About ESG33
Boutique advice for planet- and people-positive firms
ESG33 provides bespoke advisory solutions for firms that want to survive, and need to thrive, so they can keep making a difference. We connect Environmental, Social and Governance best practice to engineer sustainable growth.
John Downer
MBA MSc BSc FCIWM FISP
Founder, ESG33 Ltd
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Meet the founder
John Downer
Environmental scientist by training. Growth strategist by trade. Founder of ESG33 to bring the two together.
After 20 years of FTSE 250-level consulting with Jacobs, advising, leading, growing and generally positively disrupting, John founded ESG33 Ltd to combine his environmental science upbringing with his award-winning growth strategy credentials.
He has deep expertise in growth strategy, sales, commercial acumen, business transformation, operational leadership, and board and C-suite advice. His roles have included Growth Director, Market Director, Head of Operations and Interim Managing Director for a £390m European transportation professional and technical services business.
Career highlights
- Environmental science foundationsFive years at the University of East Anglia: a BSc in Environmental Sciences, then an MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Systems and Environmental Auditing.
- 2003 · Waste and resourcesJoined the Babtie Group, soon acquired by Jacobs, and ultimately led a 150+ strong waste and resource management strategy and procurement team.
- 2014 · Growth and railJoined the Jacobs Growth & Sales team and grew the rail business at the top and bottom line over eight years through an ESG-focused growth strategy.
- 2017 · Industry leadershipElected Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, 16 years after joining as a student member. Became a Board Director of the High Speed Rail Group.
- 2022 · Head of OperationsLed 1,650 people and 500 projects across rail, aviation and highways in Jacobs’ European Transportation business, orchestrating an organisational and capability transformation pilot that benefited 1,000+ people.
- European Growth DirectorThreaded ESG through sector and client growth strategies across European Transportation. Recognised with Cranfield’s inaugural Award for Best Key Account Plan.
- 2024 · ESG33 and CranfieldFounded ESG33 and accepted an invitation to become a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management’s Centre for Strategic Marketing and Sales.
Credentials
Qualified, chartered and independently recognised
Education
- MBA, Cranfield University
- MSc Environmental Impact Assessment, Management Systems & Auditing, UEA
- BSc Environmental Sciences, UEA
Professional bodies
- Fellow, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (FCIWM)
- Fellow, Institute of Sales Professionals (FISP)
Roles & recognition
- Visiting Fellow, Cranfield School of Management
- Board Director, High Speed Rail Group (since 2017)
- Best Key Account Plan, Cranfield KAM Forum (inaugural award)
Values
Integrity first. Always.
John fervently believes in operating with integrity, honesty, ethics and morals. As a Positive Mental Health Champion, safety, health and wellbeing is one strand of his visible leadership. The other is inclusion and diversity, which he has explicitly championed since 2014.
At the High Speed Rail Group he holds board-level responsibility for climate, sustainability and carbon, having ideated and curated HSRG’s first report on carbon in 2019, followed by work on nature and on mental health.
Outside work, the Downer family are long-time members of the National Trust and the Woodland Trust. John supports a range of health charities, is constantly litter picking, and is a self-confessed pedantic recycler.
What’s in a name?
Six ways to read ESG
ESG33 is built on a simple idea: connect ESG to ESG. Here’s what the letters mean to us.
- ESG Environmental, Social & Governance
- ESG Enjoying Sustainable Growth
- ESG Engineering Structured Growth
- ESG Explaining Scientific Gibberish
- ESG Eradicating Sustainability Gambling
- ESG Executing Strategy Greatness
Let’s see if we’re a good fit
You need to test me, and I need to test you. A short introductory call is the easiest place to start.