I am currently Head of Business Strategy and Sustainability for Abundia Global Impact Group, a global green and sustainable technology development company.

I began my career as a post-doctoral researcher transitioning into a business development manager and shareholder of Green Lizard Technologies (GLT), a Queens University Belfast spin-out company. She developed her experience in R&D, project management, partner engagement and business strategy, during her 10-year tenure, following the completion of her Masters’ degree and PhD in green chemistry. During this time, her excellent track record in gaining significant funding bids was recognised when she received the Vice Chancellors Prize from Queens University Belfast, for the pivotal role she played in securing funds to ensure the continuation of GLTs research across chemistry and engineering. Sophie held leading positions across collaborative research projects with large multinational corporations, as well as managing a multimillion-pound project with key stakeholders. Sophie also presented at large global conferences across Europe and Asia and was selected as 1 of only 3 females in a 36-finalist line-up of CEOs and managing directors, to pitch to over 300+ investors at a Cleantech event held in London.

After spending several years gaining experience through various academic and commercial activities, and with her passion for innovation and self-development, she embarked on the Queen’s MBA programme. This gave her the opportunity to expand her knowledge across a multitude of disciplines including, international business, economics and capitalism, operations management, marketing, accounting, financial management and business analytics as well as business ethics and sustainability. Additionally, the MBA enabled the development of personalised leadership skills together with practical negotiation and communication skills.

The MBA was generously funded by GLT and with those newly acquired skills she was able to flourish in her business development role, building and maintaining new and existing relationships with key stakeholders, as well as developing strategy and analysing internal business decisions. She also consulted for external organisations in developing and implementing new business models. The MBA was an excellent platform, providing mentors across a multitude of disciplines that allowed her the creative space to learn, develop and grow commercially, leveraging her academic accomplishments.

Since completing the programme, in 2020, and taking up the position of head of business strategy and sustainability for Abundia Global Impact Group, she has further demonstrated her fundraising capabilities in securing £4.5M funding from the UK government to explore the companies waste to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project. She continues to build new and existing relationships with key stakeholders, appraise and negotiate commercial deals, as well as contribute to the corporate governance and strategic decisions for the company. Abundia have recently acquired a site in Houston, Texas to construct their first waste plastics to fuels and chemicals facility, and Sophie is excited for the next chapter of her career. 

Sophie McComb

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