I'm quietly passionate about working with others to make the planet a better place. One way and another I've been doing this most of my adult life. People tell me I'm good at seeing things from different perspectives; helping develop a vision for how an organisation can thrive by delivering environmental and social benefits; and helping create the conditions for the journey from 'here' to 'there'.

My first real job was with an upmarket retailer in London, where I discovered - to my surprise - that business can be great fun. The summer job lasted several years and got me involved in marketing, training and buying. One MBA later, I worked in management and economic development consultancy, before becoming disenchanted with the lack of opportunity to develop my interest in sustainability.

I joined the Centre for Human Ecology - sometimes called Scotland's green think tank - to develop sustainable business projects, and later became CHE’s executive director. I supported the development of the Centre’s renowned MSc in Human Ecology, led the course in Ethical Enterprise and carried out sustainability consulting – including helping the Scottish Parliament develop its ethical purchasing policy.

Other interesting facts: I'm a member of the Scottish Government's Climate Change Challenge grants panel; I spent much of my childhood living among the Bedouin in northern Arabia; when I've finished building a boat I'm going sailing; and I'm shocked to discover I'm old enough for my eldest daughter to go to university.