Respected environmental expert, Claire O’Neill is best known for her position as the former Cabinet Minister for Energy and Clean Growth. Having been part of the UK’s winning bid to host COP26, she was appointed the position of COP26 President-Designate before taking a step back from politics in 2020. Now fulfilling a Board Member role at companies such as Protium, Climate Impact X, and ScottishPower, Claire is now looking to educate a wider audience with the knowledge and industry experience that she has gained throughout her career.
Having graduated from Harvard Business School with a master’s in business administration in 1988, Claire began her professional career as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Devizes Constituency for The Conservative Party. Having gained valuable industry experience working with some of the UK’s most influential leaders, she was recognised for her passion for politics and secured the role of Minister for Climate Change in 2017, before becoming the Cabinet Minister for Energy and Clean Growth shortly after. Having led the UK’s winning bid to host COP26, she was admired for her performance and gained the opportunity to fulfill the role of President- Designate, UNFCCC Conference of the Parties for the UK Government.
A specialist in her field, Claire became the Managing Director at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) before deciding to take a break from her political career. Having gained over 10 years of industry experience, she has become a member of several advisory boards for companies such as McKinsey & Company, and Hambro Perks to share her knowledge and expertise. With a successful career behind her, Claire has a great amount of valuable knowledge to share with both organisations and keen individuals.
Admired for her remarkable career, Claire O’Neill has now become highly sought-after to attend speaking engagements around the world. Now a Business Fellow at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at Oxford University, she is determined to educate the younger generation with the knowledge and experience she has gained whilst working in many high-pressure environments throughout her career. When looking for a passionate speaker who is keen to share her career journey with the audience, look no further than Claire!
