From Farms to Boardrooms: Tom’s Journey

Tom credits his upbringing on a sheep farm with shaping his practical and problem-solving mindset.

“The thing with sheep,” he joked, “is they mainly want to just die. You’re constantly problem-solving with whatever you’ve got around you.”

This ethos of pragmatism paved the way for his eventual move into sustainability consulting, first at Deloitte and now at SB+CO.

Tom’s academic path at the London School of Economics (LSE) further solidified his foundation in environmental policy and economics. “It’s essential for any credible sustainability professional to understand the nuts and bolts of how climate change works,” he noted. His curiosity and interdisciplinary approach have since become hallmarks of his career.

The Changing Face of Sustainability in Business

A recurring theme in Tom’s discussion was the need for businesses to embed sustainability beyond specialised teams. Reflecting on his work, he said:

“We need to get to a world where the sustainability team facilitates and challenges the business, but the action happens elsewhere.”

He described the evolution of sustainability as moving from isolated initiatives to a more integrated, commercial focus. “Over the past five years, companies have set ambitious net zero targets, but many have rolled back. This often happens because these goals aren’t tied closely enough to the core business strategy.”

This disconnect, Tom suggested, could be addressed by fostering adoption across all organisational levels.

“Internal communications play a huge role in making sustainability relevant to every team—whether it’s finance, operations, or product development.”

The Communication Imperative

At SB+CO, Tom’s work uniquely combines sustainability strategy with communications. He shared how often well-crafted sustainability strategies fail due to poor internal or external communication.

“You can have a brilliant strategy, but if it’s not landing with your internal teams or customers, it’s not going to drive change.”

Tom cited examples of impactful, small-scale initiatives like supply chain workshops and employee engagement sessions. “These might seem minor, but they create the links that enable larger sustainability goals to gain traction.”

Toward a Legacy of Responsible Business

Looking ahead, Tom aims to reshape how sustainability integrates into the commercial operations of businesses.

“I want to move away from projects that feel like standalone sustainability initiatives to those that drive the evolution of the business itself.”

For Tom, the future of sustainability lies in its normalisation within business processes. Echoing a sentiment shared by other sustainability leaders, he noted, “The ultimate success is when sustainability becomes so embedded that it’s no longer a separate function.”

A Call to Action

Tom’s reflections highlight a pivotal moment for businesses. As sustainability evolves from a niche concern to a core business imperative, organisations must rethink their strategies. The lessons shared in The Responsible Edge remind us that sustainability isn’t just about meeting targets—it’s about transforming how businesses operate, communicate, and grow.

This episode offers a blueprint for companies seeking to align their practices with the demands of a changing world. As Tom puts it:

“It’s not about doing sustainability for sustainability’s sake—it’s about doing business better.”