Business of Sustainability

FuturePlus
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If you’re passionate about building a more sustainable future and curious about the business models making it possible, you’re in the right place. Join Alex Smith, CEO of FuturePlus, to dive into the world of sustainable business, talking to founders and industry pioneers who are redefining success with the planet and society in mind. This isn’t just another business podcast. At FuturePlus, we’re redefining ESG, Environmental, Social, and Governance, by bringing you data-driven insights and future-focused actions that make a real impact. From breakthrough technologies to bold new policies, FuturePlus explores the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the global shift toward sustainability. So, whether you're a business leader, investor, or sustainability enthusiast, join us to stay ahead of the curve. Find out more about FuturePlus.Connect on Linkedin.

  1. What Does a Sustainability Manager Do? | Business of Sustainability Bitesize | FuturePlus

    2D AGO

    What Does a Sustainability Manager Do? | Business of Sustainability Bitesize | FuturePlus

    Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a sustainability management business? Sam Sweeney, Sustainability Manager at FuturePlus, walks through what a typical day looks like, from delivering waste workshops to client meetings, navigating legislation changes, and helping businesses prepare for supply chain requirements they didn't see coming. We discuss: → How advisory support works through the FuturePlus platform→ Why supply chain pressure is forcing smaller companies to act faster→ The difference between sustainability advice and accountability→ How the team shares expertise across 30+ sectors and 17 countries If you're working in sustainability, managing ESG requirements, or just curious about what actually goes into sustainability management, this is a practical look at the work that helps businesses measure, improve, and report their impact. Learn more about FuturePlus: future-plus.co.uk

    8 min
  2. How London's Top Businesses Grow Sustainably - London & Partners

    FEB 11

    How London's Top Businesses Grow Sustainably - London & Partners

    Sara French, Head of Scale-Up Programmes at London & Partners, shares insights from supporting over 4,500 businesses through international growth. In this conversation with Alex Smith, Sara reveals why companies that embed sustainability early scale 50% faster, how governance strengthens business foundations, and what VCs really look for in scale-ups today. We discuss the practical realities of international expansion, the unexpected connection between ESG frameworks and business maturity, and why London's ecosystem offers unique advantages for sustainable growth. Sara also shares success stories from companies solving real-world problems and explains how London & Partners' trade missions create opportunities that would otherwise take years to access. Whether you're scaling locally or planning international expansion, this episode offers practical frameworks for building resilient, investment-ready businesses. Click here for the ESG Unfiltered course. Click here for London & Partners.

    45 min
  3. 2026 Sustainability Trends: From Performance to Action | Alex Smith & Polly Milne

    JAN 21

    2026 Sustainability Trends: From Performance to Action | Alex Smith & Polly Milne

    Welcome to our new bitesize episodes - a new series of shorter conversations (around 10-15 minutes) where members of the FuturePlus team discuss what we're actually seeing in sustainability right now. In this first episode, CEO Alex Smith and COO Polly Milne talk about what 2026 holds. Despite regulatory rollbacks and green claims pressures, there's a clear shift happening: sustainability is moving from performative to action-driven, and businesses are doing it because it genuinely makes them stronger. What we cover: 00:37 - Why 2025 was tough for sustainability teams 01:57 - Sustainability as business resilience, not just marketing 03:28 - Evidence and verification in procurement 04:01 - AI's role in sustainability (and its challenges) 07:04 - The ethics and carbon footprint of AI 07:29 - The future of lean sustainability teams 09:47 - Embedding sustainability across departments About FuturePlus: FuturePlus is a sustainability intelligence platform helping businesses measure, manage and improve their environmental and social impact. Our platform brings together climate, environment, social, economic and diversity & inclusion data in one accessible framework. 🌐 www.future-plus.co.uk

    11 min
  4. How Ape2o is Making Single-Use Water Bottles Obsolete

    12/11/2025

    How Ape2o is Making Single-Use Water Bottles Obsolete

    Bottled water is a £2 billion market in the UK, but at what cost?In this episode, FuturePlus CEO, Alex Smith sits down with Anthony Newman, CEO of Ape2o, who's on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles through innovation, not shame.After witnessing the devastating impact of marine plastics on turtles in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Anthony knew he had to act. The result? High-tech water refill stations that deliver chilled, filtered, and even sparkling water for just 25p, while saving thousands of bottles from landfill.We explore the economics of disrupting a billion-pound industry, the operational challenges of scaling refill infrastructure, why convenience always trumps good intentions, and how bold buyers are essential for sustainable innovation to succeed.Key topics covered: Why water on-the-go costs twice the price of petrol (and what that really means) The capital-intensive reality of building sustainable infrastructure How to attract consumers to better choices without shaming them Why 10% of turnover (not profit) goes to ocean conservation The role of regulation in driving business behaviour change Click here to learn more about Ape2o, or here for FuturePlus.

    39 min
  5. Social Sustainability: From Compliance to Value Creation

    11/26/2025

    Social Sustainability: From Compliance to Value Creation

    In this episode, FuturePlus CEO and host, Alex Smith sits down with Rachel Sadka, Director of Social Sustainability at EY, to explore how businesses can move beyond compliance to create genuine transformation through social sustainability and DEI initiatives. Rachel shares insights from her 13+ years at EY, including her work developing the National Equality Standard and Global Equality Standard. The conversation covers navigating DEI backlash, measuring social impact, embedding sustainability across all business functions, and why socioeconomic diversity matters. Rachel explains how leading organisations link social sustainability to value creation, the role of AI in recruitment and performance management, and why transparency about challenges builds trust. Click here to learn more about FuturePlus, or here for EY.

