ProGRESS

David Kohnstamm is a thermal engineer and the chief sustainability officer and co–founder of Leafcloud, which offers its clients a truly green alternative to energy-hungry traditional data centres. David is scathing about the misleading use of the word ‘cloud’ to describe most data centres, since they are not the nebulous things that the word conjures up. The reality is much more solid – huge computers located in large buildings in the middle of an open space, requiring vast amounts of energy, air conditioning and water to cool down the resulting heat.Despite calling himself an introvert-extrovert nerd David, who is based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, didn’t dream of becoming an IT entrepreneur. For a number of years he worked as a bicycle mechanic...Read more and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes page hereYou might also like to listen to:Nick Molden, CEO and founder of Emissions Analytics S1 E4Don Weatherbee, CEO of RegenX Tech S3 E7Beccy Dickson, co-founder of Branded Bio and eco-entrepreneur S3 E12About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.Original content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellFollow ProGRESS on LinkedInInstagram: @progress_green_careers_podcastEmail us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Dr Mark Sumner was one of ProGRESS's earliest guests, so his 2025 return to the podcast to talk about the latest developments in his career feels like a seal of approval.Mark talks about leaving Leeds University's School of Design at the end of the 2024 academic year in favour of a new role at WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme.WRAP is a not-for profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and for 20 years it has been pushing for global environmental action and circular living.Read more and find extra links on the ProGRESS website show notes page hereListen to Mark's original Season 1 interview hereYou might also like to listen to:Nicki Black, fashion and creative director S2 E3Glen Burrows, photographer, disrupter, regenerative food entrepreneur S2 E5Beccy Dickson, co-founder of Branded Bio and eco-entrepreneur S3 E12About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.Original content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellFollow ProGRESS on LinkedInInstagram: @progress_green_careers_podcastEmail us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Business leader Justin Kelly stepped away from his C-suite role at the international engineering and technology company Siemens in 2022 and is now chief executive at Glass Futures, a not-for-profit tech membership organisation.Glass Futures researches more sustainable glass manufacture across the globe, so this role fits well with Justin’s other recent appointment, chair of Sustainable Ventures North, a hub for climate tech business start-ups and entrepreneurs, building on the success of its London beginnings.In this episode, Justin explains how he secured a university place, sponsored by Siemens, and how he rose to the top of the organisation.As a business leader with a valued voice, particularly in England’s North-West region, Justin also discusses using his experience and knowledge to influence, guide and support organisations and programmes in manufacturing, technology, transport, skills and education…Read more and find additional links on the ProGRESS website show notes page hereYou might also like to listen to:Sarah Ashworth, Researcher developer, University of Manchester S1 E 11Don Weatherbee, CEO of RegenX Tech S3 E7Shaheer Hafeez ACA, Director ESG and climate risk KPMG S3 E2About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.Original content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellFollow ProGRESS on LinkedInInstagram: @progress_green_careers_podcastEmail us: hello [@] mypro-gress.co.uk

Season 3 round-up: The lightbulb moment Featuring all 11 guests, this end-of-season episode highlights guests' explanations of how, when and why they got into their career. For some, it was a natural progression from a childhood interest or obsession, while others had a lightbulb or lightning bolt moment that made them reassess their courses or careers.About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcastOriginal content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellEmail: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk

In spite of business liquidation and a divorce, award-winning f:Entrepreneur Beccy Dickson and now ex-husband Macey Mitchell decided to remain business partners, founding Branded Bio, which supplies sustainable walls and backdrops full of living green plants and flowers for events, to interior designers and even to cover electric vehicle chargers and furniture. In fact it was a living plant-covered bus touring round Westminster in London that sparked Beccy's appearance on the podcast.Stuck on holiday on the island of Madeira during an enforced extended Covid lockdown, Beccy and Macey spent time talking about where and what next, and settling a future path. But if that makes being a female entrepreneur sound a bed of roses, Beccy is quick to point out the graft behind the spectacular living walls that now make up the mainstay of their business.Beccy didn't have a clear route to becoming an award-winning small business owner. She left full-time education aged 15, with few formal qualifications. Through family connections, Macey helped her land a job with a small wine branding business, where a mentor believed in her potential and encouraged her further.It wasn't until she was a mum that Beccy returned to college to study for her GCSEs, initially thinking she'd like to train as a teacher. Across the years she has worked variously in sales, marketing and as a creative director, but it was a chance commission that led Beccy to find her passion. The print production agency she and Macey were running was asked to quote to brand a living wall and suddenly her interest was sparked and her outlook on life changed.Beccy is candid that her cousin, a long-time champion of sustainability, now teases her about being green and the awards she has won for it. Beccy jokes she may be an accidental sustainability passionista.Creating living green backdrops can use 1000 plants, all of which have to be looked after and watered to remain looking good. It's hard physical work that requires high energy levels on top of all the usual business worries. When she's not juggling family demands in a multi-generational house alongside the business office in the back garden, Beccy goes to the gym and swims to stay strong.She wants to pass on sustainability lessons to the next gen, including her children. And Beccy urges everyone to try to make a difference to the planet's future."We all have to do our little bit," she says.Links mentioned in the podcastBranded Bio websiteBranded Bio Instagramf:EntrepreneurSmall Business BritainSME business population (Table C)You might also like to listen to:Mark Sumner, Leeds School of Design at Leeds University S1 E6Rachel Warren, professor of global change and environmental biology S1 E7Content © Sandra KessellOriginal music © Lyze KessellEmail Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

