Jeremy Leggett

Jeremy Leggett is an eminent social entrepreneur, writer and climate campaigner renowned for his leadership in sustainable energy. Founder of Solarcentury, Jeremy has an unwavering commitment to combating climate change and has long called for a rapid strategic withdrawal from fossil fuels. His ability to distil complex environmental challenges into clear, accessible insights has established him as a sought-after speaker. Organisations invite him for his expertise and inspiring message, empowering audiences to take is widely respected across international forums.

Jeremy began his distinguished career with a D.Phil in Earth Science from the University of Oxford, subsequently teaching at the Imperial College of Science and Technology from 1978 to 1989. These academic years provided him with a robust foundation in scientific research. His early work paved the way for his role as scientific director of the climate campaign at Greenpeace, a period that ignited his lifelong passion for sustainability, which firmly set the clear course for his influential career.

In 1997, Jeremy notably founded Solarcentury, one of the world’s most respected solar energy companies, serving as its Director for 24 years and steering it to win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. He also established SolarAid, an international charity that supports solar-lighting entrepreneurs in Africa, garnering global recognition. More recently, in 2019, he launched Highlands Rewilding, an ambitious project focused on enhancing carbon sequestration and biodiversity on Scottish estates. These achievements have solidified his reputation as an innovator committed to renewable energy and regeneration.

Jeremy is hired as a speaker because he exceptionally blends academic rigour, practical experience and visionary leadership in sustainability. His contributions to The Guardian and the Financial Times, along with his authorship of four influential books on the climate crisis, affirm his authority and dedication to sharing his insights. Honoured with awards such as Entrepreneur of the Year at the New Energy Awards and the UK Climate Week’s Most Inspirational Person Award, his insights are both enlightening and transformative. Organisations worldwide truly trust his articulate delivery to galvanise audiences towards concrete, sustainable progress.