He did it!

MyWelshpool readers came out in force to support one of their own once again!

Iain Cox, formerly of Welshpool, has been named the 2016 Sustainability Champion at the Sustain Wales Awards, coming out top from a competitive shortlist that went to the public vote.

The 43-year-old featured on MyWelshpool last month after being nominated, and his innovative work has now received national recognition.

The Awards, hosted by Actor and Cynnal Cymru Principal Consultant, Rhodri Thomas highlighted 30 of the best organisations and individuals who have undertaken outstanding work to help achieve Sustain Wales’s mission of making Wales a sustainable nation.

Iain’s company Ecostudio designs capacity building programmes and delivers green and innovative growth strategies that enable commercially sound, environmental and social objectives to be met.

“Winning the Sustainability Champion award gives recognition for my work in helping business and public organisations to benefit by putting sustainability into practice,” said Iain. “It will give Ecostudio more credibility and visibility in a very challenging marketplace.

“Thanks to everyone that voted for me and especially to our clients, partners and everyone that has supported Ecostudio over the last eight years or so.”

Iain has published several peer-reviewed articles about the practical application of sustainable development in business and supply chains and has developed the Sustainable Business Review – a self-assessment toolkit for food businesses to communicate their sustainable credentials to customers.

Rhodri Thomas, from Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales, said: “The Sustainability Champion category recognises the conviction and hard work of individuals that bring about change within their community or organisation. This was a tough and highly competitive category to judge but in particular Iain showed real leadership within the food industry.”

PICTURE: Iain receiving his award from Jane Davidson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement and Sustainability at University of Wales Trinity Saint David.