In this episode, Becky is joined by James Reed, Chairman and CEO of Reed, one of the UK’s most recognisable and successful family-owned businesses. James is also the author of Karma Capitalism , a bold vision for a more ethical and purpose-driven approach to business. Becky and James explore what Karma Capitalism looks like in practice and whether responsible, values-led business models can truly thrive amid today’s economic uncertainty, growing inequality, and rapid technological change. How ph...
Feb 03, 2026•31 min
This week Becky is joined by Emilio Tenuta, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab. With more than three decades working at the intersection of business and sustainability, Emilio has helped shape how one of the world’s largest B2B companies approaches growth, impact and responsibility, and how those priorities can be designed to work together. We talk about Ecolab’s Exponential Return on Investment approach and what it shows about the link between sustainability, organisational effectiveness an...
Jan 20, 2026•37 min
What lies ahead in shaping the sustainability agenda in 2026? And what do leaders need to be preparing for to drive real-world change whilst driving profit? Today, Becky is joined by Matt Bell, the new CEO at Anthesis, for a more forward-looking, strategic conversation on what lies ahead. In this conversation, you’ll hear where leaders should focus their attention in shaping this year's sustainability agenda, how the role of the CSO is evolving as sustainability moves from ambition to action, an...
Jan 06, 2026•40 min
When a company built on purpose realises its purpose no longer lands, everything has to be re-examined. Even the language that once united it. So how do leaders reshape something so emotional, so foundational, without breaking what made it powerful in the first place? In this episode, Becky is joined by Emma Hardaker-Jones, Group Chief People and Transformation Officer at Legal & General. Emma has played a central role in defining Legal & General’s most recent chapter, with a big focus o...
Dec 09, 2025•33 min
We all love a cuppa, but did you know the contents of the mug in your hands could hold the key to transforming global value chains? in this episode, Becky is joined by Gareth Mead, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at Lipton Teas and Infusions, the world’s largest tea company. Gareth is responsible for shaping how the business defines and delivers its sustainability ambitions. With two decades of experience in corporate affairs, he’s helped some of the world’s biggest brands find...
Nov 25, 2025•34 min
What if decisions were not just owned by stakeholders, but shaped by the customers themselves? In this Episode, Becky is joined by Susan Allen. Susan is leading the organisation at a time when financial services must do more than deliver profits. They must build trust, resilience, and create lasting value for their members and communities. In this conversation, you’ll hear how a mutual organisation can support financial resilience and inclusion in times of economic uncertainty, why creating the ...
Nov 11, 2025•34 min
Some estimates put the cost of replacing an employee in the UK at 25,000 pounds. And with one in five people considering leaving their roles, that really adds up. It's not just about risk, it's about missed opportunity. In this episode, Becky is joined by Sarah Gillard, CEO of A Blueprint for Better Business, a not-for-profit that helps organisations define and live their purpose. Sarah’s work aims to create a better society through better business, helping senior executives navigate the tension...
Oct 28, 2025•36 min
In this episode Becky is joined by Stanley Anyetei, Financing Green Lead at WWF Netherlands. Stanley is helping to redefine how conservation is funded, shifting from traditional philanthropy to innovative financial models that bring in private capital and long-term resilience. In this conversation, you’ll hear why WWF is evolving its funding strategy in response to shrinking public and philanthropic finance, how impact investing brings discipline and scale to conservation and what not-for-profit...
Oct 14, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Becky is joined by Vijay Bains, Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of ESG at Emirates NBD. With a career spanning climate science research, consulting, and corporate leadership, Vijay is leading the charge to embed sustainability at the heart of one of the Middle East’s largest banks, pushing the boundaries of what it means for financial institutions to take responsibility in shaping a more sustainable future. They explore why sustainable finance is not just a technical...
Sep 30, 2025•36 min
The role of the sustainability leader is rapidly shifting. It’s no longer just about technical expertise – it’s about navigating complexity, unlocking influence, and leading transformation. So how do you actually do it? In today's episode, I’m joined by Arabella Ellis, cofounder of Gyre, and a seasoned leadership consultant and coach. With deep expertise in organisational psychology, she helps sustainability leaders connect with purpose, expand their influence, and show up with clarity, even in ...
