'We're now the world's largest network of sustainability consultants'

What’s your favourite memory of your time at King’s?

I lived near Russell Square in my first year. I used to love walking through the British Museum courtyard on my way to the Strand Campus.

What are you up to at the moment?

I’m living in Islington, North London, and I’m running my sustainability start-up, Leafr.

Can you tell us about Leafr?

Leafr is a marketplace that helps businesses find independent sustainability experts and tools, on-demand. We work with companies such as Freddie’s Flowers, Conran Design Group and WD-40. We help them navigate climate regulations and reduce their impact without the hefty consultancy price tag.

How did you first get involved in this area?

After I left King’s, I started out in impact consulting across Kenya, Portugal, the UK and the USA. That got me interested in issues of climate change. I saw how so many things, such as malnutrition and agricultural yields, or malaria and adverse weather, were linked to the environment.

I then worked with climate start-ups before doing a sustainability-focused MBA at the University of Oxford. After I graduated the MBA, I’d speak to a lot of companies who were desperately lacking sustainability skills. At the same time, I couldn’t find a platform that would allow me to work on a freelance basis in sustainability. I founded Leafr to try and bridge that gap.

What’s next for Leafr?

We’re now the world’s largest network of sustainability consultants. We raised £600k in a funding round last year, and we’re focusing on growth in the UK and Europe.

That means expanding our consultant network and building tech to make working with top sustainability experts completely seamless. Then businesses can make the right sustainability decisions without massive cost.

What’s next for you?

I’m getting married next year, so most of my energy outside of Leafr is being taken up by wedding admin. Is ‘wedmin’ a word? I’m dealing with venues, caterers, planning and all of that fun stuff…

What one piece of advice would you give to new graduates wanting to make an impact in the world?

Try lots of things. It can feel hard not having a specialism or ‘niche’ after you graduate. Or even not knowing what you want to do. But that’s OK.

The easiest way to find things out is to be an explorer. You have a lot of optionality to test out new paths at this point.

Read more about Leafr.