ProGRESS (Host Sandra Kessell)

Award-winning garden designer Rae Wilkinson puts sustainability at the core of her approach to garden design and the beautiful results speak volumes. In this episode she discusses how sustainability plays a part in her everyday life as well as her career, and how she went from studying art and three-dimensional design to environmental conservation before becoming a horticultural expert and celebrated garden and landscape designer.

Rae Wilkinson has an impressive portfolio that ranges from contemporary to traditional, from urban courtyards to large country gardens and landscaped schemes. Besides private residential projects, Rae also creates sensory care gardens, including the Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals. Her design studio is on the Knepp Estate in Sussex, famed for its trailblazing 3,500-acre rewilding project.

Find out more about Rae's work here

Link to The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) UK courses

You might also like to listen to:

Sarah Kessell Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. S1 E5

Dani Neal City council procurement officer and environmental sciences graduate. S3 E6

Sarah Daly Climate champion and independent sustainability consultant, TEDx speaker, and leading LinkedIn sustainability influencer. S3 Ep 1

About

Journalist and host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After graduating from the University of Cambridge with a degree in English literature, climate activist Jamie Osborn started studying for a Masters in sustainability and behaviour change at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.

But he points out a degree is not the only route into a green career and suggests looking at apprenticeships as a way to get trained and paid at the same time. In fact, apprenticeships are actively promoted by the organisation Jamie works for as a media and communications manager, The MCS Foundation. The foundation has a mission driving postive change towards decarbonising homes, heat and energy.

If that sounds like enough to do, (Jamie's also a dad), at just 24 years old he was elected as a Green Party councillor for Norwich City Council, a role he extended two years later when he also became a Norfolk County councillor.

At the time of recording (January 2024)* Jamie was preparing to stand for The Green Party in the forthcoming general election, aiming to be the member of parliament (MP) for Norwich South. In the ProGRESS podcast he urges younger people to register to vote and says a postal vote is the easiest way to exercise voting rights once registered - it's also free.

*Post-July general election update - Jamie Osborn (Green Party) polled 8,245 votes, second to Clive Lewis (Labour) who polled 21,484 votes in Norwich South.

Link to official result here

Journalist and host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

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Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guests are Laura Yeates and Leora Shlasko of the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance.

Laura is the senior manager overseeing Global Professional Staff Diversity & Inclusion at City law firm Latham & Watkins. Laura has changed the face of recruitment for early careers not just in the legal world, but across the city and really shone a spotlight on unconscious bias and untapped talent. During lockdown Laura founded the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance (SRA), which is driving eco-friendly change to early recruitment by encouraging early career recruiters to decrease their emissions.

Leora is the newest team member at the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance and is its Sustainability Impact Advisor. After studying at Vassar College in New York, Leora completed a masters in environmental governance at the University of Oxford, where, among other studies, she researched the social impact of environmental policies on Bluefin Tuna in Mediterranean and Japan.

Discover more about the SRA, which companies and organisations are signed up to the pledge and what they are doing to reduce their carbon impact in the course of the recruitment here.

Journalist and host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

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Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By his own admission, Nick Molden, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emissions Analytics has had 'a random walk' of a career. His business (and Nick) came to prominence during 'dieselgate' when huge discrepancies were uncovered between diesel car manufacturers' published emissions data, and data collected through independent real-world testing. He's become a go-to voice when road vehicle pollution is under scrutiny and has clear views on electric and hybrid cars, tyre and tail-pipe pollution. He's also clear we need open and honest conversations about what we are prepared to give up to combat climate change and who we are passing the risks of global warming on to.

Also in this episode of the ProGRESS podcast:

• Why Nick thinks a total ban on new diesel cars may be a step too far.
• How studying for a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University of Oxford equipped Nick to deal with policy makers, stakeholders and decision makers.
• The benefit of taking risks when planning your career.

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

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Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode features Sarah Kessell, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

Sarah reveals the early story behind her green career, before the word conservation became part of her vocabulary and how, when she was younger, she associated her dream job with 'saving the green bits of the planet'. Her lightbulb moment came when she read The Last Chance to See while backpacking around the world. Then a careers advisor in Reading, UK, made all the difference to her path.

Sarah has some really useful tips for listeners who want to follow in her career footsteps and praises younger generations and teachers for their interest and growing knowledge of conservation. She also reminds us that as consumers and voters, we all have the power to make green choices.

Mentioned in this episode of the ProGRESS podcast:

The Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and zoologist Mark Carwardine

Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth

Sir David Attenborough visits Skomer Island as part of the BBC's Wild Isles series

Volunteering opportunities at the South and West Wales Wildlife Trust

You might also like to listen to:

Jamie Osborn Green Party councillor and communications manager for the MCS foundation S1 E2

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of charity fundraising S3 E5

About:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Mark Sumner is well placed to share his knowledge and expertise on the podcast, and to offer advice to anyone with a passion for fashion, who wants to ensure they are putting sustainable and ethical practices at the heart of their chosen profession.

Mark's own career has taken him from training as a quantity surveyor to studying first physics, then a doctorate in textile engineering. He joined renowned retailer Marks & Spencer, where he worked as a textile technologist and while he was there, studied for an Open University degree in environmental science, becoming a leading sustainability specialist for the firm.

He left retail to join the University of Leeds School of Design and became the lead lecturer focussing on sustainability, textile, clothing and the fashion industry. Despite a busy life, he still publishes research papers, most recently on the influence of yarn characteristics on microfibre release from knitted fabrics during laundering.

"We can't talk about sustainability in a vacuum," Mark says.

In this episode, Mark discusses:

• the ethics of fashion
• its impact on the environment
• global supply chains
• and how at least 400 million workers across the globe depend on fashion being bought and sold.

These are topics covered on the Sustainable Fashion BA, but Mark is just as keen for students to bring their own questions to the course and challenge current thinking as they become the future of fashion.

Mentioned in this podcast

University of Leeds School of Design BA Sustainable Fashion Programme

United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and (SDG) 8

Marks & Spencer sustainability practices

University of Leeds School of Design

The Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour

About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global climate change scientist Professor Rachel Warren is internationally respected for her research but she could probably walk down any street in any country without people realising the scale and reach of her work. In this episode Rachel explains how an early interest in bird conservation marked the start of her awareness of the environment. While studying physics and the natural sciences at Cambridge University, the global scale of environmental problems and her growing appreciation of the need to conserve the atmosphere – the air that we breathe – drove her to join research projects examining harmful CFCs and acid rain.

