CURRENT MISSION
I am on a mission to rescue Britain’s Rivers. I am Chief Executive of River Action, a new disruptive environmental charity founded by Charles Watson in 2021. Having been an original Trustee and member of the Advisory Board, I have recently accepted a full time leadership role.
By supporting communities, gathering evidence and informing the public, we are pressuring the Government and industry to clean up our heavily polluted rivers, with live campaigns to save the River Wye, Lake Windermere, the New Forest rivers and Wessex Chalk Streams.
Having co-founded Beaver Trust in 2019, after 3 years leading its development as Chief Executive I am a vocal ambassador for its urgent work to restore rivers and wildlife.
I support native species reintroductions as a member of the English Wildcat Working Group, and by supporting Celtic Amphibian and Reptile, Heal Rewilding and Ewhurst Park.
My bi-monthly column ‘The Positive Disruptor‘ is published by Country and Town House Magazine and can be seen in my blog section.
I help other people whenever I can and am always on the look out for new opportunities to make an impact.
IN YOUR SHOES
If you are a startup or SME with a social or environmental purpose, there is a good chance I have gone through what you are now.
I know what it is like to see opportunity where others see threat, to feel the excitement and uncertainty of doing something worthwhile, to give and risk everything when everyone else has given up or buried their heads in the sand.
I have failed and succeeded to create new companies and technologies, and helped organisations in the throes of transition curl up or blossom.
Shifting beliefs, behaviours and paradigms is not easy. Remarkably, though, our progress is exponential.
My commitment: I will bring you empathy, authenticity, discernment, positivity and realistic solutions.
Using the lessons I have learned, I will help you challenge convention, catalyse change and secure a bright future for your organisation and grandchildren.
MY STORY
I was born in 1972, married in 2005 and have two wonderful daughters. We live among the rolling hills near Marlborough in Wiltshire. I work throughout the UK and Europe, sometimes further afield.
I love challenges, like climbing mountains. My driving purpose is to reconnect people with each other and nature.
My mission as a change agent is to find positively disruptive ways of creating an abundant future for us all, and to ensure rapid and sustained behaviour change.
SEPARATION…
Regarded as a rebel, I didn’t fit in at school, always challenging the system and confronting bullies.
Something was missing between what I was taught and my experience of the world, so I went off to explore.
As an archaeologist investigating the human story – technology, trading, resource exploitation – I saw the rise and fall of civilisations in artefacts and soil, and witnessed our gradual separation from nature and each other.
…RECONNECTION
Accidentally falling into a 5-year corporate career, I was alarmed at how profitable and damaging a company of decent people can be. After taking a year out to study an MSc in Holistic Science at Schumacher College, everything became clear:
We are one. I hurt you, I hurt myself. I heal you, I heal myself. The same applies to people, organisations and our planet.
With a deeper understanding of natural and human systems, grounded in juicy subjects like systems theory, ecopsychology, sustainable economics, biomimicry and permaculture, I set about my mission to help people like you. 20 years on, here we are.
I have co-founded, led and advised a wide range of organisations from nature restoration charities, clean technology R&D, green finance, sustainable property development to ecotourism, deep ocean exploration and global climate change communications and education.
What do you do and how can I help you?
PAST (AD)VENTURES
I have held senior executive positions…
- Managing Director at Nekton, a deep ocean exploration, science, communications, STEM education and technology foundation
- Commercial Director at Ten Fold Engineering, a technology disruptor in the UK, US and Europe
- Development Director at Redcliffe Wharf, a property development and community regeneration scheme
- Head of Sales and Services at Alastair Sawday’s, a tourism agency and travel publisher in Europe
- Service Partner Manager at Cabletron Systems, an ITC corporation in Europe, Middle East and Africa
… and co-founded Nekton and other ‘first-of-their-kind’ enterprises…
-
- Beaver Trust, a small charity protecting Britain’s beavers to restore rivers and wildlife
- Canopy & Stars, Europe’s leading marketing agent for ecotourism, glamping and quirky places to stay
- Susten8, the UK’s first climate change business network, communications and events company
- Empower Community, an institutional investment fund for energy efficiency and renewable energy
- The Research Exchange, an enterprise incubator and R&D hub for clean tech startups and spin-outs