The Future Icons Awards: Introducing The Judges

As part of our annual Journey to Zero event, Country & Town House is delighted to present The Future Icons Awards, with Baillie Newman and Cyd Connects. The awards will celebrate the pioneers, innovators, risk-takers and champions that are building businesses, fostering inclusion and creating products for a better world.

And who better to help us find those people, brands and companies than this esteemed roll of call of judges that spans all industries and has centuries of experience between them. All are passionate advocates for sustainability becoming the mainstream. Read all about them below.

Journey to Zero’s Future Icons Awards are sponsored by Polestar, Skydiamond, Yves Delorme and Mandarin Oriental. 

Find The Winners List Here

The Country & Town House Future Icons Awards: Meet The Judges

Aisling Connaughton

Aisling is co-founder of Cyd Connects, a women-led sustainability consultancy helping businesses become a force for good. After an 18-year global career in PR for big beauty and tech brands such as Clarins and Huawei Technologies, Aisling went on to gain a master’s in sustainability. Now, through Cyd Connects, Aisling helps turn social and environmental responsibility into a competitive advantage and works to make the topic simple and inspiring, through TedX talks and guest lecturing.

Alexander Johnston

As the General Manager and Commercial Head of John Bell & Croyden, a luxury pharmacy with a rich history, Alex is a multi-faceted leader in the beauty industry. Beyond his leadership role, Alexander is a recognised expert in skincare. He contributes his knowledge as a writer for various international magazines and publications. His passion for fostering talent extends to his involvement in the CEW mentorship program.  

Alice Aedy

Credit: Leah Weerasinghe

An award-winning documentary filmmaker, photographer and campaigner, Alice is co-founder and CEO of Earthrise, an impact-driven media company that pioneers innovative storytelling to drive climate action. In 2023, Alice and her co-founders, Jack and Finn Harries, were recognised in the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for their social impact work. As an individual, Alice’s mission statement is centred around amplifying the voices of marginalised voices.  

Amelia Windsor

Amelia is a sustainable fashion and travel writer who has also collaborated with numerous fashion brands such as Brora, BEEN London and Pretty Ballerina; creating environmentally friendly and limited collections that have also raised money for charities like Blue Marine Foundation, War Child and Cross River Gorilla Project that Amelia is also an ambassador for. 

Annabel Heseltine

Annabel has been covering conservation issues since 1990 when she crossed Northern Sudan searching for a shrinking lake and has written for numerous newspapers and magazines. In September she is launching a podcast Hope Springs for Resurgence Trust. She has been on Advisory boards of Tusk Trust, the Museum or English Rural Life and the Scientific Explorers Society and is writing a memoir about trauma and nature. 

Arizona Muse

Arizona, earth activist, model, and founder of DIRT Charity is a passionate advocate for regenerative farming and soil health. Named ‘the new face of American fashion’ by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, for all the success of being a supermodel, keeping her feet on the ground (in soil) has resonated the most. As well as running DIRT Charity, she consults to help brands incorporate sustainability into their core strategy.

Bernhard Bohnenberger

Bernhard (or BB) is CEO of DISCOVER Collection, ultra-high-end hospitality operator that he founded in 2020. Previously, BB was with Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. He joined the company that would eventually become Six Senses in 1991 as development director and was appointed managing director in January 1996. BB was appointed president in July 2011 and left the company in July 2019 after the successful sale of Six Senses to Intercontinental Hotels Group.

Carole Annett

Carole has been Interiors Editor at C&TH for six years, and previously, been immersed in the world of design and decoration for over 20. She has recently seen a distinct gear-shift in the luxury end of interior design whereby there is a much more considered choice when it comes to materials, one which considers sustainability, longevity, our health and the health of the planet. It’s an interesting time.

Christina Brooks

Christina is the founder and CEO of Ruebik, a leading talent attraction agency, which specialises in recruitment and inclusion consultancy. As a lifelong diversity inclusion advocate her mission at Ruebik is to impart her knowledge and lived experiences to help better the lives of the disenfranchised, encompassing social mobility, gender, ethnicity, and disability. 

Claudia Simms Abram

Claudia Simms Abram is the Chief Brand Officer of fashion brand DEPLOY, one of the world’s highest-scoring certified B Corps. She joined after a 15-year agency career, culminating in a global role at Publicis, where she connected with DEPLOY through The Observer Future 500 Campaign & Network she co-created for Courvoisier. Claudia oversees DEPLOY’s strategic events and thought leadership programs and co-founded The Brussels Sustainable Fashion Forum in 2022 to promote idea-sharing & policymaking for a more responsible fashion industry.

Dominique Palmer

Dominique is a Climate Justice Activist, writer, and graduate of Political Science and International Relations in the UK. She is part of Climate Live, and on the Steering Committee for the Youth Climate Justice Fund. Dominique is a winner of the prestigious Planetary Health Award, and in 2023, was honoured as a ‘Young Leader’ at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards. She was also named in Forbes 2020 Top UK Environmentalists List for her work.

