Mallen Baker: Faultlines

In this round-up of the week, the World Health Organisation, savages Sweden for believing in herd immunity. But is it actually the only strategy that works? The world begins to relax lockdown but sees early signs of a second spike of covid-19 cases. And Extinction Rebellion is full of rage that governments may not simply allow the air industry to die in a ditch like a dog.  The Mallen Baker Show i...

In this round-up of the week, as 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson falls from grace the computer model that kept people off the streets comes under fierce attack. The global covid-19 blame game goes up ten notches. And new research challenges our theories of why insects may be in decline. References How ‘Professor Lockdown’ brought covid-19 into Downing Street https://www.businessinsider.com/neil...

In this round-up of the week, the world gets confused about whether Sweden’s relaxed no-lockdown approach to coronavirus is a good example, or a bad example. Track and trace apps for your phone pose the question how much you’re willing to trade your privacy for safety. And governments and climate change campaigners are determined not to let a good crisis go to waste.

Chris Rose is a hugely experienced environmental campaigner, and was a leading figure in the iconic Shell Brent Spar campaign with Greenpeace. He now runs his own business helping campaigns to be more effective, and he recently produced a detailed report assessing the new environmentalist movements around Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion.  The Mallen Baker Podcast is aimed at all people who...

In this round-up of the week, the BBC plays host to a climate change scrap between Matt Ridley, Kevin Anderson and Greta Thunberg. And the second in line to the throne Prince William launches an ‘earthshot prize’ to tackle climate change. But is it the right initiative? And finally Amazon’s employees declare war against their own company in the name of climate change.  The Mallen Baker Show is aim...

In this round-up of the week, one of the most pessimistic self-described 'alarmists' David Wallace-Wells, concludes that the worst case scenario that fuelled his famous 'the uninhabitable earth' arguments is now unlikely to happen.  Nike is sued by transgender engineer Jazz Lyles for failing to use the right pronouns.  And Timothy Litzenburg, the man who helped sue Monsanto, is allegedly caught tr...

According to reports, we’re facing the beepocalypse. Pollinators are dying out, and the result will be much of our food will disappear with bee extinction. If true, it’s seriously worrying. But is it true? Let’s have a look.  The Mallen Baker Show is aimed at all people who see themselves as change makers, with commentary on issues and change movements with a particular focus on climate change and...

In this episode, I talk to Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods. Richard has become one of the most recognisable faces of sustainable business in the UK, leading campaigns on palm oil, plastics and even debating Brexit on BBC Question Time. In this interview, we talk about how he got to where he is, and what he’s learned along the way. We dive into some of the issues – why ban palm o...

In this episode, I talk to Amy Clarke, co-founder and chief impact officer at Tribe Impact Capital, the award-winning wealth management firm and BCorp. Before her current role, Amy has been senior vice president for international CSR at Bank of America, and head of CSR UK for Microsoft. In this interview, we talk about how she got to where she is and what she learned along the way. We talk about t...

In this episode, I talk to Anna Cain, chief executive of the Boxing Academy, a unique and groundbreaking school for the most hard-to-reach young people, realised through the discipline and ethos of boxing. Anna is also an advisory board member for Feltham Young Offenders institution, a trustee of the campus educational trust and a trustee of chefs in schools. In this interview, we talk about her r...

In this episode, I talk to Giles Gibbons, founder and chief executive of Good Business, as well as founder of the sustainable restaurant association. Giles has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable business for well over two decades, and has a wealth of experience in what really needs to happen on the ground to make a difference. In this interview, we talk about how he got to where he is...

In this episode, I talk to Brendan May, chairman and founder of Robertsbridge, the sustainability strategy agency. Brendan was formerly chief executive of the Marine Stewardship Council, and then managing director of Planet 2050, Weber Shandwick’s global sustainability practice. In this interview, we talk about how he got to where he is and what he learned along the way. We talk about effective ca...