Jump forward to the present day and Rachel's research papers are trusted by world governments and the United Nations, and have been cited by fellow academics more than 27,000 times worldwide. Her work helps formulate international agreements and policies. Today she is focussed on quantifying the risks we would all avoid through climate change mitigation and the risks climate change poses to biodiversity and as a professor at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia (UEA), Rachel is encouraging the next generation of climate scientists to join her. She emphasises the opportunities the Tyndall Centre offers young scientists as they build networks within the research community and the advantages the UEA's long-standing commitment to the environment provides students and academics interested in this field.

And for those of us not immersed in acadaemia, Rachel points out that any one of us can modify our behaviour by thinking about how much, where and how we travel, for example, how we use our gardens, and by reducing our own carbon footprint.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Professor Rachel Warren's career biography

• Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, UK

• The Montreal Protocol

• The Kyoto Protocol

Other episodes mentioned in this podcast

Nick Molden (Episode 4)

Laura Yeates and Leora Schlasko (Episode 3).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Fiennes is director of the Holkham Nature Reserve and general manager, conservation, at Holkham Estate in Norfolk. But he left school aged 16 to move to London and work at a nightclub and from there, his career path involved a few twists and turns before he became a hugely respected and listened-to conservationist and advisor.

Jake credits his parents with enabling their children to become interesting individuals (his siblings include actors Ralph and Joseph, composer Magnus and film-makers Martha and Sophie), and he personally inherited their attention to detail and observation. It's those attributes, together with his willingness to take on hard graft, that have shaped his life. Jake also acknowledges that his enlightened 'bosses' have encouraged him in his practices to promote wildlife within agriculture.

The resultant biodiversity, including hares, birds, insects and wildflowers at the estate and nature reserve where he now works and lives, is a joy to the farmworkers, the Earl and Countess of Leicester, Jake himself, and the millions of visitors to this stunning part of North Norfolk. Jake believes current generations should be passing on their experience while encouraging the next generation to have a voice and shape a positive future for our changing climate.

Mentioned in this episode

Jake's book: Land Healer, How Farming Can Save Britain’s Countryside

The National Parks (Glover) Review

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) (East)

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU)

The Holkham Estate conservation

The Raveningham Estate

The Knepp Estate

Turnip Townshend

Other episodes you might like:

Season 1, Episode 7: UEA climate change and biodiversity scientist Rachel Warren

Season 1, Episode 1: RHS award-winning garden landscaper Rae Wilkinson, whose office is based on the Knepp Estate.

About:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sanjukta Jitendhar​​​​ is an architect working at Mikhail Riches. In this episode she discusses her professional philosophy and aspirations, and her views on rent affordability and home ownership, particularly for her generation. She also talks about refurbishing and repurposing existing homes and buildings, rather than demolishing and rebuilding them.

Sanju (as she's known) started to develop an interest in sustainable and equitable living for all as she was child in Bangalore, southern India. As the city enjoyed an extraordinary tech boom, millions of workers moved to Bangalore to service the tech pros' needs. Her grandparents also moved to look after Sanju while her parents, computer scientists, worked long hours, six days a week. Watching a developing inequitable housing situation gave Sanju the motivation to move to the UK and study architecture as a young adult. It also gave her the impetus to seek employment with a company that met her values of sustainable and equitable living across generations and societies.

Mentioned in this episode

Sanjukta Jitendhar professional profile

Mikhail Riches architects

RIBA Stirling Prize 2019 winner Goldsmith Street

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Bangalore: India’s high-growth tech hub

University of Sheffield School of Architecture

University of Westminster Master of Architecture

About ProGRESS

Each episode of ProGRESS features podcast host and long-time journalist Sandra Kessell in conversation with people working, teaching and learning in Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible sectors (the GRESS of ProGRESS). Guests talk about how they got where they are and pass on their ideas for following in their footsteps.

But young, old, or in mid-career you don’t have to be looking for a new direction to enjoy a good story and ProGRESS aims to inspire and entertain while offering greener, more ethical, sustainable and socially responsible ways of thinking, working, studying, training and living.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duncan's career change really happened when, as an advertising and marketing executive, he decided to go on a six-month motorbiking trip and sold up his home and possessions. Two years, a hurricane and several life-changing experiences later, he returned to the UK with a vision: selling bottled water for good causes and using the profits to bring clean water projects to the one billion people worldwide who lived without access to it.

Duncan explains why he went into marketing rather than medicine, what made him leave a job he enjoyed and how he ended up running an ethical organisation, based on values instilled by his grandparents and parents.

He also discusses:

• the importance of One being carbon neutral

• why One opted for green energy from the get-go

• using recycled plastic for bottles before it became 'the right thing' to do.

• why One was among the first UK organisations to get B Corp certification.

Since his vision for One preceded Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) statements, the private equity funders Duncan originally approached wanted significant financial returns, while charities couldn't back a business model that handed over profits. Undeterred by their doubts, Duncan remortgaged his flat and with a goodwill army of 78 people he ploughed all he had into making one small change, one new standpipe, one day at a time.

Big name organisations such as the Coop, World Duty Free and Starbucks have helped One grow and at the time of the podcast (April 2024), One was celebrating more than £30million raised and improving living conditions for over 5 million people through its clean water programmes.

Mentioned in this podcast

One Water

B Corporations

The Co-op water security programmes

World Duty Free

One Water and Starbucks

Polytag packaging tracing technology

Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon

You might also like:

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of charity fundraising S3 E5

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss jobs, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and career choices that led to their current point in life. Every story features a pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable or Socially Responsible take on working, living, training and studying.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Ashworth was the first in her family to go to university after receiving a contextualised offer in recognition of her achievement. She studied pathology and microbiology at Bristol University and remembers the benefits she gained from a Nuffield Foundation placement. She also talks about working in water quality control for AstraZeneca in her industrial placement year and her PhD research work on 'plastic eating fungi' which has been back in the news very recently.

Interested in environmental science and environmental consulting, Sarah volunteered with Groundwork UK before taking what she thought would be a temporary post as a careers advisor for the University of Manchester. After recognising this was her niche, Sarah has been using her knowledge as a researcher, supervisor and scientist throughout the last two decades as she helps postgraduate students and PhD researchers - as well as others - fulfil their aims and find their own pathways to a satisying career.

