From roles in corporate responsibility to sustainable tourism in National Parks to leading transformative global campaigns as a senior campaign leader, Nick has spent more than 20 years advocating for the protection of wildlife and nature. Today, he brings that combined experience of strategic campaign management and stakeholder engagement to support Canopy and its partners to transform the packaging sector and remove Ancient and Endangered Forests from supply chains.
More about me
I have a first-class degree in Environmental Science, and my postgraduate was in Responsible Tourism Management. I have spent a good chunk of my career to date working to ensure the global travel industry is a force for good. As a campaigner, I am driven by our ability to reimagine what’s possible and the acts of courage that help overcome our planetary challenges. Nelson Mandela’s “It always seems impossible until it is done” is a useful quote to keep in the back of the mind, as a reminder that many things seem insurmountable — until we actually achieve them. I love long-distance hiking and find powerful solace in mountains and high places reached on foot. As a relatively new father, I’ve recently discovered a new way to enjoy the great outdoors — amidst the beautiful chaos of having a toddler!
Why forests are important to me
As I say to my toddler when we’re out for a walk, “The trees have leaves and those leaves help people to breathe.” As well as being planetary life support systems we all depend on, and important spaces for recreation, they are also places that many wild animals call home. When we cut them down to make pizza boxes or when we burn them to plant soy, it feels unjust to me – particularly when there are other ways to meet commercial needs.
Why Canopy
I’ve spent a fair amount of time exposing problems, and that’s important – recognizing there’s a problem means the need for alternative solutions is more readily accepted. I love Canopy’s refreshing focus on solutions and on collaboration to make change happen. We occupy a distinctive niche in the ecosystem of players that all have an important role in solving our planetary challenges.
Ask me about
Opportunities to partner with Canopy on our Pack4Good initiative, especially if you’re a packaging producer that knows forestry stewardship or sustainable innovation is important.
What ruffles my feathers
Saying something can’t be done. In my experience, it’s very often the case that it can — it just needs the will and the skill plus a bit of creative thinking to navigate any challenge. It’s important to push the envelope when it’s called for.
Alpine Ibex. These mountain goats possess an extraordinary ability to defy gravity and climb vertical surfaces with ease. Their unique adaptation to mountainous environments make them true masters of navigating challenges and they can traverse almost any seemingly impossible terrain. As a hiker and lover of mountains and high places, I can only wish I had the Ibex’s remarkable climbing skills! As a campaigner I am driven by our ability to reimagine what’s possible and the acts of courage that help overcome our planetary challenges. The Ibex is a powerful reminder that many things seem insurmountable - until we actually achieve them.