Giles Hutchins

Giles is a pioneering practitioner and senior adviser at the forefront of the [r]evolution in organisational and leadership consciousness. His latest book Nature Works (2024) has just been published. Chair of The Future Fit Leadership Academy, Founder of Leadership Immersions, and co-founder of Biomimicry for Creative Innovation and Regenerators, he anchors his leadership practice amid 60 acres of ancient woodland at Springwood Farm, an area of outstanding natural beauty near London.   

Fleur Britten

Fleur is a freelance journalist, formerly of Sunday Times Style for 15 years, as well as a published author of five non-fiction books. She is passionate about sustainability, and in her work writes about eco-innovation within fashion, beauty, interiors, travel, lifestyle and gardening. She also holds power to account where necessary, with more investigative pieces around, for example, greenwashing, deforestation, packaging and ultra-fast fashion.

Francisca Kellett

Francisca is an award-winning travel writer and editor, having worked as the Travel Editor of Tatler magazine and the Digital Travel Editor of The Telegraph Media group. Currently the Travel Editor-at-large for C&TH, she also regularly contributes to The Times, The Sunday Times, The FT, National Geographic Traveller and others and is the philanthropy columnist for The Times LUXX. She is regarded as an industry expert on luxury and sustainable travel. 

Harriet Vocking

Harriet is the CEO of Eco-age, an integrated strategy consultancy creating systemic solutions in line with science, in harmony with nature and solidarity with human rights. Harriet has extensive experience developing and delivering brand communication strategies for global businesses. A leader in her field, she helps address the sustainability and ESG issues and opportunities that companies face today.

Lucy Cleland

Lucy is the co-founder and editorial director of Country & Town House, the world’s first B Corp glossy. She profoundly believes in the power of words, beauty, and storytelling to help us navigate our way through these current turbulent times. She wants C&TH to be a place where readers come away feeling better and thoughtful – and ready for action.

James Bidwell

James is the owner and Chair of Springwise, the world’s largest source of global innovations. Committed to positive change, Springwise is essential reading for CEOs, innovators, investors, educators and corporates from all sectors. Both companies are members of 1% for the planet and certified B Corporations, part of a growing community of businesses committed to redefining the role of business in society as a force for good. 

James Rae

James has over 15 years’ experience building brands and has been at the forefront of helping B Corp tell their story. Most recently, James led Special Projects at Freuds, which saw him launch the world’s first B Corp store, Good News while activating purpose-led brands at key global moments including The World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland and Cop26. James now runs Good Company that works with social purpose clients, and cause-related campaigns.

Jamila Brown

Jamila is a Sustainability & Social Impact Strategist. After kickstarting Soho House’s Global Sustainability & Social Impact Programme, she now collaborates with brands to unlock their positive impact potential, create practical partnerships to reach their goals, and engage their communities with what a brighter future in their industry looks like. Jamila is a TEDx Speaker and was honored as one of HOSPA UK’s Top 3 Inspirational Sustainability Leaders of 2022.

James Wong

James is a professional plant geek, broadcaster and bestselling author. He trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, achieving an MSc in Ethnobotany, and becoming the youngest ever RHS medal winner at the Hampton Court Palace Show in 2004. He has won several more since, including two gold medals for his garden designs at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. James has written six books on plant use, gardening and food, including Homegrown Revolution, the fastest-selling gardening book in UK history.

Jennifer McGarrigle

Jenn is CEO and co-founder of Cyd Connects, a women-led sustainability consultancy. With over 12 years’ experience in the health, beauty and wellness industries, Jenn is a brand strategy expert, having worked for some of the largest corporations in the UK as well as start-ups. Jenn’s passion for sustainability, diversity and inclusion led her to start Cyd Connects, dedicated to progressing gender equality and helping businesses across all industries become a force for good. 

Jenny Chu

Jenny is an Associate Professor at Cambridge Judge Business School and deputy director of the Centre for Financial Reporting and Accountability. She is a JM Keynes Fellow in Financial Economics and a fellow of the Cambridge Endowment for Research in Finance (CERF). Jenny’s research interests are in stock markets and corporate and sovereign disclosure quality, corporate governance, management incentives and compensation, and gender diversity.

Jonathan Hall

Jonathan is Managing Partner of Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice. He is a regular speaker at conferences, recently including COP28 in Dubai, the main stage at Cannes Lions, the World Marketing Summit, ESOMAR India, Sustainable Brands Turkey, the Marketing Institute of Ireland and Roularta Luxury in Brussels. Jonathan also hosts Kantar’s bi-weekly Sustainable Futures podcast.

Julietta Dexter

Julietta is the Chair of Smart Works, a charity that gives women the confidence they need to reach their full potential. She was founder and CEO of The Communications Store, one of the world’s leading strategic brand development and communications partners to the world’s best brands. Furthermore, she was co-founder and Chief Growth & Purpose Officer at ScienceMagic. Julietta is deeply passionate about her work in purpose, business ethics, values and culture. 

Juliet Fallowfield

With over 20 years’ communications experience, Juliet founded B Corp certified Communications, PR & Podcast Consultancy Fallow, Field & Mason in 2020. Juliet has adapted and grown global communication departments in London, Sydney and New York, to support business growth. Having held senior positions with the world’s leading brands including Burberry, CHANEL, De Beers Jewellers and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Juliet’s experience enables her to support businesses of all types. 

