Can you tell us about your career journey to date?

I’m currently Head of Strategy and Director of UK Office at Tecno International, where I focus on sustainability strategies for different companies. I’ve been with the company for over three years now, having joined after completing my Master’s in International Management at Imperial.

My move into sustainability was actually quite unexpected. The role itself was what I really wanted to do because it was about applying strategy to business. I thought working for such a purpose-driven company would add even more value to the strategy process. It was at a time when sustainability was rapidly gaining importance, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to learn hands-on.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt so far is that there’s no linear career path in this field. Sustainability work is dynamic, and you have to constantly learn and adapt.

What I love most is that my role goes beyond traditional strategy consulting. I get to engage in things like the consulting projects at Imperial, mentoring young professionals, and getting involved in public speaking to promote sustainability. It’s really refreshing to have all these different projects to work on.

You were recently named Sustainability Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors. Congratulations! What was that moment like?

It was totally unexpected. I applied a while ago, got shortlisted, and then honestly put it aside. So when I won, it felt very humbling and deeply meaningful.

It wasn’t just about personal recognition. It felt like an acknowledgement of the collective effort at Tecno International and across all our sustainability initiatives.

I rarely stop to think about my work, and the award really helped to affirm that what I do on a daily basis is making an impact. It’s about translating ambitions into actions, whether that is through speaking at workshops, events or simply having conversations with other professionals. We’ve been working quietly in the background, but this recognition shows that our efforts are being noticed and making a difference.

What advice would you give to others looking to integrate sustainability into their business strategies?

In a nutshell, it starts with a change in mindset. Sustainability isn’t just for carbon-intensive industries. It can and should apply to everyone. Having spoken with businesses from different sectors, what comes out of every conversation is that the mindset is the first thing that needs to be changed. Real change only happens when sustainability stops being treated as a side project or an add-on and becomes fully integrated into the core business strategy.

My advice would be to explore sustainability across all departments. Today, sustainability is increasingly human. Just think about Gen Z entering the workforce, who are looking for purpose-driven companies. The same goes for partnerships, as many stakeholders expect sustainability to be embedded in your overall strategy.

So, don’t treat it as a separate initiative. It needs to be developed both top-down and bottom-up, with ideas coming from all areas of the business. To sum it up, I would say shift the organisational mindset and start treating sustainability as part of the core strategy of your business.

What do you think makes a good leader?

I’ve thought about this a lot, especially after receiving the award. One of the main qualities, in my view, is listening, because leadership is ultimately about empowering the people you work with. Managing people at a young age has been both a privilege and a challenge, and I’ve had to learn how to balance being assertive with being kind.

Listening helps others feel truly valued, and when people feel valued, they perform at their best. A good leader understands their team while still setting clear priorities. It’s about putting people first, learning their strengths and identifying blind spots, so you can make the most of the team.

What drew you to study at Imperial?

It was a combination of factors. The course description aligned with what I wanted to do after my bachelor’s degree, but it was also about being part of a community where I knew I’d meet interesting, like-minded people. And that was definitely the case! I wanted a master’s that would combine my passion for international experiences with business, while offering more than just classroom learning.

In fact, one of the most valuable aspects was the practical approach. During my year, we travelled to places like Estonia, Dubai, and Portugal to work on consulting projects. Applying what we learned to real-life cases, where culture also played a role, was incredibly interesting. It gave me a strategic perspective that I still find useful in my work today.

You’ve returned to Imperial a few times as one of our incredible alumni volunteers. What has been the best thing about supporting current students?

Doing all this volunteering has given me an opportunity to give back. When I think of myself at the start of the course, I wish I’d spoken more with people who had just completed it to hear their thoughts. The more alumni who get involved in that way, the better for incoming students. It’s refreshing and stimulating to engage with the academic side because young people often have perspectives on our everyday work that we sometimes forget.

For anyone thinking of volunteering, I’d say, do it. Students have so many questions before starting, and it’s valuable to give them real advice, not just what they find on leaflets. Setting aside even an hour or two to share your experience can make a big difference and it at the end of the day it feels good to give back to a community that gave us so much.