Here, we learn a little more about the individuals who have been shortlisted for this year's award.

Kevin Keable is an experienced business leader, with a career spanning more than 40 years across engineering, international operations and entrepreneurship.

As executive chair of EEEGR since September 2023, Kevin is spearheading an ambitious programme to position the region as a leader in the energy transition, working closely with industry, government and education partners.

He was recently appointed to the North Sea Future Board, a national body established by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and chaired by energy minister Michael Shanks.

The board will act as the central platform for coordinating the transition of the North Sea into a long-term, internationally leading offshore clean energy powerhouse.

The judges were particularly impressed by Kevin’s “ability to convene industry, government and education partners around a shared regional vision”.

John Best is an active STEM ambassador and the creator of the Coastal Energy Internship Programme. (Image: Newsquest)

John Best has a strong track record of growing organisations across the energy, enterprise, marine, waste, safety and retail sectors. He was the founder and first chief executive of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), one of the region’s most influential membership and advocacy bodies for the energy industry.

In 2016, he founded Best Proactive, enabling him to support organisations in unlocking new opportunities and building meaningful connections.

Passionate about developing future talent, John is an active STEM ambassador and the creator of the Coastal Energy Internship Programme. Since its launch in 2016, the programme has expanded from four interns to more than 250 participants by 2025, working closely with colleges in Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Norwich to provide pathways into energy and engineering careers.

The judges recognised John’s “enduring contribution to regional collaboration, skills development and industry connectivity”, adding that he had “delivered measurable outcomes for young people”.

Rachel Bunn is skills and innovation director at East Coast College and director of the East Coast Energy Training Academy (Image: East Coast College)

Rachel Bunn is skills and innovation director at East Coast College, which has campuses in Lowestoft, Suffolk and Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. She is also director of the East Coast Energy Training Academy, based at the Lowestoft campus.

Having worked at the college for 25 years, Rachel’s commitment to the region is deeply rooted.

Central to her work is a focus on curriculum innovation – continually evolving the college’s offer to remain relevant, future-focused and employer-led.

This means working closely with industry partners to co-design provision that reflects current skills gaps, emerging technologies and workforce behaviours, while also building the transferable skills, confidence and resilience that employers value.

Rachel was recognised by the judges for her “exemplary leadership at the intersection of skills, sustainability and community impact”.

For more information about the East Anglia Clean & Green Awards, or to buy tickets for the awards ceremony in Ipswich on March 26, please visit cleanandgreenawards.co.uk

To find out more about the other finalists, please click here.

© Eastern Daily Press