More information:

University of Manchester

Groundwork UK

Nuffield Foundation Placements

Also mentioned:

UK Government study in the UK

The Life Scientific podcast with Jim Al-Khalili

Fungi in concrete at Chernobyl 

Plastic eating fungi

About ProGRESS

Each episode of ProGRESS features podcast host and long-time journalist Sandra Kessell in conversation with people working, teaching and learning in Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible sectors (the GRESS of ProGRESS). Guests talk about how they got where they are and pass on their ideas for following in their footsteps.

But young, old, or in mid-career you don’t have to be looking for a new direction to enjoy a good story and ProGRESS aims to inspire and entertain while offering greener, more ethical, sustainable and socially responsible ways of thinking, working, studying, training and living.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Sandra recaps on some of the best bits since the show was launched at the beginning of 2024 and picks out a highlight from each of the 12 guests featured in series 1. She reflects on the amazing insights they've shared, the actions they took along their career pathway and there are some funny stories in there too.

All the episodes, along with shownote links to the materials, sites, books and organisations mentioned by guests are available wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for being part of our own progress by listening to Season 1.

Season 2 is the perfect place to catch more brilliant stories, hints, tips and key takeaways from people who are living, working and studying in greener, ethical, sustainable and socially responsible ways.

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss jobs, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and career choices that led to their current point in life. Every story features a pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and/or Socially Responsible takes on working, living, training and studying.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello[at]mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lydia Carrington works as the sustainability manager for the iconic cricket stadium Edgbaston, which is something of a beacon when it comes to promoting green sporting events. Edgbaston Stadium's commitment to changing its carbon emissions for the better is particularly noticable on match days, when as many as 25,000 people watch from the stadium and hundreds of thousands (if not millions) more watch or listen through media channels.

By encouraging spectators – and staff – to be greener about how they travel, what they eat and even by simply bringing along a refillable water bottle, Lydia and the team have seen huge reductions in Edgbaston's CO2 emissions.

But Lydia admits she had no clear career plan when leaving college and wasn't sure she wanted to go to university. She loved geography but was clear on one thing – she didn't want to to be a teacher.

Despite those reservations Lydia studied for a degree in geography and enjoyed taking modules in international development and Scope 3 greenhouse gas tracking.

Her first job after graduating was as a project controller assisting with documentation – nothing to do with sustainability but she knew there were environmental roles within the company and one day asked her boss if she could write environmental management plans for a couple of the sites within her own job and her career took off from there.

Her second job used more of her training, and she came across her current role at Edgbaston Stadium through her network on LinkedIn. Interview rounds successfully completed, the job was hers.

Lydia emphasises that she has been able to make her own mark on what was a brand new role. And to anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps Lydia says:

• stay open-minded about where you'll work at first – provided it meets your values

• the number of sustainability jobs is rising

• green opportunities lay in all sectors

Mentioned in this podcast:

Edgbaston Stadium

Pledgeball

BASIS

MITIE

Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas protocols

ABOUT

Host Sandra Kessell and her guests talk about how they progressed into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable or Socially responsible jobs and offer real-world insights into courses and pathways for following in their footsteps.

Instagram ProGRESS

Content © Sandra Kessell

Music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello(at)myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After leaving school and studying fashion design Nicki Black joined a PR firm. She hated it.

But a friendly stylist took Nicki under her wing and helped her navigate into the world of fashion shoots. Over the last 20-plus years she has carved out a stellar career as a fashion and creative director, working on campaigns for big-name brands such as Adidas, Under Armour and Next, as well as in-house for glossy magazines.

A pivotal moment came in the quiet days of lockdown, when Nicki had time to explore her growing interest in sustainability. She started studying MOOC modules in sustainable fashion management with Future Learn, and this year (2024) she gained a Masters in the subject, an achievement over three years of juggling assignments with long working hours and family commitments.

In the podcast Nicki talks about

• securing a career in the world of creative direction
• the challenges associated with sustainability in fashion
• changing attitudes to waste on shoots.

Nicki also reveals some of the big name stars she has styled over the years and her hopes for a new venture that brings a greener outlook to creative direction.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

FutureLearn

The Sustainability Management School (SUMAS)

The Great British Sewing Bee

You might also like to listen to:

Mark Sumner, Leeds School of Design at Leeds University S1 E6

Jamie Osborn of The Green Party and MCS Foundation S1 E2

Glen Burrows S2

Host Sandra Kessell and her guests talk about how they progressed into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable or Socially responsible jobs and offer real-world insights into courses and pathways for following in their footsteps.

Instagram ProGRESS

Twitter ProGRESS Careers

Content © Sandra Kessell

Music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He shelved his ambition to be a chef, went to university and for 25 years ate no meat. Then Glen Burrows became an omnivore.

Glen discusses his high-octane, interesting and hugely successful career as a globally sought-after professional photographer and videographer, and his very intriguing personal choices around food.

Having been the 'awkward veggie one' among his meat-eating friends, Glen found himself having to square his change of heart with his long-standing community of vegetarians, which he admits wasn't easy. And then Glen took everything a step further by co-founding The Ethical Butcher, selling regeneratively farmed, ethical, high quality meat direct to consumers. He also founded Regenuary, a January campaign to encourage sustainable food choices.

Glen's latest venture is as head of knowledge exchange for New Foundation Farms, a radical natural food and farming enterprise based in Devon. The foundation aims to democratise access to affordable food without compromising quality or depleting the environment.

In the podcast Glen discusses:

• a career in photography

• the lessons he learned leaving his 'tribe' of vegetarians

• food, farming, and marketing

• maintaining optimism about the planet and the people within it.

Mentioned in this podcast

New Foundation Farms

The Ethical Butcher

George Monbiot

Not the end of the world by Hannah Ritchie

Glen Burrows portfolio

You might also like to listen to:

S1 E8 Jake Fiennes director of the Holkham Nature Reserve and general manager, conservation, at Holkham Estate in Norfolk

S1 E7 Rachel Warren professor of global change and environmental biology

S2 E2 Mark Harvey managing director of Fielden Whisky

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello[at]mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kurt Henderson is a polymath. Before Kurt landed at the B-Corps certified company Byway Travel he was an entrepreneur, starting his first venture while at school. He began studying architectural technology at Brighton University but switched to digital media and design, a move he describes as "one of the best decisions I've ever made."

Now he's a senior product designer at Byway, which coordinates 100% flight-free options for customers who want to travel sustainably and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

A year into working for Byway Kurt talks about the company's sustainable, ethical approach to travelling and working within a company culture that is respectful and inclusive. He goes on to talk about about "tech for good" and "it's important to give back while you are still growing yourself."