This episode is a rather different type of discussion to the usual ones I have on this podcast. Many of you will know that I do commentary videos on YouTube, and on some of those I have been strongly critical of the Extinction Rebellion group, and particularly its core organisers. We debate these issues with vigour because they are important. However, my preference is always that we can do so as a...

In this episode, I talk to Anna Dixon, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, the charity working to create a society where everyone enjoys a good later life. Anna has spent her life working at the interface of research, policy and practice. She has been director of strategy at the department of health, as well as a number of health policy related roles at the Kings Fund, the London Scho...

In this episode, I talk to Dr Peter Grant, director of charities MSC programme at Cass business school and author of various books on the theory and history of philanthropy. Peter is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in public and charitable funding. He was the director of an inner-city youth charity for eight years before moving to Sport England where he devised the first Lottery programme to...

In this episode, I talk to Becky Willan, managing director and co-founder of Given London, the brand agency with a focus on purpose and positive impact. Becky was formerly an environmental manager with the Body Shop, and since then has become a widely experienced consultant with some of the top forward-thinking brands committed to doing well by doing good. In this interview, we talk about how she...

In this episode, I talk to Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project and executive chairman of Eden Project International. The Eden Project transformed a sterile pit into a fabulous enclosed garden with rainforest and Mediterranean environments. Tim is also known for having, along with John Nelson, restored the Lost Gardens of Heligan where he remains a director. In 2002 he was awarded a CBE an...

In this episode, I welcome back David Grayson, author, speaker and Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility at the Cranfield School of Management. You’ll remember that when he appeared previously, in episode 2 of the podcast, we talked about his thoughts on business and sustainability. He is also the author of the book ‘Take Care: How to be a great employer for working carers’, and it’s that...

In this episode, I talk to Alison Ward. Alison is the chief executive of Cotton Connect, a social enterprise with a mission to transform the cotton industry for good, and former head of sustainability with Cadbury. In this interview, we talk how she got to where she is and some of the issues that she dealt with along the way. We talk about how industries face up to the fundamental challenges to th...

This episode is a little different to what we’ve done so far. We’re at episode number 29, and bearing in mind we launched the first three episodes all at once, that brings us just about to the half year point since the podcast was launched. It seemed like the perfect time to look back on the great insights we’ve heard so far from some of the world-leading change makers I’ve had the privilege to ta...

In this episode, I talk to Mike Clasper. Mike is the chairman of Coats Group plc. He was formerly chief executive of the airports company BAA, and was chairman of HMRC. He was awarded a CBE in 1995 for services to the environment arising from his time at Procter and Gamble. In this interview, we talk how he got to where he is and some of the issues that he dealt with along the way. We talk about t...

In this episode, I talk to Stephanie Davies-Arai. Stephanie is the founder of Transgender Trend, a parent effectiveness trainer and the author of the book ‘communicating with kids’. She was shortlisted for the John Maddox prize, which recognises individuals who have promoted sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest, with an emphasis on those who have faced difficulty or hostility...

In this episode, I talk to Caroline Casey. Caroline is a social entrepreneur, international speaker and leading authority on diversity and inclusion. She is the founder of the Valuable 500 campaign, and is committed to building a global movement to create an equal society for the 1.3 billion people in the world with a disability. In this interview, we talk about her extraordinary journey, the high...

In this episode, I talk to Jonathon Porritt, co-founder of Forum for the Future. Jonathon has been one of the most respected faces of the environmental movement for nearly forty years. He was formerly chairman of the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, director of Friends of the Earth and co-chair of the Green Party. In this interview, we talk about what he learned through his decades...

In this episode, I talk to Katie Buchanan, the head of sustainability for Virgin Media. Katie is responsible for Virgin Media's growing reputation for creative and innovative approaches to sustainability. She has also created a powerful partnership with the charity Scope focused on getting people with disabilities into the workplace. In this interview, we talk about how she got here, and what she...