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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.
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.
24 Episodes
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Our host Alex Smith speaks with Saira Khan, founder of SAIRA Skin, a Certified Organic skincare brand focused on ethical beauty practices.
What You'll Learn:
Saira Khan has built a successful skincare business by putting sustainability first. Drawing on business lessons learned early in her career (including her appearance on The Apprentice), she created SAIRA Skin as a Soil Association certified brand that removes harmful ingredients while honouring traditional Himalayan beauty practices.
Key Topics:
How effective communication drives business success
The decision to eliminate microplastics from skincare formulations
Building a profitable business with strong ethical foundations
Creating customer trust through transparent practices
Practical steps for integrating sustainability into any business
Balancing commercial goals with environmental responsibility
Saira offers straightforward advice for entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that make money and create positive impact. Her approach shows how sustainable practices can strengthen rather than limit business growth.
About Our Guest: Saira Khan is a broadcaster, speaker, and founder of SAIRA Skin - a certified organic skincare brand inspired by Himalayan beauty rituals. She focuses on building businesses through clear communication and ethical practices.
Perfect for: Business owners, entrepreneurs, sustainability professionals, and anyone interested in building profitable companies with strong values.
Listen now to learn practical strategies for creating a business that succeeds while doing good.
FuturePlus helps business of all sizes, understand, measure, evidence, improve and report on their sustainability impact and goals. Click here to find out more.
In this episode of The Business of Sustainability, we speak to Phil Hails‑Smith Managing Partner at Joelson, a forward-thinking law firm helping businesses grow with purpose.
We explore how sustainability is being redefined in sectors not traditionally seen as green, why environmental and social factors are now a key part of mergers and acquisitions, and how internal culture can be a company’s strongest impact tool.
Phil also shares lessons from building a values-led legal team, the challenges of embedding inclusion, and why long-term thinking, not just compliance, is the future of professional services.
Click here to learn more about FuturePlus, or here for more on Joelson.
In this episode of The Business of Sustainability, hosts Alex Smith and Mike Penrose sit down with Alexandra Berry, Executive Assistant and Head of Sustainability at Strand Palace, and Jordan Hughes, Hotel Manager at the iconic Cliveden House.
Together, they explore how two very different hotels, one nestled in the luxury of the English countryside and the other in the heart of London, are embedding sustainability at the core of their operations.
From employee engagement initiatives like Green Ducks and Sustainability Committees to guest education and avoiding greenwashing, this episode dives into the practical and strategic actions redefining sustainability in the hospitality industry.
Plus, hear how both hotels earned IMPACT CERTIFIED status with FuturePlus, and why collaboration across the sector could be the key to long-term change.
Whether you're a hotelier, sustainability leader, or conscious traveller, this is a conversation not to miss.
Subscribe and listen now to learn how the future of hospitality is being shaped, one sustainable decision at a time.
Click here to learn more about how FuturePlus can help your business make a positive impact.
Click here to learn more about Strand Palace's sustainability strategies, or here for Cliveden House's.
Strand Palace and Cliveden House are both part of L+R Hotels’ portfolio, one of Europe’s largest privately-owned global investment firms and home to some of the finest hotels and resorts in the world.
Clivden House is also part of Iconic Luxury Hotels, a collection of six uniquely luxurious award winning hotels located in highly desirable locations through Britain and overseas.
In this episode of the Business of Sustainability by FuturePlus, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Mark Rushmore, co-founder and COO of SURI, the electric toothbrush brand that’s giving a traditional industry a fresh, sustainability makeover.
They discuss and explore SURI’s origins, the innovations behind its sustainable design, and what it takes to challenge legacy industries.
From bristles made of castor bean oil to an aluminium body built to last, SURI’s toothbrush is more than just smart design, it’s a blueprint for the future of consumer products with sustainability embedded at its core.
Hear how SURI is turning everyday routines into opportunities for real sustainable impact, and how data, design, and determination can reshape entire markets.
Click here to learn more about how FuturePlus can help your business' impact.
Or here to discover more about SURI.
In this episode of the Business of Sustainability from FuturePlus, co-hosts Alex Smith and Mike Penrose sit down with Julia Groves, Investment Partner at Sustainable Ventures, to explore the evolving landscape of sustainable investing.
With a background in renewable energy and startups, Julia shares her insights on the opportunities and challenges in making sustainable investment more accessible. She breaks down the new FCA sustainable impact label and how it’s shaping transparency in the sector.
We also discuss the power of diverse entrepreneurial teams, the role of financial literacy in driving change, and the game-changing potential of AI in climate tech.
Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of sustainability-focused investments.
Click here to find out more about Sustainable Ventures or here for specifically for the new investment funds.
FuturePlus is your key to future-proofing your positive impact, helping you integrate sustainable practices into your operations, communicate your ambitions, and report on your progress. Click here to find out more.
In this episode of The Business of Sustainability from FuturePlus, hosts Alex Smith and Mike Penrose sit down with Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
With a network spanning over 300 brands and 8 million rooms worldwide, the Alliance is driving change across the hospitality industry, tackling key environmental and social challenges.
