The Sustainable Director

In this episode of The Sustainable Director, I am joined by David Symons, Future Ready Global Leader at WSP, the world’s largest science and engineering professional services firm. With over 35 years in sustainability, David has helped shape how organisations see environmental challenges as opportunities for growth and resilience. David shares insight into Future Ready, WSP’s global program design...

In this episode, I’m joined by Helen Neal, a specialist in sustainability communications, to explore how organizations can build trust through honest, clear, and confident communication. We discuss: - Why sustainability must be integrated into business strategy - How to avoid the trap of only sharing ‘good news’ - The power of transparency and progress over perfection - Why internal alignment is e...

In this episode, I speak with Stephane Bazire, Head of Sustainability at Silverstone. Stephane shares his background and how his career led him to this role at the home of British motorsport. Motorsports are not typically associated with sustainability, but Stephane shares what Silverstone is doing to shift that narrative. Over the course of four years, Silverstone has drastically improved the env...

Institute of Directors (IoD) is a member community leading the way in developing better directors for a better world. IoD operate a number of Special Interests Groups which are made up of volunteer ambassadors. These groups help shape the conversation within organisations around important topics. In this episode, I speak with Adrian Pryce, the recently appointed Chair of the IoD National Sustainab...

In this episode, I speak with Penelope Hope, an entrepreneur and consultant that co-founded a UK renewable energy company with a social mission. More recently, Penelope has co-founded a tech business, www.ovluna.com, to help women enhance their performance in the workplace. Penelope shares her insights into why women are needed in global leadership roles and the power they bring to any organisatio...

In this episode, I speak with Donald Mavunduse to reflect on COP28, as well as share the creation of a new IoD Sustainability Group, that Donald is spearheading as Chair. COP can be a divisive. Listen in to hear what Donald has to say about some of the major themes that came out of COP. Shift from fossil fuels and investment in clean energy, the loss & damage fund, NDCs and others important ou...

Two Drifters Distillery was born out of the love for rum and the desire to create a product with a positive impact on the planet. Russ and Gemma, the Two Drifters, are building a brand with a purpose. A purpose they want to share with others, to help them be the best they can be. There business model is designed to incentivise themselves and their employees to take action at every stage of the pro...

Gert Linthout is the co-owner of Ray & Jules, the sunny kind of coffee. In this episode, Gert talks about his 10 year journey in the coffee industry as a clean tech business with a goal of mitigating 100 tonnes of million tonnes of dioxide emissions produced annually in the food roasting industry. Gert delves into the technology and why it is different from existing, ancient methods of roastin...

Wietse Van Der Werf is a social entrpreneur. An individual with an exciting story to combat the destruction we have caused our oceans over the past decades. A story that addresses all pillars of sustainability by combining environmental restoration with the creation of new jobs and skills for the people in coastal communities. The Sea Ranger Service is a Dutch born business dedicated to restoring...

Richard Hagan is the founder and managing director of Crystal Doors in Rochdale. Richard started the process to become a completely sustainable business after facing rising costs and internal challenges. Since then, Crystal Doors has been awarded with the Queen's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, and Richard has achieved Business Leader of the Year at the Edie Awards which reco...

Climb23, is a festival for the future. Bringing thousands of experts, entrepreneurs, investors and business owners from all over the world to share insights and ideas into the latest trends across industry. This is a festival about innovation. To drive better business for a sustainable world. In this episode, I speak with Gordon Bateman, the individual behind Climb23. Gordon shares why he believes...

In episode 10, I speak with Chris Thompson, the founder of Citu. Citu is a property developing company like no other. Focused on building beautiful Scandinavian style homes that are as kind to the environment as they are to your eyes. Sustainability is the core of Citu. From material sourcing all the way through to use of the building for decades to come. They focus on the people and the processes...

The workplace is changing. Businesses all over the country are shifting away from a typical 20-year office lease to a more flexible working arrangement. Employers are creating more suitable working environments for their employees, whether that be through homeworking, hybrid working or a four-day working week. This change creates a sustainability challenge. In this episode, I speak with Sam Picker...

The eighth and final episode of 2022. In this episode I speak with Andrew Griffiths, the Director of Policy & Partnerships at Planet Mark and the Chair of Institute of Directors National Sustainability Taskforce. Andrew recently attended COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The 27th Conference of the Parties, the next in the series following the UK hosting COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. There were many key th...

Electric bikes that sound like they should be made in the kitchen. Making teeth cleaning environmentally friendly. The push for sustainable sleep. Fashion trends that are green by default. Transporting the travel industry into a post-carbon world. These were a few of the topics I discussed with Leo Rayman on The Sustainable Director podcast this week. Leo also shares his 5 principles! These are wo...

In this episode I speak with Rashmi Dubé, Partner at Gunnercooke leading ESG Litigation, National Spokesperson Ambassador for Policy & Governance for the Institue of Directors, Serial Entrepreneur and Business Writer for the Yorkshire Post. Rashmi is an expert in ESG. In this episode, Rashmi explains what ESG is, why it is important for businesses and why it is helpful for organisations of any...

Rich Kenny wears two hats. He is the sustainability and research director at TechBuyer, and managing director at Interact. TechBuyer is a global specialist in buying, refurbishing and selling enterprise IT equipment. They believe repurposing IT equipment is key to reducing one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. The waste stream known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WE...

Simon Tate, Sales Director at Mer, joins me to talk about all things electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Simon has been part of EV industry for a number of years. He has seen the landscape change and been at the heart of the industry during the recent boom. In this episode, Simon talks about why EVs are such a good choice for businesses, the importance of EVs in reaching net zero, and how bu...

In this episode I speak to Holly Kragiopoulos, director and co-founder at North Star Coffee Roasters in Leeds. Holly shares the sustainability story for North Star over the past 9 years since starting in 2013. She shares the challenges and risks they have taken to whilst innovating new sustainable products. The risks may sound scary but the passion for social and environmental sustainability is in...

In this episode we hear from Adam Woodhall, Chief Executive at Lawyers for Net Zero. Lawyers for Net Zero is a non-profit designed to equip in-house lawyers with the skills to deliver climate action. Lawyers may not be synonymous with sustainability, but we hear about why they are crucial to delivering positive change to help our climate. 

In this episode we hear from Zoe Cohen. An individual working towards a better future for all. She is safe-guarding our planet through activism. Zoe is a valued member of the Institute of Directors National Sustainability Taskforce. Zoe talks about the importance of making the change now, as we have a very limited window to ensure we stay below 1.5 degrees Celsius.  We will hear about why eve...