In our latest podcast episode, Nicola Stopps, Founder of Simply Sustainable, sits down with Claire Snowdon, Director of Sustainability and ESG at BDO UK. Claire shares her first moves in building BDO’s sustainability function, starting with a clear strategy grounded in double materiality as a foundational step, even when it was not mandatory.
The conversation explores BDO’s decision to complete a double materiality assessment ahead of regulation and the value it unlocked, how sustainability is embedded into overall business strategy rather than treated as a compliance exercise, how stakeholder expectations are evolving and what that means in practice. It also covers how organisations can balance climate priorities within a broader sustainability agenda, including social mobility.
5 Dec 2025
Samskip: Laurens Dourleijn
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola Stopps, Chief Impact Officer and Founder of Simply Sustainable, is joined by Sytze Dijkstra, Netherlands Country Manager at Simply Sustainable and Laurens Dourleijn, Sustainability Manager at Samskip - a global logistics company at the forefront of the low-carbon transition.
Laurens speaks about the real experience of cutting emissions within a complex, multinational, multi-modal transportation business. He offers an honest look at what transition work feels like on the ground - from navigating new technologies and shifting regulations to driving change in a highly cost-sensitive industry.
The conversation also explores Laurens’ approach to bringing colleagues along on the journey, providing clarity and direction while empowering others to co-create solutions that work in practice.
A thoughtful and grounded discussion filled with rich insights into what a mature, adaptable sustainability function looks like in a fast-moving sector.
21 Sept 2025
Kennedys: Kate Hursthouse
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola Stopps, Chief Impact Officer and Founder of Simply Sustainable, welcomes Kate Hursthouse, Head of Responsible Business at Kennedys.
Kate shares how the law firm Kennedys is driving responsible business practices across a complex international network during times of political uncertainty. She also reflects on what it takes to maintain momentum and embed long-term change in a sector known for tradition and caution.
The conversation covers the importance of aligning ESG strategy with core business values, the power of employee engagement, and the role of law firms in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.
27 Aug 2025
Speedy Hire: Amelia Woodley, ESG Director
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola Stopps, Chief Impact Officer and Founder of Simply Sustainable, is joined by Amelia Woodley, ESG Director at Speedy Hire.
Together, they dive into how Speedy is embedding sustainability at the heart of its operations to drive meaningful change in the equipment hire industry. Amelia also outlines Speedy Hire’s ambitious journey to Net Zero and explains how the business is guided by a clear sustainability framework built around the four Rs: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. She shares how these principles are being used to reshape business strategy, improve operational efficiency, and deliver value across the supply chain.
29 Jul 2025
Manchester Airports Group (MAG): Adam Freeman, Decarbonisation and ESG Director
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, hosts Nicola Stopps, Chief Impact Officer and Founder of Simply Sustainable and Joaska Mischke, Head of ESG and Sustainability Strategy at Simply Sustainable speak with Adam Freeman, Decarbonisation and ESG Director at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), about how one of the UK’s largest airport operators is navigating the path to decarbonisation.
Adam outlines MAG’s bold ambition to reach Net Zero by 2038 and explains how the group is embedding sustainability across its operations without losing sight of its core purpose to connect people and places.
Adam also reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing the aviation industry more widely as it moves towards a more sustainable future.
28 Feb 2025
Principle Cleaning: Shannon Berry, Head of Sustainability
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola Stopps, CEO of Simply Sustainable is joined by Joaska Mischke, Head of Sustainability and ESG Strategy at Simply Sustainable and Shannon Berry, Head of Sustainability at Principle Cleaning Services. Shannon dives into the power of ESG strategy, stressing that companies must drive real social impact. She shares how Principle Cleaning’s employee-led sustainability strategy seamlessly integrates with business growth, proving that sustainability isn’t a cost—but a value creator.
Shannon challenges the myth that sustainability is expensive, revealing how it actually benefits both businesses and their clients. She also emphasises the importance of providing quality data to empower clients to make smarter sustainable choices and highlights how building trust and strong relationships is key to long-term success in sustainability.
6 Feb 2025
Fastned: Emily Eckhous, Sustainability Manager
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola
Stopps, CEO of Simply Sustainable (https://simplysustainable.com/), is joined by Sytze Dijkstra, Netherlands Country Manager at Simply
Sustainable, and Emily Eckhous, Sustainability Manager at Fastned.
Emily shares how inherently sustainability is core to
Fastned’s operations, ensuring compliance with evolving EU regulations like CSRD. Emily highlights the leadership's active role in navigating these changes and the company’s agility in achieving milestones like B-corp certification and
transparent ESG reporting.
2 Jan 2025
Whitbread: Will Silverwood, Head of Sustainability
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola Stopps, CEO of Simply Sustainable (https://simplysustainable.com/), is joined by Ed Packshaw, Head of ESG Risk, Reporting and Comms at Simply Sustainable, and Will Silverwood, Head of Sustainability at Whitbread.
In this episode, Will explores Whitbread’s approach to sustainability, highlighting how the organisation integrates the three pillars of ESG. He covers their commitment to climate action through their environmental pledge, prioritising staff well-being with an inclusive mindset, and their ongoing support for charitable initiatives. The discussion centres around the hospitality industry, with a focus on how greenwashing originated in this space, making it especially relevant to their current and future sustainability efforts.
27 Nov 2024
Fuller, Smith & Turner: Ollie Rosevear, Director of Sustainability
Ollie Rosevear, Director of Sustainability at Fuller, Smith & Turner, shares how his company is changing the conversation on sustainability by offering regenerative options to a traditionally less eco-conscious customer base.
1 Oct 2024
GKN Automotive: Tom Salisbury, Sustainability Director
In this episode of Sustainability Insider, host Nicola Stopps, CEO of Simply Sustainable (https://simplysustainable.com/), is joined by Joaska Mischke, Head of Sustainability and ESG Strategy at Simply Sustainable, and Tom Salisbury, Sustainability Director at GKN Automotive.
Tom shares GKN Automotive's journey, focusing on the business’s key sustainability goals, including compliance with evolving regulations, addressing climate change, and fostering a culture of sustainability across all departments.
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