Sustainability Insiders

Paula Gamester MBE, founder of the social enterprise Connector Media CIC and co-founder and of The Sewing Rooms, which upcycles, recycles and diverts textile waste from landfill, tells Kevin the story behind the creation of The Sewing Rooms, how she brought the thermal cooking bag to the UK to help tackle cost-of-living challenges and reduce carbon emissions, and gives her tips for running a sustainable social enterprise.

For full transparency, this episode was recorded late in 2025 and The Sewing Rooms has since gone into voluntary liquidation. We recognise that many third-sector organisations like this are operating in difficult times, particularly in relation to available funding sources and rising costs. This episode is published because it has such an inspiring message and themes which remain as good learnings on sustainability for listeners in the fashion, third-sector and other industries.

Mary Aladegbola, Senior Net Zero Technical Energy Lead at NHS England, tells Kevin about the scale of the challenge at the NHS around sustainability, why a whole-systems approach matters, and gives her practical advice for sustainability leaders.

Kevin chats to Ewan Donald, the head of Environmental, Sustainability and Governance at specialist engineering contractor Ipsum, about building an ESG function from the ground up, the real-world challenges of decarbonising a large fleet, and how to adhere to clients' ESG expectations.

Camilla Smith, founder of Sustii, a recruitment agency which specialises in global sustainability, tells Kevin where she thinks sustainability sits within modern organisations, how the sustainability talent landscape looks today, and gives her advice on how to stand out as a candidate when applying for sustainability roles.

Kevin talks to Graham Duxbury, chief executive of Groundwork, about the employment opportunities within the sustainability space, real-world examples of how businesses and partners are working together to positive effect, and the support Groundwork offers to businesses.

More information on Cadent Foundation's support to Groundwork:

https://cadentgas.com/foundation-partners-projects/groundwork

Kevin talks to Ian O’Donnell MBE, board member and sustainability policy champion at the Federation of Small Businesses, about the key challenges small companies face in terms of sustainability, what practical support is on offer, and how they can take advantage of the many opportunities available.

More information on Cadent's Energy Diaries and tips for small businesses:

https://cadentgas.com/reports/the-energy-diaries/voices-of-small-organisations

Sustainability Insiders is the podcast that talks to business leaders to find out how they’re making their companies more sustainable. In each episode, Kevin Hegarty, who works at Cadent, a UK utility business on its own sustainability journey, talks to leaders who are already finding answers to some of our biggest sustainability challenges. 

In season two, there are six brilliant guests covering a wide mix of topics. Camilla Smith, from specialist sustainability recruiter Sustii, shares what candidates and employers are looking for in this fast‑growing talent marketplace. Ian O’Donnell MBE, from the Federation of Small Businesses, talks about the challenges - and opportunities - small businesses face in operating sustainably. And one of the sector’s standout leaders, Mary Aladegbola, breaks down how she navigates net-zero challenges across NHS England. Other guests include ESG lead Ewan Donald from engineering business Ipsum, and Graham Duxbury, Chief Executive of Groundwork. 

Hopefully each of their stories will give you practical ideas, inspiration, and the confidence to make your own organisation more sustainable - starting today. Subscribe now to Sustainability Insiders in your podcast app to get a notification as soon as episode one of season two comes out.

On Sustainability Insiders, Kevin Hegarty and Libby Drabble talk to business leaders to find out how they're making their companies more sustainable. In this episode, Kevin chats to Natasha Thakur, chief executive and co-founder of Ideagen Carbon Accounting. In their conversation, Natasha explains exactly what carbon accounting is and why it's an important concept for organisations across all industries over the coming years, how she and her team are using generative AI to help companies meet their sustainability targets, and shares some of her top tips for those who are just starting to think about ways they can accelerate their carbon reduction.

On Sustainability Insiders, Kevin Hegarty and Libby Drabble talk to business leaders to find out how they're making their companies more sustainable. In this episode, Kevin talks to Chris Dye, category manager for renewable energy at Pilkington Glass, part of NSG Group, which is one of the world's leading manufacturers of glass and glazing systems. In their conversation, Chris explains how the company is decarbonising by using hydrogen and biofuels instead of natural gas in its manufacturing processes, how it's used a range of technological innovations to reduce carbon emissions, and how ideas from employees at all levels of the business have developed into long-term sustainability projects.

On Sustainability Insiders, Kevin Hegarty and Libby Drabble talk to business leaders to find out how they're making their companies more sustainable. In this episode, Kevin speaks to Carmen Cheng, head of sustainability at NatWest. In their chat, Carmen explains how she and her team are helping customers better understand their current levels of emissions and use that understanding to reduce their carbon footprint, how NatWest is aiming to deliver £100bn of climate and sustainable funding and financing, over the five years to the end of 2025, and why she feels it's important to be optimistic about how humanity is dealing with the climate crisis.

Cogo:
https://www.natwest.com/banking-with-natwest/natwest-app/features/carbon-footprint-calculator.html

Carbon Planner:
https://www.natwest.com/business/green-banking/carbon-planner.html

Energy Journey:
https://www.natwest.com/business/green-banking/energy-help-and-support.html

EV Planner:
https://www.natwest.com/business/green-banking/ev-readiness-assessment.html