What do you do?

I am turbo-charging Cooper Parry’s sustainability efforts, B-Corp journey and net zero targets as Head of Sustainability.

I’m also an Expert Panel Member for Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), supporting the delivery of A4S’s aims through shaping its practical guidance, research and thought leadership publications.

As if the above is not enough of a challenge, I also keep an external role for those clients that want to be on a similar journey and need some support in this sea of confusing ESG regulations and benchmarks.

There’s a quote that comes to mind when I want to define what I do: ‘perfection is the enemy of progress. Just because we don’t know it all, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be taking action.’ I live by it as I enjoy throwing myself deep in a new and challenging area and get to the bottom of it.

Why do you do it?

First and foremost, it gives me a sense of purpose which is rewarding. My work is to do my bit in creating a positive impact, both within Cooper Parry and together with our clients

It brings a challenge and an incredibly rich breadth of day-to-day responsibilities and I love that. Keeps me on my toes.

Sustainability is here to stay, and you need to have an evidence-based approach to it… here’s where my accounting and auditing skills come in.

What first got you interested in working in sustainability?

I’ve always been a lover of the outdoors, but I am conscious that humans as a species are doing a pretty good job of damaging it. Throughout my professional life, this passion seemed disconnected from my work, but I realised it shouldn’t. On the contrary, it strengthens it.

I believe that as a professional I can deliver more meaningful outcomes that the sum of any individual actions I could take. And this purpose deivers real change and makes me wake up every day motivated to get to work.

What’s on top of your bucket list?

To take at least 3 months sabbatical and go explore the world. But not just to do it for the ‘gram. I’d like action packed travel, to connect with local communities, promote sustainability and improve the environments we roam.

Think restoring coral reefs in Costa Rica, understand climate changes in northern Canada, help bring renewable energy to local communities in India and Nepal…and the list can go on forever.