I’m a Creative Sustainability Practitioner, working freelance as Sustainability and Beyond, and for many organisations under their brands. My work focuses creatively on sustainability, through the lens of permaculture principles, nature-based-solutions, my 30+ years of community upcycling, cultural event management and cross sector environmental governance.
Helping people and organisations make sustainability something that is understood, shared, and acted upon.
I was interviewed for Unsee The Future before Humber Eco Fest 2023, by the brilliant Timo Peach:
🌿 How I work
I bring together creativity, storytelling, and practical experience to help people make sense of environmental change, turning climate anxiety into action.
That may involve:
- translating complex ideas into something people can engage with
- supporting teams to align around what matters
- helping organisations move from intention to meaningful action
- creating spaces where people can think clearly together
- facilitating community groups to write a future they want to live in
This work often sits between sectors, connecting policy, business, community, and culture.
My approach is grounded, not theoretical.
Credentials:
I hold an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Hull for my contribution to sustainability and creative practice. I am a European Commission Registered Expert in Sustainability, representing independent peer-reviewed expertise recognised at EU policy level.
My formal sustainability qualifications include: IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers, UNITAR Advanced Certificate in Sustainability, PDC-qualified Member of the Permaculture Association UK, and ESG certifications. I am a Fellow of the Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems, and an ORB-qualified member through the Facilitating Responsible Business programme.
Current Roles:
Humber Natural Capital, Co-founder and CTO. Developing technology for nature-based solutions using Earth observation data, working with local authorities, developers, ecologists, and communities on Biodiversity Net Gain, Marine Net Gain, and long-term environmental stewardship along the Humber and East Yorkshire coast.
I am a Director of the Association of Sustainability Practitioners. Responsible for innovation and technology across the ASP network. Teaching climate writing and supporting the development of an MA in action research for sustainability practitioners.
RSA Fellowship Councillor for the North of England. Supporting RSA members and networks across the North.
RSA Playful Green Planet Champion, working with children on climate storytelling at the University of Hull Forest School.
Co-founder of the RSA Space Network. Specialising in space sector sustainability.
Ascend-2-Space Mission, Mentor. Supporting emerging professionals entering the UK space sector through the CAA-funded Ascend-2-Space programme.
Writing and Public Engagement:
I am the author of To Sustainability and Beyond: A Practical Guide to Environmental Responsibility in the Space Sector (Grokkist Press, 2026), launched at Space Unites in RSA House, London, during Space Comm Expo 2026. It addresses the gap between technical definitions of space sustainability and genuine environmental responsibility across the full lifecycle of space activity.
I run climate storytelling workshops for East Riding Libraries, Hull University, and the RSA, and facilitate the monthly Grokkist Press Writing Salon. My climate fiction novel Salt & Seeds (Grokkist Press, 2025) embeds resilience principles in narrative, for readers who want hope rather than climate-anxiety paralysis.
I recently researched and wrote the environmental element of a Town of Culture bid commissioned by East Riding Council.
Speaking and Panels:
I have delivered over 300 speaking and facilitation engagements across community settings, conferences, and stadiums. Recent engagements include: Keynote Speaker, Humber Business Week 2026 on Earth Day. UK Tech Week Green Innovation Revolution 2025, Space Tech Assembly 2025, RSA Space Unites 2026, and UK-EONS (Earth Observation Network for Sustainability) 2024.
Track Record:
I directed Humber Eco Fest and Conference, reaching 60,000 people across 116 events in three local authorities. I created BBC Eco-Time, a solo-funded radio programme documenting grassroots climate action across the region.
I co-facilitated Arts Council-funded climate storytelling workshops for East Riding Libraries and Ergon Theatre, which will result in a community sound installation at Beverley’s Treasure House Gallery in November 2026.
Over three decades of community practice, I have curated sustainability themes across multimedia art exhibitions, contributed to three European Capitals of Culture. I wrote and taught the green team programme for Beverley Folk Festival in partnership with ASP, and held roles as Permaculture Project Manager, and Countryside Leader for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.
Previous Roles:
Manager of Hull Climate Engagement Centre.
Co-founder and Chief Sustainability Officer, Pan Galactic — UK SpaceTech StartUp of the Year and Business to Business StartUp of the Year 2024. CEO, GalacticESG (sustainability subsidiary of Pan Galactic).
Work With Me:
I work with organisations, communities, and networks on sustainability strategy, stakeholder engagement, and climate storytelling. If you are looking to move from sustainability intention to practical action, or to communicate complex environmental work to people who need to understand and care about it, get in touch.
My RELEVANT Awards & Ongoing TRAINING
Doctor of the University of Hull Hon. Causa. for Sustainability & Creative Practice. 2025
East Riding College, PTLLS FE Teaching Certificate
RSA Playful Green Planet Champion training by the Eden Project for Outdoor play / forest school facilitation.
PDC qualified Member of the Permaculture Association UK
IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers Certified.
Completed the Facilitating Responsible Business Certification Course, and now a qualified member of ORB The Organisation For Responsible Business. In association with Anglia Ruskin University.
University of Lincoln, HND in Community & Youth Work
Studied at Eastleigh College, Understanding Environmental Sustainability TQUK
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Advanced Certificate (Sustainability)
SALHUB Royal Institute of Navigation EO & GIS (Earth Observation & Geo Information Systems) Certificate.
Climate Clarity, Climate Fresk Trainer Training.
Alison College, The Impact of Space Flight on the Environment.
BCcampus, Environmental Management Diploma.
The Business Academy, Certified ESG Analyst.
Alan Raw 