‘The Gloucester Road hub is now award winning for its sustainability measures’

Katherine Piper is director of partnerships and head of sustainability at Future Leap, a sustainable business network that is dedicated to support individuals and businesses on their journey to net zero. Their services include co-working spaces, carbon consultancy, retro-fit and affordability options as well as events and even a newly opened media studio.

We spoke to Katherine about her business inspirations, her journey to where she is today, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Can you describe the career journey that has led you to where you are today?

I had a career change in 2015… Having worked in housing and homelessness for years, I decided it was time for a change and so took myself back to university (UWE) to complete their Sustainable Development in Practice Masters. It is not an exaggeration to say that this was life changing for me. I suddenly understood the urgency of the climate emergency and the enormity of the change required. So, alongside my studies, I set up a community group to help educate my neighbours in sustainability actions they could take. This was very successful, and I ended up winning Sustainability Student of the Year for my volunteering. The sponsor of the award was Alan, founder of Future Leap….and the rest is history!

Tell us about one (or more) of the people who inspired you along the way?

There are so many! Anyone attending our sustainability events or our Festival of Sustainable Business will have heard me quote former Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney. I often cite his observation that companies that don’t adapt will go bankrupt. If the climate and ecological emergencies are not incentive enough to make sustainable change, maybe this financial imperative will be a motivator.

Also, former M&S Director of Sustainable Business, Mike Barry. Mike is a such a valued supporter of Future Leap and we hugely appreciate the regular insights he presents to our business community.

Future Leap’s wonderful Managing Director, Fenna Leake. She is just incredible at her job and I am sure will be equally as brilliant at being a mum as we gear up to saying farewell to her for a year whilst she is on maternity leave.

My good friend Nikki Jones, founder of Avon Needs Trees. Nikki works tirelessly to implement change and she is not only a huge inspiration to me but is also a font of sustainability knowledge… a great person to know in this ever-changing world.

My Dad! Much like Nikki, Dad has been successfully implementing tangible sustainability projects for years and I am hugely proud of all he has achieved.

Are there any memorable challenges you have faced along the way?

Well, it was pretty challenging to hear the announcement in 2020 that we were heading into a lockdown on the very day that Future Leap was planning on opening its carbon-neutral co-working space! But, it all worked out in the end. The Gloucester Road hub is now award winning for its sustainability measures and is abuzz with brilliant organisations, a lot of which are working within the field of sustainability. Come check it out if you haven’t already.

What is the most important thing for you to focus on in business?

We are a fairly small but hugely ambitious team, all working towards ensuring a more sustainable future. It is important that despite how busy we all are, we ensure the wellbeing of the team. We would not be a sustainable business if this wasn’t at the fore of our decision making.

In terms of my role, my focus is on getting the urgency of the climate and ecological emergency message out there to as many businesses as possible. I think it is important that we do not shy away from the science but also that we show how businesses can play a big part in affecting positive change. Come along to our Festival of Sustainable Business on March 14 if you would like to learn more.

If you had one piece of advice to offer people aspiring to your role, what would it be?

Go for it! We need more and more people like me, trying to get businesses on board.

And network network network! It is not enough to just have the knowledge (e.g. from a degree), you need to build your community too. Again, come along to the Festival of Sustainable Business and we can help you do just that!

If you could change one thing about your sector, or Bristol as a whole, what would it be?

The way in which cash flow is always such a sticking point for action. If we could see our financial system in a different way, making decisions on a longer-term basis, many of the sustainability solutions available to us, actually save us money. Future Leap Finance is also there to help.

What are your aspirations for the future (personally and for Bristol)?

I want all of us all to be living in truly sustainable economies; economies that are low carbon, with clean air and water, where natural habitats and species are thriving, and our communities are healthy with people holding green and fulfilling jobs. And I want to look back on the transition and feel that I was a small part of the solution. I feel extremely proud of the part that Future Leap is playing in this green industrial revolution, get in touch if you would like to know more.

Main photo: Future Leap

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