Leading the Charge for Sustainable IT and Climate Innovation: Anthony Levy, Circularity First
Anthony Levy, CEO and Founder of Circularity First, has emerged as a pioneering force in the global effort to make IT not only smarter, but profoundly more sustainable. For over 15 years, Anthony has built Circularity First into a leader in sustainable technology, proving that environmentally responsible IT strategies are not just ethical, they’re profitable, scalable, and transformative for business.
Under Anthony’s leadership, Circularity First has delivered sustainability solutions to thousands of organisations, including major players such as Verizon, Vodafone, BP, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). His work has aligned digital transformation with environmental responsibility, helping organisations meet performance goals while cutting carbon and e-waste.
At the core of his vision is the principle of circular IT. Rather than defaulting to new hardware, Circularity First enables organisations to reuse and repurpose technology, preventing waste and slashing embodied carbon emissions. To date, this has diverted over 1 million kilograms of IT equipment from landfill, the equivalent volume of London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Anthony has also driven deep innovation through sustainability-focused software development. Recognising a gap in how organisations measure and manage Scope 2 and 3 emissions related to IT, he led Circularity First’s development of a data-rich platform that simplifies sustainable design, enables direct comparisons, and supports carbon reporting. This tool is now used globally to guide greener technology choices.
His work extends far beyond carbon counting. In the defence sector, Circularity First’s circular strategies have saved the UK taxpayer £15 million by extending the life of existing IT infrastructure. For corporate clients, these same practices are driving measurable results: helping companies like COLT cut more than 2,000 tonnes of CO₂e since 2020.
Anthony’s influence also reaches the policy and leadership level. He works closely with the boards of tech firms such as Logicalis, Gamma, Agilico, and Verizon, embedding sustainability into boardroom decision-making to increase bottom line profitability. His guidance helped Logicalis earn the 2024 Global Sustainability Partner Award. Beyond his company, Anthony contributes to international efforts as a member of the UN Global Compact on the Circular Economy, techUK Climate Council, GDSA, and the MoD Sustainability Steering Group.
A regular speaker at top-tier events like CogX and the E-Waste World Conference, Anthony challenges outdated thinking around IT lifecycles. He is a vocal advocate for remanufactured technology, showcasing how it delivers stronger ROI and a drastically reduced environmental footprint.
Importantly, Anthony leads by example. Circularity First is on track to reach net zero across all scopes by 2030, a target that’s already independently validated by EcoVadis, placing the company in the top 1% globally for sustainability practices.
In an industry often dominated by short lifecycles and unchecked consumption, Anthony Levy has shifted the narrative. Through his bold leadership, relentless innovation, and commitment to climate goals, he’s demonstrating that IT can and must be a driver of environmental and economic progress. His work is setting the global standard for what sustainable technology leadership looks like.
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Read more about our President's Award finalists:
People Award
- Transforming Healthcare through Impactful Leadership: Lynette Ousby, CEO, ReStart
- A Quiet Force for Good in Cybersecurity: Randall Mason, Fortinet
- Shaping the Future of Workforce Training Through Innovation: Evren Emre, SANLAB
Society Award
- Harnessing Technology to Protect Survivors of Domestic Abuse: Razi Hassan, Domestic Abuse Alliance
- Building a Better Public Sector Through Digital Innovation: Dr. Doug Guthrie, Digital Modus
- Driving Digital Skills and Diversity in STEM: Elizabeth Barr, Cisco
Economy Award
- Accelerating Innovation to Power the UK Economy: Adam Turner, The Data Lab Innovation Centre Centre
- Redefining Digital Trust for UK Businesses: Cindy van Niekerk, Founder of Umazi.
- Transforming Commercial Conflict into Economic Opportunity: Fayola-Maria Jack, Resolutiion
Planet Award
- Leading the Charge for Sustainable IT and Climate Innovation: Anthony Levy, Circularity First
- Driving Global Sustainability Innovation at RED: Iain MacDougall and the RED Engineering Team
- Driving Net Zero Innovation Through AI and Data Science: Shailaja Natarajan, Accenture
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