The Impact Files

S3 E3, Sustainability that pays: building commercial advantage, with Will Silverwood

Our guest this episode is Will Silverwood, whose career has taken him from commercial strategy through leading sustainability at Whitbread PLC, one of the UK’s most recognisable hospitality groups. Today he brings together decades of experience in transformation, operations and organisational change to help large businesses navigate the realities of decarbonisation. Will shares the story behind his shift into sustainability. After early roles with major brands including Trainline, Gala Coral and Siemens Communications, he spent a decade at consultancy Iris Concise, helping complex organisations build new commercial capabilities. A mid‑career pivot came through a role at QA, where a digital transformation project unexpectedly “almost completely decarbonized the business.” That experience gave him the credibility — and the conviction — to move fully into sustainability. We explore how Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn and several branded restaurants, with 850+ hotels in the UK and rapid expansion in Germany, positions itself within the wider sustainability landscape. Will talks us through work done at Whitbread to balance purpose with scale: electrifying kitchens, replacing gas boilers with air‑source heat pumps, reducing water and energy use, designing out food waste, and embedding renewable energy across the estate. He also explains how platforms like HRS and Booking.com [http://Booking.com] increasingly reward operators who provide emissions data — turning sustainability into a driver of revenue as well as resilience. A central theme is the practical reality of delivering sustainability inside a large, operationally intense business. Will reflects on the governance required to unlock long‑term capital investment, the psychology of customer nudges, and the importance of cross‑functional ownership — from procurement and property to finance and operations. His metaphor is memorable: the sustainability team as “fire starters,” convening the right people, lighting the flame, and then stepping back as the organisation takes ownership. Finally, Will shares where he sees the sector heading. With rising expectations around reporting, supply‑chain ethics and energy transition, he believes the next decade will reward organisations that prioritise the biggest levers, act transparently and focus on solutions that deliver both impact and commercial value. Connect with Will at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-silverwood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-silverwood/]

S3 E2, Creating better apparel: pursuing sustainability with scale, with Tom Cotter, OCEANR

Join us in getting to know Tom Cotter, founder and CEO of OCEANR – a fast‑growing sustainable apparel company expanding its product portfolio and working with some of the world’s most recognisable hospitality destinations, private islands and adventure brands. Tom shares the story behind OCEANR’s evolution. What began as three friends in West Cork spotting an overlooked product category – the humble rash vest – has grown into a 90‑person international business with design and production in Latvia and commercial teams in Ireland. After an early attempt at building a consumer brand, demand from organisations looking for credible sustainability partners reshaped the company’s direction. Today OCEANR delivers bespoke uniforms and merchandise for clients such as Necker Island, blending performance apparel with measurable environmental impact. We explore how OCEANR positions itself within the wider sustainability landscape. Tom breaks down their People, Product, Planet framework, from ethical manufacturing and innovative materials to lifecycle analysis, take‑back schemes and partnerships that remove river‑bound plastic and plant mangroves. OCEANR’s B Corp certification reinforces this approach, offering clients external validation in a space where transparency matters. A central theme is the practical reality of building a purpose‑led business while scaling. Tom talks candidly about the challenges of growing through COVID, the long road to profitability, and the constant balancing act between commercial pressures and sustainability commitments. He also reflects on how organisations are increasingly seeking real solutions rather than surface‑level “green” claims — and how OCEANR aims to meet that need. Finally, Tom tells us where he sees the sector heading. With rising expectations around reporting, supply‑chain ethics and environmental accountability, he believes the next decade will reward brands that combine transparency, innovation and genuine impact. Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-cotter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-cotter/] Visit OCEANR at https://oceanr.co/ [https://oceanr.co/]

S3 E1, Rebuilding lives, rethinking work: fair global hiring with Geoff Hucker, CEO Work for Impact

