My background is in problem-solving. For much of my career, I worked as a Lean Six Sigma and Agile practitioner within a large global organisation, helping teams understand complex challenges, improve processes and deliver meaningful change. I have always been fascinated by how systems work, why they sometimes fail to deliver the best outcomes, and how a continuous improvement approach creates beneficial, lasting change.
After conducting my own research over a decade ago, I became increasingly concerned about the environmental and social challenges we face, particularly climate change. Like many people, I wanted to make a positive difference, but didn’t know where to start, or how I could have meaningful impact.
And there didn’t seem to be a realistic approach to making changes that was manageable alongside the strains of everyday life.
This led me to apply my professional problem-solving skills to the profound challenge of climate change. I began exploring how collective consumer behaviour could become a powerful force for good. Not only to move the dial on climate, but also to improve our own wellbeing.
The result was my book, Spend Green and Save the World: Tackling Climate Change through the Consumer-Led Movement. The book explores the idea that if enough people consciously choose where they spend their money rather than relying on big business and government to lead the way (which was clear is incredibly unlikely under our current consumer capitalist system) then we can influence business practices, market trends and government policy.
Writing the book was an important step, but I soon realised that guiding individuals to make collective consumer changes was not going to move the dial fast enough. People are busy. Even when they want to support more sustainable businesses, convenience often wins. It became obvious that we must make sustainable choices easier rather than solely asking people to try something different.
That led me to found Spend Green, a Community Interest Company based in Dorset, which operates across the BH postcode. Spend Green is an online marketplace that exists to make it easy for people to discover and support local sustainable businesses. It showcases businesses in the BH postcode that prioritise people and planet, making them more visible and easier to buy from. By connecting shoppers with businesses that share their values, we hope to strengthen the local economy, build community resilience and encourage more sustainable patterns of consumption.
What excites me most about sustainability is its ability to create community.
Some of the most rewarding moments in my work have come from connecting people, businesses and organisations that might not otherwise have met and seeing new ideas, collaborations and opportunities emerge. I believe many of the solutions we need already exist within our communities; often the challenge is creating the conditions for them to flourish.
Outside of my professional interests, I have a lifelong love of nature and enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. Much of what motivates me comes from a desire to help create a future where our children can thrive in healthy, resilient communities within the beautiful natural environment that we have been blessed with.
I am delighted to join the Association of Sustainability Practitioners and look forward to learning from, collaborating with and contributing to this inspiring community.