But there's so much more to Kurt besides work and true to the 'giving back' ethos Kurt serves on the advisory board of ERIC, and guest lectures at Brighton University. He has been involved in youth businesses schemes and he advocates for diversity practices and policies. To unwind he plays tag rugby and basketball and music is still a big thing in his life.

In this episode Kurt discusses:

• working in a role you feel passionate about

• freelancing and corporate culture vs start-ups

• being patient and not expecting change instantly

• consistency

• finding time for yourself.

• giving back.

Mentioned in this podcast

Byway Travel

Eric ceative careers app

B Corps UK

University of Brighton

You might also like to listen to:

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager at Edgbaston Stadium S2 E1

Sanjukta Jitendhar, architect, Mikhail Riches, S1 E9

Duncan Goose, CEO and founder of One Water and Global Ethics S1 E10

ABOUT

Host Sandra Kessell and her guests talk about how they progressed into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable or Socially responsible jobs and offer real-world insights into courses and pathways for following in their footsteps.

Instagram ProGRESS

Twitter ProGRESS Careers

Content © Sandra Kessell

Music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello[at]myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Harvey is the managing director of Fielden Whisky of England. Fielden puts emphasis on the heart of its whisky, ancient grains grown on chemical-free land, planted with an under-storey of white clover. Everything starts from this point of regenerative farming and the grain is grown across England, from Cornwall to Norfolk. But as Mark says in the podcast, if the whisky didn't taste good the methods would only be interesting and Mark assures listeners it's delicious!

Mark's career story started out in luxury brands, including Cartier and LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) allowing him to grow his experience and knowledge in different countries.

But after a number of years Mark could see that his job would start to become repetitive and before long found himself meeting the board of English wine producer Chapel Down and being appointed its managing director.

Leaving corporate life and working for a smaller organisation came with its own challenges, but Mark highlights the impact a smaller company can have on the environment. Following a seven year stint at Chapel Down, during which the wines won acclaim and the brand thrived, Mark joined Fielden Whisky, at the time still known under its Oxford Artisan Distillery label.

It's not hard to see how sustainable a product like Fielden is, but Mark retains an interest in luxury goods as a board member of Walpole, the membership body for over 200 UK luxury brands. Mark also talks about how those companies are developing sustainable practices and mentions one in particular that offers a repair service*.

Listen in for more tips about finding a green career and Mark's thoughts on working for a small producer versus a job for a corporate organisation. Mark also shares the best piece of career advice he's ever received.

Mentioned in this podcast

Fielden Whisky of England

Fielden Whisky on Instagram

Cartier

LVMH

Chapel Down

Walpole

*The business Mark highlights that repairs and revitalises luxury goods is no longer operational but its founders have started Circulo making tech repair accessible and universal.

Other episodes you may find interesting

Jake Fiennes - Holkham Estate S1 E8

Rae Wilkinson sustainable garden designer S1 E1

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imogen Overy is a personal trainer (PT) at the UK’s first carbon neutral gym chain. As a vegan, she chooses a plant-based diet, but she encourages clients to eat to be healthy, meat included if they want it.

Imogen was studying classical civilisations at the University of Warwick, with a view to going into law, when she decided in her second year that she didn't want an office job.

Working in a café, Imogen reconsidered her options – she had achieved academic success but she liked being active, variety in her day and meeting different people. Then she hit on a career as a personal trainer (PT) even though she was not an avid gym goer at the time. Her parents fully backed her decision, partly, Imogen says, because her dad worked for years in a job he didn't love.

After gaining an accredited level 3 PT qualification, studying modules such as anatomy, writing gym programmes and teaching people how to perform the exercises, Imogen joined her first gym. Now she works as a self-employed PT, Imogen points out that she's running a small business. She's in charge of marketing, scheduling and managing everything that brings in clients and income.

There's plenty of variety in her life now, but another of Imogen's jobs is next level excitement. Her alter ego, Lady Bella Van der Velt, is a professional wrestler with the World Association of Wrestling – that's entertainment wrestling not the Greco-Roman style recently seen at the Olympic Games – and despite her small size, Imogen has loved it since her first day.

Imogen's advice if you want to follow in her footsteps:

• Commit to the job
• Be adaptable, because you will be working with all kinds of people
• Invest in your knowledge, whether that's how to improve a squat technique, or expanding your business knowledge
• Be your authentic self, with clients, at work and on social media.

Useful links

Personal trainer apprenticeships

The Gym Group

World Association of Wrestling

Greco-Roman Wrestling

Imogen on Instagram

You might also like:

Glen Burrows, photographer, disrupter, regenerative food entrepreneur

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager, Edgbaston Stadium

Sanjukta Jitendhar, architect, Mikhail Riches

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Daly is a climate champion and independent sustainability consultant who advises organisations, businesses and agencies. A TEDx speaker, Sarah is a leading LinkedIn sustainability influencer, and is named in the 2023 Unlock Net Zero Climate Champions' Power List.

Sarah's varied workload includes discussing responsible supply chains and procurement, or advising City of London businesses on decarbonising offices, or talking to local government about social housing, or lecturing at universities, or advocating sustainability strategies with charities and overseas development agencies…

Originally in marketing and communications, Sarah found herself working with former miners who had bought a disused coalfield for £1 with plans to turn it into an energy efficient village. Sarah dubs it her Al Gore moment.

Listen in to hear why Sarah:

• makes an effort to lead by example

• sold her car in favour of an e-bike (and how she's getting on with that choice)

• has swapped long-haul flights for rail-accessible holidays

• has given up meat and fish.

A friend of hugely respected climate change activist Jonathan Porritt, Sarah offers tips for finding and creating a job role that meets your ethical and green values, and emphasises the importance of hiring next generation employees to ensure fresh thoughts and young voices shape future company success.

"I think you can be respectfully vocal," she says.

Follow Sarah on LinkedIn and see what's been happening since her six-week summer break.

You might also like to listen to:

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager, Edgbaston Stadium (S2 Ep 1)

Sanjukta Jitendhar, architect, Mikhail Riches (S1 Ep 9)

Jamie Osborn, the Green Party and MCS Foundation (S1 Ep2)

Kurt Henderson, senior product designer, Byway Travel (S2 Ep 5)

About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello[at]mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shaheer Hafeez left university and started studying for his accountancy exams with a view to going into a career in audit.