Juliet Kinsman

Juliet shares stories to inspire impact as a journalist, broadcaster and speaker. Condé Nast Traveller‘s first Sustainability Editor, she created the Evening Standard’s sustainable travel channel and hosts their award-winning podcast. Talking head for Sky News to the BBC, founding editor of Mr & Mrs Smith, and founder of non-profit communications consultancy Bouteco she’s written and edited numerous guidebooks, most recently The Green Edit: Travel (Ebury) and The Bucket List: Eco Experiences (Rizzoli).

Lucy Johnson

An environmental entrepreneur, writer, speaker and psychotherapist, Lucy is one of the country’s first green coaches, working with people and businesses to help them rebalance with nature. She is the founder of Green Salon sustainable lifestyle consultancy and The Greenhouse private members’ club for sustainable brands, as well as Hello magazine’s first green columnist. Lucy understands how to inspire change at an individual, corporate and societal level.

Madeleine Macey

Madeleine is the CEO of Skydiamond, which creates the world’s first negative emission diamond. Most recently, Madeleine was the Chief Marketing Officer and Creative Director for Liberty London. She has also worked as an ambassador for Sophie Hayes Foundation supporting victims of modern slavery in the UK, and as an ambassador for Fertility Awareness in the Workplace. This next step enables her to combine her knowledge of business and luxury with her desire to drive change for a more brilliant tomorrow. 

Marine Tanguy

Marine launched Certified B Corporation, MTArt Agency in 2015, following a career in visual arts in London and LA. MTArt agency is the art sector’s leading talent agency representing some of the world’s most talented, forward-thinking artists. Marine is a passionate advocate for the artist’s role in our society, she wishes for art to become a part of our everyday experience.

Mary Fellowes

Former International Vogue Editor, Mary is the founder of B Corp Greenwith Studio, which drives sustainable innovation in fashion. She is a thought leader and public speaker at international events such as Davos at the COPs and has authored white papers, including for the British Fashion Council on the circular economy and technology.

Nnenna Onuba

Nnenna Onuba is a seasoned ex-Rothschild M&A banker turned beauty entrepreneur and angel investor, recently orchestrating the sale of premium clean cosmetics brand Nailberry. She is also an executive board director of the British Beauty Council and founder of 100 Allies CIC, a leadership and talent development initiative driving systemic education and visibility for hidden rising stars in the beauty industry, where diverse perspectives drive significant growth and create new opportunities.

Rachel Arthur

(c) Holly Falconer

Rachel is a sustainability strategist and writer driving systems change within the fashion industry. As the UN Environment Progamme’s advocacy lead for sustainable fashion, she focuses on narrative shift as a lever for reducing overconsumption; exploring greenwashing, redirecting aspiration and the power of citizen action. Rachel was recently named a sustainability thought leader in the Vogue Business 100 Innovator list.

Rebecca Cox

Rebecca Cox is the Online Content Director at Country & Town House, where she has worked for almost a decade, and co-author of How To Be A Happy Single Parent. She is the DE&I lead at C&TH and her thoughts and writings on sexuality and motherhood have been featured by the likes of Elle, Vogue, Evening Standard and the Bisexual Brunch podcast.

Rosanna Falconer

Rosanna is a creative consultant and textile designer with a 15-year career in fashion and lifestyle marketing.  She is passionate about a sustainable future for the industry. To this end, she co-founded FashMash 10 years ago, focused on networking events and mentoring. Today, her work in sustainability focuses on her content creation and tableware business, with a particular passion for heritage craft.

Sallie Berkerey

Thomas Bourne

Thomas is the Founder & Chief Ecosystem Officer at Greenheart, a Certified B Corp social & environmental impact consultancy.. In 2017 he became one of the first people in the UK trained to help companies through the B Corp certification process and Greenheart grew from there. Inspired by the wisdom of nature, Tom and the Greenheart team bring a refreshing ‘living systems’ perspective to everything they do.  

Tiffanie Darke

Tiffanie Darke is a sustainability activist, author and shopkeeper, campaigning for a more responsible future for fashion. She has over 20 years’ experience combining editorial sensibility with commercial strategy, Tiffanie works with global brands, start-ups and founder-led businesses, specialising in a progressive and journalistic agenda with smart storytelling, relevant content and excellent look and feel.

Torsten Van Dullemen

Torsten was appointed as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London and Area Vice President, Operations overseeing Mandarin Oriental Munich and the just-opened Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair in 2021. This role was enhanced further in April 2022 when he was appointed Group Director of Sustainability, taking on the responsibility for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s sustainability efforts.

Dr Xi Li

Dr Xi Li is Associate Professor of Accounting at the London School of Economics. She has a PhD in accounting from the London Business School, and she studies financial reporting and disclosure, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and shareholder engagements on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Dr Li also serves as a Technical Advisory Board Member of Transition Pathway Initiative Centre, and a research fellow at Centre for Endowment Asset Management of Cambridge Judge Business School and European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI).

With thanks to our sponsors: Polestar, Skydiamond, Yves Delorme and Mandarin Oriental.