A creative child who was also interested in science, Helen Walsh was encouraged by her teacher parents to explore all her interests, something that stood her in good stead for her future career.Helen was fascinated by sharks as a child – though growing up in Stoke she was about as far away from the sea as it is possible to be in the UK. An animal lover and budding conservationist, even then, Helen was also a keen fan of The Really Wild Show, a BBC children's programme. Back then it was presented by Michaela Strachan, Terry Nutkins and conservation campaigner Chris Packham, someone she later met through her work.Helen gained a first-class BSc in Zoology at the University of Nottingham, then an unexpected phone call led to her enrolling in a Masters in biological photography and imaging, something that resulted in the career she still does.From the time she left university and stepped into the world of communication and public engagement, Helen has been encouraging people to learn about wildlife conservation, the countryside and their natural surroundings. From starting work for the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership. She went on to work in media and communications for Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, (fondly known as BBOWT to local supporters), before setting up as a freelance.Today, Helen splits her time between her own business, Lonely Cottage Productions, and a publications business, Nature Bureau, designing, photographing and writing for scientific, environmental and wildlife-themed projects. In that time she has supported many projects and campaigns and helped organisations raise their profile with the public.Now a parent, Helen starts and ends her day with walking her children to school, who help her retain her optimism for the world's future too, since they often come home with information and suggestions about better ways to live.Links mentioned in the podcastLonely Cottage ProductionsNature BureauUniversity of Nottingham MSc in biological photography and imaging.You might also like to listen to:Jake Fiennes, National nature reserve director and general manager, conservation, Holkham Estate S1 E8Sarah Kessell CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 E5About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.Content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellEmail: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Dr Matthew C Halteman is a professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a fellow at the Oxford Centre of Animal Ethics. Beside his academic work, Matthew is on the board of directors for The Better Food Foundation and Creature Kind, and he's the author of Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan.Matt urges us to stop looking for moral perfectionism and accept mistakes and dead ends are part of being human. He encourages listeners to look for light coming through the cracks, and he advocates shifting from scarcity mode to an abundance mindset to stay positive. His career and veganism comes from finding his way, rather than a particular plan, shaped by being an anxious young person at a time when there was less support and understanding. He thought he'd train for a career in law but instead turned to philosophy, which opened his mind and made better sense of the world.The story of Matt's first meeting with his then-girlfriend's scary father, a successful businessman, is poignant and personal. To Matthew's surprise and relief, his now father-in-law was a strong advocate of philosophy studies among young executives.A bulldog called Gus, and friend and fellow philosopher Nathan Nobis, of Morehouse College, Atlanta, and Matt's wife Susan, helped him change his omnivorous eating habits. And while veganism is his own ethical and philosophical choice, it's not something Matt would insist his children followed throughout adulthood (though he'd be pleased if they did).Finally, and curiously, Matthew is an avid follower of Arsenal Football Club – the English Premiership (soccer) team also known as The Gunners. He's also interested the vegan football team Forest Green Rovers, which is supported by planet and plant advocate, Dale Vince.LinksMatthew C. HaltemanArsenal Football ClubForest Green RoversNathan NobisYou might also like to listen to:Imogen Overy S2 E6Lydia Carrington S2 E1Glen Burrows S2 E5About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.Instagram ProGRESS Content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellEmail: Hello@myPro-GRESS.co.uk

Jonathan Mearns OBE, has a job role topical to the festive season.Jonathan is a founder of London Christmas Tree Rental. The company rents out living Norway Spruce trees in England's capital city over the Christmas period. Trees are picked up by their temporary owners, then returned to their nursery after a brief encounter with the indoors. The idea of renting out Christmas trees sprang to life when, one January, Jonathan saw dozens of desiccated and discarded trees awaiting refuse collection on London's streets and thought 'There's got to be a better way than this.' Research showed that seven million trees were chucked, cast off or chipped every year and Jonathan's new business plan began.But that's not where Jonathan's career story starts, or even where it’s going to end. A former police officer, who was awarded an OBE for services to international counter-terrorism in the King's New Years Honours 2023, Jonathan is now a life and career coach, an ambassador for IAfrika children’s home in Nairobi, where he promotes and financially supports children’s education in Kenya. And when he's not doing all of that he's an adventurer and mountaineer. In fact, it was an encounter with his own mortality on a mountain that prompted him to write a book, One Mountain, Two Minds: Taking the Mountain Metaphor to the Next Level.Jonathan is open about his lack of glowing school reports and still recalls one parents' evening when his primary school teacher made dire predictions about his future. Instead he has had an exciting, challenging, life affirming career. He maintains a positivity that is palpable – even on a screen via Zoom connection – and he's not done yet.Mentioned in this podcastJonathan MearnsThe Earthshot PrizeIAfrika children’s home in Nairobi, KenyaLondon Christmas Tree RentalYou might also like to listen to:Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of charity fundraising S3 E5Duncan Goose, founder of Global Ethics and One Water S1 E10Kurt Henderson, senior product designer Byway Travel S2 E4Rachel Johnson, student mental health social worker S3 E8About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro-Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks them to share real-world insights into the pathways and careers they've experienced.Instagram: @theProGRESS_podcastOriginal content © Sandra Kessell Original music © Lyze KessellEmail: hello@mypro-gress.co.uk