But volunteering with the social enterprise Generation Success, and meeting its founder James Adeleke showed Shaheer just how far a can-do attitude can take you.

He shifted his focus to work in Environmental Social and Governance and climate risk, applied for a job with Big 4 consultancy firm KPMG and has risen to be a director.

Not only does Shaheer now head up a team advising companies about their own ESG and climate strategy, he also mentors social enterprises on scale up. Earlier this year Shaheer become a member of Generation Success's advisory board. The social enterprise empowers young professionals and drives the principles of social mobility, equality, and diversity.

At a panel discussion when he was asked ‘What truly defines a green job?’ Shaheer pointed out the complex nature of the answer, something he goes on to explain more about in the podcast.

Useful links

The ICAEW audit qualifications

Generation Success

St Mungos

KPMG careers

You might also like to listen to:

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager, Edgbaston Stadium (S2 Ep 1)

Sanjukta Jitendhar, architect, Mikhail Riches (S1 Ep 9)

Sarah Daly, Climate champion and sustainability expert (S3 Ep 1)

About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello[at]mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 1

Stuart Mabbutt can recall the first time he engaged with the natural world and wanted to know more. He was in primary school, came across a dead magpie, and wondered why someone had ringed it. His teacher, meanwhile, was trying to persuade Stuart to leave it alone.

And so began a lifelong involvement, not only in nature, but in being something of a contrarian.

If you've heard of Stuart, it's likely to be through his podcast or Wildman Environmental Learning.

His sensory nature workshops enable people to connect with the natural world, sometimes an unlikely beginning leads to a life revelation.

And when he’s not doing that, Stuart is a wildlife sound recordist and producer, an author, public speaker, radio host and a wildlife gardening consultant.

After years helping other people find themselves through the great outdoors, a decline in Stuart's health and a need to use a wheelchair prompted him to lead the Oxfordshire campaign The Genuine Disabled Countryside Access Task Force. His YouTube videos are eye-opening, highlighting the issues encountered by people with different disabilities. These include how to get a wheelchair through a kissing gate, how to read a map with vision impairments and many other barriers.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Wildman Environmental Workshops

The People’s Countryside Podcast:

YouTube @WildmanEnvironmentalLearning

See also:

AccessAble accessibility guide

If you enjoyed this episode you might like to listen to:

Stuart Mabbutt AKA The Wildman Part 2 S3 Ep 4

Sanjukta Jitendhar​​​​, architect, Mikhail Riches S1 Ep 9

Sarah Kessell CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 Ep 5

Rae Wilkinson, award-winning sustainable garden designer S1 Ep 1

About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Follow us on Instagram @theprogress_podcast

Visit us on the Web: https://www.mypro-gress.co.uk

Original content © Sandra Kessell

Original music © Lyze Kessell Insta @lyzetheartist

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2

If you've heard of Stuart Mabbut, it's likely to be through his podcast or his business Wildman Environmental Learning.

His sensory nature workshops enable people to connect with the natural world, and sometimes an unlikely beginning leads to a life revelation. When he’s not doing that, Stuart is a wildlife sound recordist and producer, an author, public speaker, radio host and a wildlife gardening consultant.

In Part 2 of our interview Stuart discusses the first time he was discriminated against because of his disabilities and what he learned from that experience. He also talks about how he networks, how he chooses his interns, and what makes a CV stand out, and his very surprising hobby.

He also talks about his campaign, The Genuine Disabled Countryside Access Task Force, which highlights the issues encountered by people with different disabilities. These include how to get a wheelchair through a kissing gate, how to read a map with vision impairments and many other barriers. His YouTube videos are enlightening and revelatory, as he invites a film crew to join him trying to access the countryside in his wheelchair.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Wildman Environmental Workshops

The People’s Countryside Podcast:

YouTube @WildmanEnvironmentalLearning

See also:

AccessAble accessibility guide

If you've enjoyed this episode you might like to listen to:

Stuart Mabbutt aka The Wildman Part 1 S3 Ep3

Sanjukta Jitendhar​​​​, architect, Mikhail Riches S1 Ep 9

Sarah Kessell CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 Ep 5

Rae Wilkinson, award-winning sustainable garden designer S1 Ep 1

About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram: theprogress_podcast

Original content © Sandra Kessell

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Faulkner-Harvey studied theatre design but left her degree early when she was offered an amazing internship. It meant working on productions and prop-making behind the scenes on such classic films as Alien. But a twist of fate a few years later found her back in Northamptonshire, working at Silverstone racing circuit before she landed a job at Oxfordshire's hospice, Katharine House.

In this episode Jo talks about switching from her first love, art, and developing a passion for charity fundraising. She explains what she looks for when she's recruiting for her own teams, transferable skills and experience and the importance of downtime away from her all-consuming job.

Jo gives her opinion on the benefits of working in the third sector versus a big-money big-business career and her personal views on charity CEOs receiving decent salary packages. She also reveals why The Shakespeare Hospice in South Warwickshire is having to find an extra £50,000 this year. In this episode we discuss why charity donors and supporters are like investors in a business and the power of celebrity endorsements for charities.

Jo retains her optimism for the future, and talks of her respect for Gens Y and Z values and discernment and how they are already making a difference to businesses' and charities' outlooks.

And in common with all our episodes, this podcast is full of tips for what you can do if you want a career like our guest's.

Mentioned in this podcast

The Shakespeare Hospice

Katharine House Hospice

Macmillan Cancer Support

Homeless Oxfordshire

Retina UK

Chris McCausland on BBC Strictly Come Dancing

Enjoyed this episode? You may also like:

Nicki Black, fashion and creative director S2 E3

Duncan Goose, founder of Global Ethics and One Water S1 E10

Rae Wilkinson, award-winning sustainable garden designer S1 E1

Dr Mark Sumner, sustainable fashion lecturer S1 E6

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Instagram theprogress_podcast

Web: https://www.mypro-gress.co.uk

Original content © Sandra Kessell

Original music © Lyze Kessell Insta @lyzetheartist

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danielle Neal is a procurement officer for Norwich City Council. They gained a first class honours degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, (UEA), studying a course that included a year in industry.

Initially, and because of their strong background in business studies, Dani thought their future would be lie in accounting and finance, but because of their interest in conservation and a desire to do something about climate change they switched courses.

