ci’s Strategic Programmes Manager, based in London.
Mariana works in the Programmes Team and leads the delivery of a number of projects. She co-ordinates the 3Ci Net Zero Investment Taskforce chaired by Catherine McGuinness CBE, working closely with institutional investors to shape 3Ci’s business case and the Net Zero Neighbourhood model. Mariana is also supporting the development of 3Ci’s Investible Cities Technical Assistance Facility and has helped organise several Regional Investment Net Zero Forums.
Mariana is a multilingual professional fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French. Her expertise lies in the dynamic intersection of climate policy and action, where she collaborates with an extensive network of stakeholders, spanning local, national, and international realms, as well as the private sector, institutional investors, and philanthropic organizations.
Grant Aaron
Strategic Programmes Manager, 3Ci
Grant is 3Ci’s Strategic Programmes Manager, based in London. Grant works in the Programmes Team where he is focused on furthering the development of the Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme, and collaborating with local authorities to help them better understand and utilise innovative financial models for city-led climate programmes. In addition, he also leads 3Ci’s best […]
Grant is 3Ci’s Strategic Programmes Manager, based in London.
Grant works in the Programmes Team where he is focused on furthering the development of the Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme, and collaborating with local authorities to help them better understand and utilise innovative financial models for city-led climate programmes. In addition, he also leads 3Ci’s best practice programme to drive knowledge transfer between local authorities and Investors.
Grant has worked at the Connected Places Catapult for the last 3 years, where he worked on multi-national climate programmes, galvanising trade into innovation, and supporting the Connected Places Catapult’s global strategic partnerships.
Ian Binns
Commercial Memberships Manager, 3Ci
Ian is 3Ci’s Commercial Memberships Manager, based in London. Ian plays a pivotal role in fostering enduring partnerships within the private sector. His work revolves around ensuring the active engagement of private entities in support of 3Ci’s vision. This includes the cultivation and sustenance of connections with both prospective and established partners, who aspire to […]
Ian is 3Ci’s Commercial Memberships Manager, based in London.
Ian plays a pivotal role in fostering enduring partnerships within the private sector. His work revolves around ensuring the active engagement of private entities in support of 3Ci’s vision. This includes the cultivation and sustenance of connections with both prospective and established partners, who aspire to become private sector members of 3Ci, enabling them to gain access to a comprehensive suite of initiatives and activities designed to drive impactful change.
Ian’s professional journey has been marked by several prominent roles across diverse domains such as membership, sustainability, and professional services. His skillset encompasses a wide spectrum of competencies, including the formulation of strategic frameworks, business development, meticulous account management, event orchestration, strategic marketing, policy advocacy, public affairs management, and dynamic team leadership. He brings to the table a distinctive passion for sectors spanning Financial Services, the Built Environment, Technology, and Environmental sustainability.
Helena Downey
Governance and Secretariat Support Officer, 3Ci
Helena is a Governance & Secretariat Support Officer at 3Ci, based in London. She has over 15 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant at a range of Financial Institutions including HSBC, BNP Paribas, and KPMG. Helena also has a degree in French with Management from King’s College London and has lived and studied in Paris.
Helena is a Governance & Secretariat Support Officer at 3Ci, based in London.
She has over 15 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant at a range of Financial Institutions including HSBC, BNP Paribas, and KPMG.
Helena also has a degree in French with Management from King’s College London and has lived and studied in Paris.
Chris Murray
Senior Advisor to 3Ci,
Chris is a senior advisor to 3Ci, based In Manchester. Chris spearheads strategic engagement efforts. He leads the current work on the Net Zero Investment Task Force as well as strategic engagement with local authorities on the Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme. In addition, he provides leadership and support regarding engagement with central and local government […]
Chris is a senior advisor to 3Ci, based In Manchester.
Chris spearheads strategic engagement efforts. He leads the current work on the Net Zero Investment Task Force as well as strategic engagement with local authorities on the Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme. In addition, he provides leadership and support regarding engagement with central and local government to support 3Ci’s objectives.
He has an extensive background spanning over two decades and has been a prominent figure in shaping urban policies in the UK and collaborating with cities worldwide. Before his role at 3Ci, he was Director at Core Cities UK, a cooperative initiative involving major UK cities outside London. He played a pivotal role in the inception of various urban projects, including his involvement in the establishment of 3Ci and the G7 ‘Urban7.’ Before this, Chris was Director at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. He also contributed to the establishment of the Academy for Sustainable Communities; a national agency focused on regeneration skills.
He is a Visiting Professor at the Strathclyde University Institute for Future Cities and is a Fellow at Liverpool University’s Heseltine Institute. He serves as a member of the University of Boston Massachusetts Cities Initiative External Advisory Board and chairs Fusion21, a construction procurement company, and the Fusion21 Foundation.
Shelley Nania
Senior Advisor to 3Ci,
Shelley is a senior advisor at 3CI working on international engagement, based In Bristol. Shelley has been working in international affairs, partnerships, and diplomacy both in the UK and overseas for 20 years, with a predominant focus on cities and climate change policy. As 3Ci’s lead on international engagement she is focused on sharing the […]
Shelley is a senior advisor at 3CI working on international engagement, based In Bristol.
Shelley has been working in international affairs, partnerships, and diplomacy both in the UK and overseas for 20 years, with a predominant focus on cities and climate change policy. As 3Ci’s lead on international engagement she is focused on sharing the knowledge and experience of 3Ci to a wider audience, profiling the organisation’s work on climate change, whilst attracting opportunities for investment and collaboration.
She is a Mandarin Chinese speaker and previously spent 6 years working in Beijing, China for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Director of the Prosperity Fund – a climate change, energy security and economic policy impact programme. Shelley has also led international engagement for UK cities including Bristol and the UK Core Cities Network.