Episode's summary
What does it take to turn a good idea into meaningful social change? And how can businesses work with communities to tackle real-world problems like food insecurity in ways that create lasting impact? In this episode, Becky is joined by Hilary Berg, a social innovation leader whose work spans initiatives including Iceland’s Food Club and projects with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Drawing on her experience bringing businesses, charities and communities together, Hilary explores what it really takes to move from good intentions to solutions that make a difference. In this conversation, you’ll hear why effective social innovation starts with listening to the people experiencing a problem, how the right partnerships can turn an idea into action, and why testing, learning and adapting are essential to creating solutions that work. Hilary also shares insights on building support within organisations, challenging traditional ways of thinking, and creating social impact that can grow beyond a single project. This…
What does it take to turn a good idea into meaningful social change? And how can businesses work with communities to tackle real-world problems like food insecurity in ways that create lasting impact? In this episode, Becky is joined by Hilary Berg, a social innovation leader whose work spans initiatives including Iceland’s Food Club and projects with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Drawing on her experience bringing businesses, charities and communities together, Hilary explores what it really takes to move from good intentions to solutions that make a difference. In this conversation, you’ll hear why effective social innovation starts with listening to the people experiencing a problem, how the right partnerships can turn an idea into action, and why testing, learning and adapting are essential to creating solutions that work. Hilary also shares insights on building support within organisations, challenging traditional ways of thinking, and creating social impact that can grow beyond a single project. This…
Episodes
What if supermarkets could end food poverty? The Iceland Food Club story | Hilary Berg
ListenedWhat does it take to turn a good idea into meaningful social change? And how can businesses work with communities to tackle real-world problems like food insecurity in ways that create lasting impact? In this episode, Becky is joined by Hilary Berg, a social innovation leader whose work spans initiatives including Iceland’s Food Club and projects with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Drawing on her experience bringing businesses, charities and communities together, Hilary explores what it really takes to move from good intentions to solutions that make a difference. In this conversation, you’ll hear why effective social innovation starts with listening to the people experiencing a problem, how the right partnerships can turn an idea into action, and why testing, learning and adapting are essential to creating solutions that work. Hilary also shares insights on building support within organisations, challenging traditional ways of thinking, and creating social impact that can grow beyond a single project. This…
LIVE from New York Climate Week: Finding the Actionable Edge
ListenedSustainability has spent years building the business case, but the low-hanging fruit has largely been picked. The challenge now is finding the more difficult, higher-value opportunities that can drive growth and resilience. In this special live episode of Purposing, Becky is on the ground in New York for Climate Week, exploring how organisations can move from sustainability ambition to action, and build strategies that deliver both business value and positive impact. Joining Becky for this discussion is an expert panel of sustainability leaders: Kevin Eckerle, Head of Environmental Affairs at Bayer Consumer Health Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer at Opella Eric Johnston, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages April LaCroix, Global Head of Strategy at Anthesis In this conversation, you’ll hear how sustainability leaders are turning carbon into capital, making the case for investment and finding the “Actionable Edge”, where ambitious ideas meet practical…
James Reed: "Socialism and Capitalism don't work, but THIS works." - How becoming PhilCo forces long-term strength, not short-term extraction.
ListenedIn this episode, Becky is joined by James Reed, Chairman and CEO of Reed, one of the UK’s most recognisable and successful family-owned businesses. James is also the author of Karma Capitalism, a bold vision for a more ethical and purpose-driven approach to business. Becky and James explore what Karma Capitalism looks like in practice and whether responsible, values-led business models can truly thrive amid today’s economic uncertainty, growing inequality, and rapid technological change. How philanthropy-owned companies, often referred to as “Philcos”, are redefining corporate ownership, challenging traditional shareholder models, and reshaping how businesses behave, grow, and succeed over the long term. Why James believes some ESG frameworks fall short of delivering real impact, and what meaningful execution, accountability, and ethical leadership actually look like in modern organisations. As AI reshapes the world of work, James shares his perspective on the future of employment and the critical role that…
The sustainable return on investment framework: Proving profit, people and performance can align | Emilio Tenuta
ListenedThis week Becky is joined by Emilio Tenuta, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab. With more than three decades working at the intersection of business and sustainability, Emilio has helped shape how one of the world’s largest B2B companies approaches growth, impact and responsibility, and how those priorities can be designed to work together. We talk about Ecolab’s Exponential Return on Investment approach and what it shows about the link between sustainability, organisational effectiveness and profitability. We also explore why water, often overlooked in the climate conversation, is fast becoming a defining business issue, from resilience and risk to operational performance. The conversation looks at how purpose is embedded at scale at Ecolab through measurable outcomes, practical partnerships and a focus on execution in the real world. Do you want to learn how to build a purpose-driven business from Given, the consultancy that’s helped some of the world's largest organisations become purposeful? Download…
The sustainability agenda 2026: Where leaders should focus their attention | Matthew Bell, CEO of Anthesis
ListenedWhat lies ahead in shaping the sustainability agenda in 2026? And what do leaders need to be preparing for to drive real-world change whilst driving profit? Today, Becky is joined by Matt Bell, the new CEO at Anthesis, for a more forward-looking, strategic conversation on what lies ahead. In this conversation, you’ll hear where leaders should focus their attention in shaping this year's sustainability agenda, how the role of the CSO is evolving as sustainability moves from ambition to action, and what role AI can play and the capabilities that will separate the leaders from laggards. Do you want to learn how to build a purpose-driven business from Given, the consultancy that’s helped some of the world's largest organisations become purposeful? Download the Insiders’ Guide to Purpose HERE.