Since graduating in 2018, Dani has been working in local government, and dovetailing environmental and conservation with hobbies that include biological recording, crafting and knitting, cinema and occasional travel.

When Dani attended university open days, they were drawn to the campus and community at UEA, as well as the strong reputation of both its business and environmental departments. And while there, they found lots of benefits to joining societies and volunteering, all of which helped them build connections and gain experience while also boosting wellbeing.

Dani talks of their view of Gens Y and Z, how they see their working life and purpose, how they find optimism through their faith in humans building community and the continued advancements in science and technology.

Top green, ethical, sustainable and socially responsible advice from Dani:

• Use your free time while studying to volunteer, engage with work shadowing and find what you enjoy. Ask questions – the people in the field you want to work in are the best to advise you.

• Do something that inspires you. We can all do something positive in EVERY role. 

• Read up on your employers' environmental policy. Check for volunteering opportunities at work and see what you can do in your everyday life.

Mentioned in this podcast 

University of East Anglia Environmental Sciences

RSPB volunteering

Norfolk Wildlife Trust volunteering

Shop Local

You might also like:

Sarah Kessell CEO, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 Ep5

Stuart Mabbutt, AKA The Wildman S3 Ep3 and Ep4

Rachel Warren, climate change scientist S1 Ep 7

About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram @theProGRESS_podcast

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A decade ago Canadian Don Weatherbee moved from his long career crunching the numbers in mining to join a gold recovery company. From there, it wasn't such a big leap to start working with the pioneering technology business RegenX, innovating the way precious metals are recycled, particularly those in end-of-life catalytic converters. As part of the circular economy, reusing materials that have already been processed, Don reflects on a career that has seen massive changes in environmental impact and his sense of optimism.

In this episode Don talks about:

• choosing to study for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Alberta

• why accountancy and technology are a good foundations for business leadership

• the benefits of being "the numbers guy" in the executive team

• the circular economy

• why people are at the heart of innovation and how that will conserve natural resources.

In addition Don discusses:

• the power of asking "Why?" in meetings

• good reasons to find out what other people in a company do.

An avid sports fan Don signs off by revealing:

• how he chooses to relax

• the privileges of living close to the Canadian Rocky Mountains

• reasons to remain optimistic about the future.

Mentioned in this podcast

RegenX

(RGX Tech Corps)

The American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

The circular economy

You might also like to listen to:

Shaheer Hafeez ACA, Director ESG and climate risk KPMG S3 E2

Sarah Daly, sustainability consultant and climate champion S3 E1

Nick Molden, CEO Emissions Analytics S1 E4

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager Edgbaston Stadium S2 E1

Kurt Henderson, senior product designer Byway Travel S2 E4

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram: @theProGRESS_podcast

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@mypro-gress.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Johnson's career was going swimmingly. In the two decades since graduating from University of Leeds, she had worked her way up through various early careers and student research organisations, such as Milkround, Not Going to Uni, UCAS and Cibyl at Group GTI, an independent market research agency specialising in student research projects across the UK and Ireland. She was a business director, owned her own flat and when holidays came around, Rachel was ticking off a bucket list of places to see. Rachel was continuing with the running she had taken up during the pandemic and quietly, in her spare time, she volunteered at Samaritans, the charity that offers 24/7 listening support to people struggling to cope.

Then in 2024, Rachel handed in her notice to take up a place as a trainee mental health social worker. And while that might have been a mic-drop moment for people she worked with, it was something Rachel had been considering for some time.

In this episode Rachel explains:

• why she took such a momentous decision

• what it's been like to return to tutorials 20 years after graduating from the University of Leeds

• how it has been to re-learn essay writing

• the reflective practices in place that help social workers cope with case work

• how she feels about going on placements at the front line as a trainee mental health social worker.

Rachel offers advice for anyone considering treading the same path as her to become a social worker, whether they are fresh out of university or, like her, making a career change. She also talks about what happens next, after summer 2025, when she receives her postgraduate diploma and masters degree.

Mentioned in this podcast

Links

Think Ahead

Cibyl, Group GTI

Samaritans

You might also enjoy:

Duncan Goose, founder of Global Ethics and One Water S1 E10

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager, Edgbaston Stadium S2 E1

Rae Wilkinson, award-winning sustainable garden designer S1 E1

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of charity fundraising S3 E5

About ProGRESS:

Talking about pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram: @ProGRESS

Original content © Sandra Kessell

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Mearns OBE, has a job role topical to the festive season.

Jonathan is a founder of London Christmas Tree Rental. The company rents out living Norway Spruce trees in England's capital city over the Christmas period. Trees are picked up by their temporary owners, then returned to their nursery after a brief encounter with the indoors. The idea of renting out Christmas trees sprang to life when, one January, Jonathan saw dozens of desiccated and discarded trees awaiting refuse collection on London's streets and thought 'There's got to be a better way than this.' Research showed that seven million trees were chucked, cast off or chipped every year and Jonathan's new business plan began.

But that's not where Jonathan's career story starts, or even where it’s going to end. A former police officer, who was awarded an OBE for services to international counter-terrorism in the King's New Years Honours 2023, Jonathan is now a life and career coach, an ambassador for IAfrika children’s home in Nairobi, where he promotes and financially supports children’s education in Kenya. And when he's not doing all of that he's an adventurer and mountaineer. In fact, it was an encounter with his own mortality on a mountain that prompted him to write a book, One Mountain, Two Minds: Taking the Mountain Metaphor to the Next Level.

Jonathan is open about his lack of glowing school reports and still recalls one parents' evening when his primary school teacher made dire predictions about his future. Instead he has had an exciting, challenging, life affirming career. He maintains a positivity that is palpable – even on a screen via Zoom connection – and he's not done yet.

Mentioned in this podcast

Jonathan Mearns

The Earthshot Prize

IAfrika children’s home in Nairobi, Kenya

London Christmas Tree Rental

You might also like to listen to:

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of charity fundraising S3 E5

Duncan Goose, founder of Global Ethics and One Water S1 E10

Kurt Henderson, senior product designer Byway Travel S2 E4

Rachel Johnson, student mental health social worker S3 E8

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro-Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks them to share real-world insights into the pathways and careers they've experienced.

Instagram: @theProGRESS_podcast

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A creative child who was also interested in science, Helen Walsh was encouraged by her teacher parents to explore all her interests, something that stood her in good stead for her future career.

