Christopher Hammond is the Chief Executive of UK100, the only network for locally elected leaders in the UK taking ambitious action to deliver Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions. Since joining the organisation in June 2021, Christopher has doubled the network and launched two new ambitious programmes. The Climate Leadership Academy, a coaching programme for elected politicians and the Local Power in Action project, supports councils to overcome political barriers to deliver Net Zero. In 2023, the Membership Team which he created, were shortlisted for ‘Team of the Year’ in the Edie Sustainable Leadership Awards.

Previously, Christopher served as the elected Leader of Southampton City Council from 2018-2021. During his tenure as a councillor (2013-2022), he brokered an agreement that led to the country’s first commercial Shore Power facility, devised a Green City Charter subsequently signed by 75 of the major city organisations and at the time, led the most extensive insourcing programme in the country. In addition to this, he prioritised investing in young people, tackling fuel poverty and food insecurity. In 2020, he was shortlisted for ‘Leader of the Year’ in the LGIU Councillor Awards.

Born and raised in Dagenham in East London, Christopher was the first of his family to graduate from university. Afterwards, he worked as a race equality advocate and governance and risk manager for Nationwide Building Society. In 2018 he established an award-winning restaurant in Southampton. Christopher holds a degree from Bournemouth University, which named him its 2019 Alumni of the Year.