Jul 15, 2025•34 min
Sustainability is a growing priority for organisations, but driving it forward can feel challenging and uninspiring. So how can we make it more engaging for teams while still delivering real impact? This week, Becky is joined by Darshna Myronidis, Group Director of Sustainability at Virgin. With over 20 years of experience, Darsh is now leading Virgin’s efforts to embed sustainability into the heart of the business, harnessing the power of storytelling and innovation to drive meaningful social a...
Jul 01, 2025•35 min
Cutting emissions is crucial for the planet. But how can we effectively shift the mindsets and behaviors of suppliers whose practices have a significant environmental impact? In this episode, Becky is joined by Caryn-Ann Allen, Group Associate Director for Sustainability at Geopost. Caryn is currently leading the charge on decarbonising Europe’s largest parcel delivery network, championing the power of collaboration, policy, and mindset shifts to drive meaningful environmental impact. In this co...
Jun 17, 2025•32 min
What role can sustainability play in improving both the health of people and of the planet? In this episode, Becky is joined by Nigel Sullivan, Chief Sustainability & People Officer at Bupa. Currently leading their global push to integrate purpose at the heart of healthcare, Nigel is championing the intersection of human and planetary health to drive lasting impact across communities worldwide. In this conversation, you’ll hear how Bupa’s purpose is transforming healthcare and guiding their ...
Jun 03, 2025•27 min
Sporting events can be truly transformative. But how do you create positive impact, long after the tournament ends? Today, Becky is joined by Gemma Wiggs and Jamie McKeown from World Rugby — the global governing body for rugby union and organisers of the Rugby World Cup. Gemma is Head of Tournament, Team & Rugby Services and is currently leading preparations for the Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025. Jamie is World Rugby’s Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion Manager In this conversa...
May 20, 2025•33 min
When an organisation has had purpose in the heart of the business for decades, how do you ensure you keep that purpose fresh? Today, Becky is joined by Natalie Deacon, Executive Director of Purpose and Sustainability at Avon. Natalie has been an integral part of defining and articulating Avon’s purpose, with particular focus on gender equality, breast cancer awareness and violence against women and girls. In this conversation, you’ll hear how to keep your purpose fresh when it’s been a long-stan...
May 06, 2025•35 min
Our cities have been built around the automobile. So how do we reclaim our streets to promote modes of transport that benefit both people and the environment? This week, Becky speaks to Will Butler Adams, CEO at Brompton. The company has inspired a whole new category within the bike industry and has become a force for positive change in urban mobility. In this conversation, you’ll hear how to build a purposeful culture that drives innovation and how it has helped fuel the success of the Brompton...
Apr 22, 2025•32 min
At this time of year, around one in ten of your workforce is looking for new jobs. And nearly half of employees are considering leaving their job due to employers failing to live up to their stated values and purpose. So what does it take to have a good business culture, and what role does purpose have in creating the culture that attracts - and retains - talent? In this best bits special episode, we’re looking back at some of our favourite interviews from series 3, with tips and examples from t...
Feb 04, 2025•18 min
Less than 10% of all motorsports participation is female. And low statistics like this transcend across the sporting world compared to male athletes. With so many myths, stigmas and systemic barriers, how do you break the glass ceiling and allow these champions to take the wheel? Today, Becky is joined with Ali Donnelly , CEO of More Than Equal, the global not for profit organisation with a mission to find and develop the world's first female Formula One champion. actionable In this conversation...
Oct 31, 2024•31 min
Having the right global purpose strategy to create change is essential. But how do you make sure it also has local impact? Today, Becky is joined by Alma Alejandro , Marketing Director for Global Intimate Health and Wellness Brands at Kimberley Clark. In this conversation, we'll be exploring how to drive global impact with the right global purpose strategy and how to demonstrate results. Do you want to learn how to build a purpose-driven business from Given, the consultancy that’s helped some of...