Join us as we explore the most impactful sustainability initiatives in the sector, the power of collaboration, and the growing demand for transparency in sustainable travel. Glenn shares his insights on the future of hospitality, consumer influence on industry practices, and what it takes for hotels and venues to make a lasting impact.
Subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve in the Business of Sustainability.
Click here to learn more about FuturePlus or here to download the IMPACT CERTIFIED Hotels guide.
To find out more about the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, click here.
In this episode, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose welcome Laura Ayres, Managing Director of Clipper Ventures, the company behind the Clipper Race, the world’s longest yacht race.
They explore Clipper Ventures' mission to drive positive change through sport, adventure, collaboration, and innovation, while also addressing the challenges faced by the business and the wider industry.
Discover how Clipper Ventures uses FuturePlus to monitor its sustainability performance in real time, set ambitious goals, and track its progress. As well as how in 2024, following a rigorous sustainability assessment, Clipper Ventures achieved IMPACT CERTIFIED status.
To find out more about how FuturePlus can assist your business' impact, click here.
For more on Clipper Ventures' sustainability progress, click here. Or to find out more about the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, click here.
The Future of Inclusion: Is Diversity Still Relevant?
Join us on Tuesday 25 February (18:00-20:00) for a thought-provoking panel discussion that tackles one of the most debated topics in corporate sustainability and culture: The future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This event promises an engaging dialogue, expert insights, and diverse perspectives on a contentious issue shaping modern business practices. this event promises engaging dialogue, expert insights, and differing perspectives on a contentious issue shaping modern business practices. We’ve already secured interest from several speakers within our network, including:
- Jamila Brown: Former Head of Impact at Soho House
- Jonathan Hook: CHX Performance, a business consultancy specialising in people sustainability and humanised leadership
- Mike Penrose: Co-Founder of FuturePlus, the award-winning sustainability and ESG reporting ecosystem
- TBC
Click here to book tickets.
FuturePlus co-founders and show co-hosts, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Sophia Kesteven, General Manager at TechZero, the climate action group for tech companies.
This episode explores and highlights the importance of transparency and planning in achieving sustainability goals, and the role of technology in facilitating these efforts.
Sophia showcases the success stories of TechZero members, illustrating how businesses can integrate sustainability into their operations and discusses the need for collaboration between businesses, governments, and other stakeholders.
For more information on FuturePlus.
Click here for more information on Tech Zero.
FuturePlus Co-founders and Business of Sustainability co-hosts Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Grind's Founder and CEO, David Abrahamovitch, for a very special podcast recorded live at Sustainable Ventures.
David will take us on a journey through his entrepreneurial evolution, from the opening of his iconic Shoreditch café in 2011 to building a brand synonymous with sustainability through Grind’s home-compostable coffee pods.
This podcast was recorded as part of the launch of Sustainable Futures Live, a new event series in partnership with FuturePlus and Sustainable Ventures.
To learn more about FuturePlus and Grind.
FuturePlus co-founders, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Malin Berge, SVP, Sustainability Innovation at Mastercard to explore how to tackle the transition to more sustainable consumption and production.
The discussion comes as Mastercard this week announced at Climate Week NYC, a new dedicated set of sustainability-focused start-ups are joining its Start Path’s Emerging Fintech program.
Championing the demand-side transition to a more sustainable economy, the startups are all focused on advancing impact data calculations and supporting consumers who want to make more informed purchases.
Since 2014, Mastercard’s Start Path program has provided a rapid path to scale via strategic partnerships and co-innovation opportunities to over 400 startups across more than 50 countries.
After participating in the program, the participating startups have collectively raised over $25 billion in post-program capital.
Find out more about FuturePlus, here.
For more information on Mastercard's Start Path program.
If you are interesting in joining Alex and Mike as a guest on the Business of Sustainability podcast, email info@future-plus.co.uk.
On this episode of the ‘Business of Sustainability’, FuturePlus co-founders Mike Penrose and Alex Smith, are joined by Matt Bullivant, Director of ESG Strategy at OakNorth Bank.
In this episode, we’ll be discussing sustainability and what its value is to SMEs, as well as exploring OakNorth’s work and expertise.
The Business of Sustainability podcast is created in partnership with FuturePlus and City AM.
About FuturePlus
Powered by data and guided by human expertise, FuturePlus is an award-winning sustainability and ESG management and reporting platform that empowers companies, investors, and asset managers of all sizes to understand, measure, evidence, improve, and report on their sustainability impact and goals. Find out more about FuturePlus.
About OakNorth Bank
OakNorth helps the UK’s most ambitious businesses maximise their growth potential and keen savers reach their goals. They support ambitious change-makers across all different sectors, with a dedication to fostering a diverse economy has helped to create more than 31,000 new jobs in dozens of industries.
In this episode of Business of Sustainability, FuturePlus co-founders Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Managing Director of Zeno, London, Jo Patterson.
We’ll be exploring Zeno’s mission, objectives, what sets them apart from competitors in terms of how they value sustainability as well as advice for businesses on how to communicate its sustainability.
The Business of Sustainability podcast produced in partnership with FuturePlus and City AM.
