Iarla Kilbane-Dawe

Air quality and climate expert with 25+ years' experience spanning scientific research, policy development, and programme delivery across government, international organisations, and consulting. Proven track record developing organisational strategies, policy frameworks, and evidence-based research strategies while managing complex stakeholder relationships and delivering measurable impact. Experienced in deploying AI and Earth Observation technologies for environmental outcomes, and in shaping national and international AI policy.

Principal Consultant – Air Quality and Climate Policy - Self-employed

(2023-06)

• Delivered 3 data-driven strategies aligning £10Ms of climate action, transport, public health, planning, and communications programmes to deliver the most ambitious air quality targets in London.

Technical Director - Waterman Infrastructure and Environment

(2022-01 - 2023-06)

Headhunted to develop an air quality policy and data science practice from the ground up.

Deputy Head - UK Government Office for AI

(2020-01 - 2022-12)

• Led a team of 6 on international affairs, stakeholder engagement, and communications.
• Led day-to-day international AI discussions with the White House and Council of Europe.
• Led the UK delegation to the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI); secured £1M for climate-aligned R&D.
• Drove AI for climate change proposals to COP25.
• Supported the UK AI Council and advised ministers on AI regulation, ethics, and research.
• Led public communications including press releases, speech writing, events, and launches.

Head – ESA Φ-lab - European Space Agency

(2018-01 - 2019-12)

• Developed and secured Board approval for ESA's AI strategy, leading to €200M EU funding.
• Repositioned a €51M underperforming innovation portfolio to focus on industrial innovation in environmental monitoring, with targeted AI applications; grew budget to €90M.
• Delivered firsts including an AI-enabled satellite, rapid-response EO analytics, and palm oil mapping using ML.
• Developed digital twin concepts that laid the groundwork for the EU's Destination Earth programme.
• Built ESA's most diverse and collaborative team; cut delivery times using agile methods.
• Secured partnerships with Airbus, ECMWF, Intel, Sinergise, UN FAO, and UNDP, co-developing open-source and commercial tools for climate adaptation.
• Convened opportunity mapping with the CAIRNE AI network on AI applications in space, environment, and climate.
• Planned and led two major international science meetings on AI for the environment.

Head of the Office for Science - UK Department for Transport

(2015-01 - 2018-12)

• Led a 9-person team delivering science, technology, and futures advice for ministers and officials through briefings, workshops, industry summits, and Delphi studies.
• Managed a £4.5M innovation portfolio, half focused on air quality mitigation and emissions reduction.
• Made assessment of AI opportunities in transport a strategic priority for the departmental Science Advisory Council.
• Led the Chief Scientific Adviser's inquiry into the VW scandal for the Deputy PM – a high-pressure task affecting critical decisions on a national industry.

Founder - Parliament Hill Research Ltd

(2010-01 - 2015-12)

Founded a policy research company advising local and central government on the nexus of climate action, air pollution, sustainable transport, and communications.

• Shaped London air quality and low-emission transport policy across 15 local authorities and nationally through key government guidance.
• Grew to 7 staff and won two industry awards.

Air Quality Practice Leader - Ricardo Energy & Environment

(2007-01 - 2010-12)

Led a £15M, 125-person practice, achieving 15% growth despite a declining market.

Product Manager - Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants

(2000-01 - 2007-12)

Developed the world's first mobile air pollution alert service, building an operational satellite data chain from direct measurement through to personalised alerts.

• Collaborated with several European space agencies and forecast companies to deliver this product.

PhD - Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry - University of Cambridge (1993-01 - 1999-12)

BA (Mod) - Physics - Trinity College Dublin (1992-01)