The Programme is being developed by Chris Bennett and Danny Lee. It is currently in start-up phase.

Chris Bennett

Prior to creating the SSB project, with colleagues, Chris raised funds from public and private sector bodies and launched The Terre Initiative in July 1998 in The Guildhall of the Corporation of the City of London, supported by the Executive Secretary of UNECE and the Secretary-General of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). To encourage strategic economic stability and sound international links with Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (CEE&FSU), Terre supports the development of real estate markets in the Transition Economies, addressing issues of law, property registration, banking, insurance, property finance, construction and management.

Terre’s first Conference was in Prague April 1999, hosted by the Mayor. The 100+ delegates including HRH Prince Michael of Kent, government ministers and officials and leaders of industry and commerce from Western and Eastern Europe. Terre (now renamed IntREAN – The International Real Estate Advisory Network) projects were undertaken in Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

Before that he set up the first UK Government Know How Fund (later DfID) project for Russian transition, developing business management programmes for Russian military and naval officers; established the first western standard life assurance company in Russia; designed and delivered executive development programs for Russian bankers; researched housing finance in Hungary, Poland, Moscow and St. Petersburg and undertook management consultancy programs for major UK clients including British Rail and clients from the property sector.

His earlier career was spent as management consultant and executive in both the public and private sector after service as an engineer officer in the Royal Navy.

Chris is a Fellow of the Institute of Management, a Member of the Royal Geographical Society and a Member of the Association of Environmentally Conscious Building. He has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies and is an Accredited Mediator. He is currently studying an MSc in Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey.

Daniel Lee

Prior to joining the SSB project, Daniel had a public sector career in strategic corporate planning, operational, programme, performance, and change management. With extensive corporate level experience in Output delivery, he played a key role in leading innovative performance management processes in support of Senior Management Executive Boards and front-line maritime operational requirements for the Royal Navy.

Daniel has also managed a niche capability management area influencing policy and equipment requirements in the Ministry of Defence and for government Comprehensive Spending Reviews. An earlier career as a Master Mariner and Royal Naval above water warfare specialist included responsibilities for UK/ International outreach events, their management and marketing, along with diverse defence diplomacy and global security duties that enhanced allied relationships and exchange programmes.

Building on these experiences, Daniel has added environmental and sustainable experience and know how across climate change, energy generation supply/demand, renewable energy, applied ecology, maritime pollution, environmental management systems and environmental economics which are now being applied to the SSB programme.   These skills were recently consolidated and underpinned by a residential micro-generation heat pump research project into the key characteristics to achieve better installations and carbon footprint reductions. Key psycho-demographic and ecological factors influencing uptake rates were identified.

Sustainable building and energy market analysis has also been completed through AECB, Ecobuild, Think, World Renewal Energy Network (WREN), All-Energy exhibitions, networks, conferences and other research. Daniel also works part time for the Environment Agency where he is able to keep closely abreast of many of the environmental challenges.

Daniel is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management, MSc (Integrated Environmental Studies) University of Southampton, MBA Cranfield University (Shrivenham), a Postgraduate Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a graduate of Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and Royal Naval College, Greenwich, a member of Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB), member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). He also is a local member of the Horndean (Hampshire) Environment Working Group and Greening Campaign. Interests besides the environment include a passion for excellent wine and outdoor activities including racquetball.