“The course gave me the knowledge to simplify and reframe sustainability for others and contribute meaningfully to ESG initiatives.”
Heather Crossland
Project Manager at Barnsley Council
Diploma in Business Sustainability Graduate
Can you tell us about your professional background?
I’m a Project Manager in the Sustainability and Climate Change team at Barnsley Council. We’re a relatively small team of five in a large organisation with over 3,000 employees, and sustainability is one of our core priorities. Our job is to support the council in reaching net zero by 2040, and for the wider borough to achieve net zero by 2045. I didn’t originally join as a sustainability expert; my background is in project management, but like many in our team, I’ve pivoted into this space and continue to learn on the job.
Why did you decide to take the Diploma course?
I was part of the second cohort within our council to take the course. A few of our senior managers had completed it first, and our team was then encouraged to do the same, so we could broaden our sustainability knowledge. Sustainability is so wide-ranging — one day we’re looking at climate education, the next electric vehicle charging — so it was important for us to develop a solid foundation across the key areas. As a team, we’re tasked with helping the council become net zero by 2040, so upskilling was essential.
How was your experience with the content and learning format?
I really liked the online format — being self-paced was perfect for my schedule. I’ve done online learning before, so I knew what to expect, and the layout made it easy to track progress. The first half of the course reinforced things I already knew through practice, but the second half introduced me to new, valuable concepts like ESG and sustainable finance.
I particularly liked the diversity and inclusion content — it was great to see sustainability framed through a broader lens. The learning was comprehensive and well-structured overall. We also appreciated being able to access webinars and masterclasses afterwards, as they add ongoing value.
What impact has the course had on your work?
The course made me feel more confident when speaking about sustainability with both internal teams and external stakeholders. For example, I recently worked on developing climate education resources for colleagues and was able to draw directly from the course content to simplify and reframe information. I’m also part of a new task group exploring ESG reporting for the local business community, and the course gave me the knowledge to contribute meaningfully.
Would you recommend the course to others?
Yes, I would. The Diploma in Business Sustainability provides a great foundation for anyone working in sustainability, especially if you’re coming into the role from a different background, like I did. While some content could be tailored more to the public sector, it’s still very relevant and useful. The ongoing access to articles, webinars, and the alumni network is a real bonus too.
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