19th September 2025
Hugh Montgomery is a Professor of Medicine at UCL and leading expert on climate and health. He holds a number of visiting professorship, trustee and director roles across multiple organisations and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to UKHACC.
Sandy Mather is recently retired from her role as CEO of the Intensive Care Society after eight years in the post. During this time, Sandy led the Society’s transition to a lower carbon footprint through implementing a number of initiatives including banking, divestments, food and travel policies among others. Sandy’s leadership experience will bring significant value to UKHACC.
Hugh said: “I am delighted to be offered this role at such an important moment. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned, further inaction means that we may soon miss ‘a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future’.
“As healthcare professionals, we more than any, understand what an ‘emergency response’ truly is. I thus much look forward to working with Sandy, Elaine and all member organisations to deliver one and, in doing so, meet the moral responsibility which has, so sadly, been placed upon us all.”
Sandy said:”I am excited to be appointed as co-chair of UKHACC in partnership with Hugh Montgomery to lead the Alliance through the next stage of its development. We exist only because of the climate emergency and my highest hope is that we could achieve the ultimate goal as a charity and make such a significant impact that we are no longer needed.
“As an Alliance of Royal Colleges, Faculties, Membership Societies and Health Charities we represent over 1,000,000 healthcare professionals who together have the power to make a difference.
“I am grateful for the leadership of the current Chair, Richard Smith and I am looking forward to co-chairing UKHACC with Hugh and working alongside Elaine Mulcahy, our Director, our Trustees and our membership. Now is our time to make a step change as we enter a critical window of time to take accelerated action against climate change.”
Outgoing chair Richard Smith said: “I’m pleased that Hugh and Sandy are becoming co-chairs. We have made progress in my six years of being chair, but last year saw the largest emission of greenhouse gases ever and a big spike in global temperature. The climate and nature crisis seems to be accelerating, and I wish Hugh and Sandy well in moving UKHACC to the next level in responding and adapting.”