Powered by data and guided by human expertise, FuturePlus is an award-winning sustainability and ESG management and reporting platform that empowers companies, investors, and asset managers of all sizes to understand, measure, evidence, improve, and report on their sustainability impact and goals. If you'd like to find out more about FuturePlus.
More for information on FuturePlus, click here.
Click here for more information on Zeno London.
In the latest episode of the Business of Sustainability podcast, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Jim Higginson, Chief Operating Officer at Dr.PAWPAW and Laura Frankland, Dr.PAWPAW’s Head of Marketing.
In this episode, we discuss a range of topics, including supply chain management, changes in consumer demand and how to communicate sustainability credentials.
This podcast is produced in partnership with City AM.
To find out more about FuturePlus, click here.
For more information on Dr.PAWPAW, click here.
In our latest episode, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Andrew Wordsworth, Managing Partner at Sustainable Ventures to explore Sustainable Ventures’ mission and objectives and what makes its ecosystem truly unique.
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This podcast series is for anyone looking for valuable insights on sustainability in business. We’ll be hearing from a range of experts in the ESG and sustainability sectors including investors, innovators, and regulators.
We’ll look to provide you with expert analysis and opinions on the future of sustainability in business, including some of the challenges facing all of us.
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FuturePlus is an ESG measurement, management and reporting system that can help any size and type of business improve its sustainability.
To find out more about FuturePlus.
Follow us on Linkedin here.
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Sustainable Ventures helps climate startups and entrepreneurs across the UK to scale through investment, workspaces and venture support. It has a portfolio of more than 100 companies in its workspace and more than 500 in its ecosystem.
To find out more about Sustainable Ventures.
Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by award-winning comic, podcaster, and climate speaker: Stuart Goldsmith to talk 'Climate Comedy'.
Stuart discusses the inspiration for his climate crisis comedy show ‘Spoilers’, one of the best-reviewed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, and how he's taking it to businesses.
Click here to find out more about Stuart.
To discover how FuturePlus can help your business, click here.
On a very special episode FuturePlus Co-Founders, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose, introduce and discuss one of the most inspiring stories to come from the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine.
Sergii Kovalchuk, Founder of the Ridne Consortium kindly joined Alex and Mike remotely from Ukraine to share his and the group's story.
The Ridne Consortium is a group which brings together food and agricultural enterprises in order to develop humanitarian aid programs throughout Ukraine more effectively.
While tackling the countless challenges conflict brings to humanitarian aid, the Ridne Consortium places sustainability as a priority.
We hope you find Sergii’s story and work as inspiring as us.
To find out more about the Ridne Consortium.
Find out how FuturePlus can help your business' sustainability.
In a very special episode of the Business of Sustainability podcast, we celebrate International Women’s Day, by highlighting the excellent work being done by the England and Wales Cricket Board to inspire inclusion.
Alex Smith, Co-Founder of FuturePlus and Polly Milne, Project Director at FuturePlus are joined by Tessa Whieldon, Head of Female Participation and Growth at the England and Wales Cricket Board.
This episode discusses the ECB’s strategies and policies, which aim to make cricket the most inclusive sport in the country.
FuturePlus has been working with The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to pilot a programme to understand the collective impact of the ECB and its key suppliers and stakeholders across these areas. Its long-term ambition is to be able to track and monitor its broader impact using the same metrics as all of its suppliers, no matter their size, sector or geography.
By communicating joint rather than individual sustainability and social impact using standardised metrics, the ECB will be able to demonstrate to its passionate supporter base the power of collaboration as an impact-driven, future-thinking group of companies.
To find out more about FuturePlus.
For more information on the ECB.
FuturePlus co-founders, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Jessica Bonner, Director at Capita Scaling Partner and Jonjo Hobbs, Managing Director at Capita Procurement Solutions.
In this episode, they explore how supply chains and businesses best manage sustainability and procurement.
Find out more about FuturePlus: https://www.future-plus.co.uk/
Find out more about Capita: https://www.capita.com/
FuturePlus co-founders, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by Dr. Kyle Grant, founder of Oxwash, the world's first truly sustainable commercial laundry cleaning service.
In this episode, they explore Dr. Kyle's journey from a space engineer at NASA to a founder of Oxwash, a company intent on disrupting one of the most traditional industries and making it more sustainable.
To find out more about FuturePlus: https://www.future-plus.co.uk/
To find out more about Oxwash: https://www.oxwash.com/
In the latest episode of the Business of Sustainability, Alex Smith and Mike Penrose are joined by CandidateX Co-Founders Man Wong and Sunil Dial to discuss the importance of adding Diversity, Equality & Inclusion to business' talent acquisition strategies.
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This podcast series is created by FuturePlus in partnership with City AM.
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CandidateX is the first talent platform with a DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion) core focus for employers and candidates. To find out more: https://www.candidatex.co/
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FuturePlus is a sustainability and ESG management, improvement and reporting platform that makes managing social and environmental impact accessible, affordable, achievable and trackable for every business, not just the 1%.
It helps you understand where you are, where you want to be and mostly importantly helps you get there.
If you’d like to find out how FuturePlus can benefit your business, email info@future-plus.co.uk
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