Our guest in this episode is Geoff Hucker, a former Emirates pilot whose life underwent a dramatic change after a visit to a small Franciscan orphanage in Addis Ababa, at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The harsh reality of children dying because families couldn’t afford monthly fees for lifesaving medication, set Geoff on a new path and resulted in co-creation of Beyond the Orphanage, a model focused on reuniting street-connected children with family and supporting them through education into adulthood. Geoff’s story as a driver of positive change doesn’t stop there. In 2019 he launched Work for Impact — a for-profit platform connecting global employers with talent in low-income countries. We take a deep dive into how the business works today: a lean fee structure well below industry norms, 140,000 people on the platform, and contractors typically earning three times local wages. Clients range from Nasdaq-listed companies to small non-profits, and the company’s B Corp status underpins its commitment to transparency and ethical tech. Geoff also reflects on what he’s learned along the way — from balancing purpose with commercial reality to recognising that progress often comes from working with ‘amber’ organisations, not just the ‘perfect’ ones. A conversation about purpose-led entrepreneurship, practical impact, and the small operational decisions that make big social outcomes possible. Contact Geoff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-hucker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-hucker/] Find out more about Work for Impact: https://www.workforimpact.com/ [https://www.workforimpact.com/]

S2 E7, Dogs, sustainability & the power of professional standards, with Jay Light, PACT Dogs

Meet Jay Light, Director of PACT Dogs – a fast-growing membership and education organisation shaping professional standards for dog trainers and behaviourists. Jay shares the story behind PACT’s growth. Four and a half years ago it had just a few dozen members and one course. Today it has more than 400 members across the UK and internationally, delivering accredited training and influencing the future of the profession. We explore how PACT sits within the wider animal welfare ecosystem, working alongside the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and helping shape standards across charities, trainers, behaviourists, and regulators. A big theme is the unexpected reach of dog trainers. Jay argues they’re not just working with animals – they’re teaching people. Because dog ownership spans all of society, trainers often work with everyone from families to senior executives. That creates an opportunity: using everyday conversations with dog owners to raise awareness of sustainability and environmental impact. Jay also shares how sustainability runs through PACT’s model. The organisation publishes impact reports, measures its carbon footprint, and has donated more than £80,000 through scholarships, charity support, and sector initiatives. We hear about their unusual training venue – a three-acre former horse paddock turned into a nature-rich site with wildflowers, renewable energy, compost systems, and biodiversity projects. The conversation also explores PACT’s B Corp journey and what ethical business means in practice – from supplier choices and ethical banking to challenging poor industry norms. Finally, Jay reflects on where the sector is heading. With stronger standards and new certification frameworks emerging, he believes the next decade could see a major step forward in professionalism and animal welfare. A fascinating episode on dogs, sustainability, professional standards – and how a small organisation can influence a much larger system. Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-light-89a71259/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-light-89a71259/] Visit PACT Dogs: https://www.pact-dogs.com/ [https://www.pact-dogs.com/]

S2 E6, Responsible workplace supply and smarter procurement, with Darren Aston, MD, Aston and James

Meet Darren Aston, Managing Director of Aston and James - a long-established family business helping organisations make their workplaces work, from office supplies and furniture to workwear, branded goods, and facilities essentials. Darren shares the story of a business built over 35 years, shaped by family and a strong sense of care, humility, and responsibility - now central to how it approaches sustainability. We hear how the company has evolved since Covid. Changing workplace patterns, shifting customer needs, and a more complex procurement landscape have pushed Aston and James to become more consultative and responsive. The conversation explores what responsible business looks like in a product-based company. Darren talks about eco delivery days, reducing van journeys, helping customers consolidate orders, and making more thoughtful choices around packaging, logistics, and sourcing. We also look at the challenge of influencing behaviour. Aston and James isn’t just selling products - it’s encouraging customers to buy less often, buy better, and reduce waste. Darren explains how clearer product information, approved ranges, and reuse schemes support that shift. There’s a discussion on supplier realities too. Progress is happening, but slowly. Darren reflects on the challenge of improving data, transparency, and supply chains as a smaller business without huge buying power. Internally, we hear about the Green Council - bringing people together to turn good intentions into steady action, from recycled materials to more ambitious reuse initiatives. Darren is open about the commercial tensions. More sustainable options can cost more, and not every idea is straightforward. But he makes a strong case for focusing on practical progress rather than perfect solutions. A grounded episode on practical sustainability, family business values, supply chain complexity, and the small changes that add up over time. For more on Aston & James visit https://www.aston-james.co.uk/ [https://www.aston-james.co.uk/] Contact Darren on Darren@aston-james.co.uk [Darren@aston-james.co.uk]