Oct 17, 2024•34 min
This episode is a Climate Week special, in which we’ll be getting an insider’s view of New York Climate Week - the people there, the key events, trends and topics. This year’s theme is ‘It’s Time‘, emphasises the urgency of climate action and spotlight businesses, organisations, and governments already driving momentum and breaking down barriers to progress. Today, Becky is joined by Annabelle Stamm and Stuart McLachlan , who were on the ground at Climate Week representing Anthesis, a company co...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min
Family-owned businesses are truly unique, serving as the embodiment of tradition, community, and legacy. But how do these qualities shape their sense of purpose? More importantly, can the core values that define family businesses be infused throughout an entire organisation, driving culture and long-term success? Today, Becky is joined by Steve Beechey , Group Public Sector Director at the Wates Group. In this conversation, they’ll be discussing how Wates designed, shared and implemented purpose...
Sep 19, 2024•30 min
Creative expression brings joy, purpose, and meaning to human lives. More than that, it is the definition of the possible, the desirable and the tactical. But can the next generation actually use the arts to tackle climate change and help to build more equitable prosperity? Today, Becky is joined by Polly Mackenzie , Chief Social Purpose Officer at the University of Arts London and former Head of Policy for the Deputy Prime Minister. In this conversation, they’ll be discussing how creativity nee...
Sep 05, 2024•28 min
Corporate reputation is more important than ever. Potential customers are not only looking at the services an organisation provides, but its public visual identity and how it makes a difference to society. But how do you build authentic corporate reputation through purpose and, in turn, create value? Today, Becky is joined by Claire Hawkins , Director of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations at Phoenix Group, The UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business. In this conversation, th...
Aug 22, 2024•32 min
Having purpose at the heart of your business is essential for meaningful brand impact. It’s also essential that your purpose is understood by all areas of your organisation. But with growth, unpredictable change and societal shifts, can your purpose become irrelevant? Was it clear enough to begin with? And how do you know when it’s time to change your purpose? Today, Becky is joined with Chris Jackson , Group Head of Colleague Experience at Centrica, Leading energy services and solutions provide...
Aug 08, 2024•34 min
The idea of brand purpose is pretty contested within marketing. Critics are claiming that we’ve reached ‘peak purpose’ and are calling for people in advertising to stop trying to save the world and get back to selling stuff. But is this true, or have we actually reached another level of maturity when it comes to purpose? With consumers more switched on to social change than ever, marketers have a responsibility to create meaningful impact as well as driving sales. But how do you measure meaningf...
Jul 25, 2024•34 min
This year, many businesses are finding it tougher than ever. So wouldn’t it be easier to put purpose and sustainability on the back burner? At least until it feels like there’s less of a trade off with profit… What if I told you that despite the current economic climate, some of the world’s leading organisations are taking an entirely different approach, prioritising purpose as a fundamental driver of organisational performance? And they are thriving. I’m Becky Willan, CEO of Given, back with a ...
Jul 25, 2024•1 min
The science on climate change is clear: the planet is heating at an alarming rate. We’re already at risk of breaching the limits set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Rapid action is needed to ensure net zero pledges are kept and sustainable practices are implemented across business. No amount of disclosure or engagement will correct the course we’re on if businesses and business leaders don’t fix the fundamental market failures that are driving climate change. Today, Becky Willan is joined by Steve ...
Aug 01, 2023•30 min
The power to drive real change comes when every single person in the business feels that they are extended members of the advocacy team - but what are the principles that underpin a credible and impactful advocacy strategy? Today, Becky Willan is joined by Char Love , Global Director of Advocacy at Natura&Co, whose subsidiary brands include Avon and The Body Shop. Char has a track record of working with sustainable business - co-founding corporate sustainability thinktank VOLANS and later la...
Jul 20, 2023•32 min
If businesses want to achieve anything more than incremental change which reinforces that system, we need a new way of operating. It’s true that the world is messy and complicated, but if we’re serious about delivering purpose and driving environmental and social change, we need to rewire the system around us so that we can all thrive in the future. When components of a system synchronize on shared aims, purpose can be better achieved. So how can systems thinking benefit people and the planet? I...
Jul 04, 2023•29 min
We need businesses and brands to have a tangible, positive impact on the world. Employees, customers and consumers expect it; they want to see the companies they work for and shop from take a stand on the issues they care about. But when those issues are complex and at times polarising, how does a business take action credibly and consistently, whether playing the role of advocates or activists? To mark World Refugee Day, Becky Willan talks to Jessie Macneil-Brown , Head of Social Mission Europe...
Jun 20, 2023•31 min
