My journey into sustainability began with a local community project: raising £750,000 to build an all-weather football pitch. This initiative brought people together and gave me my first real experience of the tangible effects of climate change. Over the span of five years, the pitch flooded four times, an unprecedented event in an area that hadn’t seen flooding in 50 years. While this disruption affected the 700 individuals who used the pitch, it was a stark reminder of the greater challenges faced by communities globally who experience displacement or devastation due to climate change.

This experience deepened my commitment to two key passions: addressing the challenges facing our planet and supporting young people to develop life skills that empower them for the future. Together, these goals have shaped my focus on aligning purpose with impact.

As a pension trustee with United Utilities, I bring this same commitment to my role in helping secure strong financial futures for members while embracing the importance of sustainability in investment decisions. This responsibility aligns closely with my belief the financial system is evolving. Companies are increasingly embracing purpose-led strategies, and investors are seeking not only financial returns but also measurable, positive impact.

This shift is vital for creating a better form of capitalism, one that fosters a thriving planet and empowered communities. I am proud to contribute to this transformation through my work at Pensions for Purpose.