    43 min
  6. Bridging Global Standards & Caribbean Innovation

    11/19/2025

    Bridging Global Standards & Caribbean Innovation

    In this special episode recorded on location in Trinidad & Tobago, FuturePlus CEO, Alex Smith sits down with Maria-Elena Navarro and Anya Ayoung-Chee from We Are Soveryn to explore how their partnership is transforming sustainability practices across the Caribbean. Fresh from exhibiting at the AMCHAM T&T HSSE Conference 2025, the conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities facing Caribbean businesses as they navigate ESG frameworks, from legacy oil and gas companies future-proofing their operations to innovative SMEs embedding sustainability into their DNA. This episode demonstrates how sustainability doesn't need to be a compliance burden, when approached with the right tools and local expertise, it becomes an opportunity for Caribbean businesses to showcase their resilience, innovation, and unique strengths on a global stage. Key topics discussed: Making ESG accessible for Caribbean businesses of all sizes The gap between international frameworks and local application Sustainability in Trinidad & Tobago's energy sector Moving from box-ticking to strategic sustainability Harnessing indigenous wisdom in modern sustainable practice Building regenerative cultures and circular economies in the Caribbean Click here for more info on We Are Soveryn, and here for FuturePlus.

    42 min
  7. Bid-Ready: How Sustainability Evidence Wins Contracts

    11/12/2025

    Bid-Ready: How Sustainability Evidence Wins Contracts

    Sustainability criteria now account for up to 20% of tender scores, often the difference between winning and losing contracts. In this episode, FuturePlus CEO, Alex Smith speaks with Celestine Ekpenyong, Head of Bids and Business Development at LMAC Group, about how procurement is driving business sustainability forward. With nearly 20 years of experience, Celestine explains why evidence matters more than intentions when responding to tenders. The conversation covers practical steps for building a sustainability library, competing against larger companies with limited resources, and why authenticity outperforms copying competitors. Celestine shares how LMAC transitioned 50% of their fleet to electric vehicles, engages their supply chain through quarterly innovation competitions, and approaches tender responses with structured evidence. Key topics include the gap between tender requirements and business capabilities, why smaller companies can win against corporates, and how to translate sustainability actions into winning bid responses. Celestine also explains why starting small beats waiting for perfection, and how to sell sustainability investment to leadership. Whether you're preparing your first tender or strengthening existing sustainability credentials, this episode provides clear guidance on turning ESG action into commercial advantage. Learn more about FuturePlus and LMAC Group.

    41 min
  8. Sustainability, from Cost Centre to Competitive Edge in Care

    10/22/2025

    Sustainability, from Cost Centre to Competitive Edge in Care

    Our host Alex Smith speaks with Paul Hayes, CEO of Cornerstone Health Group, a specialist care provider serving people with complex needs. Paul Hayes has turned sustainability into a competitive advantage in one of the UK's most challenging sectors. While most care providers struggle with staffing shortages and thin margins, Cornerstone Health Group improved its FuturePlus sustainability score from 289 to 321 in one year, achieved Impact Certified status, and won 'Specialist Care Provider of the Year' twice. What You'll Learn: Paul demonstrates how sustainability drives business performance in the care sector. Under his leadership, Cornerstone diverted 90% of waste from landfill, built The Burren—an 80-bed BREEAM 'Excellent' eco care home—and grew to 378 employees while maintaining profitability in a sector under unprecedented pressure. Key Topics: Making the business case for sustainability investment when margins are tight Using environmental credentials to win in competitive talent markets Operational changes that reduce costs while improving sustainability Building The Burren: the investment decision and financial returns How sustainability opens doors with commissioners and funding partners Converting sustainability commitments into measurable business advantages Low-cost starting points for healthcare providers new to sustainability Why environmental responsibility strengthens rather than constrains growth Paul offers practical advice for leaders in healthcare and service sectors who see sustainability as expensive or risky. His experience shows how sustainable operations improve staff retention, reduce costs, and create genuine competitive differentiation. About Our Guest: Paul Hayes is CEO of Cornerstone Health Group, a specialist care provider focused on supporting individuals with complex needs. He has grown the business while embedding sustainability across operations, property development, and service delivery. Listen now to learn how sustainability can solve your biggest business challenges. FuturePlus helps businesses of all sizes understand, measure, evidence, improve and report on their sustainability impact and goals. Click here to find out more.

    26 min
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About

If you’re passionate about building a more sustainable future and curious about the business models making it possible, you’re in the right place. Join Alex Smith, CEO of FuturePlus, to dive into the world of sustainable business, talking to founders and industry pioneers who are redefining success with the planet and society in mind. This isn’t just another business podcast. At FuturePlus, we’re redefining ESG, Environmental, Social, and Governance, by bringing you data-driven insights and future-focused actions that make a real impact. From breakthrough technologies to bold new policies, FuturePlus explores the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the global shift toward sustainability. So, whether you're a business leader, investor, or sustainability enthusiast, join us to stay ahead of the curve. Find out more about FuturePlus.Connect on Linkedin.

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