Helen was fascinated by sharks as a child – though growing up in Stoke she was about as far away from the sea as it is possible to be in the UK. An animal lover and budding conservationist, even then, Helen was also a keen fan of The Really Wild Show, a BBC children's programme. Back then it was presented by Michaela Strachan, Terry Nutkins and conservation campaigner Chris Packham, someone she later met through her work.

Helen gained a first-class BSc in Zoology at the University of Nottingham, then an unexpected phone call led to her enrolling in a Masters in biological photography and imaging, something that resulted in the career she still does.

From the time she left university and stepped into the world of communication and public engagement, Helen has been encouraging people to learn about wildlife conservation, the countryside and their natural surroundings. From starting work for the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership. She went on to work in media and communications for Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, (fondly known as BBOWT to local supporters), before setting up as a freelance.

Today, Helen splits her time between her own business, Lonely Cottage Productions, and a publications business, Nature Bureau, designing, photographing and writing for scientific, environmental and wildlife-themed projects. In that time she has supported many projects and campaigns and helped organisations raise their profile with the public.

Now a parent, Helen starts and ends her day with walking her children to school, who help her retain her optimism for the world's future too, since they often come home with information and suggestions about better ways to live.

Links mentioned in the podcast

Lonely Cottage Productions

Nature Bureau

University of Nottingham MSc in biological photography and imaging.

You might also like to listen to:

Jake Fiennes, National nature reserve director and general manager, conservation, Holkham Estate S1 E8

Sarah Kessell CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 E5

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Matthew C Halteman is a professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a fellow at the Oxford Centre of Animal Ethics. Beside his academic work, Matthew is on the board of directors for The Better Food Foundation and Creature Kind, and he's the author of Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan.

Matt urges us to stop looking for moral perfectionism and accept mistakes and dead ends are part of being human. He encourages listeners to look for light coming through the cracks, and he advocates shifting from scarcity mode to an abundance mindset to stay positive. His career and veganism comes from finding his way, rather than a particular plan, shaped by being an anxious young person at a time when there was less support and understanding. He thought he'd train for a career in law but instead turned to philosophy, which opened his mind and made better sense of the world.

The story of Matt's first meeting with his then-girlfriend's scary father, a successful businessman, is poignant and personal. To Matthew's surprise and relief, his now father-in-law was a strong advocate of philosophy studies among young executives.

A bulldog called Gus, and friend and fellow philosopher Nathan Nobis, of Morehouse College, Atlanta, and Matt's wife Susan, helped him change his omnivorous eating habits. And while veganism is his own ethical and philosophical choice, it's not something Matt would insist his children followed throughout adulthood (though he'd be pleased if they did).

Finally, and curiously, Matthew is an avid follower of Arsenal Football Club – the English Premiership (soccer) team also known as The Gunners. He's also interested the vegan football team Forest Green Rovers, which is supported by planet and plant advocate, Dale Vince.

Links

Matthew C. Halteman

Arsenal Football Club

Forest Green Rovers

Nathan Nobis

You might also like to listen to:

Imogen Overy S2 E6

Lydia Carrington S2 E1

Glen Burrows S2 E5

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In spite of business liquidation and a divorce, award-winning f:Entrepreneur Beccy Dickson and now ex-husband Macey Mitchell decided to remain business partners, founding Branded Bio, which supplies sustainable walls and backdrops full of living green plants and flowers for events, to interior designers and even to cover electric vehicle chargers and furniture. In fact it was a living plant-covered bus touring round Westminster in London that sparked Beccy's appearance on the podcast.

Stuck on holiday on the island of Madeira during an enforced extended Covid lockdown, Beccy and Macey spent time talking about where and what next, and settling a future path. But if that makes being a female entrepreneur sound a bed of roses, Beccy is quick to point out the graft behind the spectacular living walls that now make up the mainstay of their business.

Beccy didn't have a clear route to becoming an award-winning small business owner. She left full-time education aged 15, with few formal qualifications. Through family connections, Macey helped her land a job with a small wine branding business, where a mentor believed in her potential and encouraged her further.

It wasn't until she was a mum that Beccy returned to college to study for her GCSEs, initially thinking she'd like to train as a teacher. Across the years she has worked variously in sales, marketing and as a creative director, but it was a chance commission that led Beccy to find her passion. The print production agency she and Macey were running was asked to quote to brand a living wall and suddenly her interest was sparked and her outlook on life changed.

Beccy is candid that her cousin, a long-time champion of sustainability, now teases her about being green and the awards she has won for it. Beccy jokes she may be an accidental sustainability passionista.

Creating living green backdrops can use 1000 plants, all of which have to be looked after and watered to remain looking good. It's hard physical work that requires high energy levels on top of all the usual business worries. When she's not juggling family demands in a multi-generational house alongside the business office in the back garden, Beccy goes to the gym and swims to stay strong.

She wants to pass on sustainability lessons to the next gen, including her children. And Beccy urges everyone to try to make a difference to the planet's future.

"We all have to do our little bit," she says.

Links mentioned in the podcast

Branded Bio website

Branded Bio Instagram

f:Entrepreneur

Small Business Britain

SME business population (Table C)

You might also like to listen to:

Mark Sumner, Leeds School of Design at Leeds University S1 E6

Rachel Warren, professor of global change and environmental biology S1 E7

Content © Sandra Kessell

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 3 round-up: The lightbulb moment

Featuring all 11 guests, this end-of-season episode highlights guests' explanations of how, when and why they got into their career. For some, it was a natural progression from a childhood interest or obsession, while others had a lightbulb or lightning bolt moment that made them reassess their courses or careers.

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Business leader Justin Kelly stepped away from his C-suite role at the international engineering and technology company Siemens in 2022 and is now chief executive at Glass Futures, a not-for-profit tech membership organisation.

Glass Futures researches more sustainable glass manufacture across the globe, so this role fits well with Justin’s other recent appointment, chair of Sustainable Ventures North, a hub for climate tech business start-ups and entrepreneurs, building on the success of its London beginnings.

In this episode, Justin explains how he secured a university place, sponsored by Siemens, and how he rose to the top of the organisation.

