Philip Sharman has been appointed as the new Chair of the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership (ZCOP).
The appointment marks a key milestone for the Partnership, as it continues to expand its work across the county to accelerate progress towards a net zero and climate-resilient Oxfordshire.
First established by Oxford City Council in 2021, ZCOP has successfully brought together collaboration between Oxford’s large businesses and organisations across the city, working towards the ambition to achieving net zero as a city by 2040.
The partnership has won over £1.2million funding to deliver projects promoting sustainable travel, retrofitting, and industrial decarbonisation across Oxford.
Mr Sharman brings extensive experience from across industry, government, and academia, with a career spanning over 40 years in the fields of low-carbon energy, sustainability, and climate change mitigation. He has held a range of executive and non-executive roles, chaired numerous advisory and expert committees, and led high-performing teams delivering science and technology-based programmes.
Appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire in 2023 for his contributions to energy and sustainability, Mr Sharman has also established a county-wide network of advisors working across key areas such as clean energy, nature recovery, and climate adaptation. His deep understanding of the local landscape, combined with national and international connections, will support ZCOP’s ambition to broaden its reach and deepen its impact.
What is ZCOP?
A county-wide, cross-sector partnership hosted by Oxford City Council, bringing together representatives from local authorities, public services, academia, business, and the community sector. Members include both universities, NHS trusts, Oxfordshire’s councils, major employers such as BMW Mini and Unipart, and organisations like Enterprise Oxfordshire and the Low Carbon Hub.
Mr Sharman is taking over from Nick Eyre, who served as Interim Chair of the Partnership for the last 6 months. The new Chair will continue leading the Steering Group through the next phase of ZCOP’s development, including the delivery of a new five-year plan, the formation of new Working Groups, and the expansion of membership and engagement across the county. This work builds on the foundations laid since the Partnership’s launch in 2021 and reflects the growing urgency of the climate emergency.
Mr Sharman will formally begin his role in September 2025 and will join partners at the upcoming ZCOP Annual General Meeting, taking place this September at Blenheim Palace.
Comment
“I’m delighted to join ZCOP at this key juncture. Expanding the Partnership from Oxford to the whole of Oxfordshire is both an exciting opportunity and a significant challenge. Oxfordshire is already recognised as a leading county in the UK in terms of sustainability and in moving towards net zero carbon emissions. ZCOP’s expansion will reinforce this position while also considerably increasing the scale and impact of its climate actions at a crucial time when the climate emergency is deepening. I look forward to helping guide this transition and to showcasing Oxfordshire’s impact locally, nationally and internationally.”
Philip Sharman, ZCOP Chair
“Serving as Interim Chair of the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership over the past few months has been a great experience. This period has seen the Partnership take important steps towards expanding its reach and ambition, building on the strong foundations laid in Oxford. As we transition to a county-wide focus, the opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and impact grow significantly. I’m confident that under Philip Sharman’s chairmanship, ZCOP will continue to drive meaningful progress towards a net zero and climate-resilient Oxfordshire. His expertise and commitment to sustainability make him an excellent choice to lead the Partnership into its next chapter.”
Professor Nick Eyre, Interim ZCOP Chair
“Oxfordshire County Council is proud to be part of the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership as it expands to a truly countywide collaboration. We are delighted at the appointment of Philip Sharman as Chair, and we are confident that with the support of the Steering Group, he will continue to drive this momentum forward. We’d like to thank Professor Nick Eyre for his thoughtful leadership as interim Chair, and we look forward to the upcoming AGM as an opportunity to connect with the wider partnership as we work together towards a zero carbon future.”
Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action at Oxfordshire County Council
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