Sustainability body isla appoints Growth Lead Toni Griggs

Marketing, business development and growth expert to drive and shape further expansion of isla; engaging with the wider event industry and identifying new opportunities to strengthen the membership offering. Toni will be leading isla’s charge to becoming the leading event industry sustainability body to prepare for a Net Zero future.

isla is the event industry’s response to the climate crisis, providing practical tools, resources and training to help the  industry realise it’s shared sustainability ambitions.

Toni will be responsible for the continued growth of the now 80 strong membership, whilst driving strategic partnerships, projects and initiatives that will accelerate event businesses environmental sustainability performance in line with isla’s core aims. This will include taking to market a number of isla products and resources scheduled for release in 2021, including a cutting-edge event specific carbon measurement software.

Toni, who steps into the role next month said “I’m really excited to be joining the isla team. Anna and Ben have achieved so much in under a year with their passion and determination in ensuring that as an industry we play our part in a Net Zero future and commit to actionable change. I want to leverage that energy and momentum, building a network that provides knowledge and power so as a collective we bring back live events sustainably.“

Toni brings with her over 11 years of events industry experience. In this time she has been part of the senior team at live event and brand experience agency George P. Johnson, where she was responsible for developing and growing the agency brand in line with their 5 year business plan. This incorporated designing and executing a marketing strategy that strategically positioned the agency as a leader in brand experiences and supported business development. As a member of GPJ's Sustainability Task Force she was part of the team that pushed the agency's sustainable agenda, recognising the need for a collective effort by the industry.

Speaking about the new appointment, Anna Abdelnoor, isla Co Founder said “With COP26 in less than 100 days, we  see the next few months as a critical time for both industry recovery and global action on sustainability. This context also makes it a critical time for isla’s continued growth, ensuring we are fit for purpose to lead the industry in the transition to a Net Zero future.

Toni’s background, from association to agency, as well as her sharp mind and strategic thinking, make her the perfect person to support and develop the growth trajectory of isla as we move from strength to strength. We’re excited to see how Toni takes charge of expansion through her role, and pushes us forward.”

The sustainability nonprofit successfully launched the industry’s first framework for sustainable events, proseed, in June. 2021 continues to be a hugely exciting year for isla, Toni marks the third recruitment in a matter of months as the team continues to evolve to be shaped around the industry and member needs.