As a business leader with a valued voice, particularly in England’s North-West region, Justin also discusses using his experience and knowledge to influence, guide and support organisations and programmes in manufacturing, technology, transport, skills and education…

Read more and find additional links on the ProGRESS website show notes page here

You might also like to listen to:

Sarah Ashworth, Researcher developer, University of Manchester S1 E 11

Don Weatherbee, CEO of RegenX Tech S3 E7

Shaheer Hafeez ACA, Director ESG and climate risk KPMG S3 E2

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An absolute livewire, Divya Kumar is a community engagement manager for Earthwatch Europe, responsible for overseeing Tiny Forests around the UK. She aims to hit the 300 mark by the end of 2025 and now describes herself as a socio-environmentalist. But when Divya was younger, though she had dreams of becoming a veterinarian or an animator, her parents encouraged her towards a corporate career.

Divya describes how and why she stepped off her parents' ideal career path and how life changed again when, supporting her husband's career, Divya moved to the UK. You'll also hear how Divya's parents feel now about her career.

Read more and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes here…

Also mentioned in the podcast

Not The End of the World by Hannah Ritchie

University of Oxford

You might also enjoy listening to:

Dr Bushra Schuitemaker, Zoologist, microbiologist and award winning communicator S4 E2

Helen Walsh, designer, writer and conservation sector communicator S3 E11

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of charity fundraising S3 E5

Rachel Warren, Professor of global change and environmental biology S1 E7

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS

On LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoologist, microbiologist and science champion Dr Bushra Schuitemaker has carved out a career in research and is determined to ensure young people from disadvantaged backgrounds know that science is for them too.

Bushra’s stella science career is all the more remarkable because her local secondary school offered pupils no opportunities at all to take science A level courses. Now the school has full physics, chemistry and biology classes.

Read more and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes page here

You might like to listen to:

Sarah Ashworth, Researcher developer at University of Manchester S1 E11

Rachel Warren, Professor of global change and environmental biology, The Tyndall Centre UEA S1 E7

Matthew Halteman, Philosophy professor and animal and food ethicist, S3 E10

Lydia Carrington, Sustainability manager Edgbaston Stadium S2 E1

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Kohnstamm is a thermal engineer and the chief sustainability officer and co–founder of Leafcloud, which offers its clients a truly green alternative to energy-hungry traditional data centres. 

David is scathing about the misleading use of the word ‘cloud’ to describe most data centres, since they are not the nebulous things that the word conjures up. The reality is much more solid – huge computers located in large buildings in the middle of an open space, requiring vast amounts of energy, air conditioning and water to cool down the resulting heat.

Despite calling himself an introvert-extrovert nerd David, who is based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, didn’t dream of becoming an IT entrepreneur. For a number of years he worked as a bicycle mechanic...

Read more and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes page here

You might also like to listen to:

Nick Molden, CEO and founder of Emissions Analytics S1 E4

Don Weatherbee, CEO of RegenX Tech S3 E7

Beccy Dickson, co-founder of Branded Bio and eco-entrepreneur S3 E12

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Mark Sumner was one of ProGRESS's earliest guests, so his 2025 return to the podcast to talk about the latest developments in his career feels like a seal of approval.

Mark talks about leaving Leeds University's School of Design at the end of the 2024 academic year in favour of a new role at WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme.

WRAP is a not-for profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and for 20 years it has been pushing for global environmental action and circular living.

Read more and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes page here

Listen to Mark's original Season 1 interview here

You might also like to listen to:

Nicki Black, fashion and creative director S2 E3

Glen Burrows, photographer, disrupter, regenerative food entrepreneur S2 E5

Beccy Dickson, co-founder of Branded Bio and eco-entrepreneur S3 E12

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sustainability consultant and environmental educator Maddie Booth started her first enterprise while at the University of Warwick, where she was studying for a Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) in global sustainable development and politics.  

In the spirit of no experience is wasted, Maddie says being an entrepreneur has been the biggest talking point in every job interview she’s had since exiting her business. Having worked in several jobs since graduating, Maddie has just taken up a newly created role as digital learning and development specialist at the Science Based Targets Initiative.

Despite all the success and progress she’s made following her degree, Maddie says if she were 15 now she would consider further education and apprenticeships rather than university. In fact, she is helping her younger brother as he makes course choices.

She urges older generations not to overburden Gen Z with the woes of the world, but is optimistic about their determination to find greener, more ethical, sustainable and socially responsible jobs.

You might also like to listen to:

Shaheer Hafeez , ACA, director of ESG and climate risk at KPMG S3 E2

Divya Kumar, Community engagement manager at Earthwatch Europe S4 E4

Beccy Dickson, Co-founder of Branded Bio and eco-entrepreneur S3 E12

Sarah Daly, Sustainability consultant and climate champion S3 E 1

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on

LinkedIn 

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this wide-reaching discussion, ProGRESS's first-ever guest Rae Wilkinson rejoins the podcast to tell Sandra more about her career as an award-winning sustainable landscape and garden designer.

Recording from her studio at the Knepp Estate in Sussex, Rae talks about introducing her clients to sustainable design and the notion of reducing carbon footprint as well as managing the budget when creating a garden for them.

Rae also discusses giving back to the next generation of designers who want to benefit from her wisdom and experience and how much value there is in giving back to your community through volunteering.

Click here to listen to Rae on the first-ever ProGRESS podcast

Rae Wilkinson, award-winning sustainable garden designer S1 E1

Links mentioned in this episode

Rae Wilkinson MSGLD, garden and landscape designer

The Knepp Estate

The Conservation Volunteers

Hear more of our guests talk about their values-led careers. How they got there and how you can too.

Shaheer Hafeez ACA, Director ESG and climate risk KPMG S3 E2

Sarah Kessell, CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 E5

Divya Kumar, Community engagement manager at Earthwatch Europe S4 E4

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Adeleke thought his future lay in football, but a serious injury meant he had to rethink his plans (much to his mum's relief) and study law instead.

In this episode James talks about how meeting a homeless man after the London Riots affected his thinking, what turned his society at law school into the social enterprise Generation Success and why his mum has forgiven him for not following a legal career.

Generation Success empowers young people from all backgrounds across the UK reach their career aspirations, regardless of their circumstances. Hear what James has to say about social mobility, diversity, and inclusion and why his work is more important than ever.

Read more about James's career and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes page here

You might like to listen to:

Shaheer Hafeez, ACA, Director of ESG and climate risk at KPMG S3 E2

Duncan Goose, Founder of Global Ethics and One Water S1 E10

Dr Bushra Schuitemaker, Zoologist, microbiologist and award winning communicator S4 E2

Justin Kelly, CEO of Glass Futures, Chair of Sustainable Ventures S4 E1

About ProGRESS:

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Follow ProGRESS on

LinkedIn

Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcast

Email us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.