What is your current role?

I work at Hyundai Motor Europe as Sustainability and ESG Project Manager in the Business Strategy Department in Frankfurt & London. 

 

What is a typical week in your role?

I am responsible for mainstreaming the Hyundai Carbon Neutrality Strategy across the 18 European markets where Hyundai operates. During my week I have in person meeting with my team in the HQ to define the strategies/priorities as well as coordinating online meetings with some of the markets, supporting them in delivering the plan that has been agreed. Weekly I work with several internal departments such as Finance, Procurement and Engineering since ESG is such a broad topic. I try always to reserve some time at the end of the week to keep learning and growing through webinars or specific courses.

 

Did you complete a work placement as part of your programme at Queen’s?

I have completed three placements and all of them have been instrumental. One was at the Venice Municipality where I supported the city in drafting their climate action plan in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Venice at that time was a member of C40 (a network of the most important cities in the world that jointly decided to take important steps in the urban climate change sector) and I had the opportunity to support my line manager with the activity that involved Venice in the network such the climate action plan and the project deadline 2020.

9 months later in May 2020, I started to work at C40 in London and kept working there until August 2024.

 

C40 Event in Rio de Janeiro with Mayor Paes after Good Green Jobs Workshop

 

What other key steps at Queen’s do you think helped develop you most?

I really enjoyed the courses that I have attended, they pushed me to think out of the box and gave me the possibility to grow.

Obviously living abroad as well helped me to grow personally and professionally as well as having the opportunity to join several societies and being in touch with a multitude of different cultures and people that played a key part in having a successful and brilliant experience at Queen’s, giving you the feeling that you belonged to a fantastic university.

 

Looking back – how would you advise your first-year self to make the most of your time at Queen’s?

I would say attend all classes and participate actively because you can learn a lot and don’t be afraid to raise your hands for a question or knock on the door of a professors office and sign up for events and societies because they are an integral part of Queen’s.

 

Guido Folchi

Sustainability and ESG Project Manager, Hyundai Motor Europe

MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development Graduate