FKS founder in final of the Environment 100 in two categories
Julian Knight, Founder and CEO of FKS (Fairman Knight & Sons), has been named as a finalist in two categories at Environment 100 2026, recognising his long-term contribution to environmental sustainability and practical climate action.
Julian has been shortlisted in both Environmental Leader and Inspirational Green Leader, following nominations and industry support that highlighted his work to turn climate ambition into commercially viable circular infrastructure.
Environment 100 shines a light on the trailblazers and visionaries driving forward environmental sustainability in the UK. The programme celebrates those making a significant impact within the environmental sector, honouring leaders, innovators and self-starters who are helping to shape a greener tomorrow.
For Julian, the recognition reflects a lifelong commitment to environmental progress that spans public advocacy, commercial innovation and practical delivery. Before founding FKS, Julian helped bring climate action into mainstream conversation through Global Cool, encouraging people and organisations to see emissions reduction as something accessible, actionable and measurable.
Today, that same commitment is being delivered through FKS, a UK-first: a Lincolnshire-based insect biotechnology and commercial biorefinery company, transforming Black Soldier Fly biomass into high-value ingredients, sustainable products, and licensable technologies for global markets, including insect protein for animal and pet feed, plant and soil nutrition, bio-oil, and frass and biopolymers such as chitin for soil health and other applications.
Based in Fleet, Holbeach, in the heart of the UK Food Valley, FKS is building a fully operational model designed to tackle a major environmental challenge hiding in plain sight: surplus organic material and food waste that can create emissions when mishandled, while UK agriculture continues to rely on imported, high-emission protein inputs.
By working with local waste streams and converting them into useful products, FKS is demonstrating how circular economy principles can move from ambition into real infrastructure — supporting waste reduction, lower-impact animal nutrition, soil health and more resilient domestic supply chains.
Julian Knight, Founder and CEO at FKS, said: “To be nominated and named a finalist in two Environment 100 categories is a real privilege, especially given that these awards recognise people who are working to create tangible environmental change.
“For me, environmental leadership has always been about making change practical. It is not enough to talk about the circular economy or the need to reduce waste; we have to build the systems that make those outcomes possible.
“FKS was created to show that food waste can be treated as a valuable resource. Through black soldier fly biology, we are proving that local waste streams can be transformed into products that support animal nutrition, soil health and a more circular food economy. This recognition belongs to the whole team and to the partners who are helping us build something that can make a measurable difference.”
The Environment 100 shortlisting comes during a period of growing recognition for FKS, following recent shortlistings (awaiting further announcements, due in September) in the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 and the Global Good Awards 2026.
Environment 100 finalists will be recognised at the Future Talent Hub at ESS Expo, NEC Birmingham, on 17 September 2026. The ceremony will take place from 12:00 to 14:00 on the second day of the Environmental Services & Solutions Expo.