Sustainable Conversations

What does it really take to turn workplace social value from a tick-box exercise into a powerful force for good? 

In this episode, we chat with Tiia Sammallahti, Founder & CEO of whatimpact, about how her vision is transforming the way organisations create, manage, and measure social value across the private, public, and VCSE sectors. Discover the story behind whatimpact, the inspiration for their brand-new Volunteering HUB, and how it’s revolutionising employee volunteering and impact tracking. 

Tiia also shares insights on tackling the biggest challenge for organisations today—turning social value from obligation into opportunity—and hints at the next frontier of meaningful impact. 

Plus, we dive into whatimpact’s advocacy work and the exciting VCSE Summit 2026, co-hosted with the Cabinet Office, bringing together thought leaders to empower VCSEs in public sector procurement and social value delivery. 

If you care about impact, volunteering, ESG, and building a fairer, more sustainable future, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways you can’t miss. Tune in, get inspired, and see how social value can really change the game! 🌍✨

What does it really mean to lead with purpose in today’s world of rapid change? 

In this episode of Sustainable Conversations, Salvatore D’Urso, Director at Earth Capital, sits down with Joeri from Opus Cactus for a lively discussion on innovation, growth, and what it takes to build a business that truly makes a difference. From embracing sustainability as a growth strategy to rethinking leadership for the next generation, this conversation dives into how purpose-driven thinking can unlock creativity, resilience and lasting impact. 

✨ Listen in for:
 Real insights on balancing innovation and responsibility 
How Opus Cactus is shaping a more sustainable future 
Why doing good is now smart business 

If you’re passionate about sustainability, leadership, or the future of purposeful enterprise, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Sustainable Conversations, we sit down with Fungai Ndemera, Founder and CEO of CheckUp Health, to explore how technology is reshaping access to healthcare — and why equity and sustainability must go hand in hand.

From tackling NHS backlogs and supporting digitally excluded communities to integrating AI and upholding patient trust, Fungai shares how CheckUp Health is building a purpose-driven platform at the intersection of innovation, impact and care.

💡 Topics we cover include:

The inspiration behind CheckUp Health and how it began

How technology is helping to close healthcare access gaps in the UK

The role of AI in supporting clinicians and improving outcomes

Challenges in reaching marginalised communities — and how to build trust

Why diversity and lived experience matter in health tech innovation

The connection between digital health and sustainability

What long-term success looks like for CheckUp Health

📢 This is an honest and insightful conversation about building smarter, fairer and greener healthcare — and what it takes to create lasting change in a complex system.

In this episode of Sustainable Conversations, we sit down with James Dalgety to explore the evolving world of medical cannabis across the UK and Europe. From cultivation challenges to regulatory frameworks, James breaks down how his company, Dalgety, is leading with science, compliance, and purpose.

🌿 Topics we cover:

- The difference between medical and recreational cannabis

- What high-quality cultivation really looks like

- Access barriers and public perception

- The role of partnerships and policy in scaling impact

- What the future of medical cannabis holds

📢 This conversation goes beyond business—it's about shifting mindsets and creating systems that support patient care and industry integrity.

In this episode of Sustainable Conversations, we sit down with Tim Naylor, Founder of ClimateTech Engineering, to explore why the 2020s represent a critical turning point for climate action.

Tim shares his journey from engineer to founder, his perspective on the biggest barriers to decarbonisation and why bold, systems-level innovation is essential if we’re to meet the urgency of this moment. From infrastructure and industry to investment and policy, he shares how bold collaboration can unlock real progress at speed and scale.

🎧 Listen in to understand what’s at stake — and how we move faster, together.

In this episode of Sustainable Conversations, we sit down with Paul McNeillis, Director at dss+, a global consulting firm that helps clients protect, transform and sustain their operations and supply chains for triple bottom line results.

📌 Topic: Profit + Planet: Scaling Net Zero from Boardroom to Bottom Line
We explore how businesses can move beyond high-level net-zero commitments to meaningful action, aligning leadership, operations and finance to accelerate real-world impact. From capital deployment to culture change, this conversation dives into what’s working, what’s not and what needs to happen next.

🔍 In this episode, we discuss:
✅ What drives real sustainability integration in day-to-day operations
✅ Common blockers to implementing climate tech at scale
✅ The role of patient capital in supporting climate-focused SMEs
✅ How financial tools and sustainability data influence decision-making
✅ Real-world dss+ projects that are driving measurable impact

💡 A must-watch for leaders navigating the path from climate strategy to delivery.

#SustainableConversations #NetZero #dssplus #EarthCapital #Sustainability #ClimateAction #ImpactInvesting #GreenBusiness #ESG #ProfitAndPlanet #Leadership #TripleBottomLine

In this episode of Sustainable Conversations, we sit down with Neil Ross Russell, Co-founder of Net Zero Now and Chief Commercial Officer at Ecologi, the UK’s most trusted climate action platform. Following Ecologi’s recent acquisition of Net Zero Now, Neil shares insights on what this landmark move means for corporate sustainability and how businesses can take meaningful climate action.

With over 25 years of experience advising and managing businesses across diverse sectors—including leadership roles at BBC Worldwide, Virgin Galactic, and Soho House—Neil brings a unique perspective on the intersection of strategy, sustainability, and commercial growth.

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of net zero commitments, the challenges businesses face in measuring and reducing carbon footprints, and the innovative solutions driving the transition to a greener economy.