“If you’re serious about being in business, knowledge of the key sustainability topics is critical. This course will give you a solid grasp of those key topics“
Jonathan Westlake
Business Development Director at Bovear at DSM-Firmenich
Diploma in Business Sustainability Graduate
Can you tell me about your professional background?
I worked in fast-moving consumer goods for 20 years and the last 12 years at the global dairy company Saputo Dairy UK. I was in the UK division, working in a variety of sales and marketing roles, and later, I worked on one of their cheese brands. I’ve just started a new job as UK Business Development Director for Bovear with DSM-Firmenich.Â
Why did you decide to do a business sustainability course?
I’ve always had a deep interest in the field of sustainability and have been involved with several sustainability teams in the likes of Proctor & Gamble and Saputo. I had a desire to get into a sustainability-based role, and I was passionate about my next company having a product or service that has a big tick in the sustainability box.
Tell me about your learning experience on the courseÂ
The course materials were fantastic, and I will be referencing them in my new job. For example, topics like decarbonisation are quite relevant to me now. I found the lecturers really engaging and passionate, and some of the guest speakers were a really nice addition. They had great knowledge of their subject and gave great examples for us to learn from and discuss as a group. The information provided on the course was excellent in all areas covered.
What has been the impact of doing the course?
I wasn’t someone who went into the course with a specific goal in mind. There wasn’t one particular module I really wanted to understand more than others. Doing the course means that I’m now able to confidently discuss sustainability-related issues when working on sustainability projects. Being able to speak the language is imperative if you want to work in the field, especially when engaging with customers and stakeholders.
DSM has developed a product called Bovaer, which is a groundbreaking feed additive that goes into cattle feed. The product essentially blocks the enzyme that converts carbon and hydrogen into methane and reduces the cow’s methane output by 30-40 percent. This is an absolute game changer in terms of reducing methane production in the dairy industry. Methane is the vast majority of the CO2e emissions associated with the dairy industry. Having a broad knowledge of sustainability from the course and previous work experience will help me enormously in my new job.
What topics did you find the most interesting?
A particularly interesting part of the course was the clash highlighted between a company’s sustainability objectives and marketing/engaging consumers and greenwashing and green-hushing. This is obviously a really important area, and so many brands are scared to make claims now. It just shows if you haven’t got employees educated in sustainability working on brands it’s very difficult to engage consumers and influence senior management on future strategy.Â
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about doing the course?Â
If you only have one sustainability manager who is rushed off his or her feet, they probably won’t have the time to speak to or educate colleagues on sustainability matters. A course like this can bring anyone in the organisation up to speed on the core topics. If you’re serious about being in business. Knowledge of core sustainability topics is essential, and a course like this will give you and your teams a solid grasp of those important topics that are imperative in any sustainability strategy.
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