Meet The Members: Faye Bennett-Hart Director of Rio ESG

Faye Bennett-Hart is director of sustainability at Rio ESG - an intelligent sustainability software platform that works with organisations of all sizes across the public, private and investment sectors to help them improve their impact on the planet, manage ESG (environmental, social and governance) risk and save money.

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What is the Rio mission statement?

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We believe sustainability is for everyone and we’re on a mission to make it more accessible. When it comes to saving our planet, we all have a job to do. But the current model for understanding environmental and social impact and learning how to do better is inefficient, inconsistent, and inaccessible.

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Rio’s core mission is to empower everyone with the knowledge they need to make informed, impactful sustainability decisions. Rio helps organisations implement ESG strategies and become more sustainable through streamlined data management, effective governance, and skills development.

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We provide sustainability consultancy and a sustainability data platform that fits all organisations big or small, public or private. You can find out more about our mission here.

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Can you tell us a little more about your role within Rio ESG?

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I am Director of Sustainability at Rio ESG. I have over 15 years of experience providing gold standard sustainability advise to a range of clients, mainly across global corporations, and more recently with public sector organisations and SMEs. I lead on sustainability consultancy projects at Rio.

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Why are you passionate about what you do?

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I’ve always been passionate about doing the right thing for the planet and since becoming a mum, I’m keen to ensure that the next generation understand the changes in behaviour that our needed to ensure that their future is protected.  

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The recent IPCC report basically explains that if we do not change our behaviours to reduce carbon emissions to net zero, by 2050 the planet will go beyond safe levels of warming. This is by the time my son is in his thirties!

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I am passionate about ensuring the next generation are proud of what the previous generation achieved and not burdened by the mistakes of unsustainable actions that went before them.

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Is it a realistic possibility that one day all businesses might be run like B Corps, might governments make it mandatory?

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Yes, I believe so. One day it may be mandated to run in a business in a sustainable way. More and more regulation is emerging to ensure that companies think about sustainability and act in more sustainable ways.

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How have you adapted to the changes instigated by the COVID closures?

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I’ve started working from home more, and instead of the commute to the office feeling onerous,  I now enjoy my trips into the office as it is a good change of scenery and great to see colleagues in person.

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What advice would you give to other start-ups and businesses moving forwards?

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Embrace the change.

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The pandemic has had many downsides, but there are also positives, and it has made me feel hopeful that we now know how quickly we can change our behaviours if the world depends on it - the same is required for a net zero world.

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Where do the majority of your leads come from and as a start-up, what have been your most successful channels for outreach and traction?

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Current clients, are always good advocates, and our clients love the Rio platform, and how clear and simple it is to measure carbon footprints from it. It is great when that message spreads.

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When it comes to business, it’s common for people to feel the need to decide between higher education and learning on the job, what has been the value of each?

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There is a good place for both. I have managed to do both at the same time in the past – for example, I completed my Masters in Environmental Management whilst also working as an Environmental Coordinator, at a FTSE 250 company.

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I wrote my dissertation on the work I was completing for the company - carbon foot-printing standards for events. There was great value of being able to combine the two, and it was a great foundation for my career.

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What is your favourite interview question (and how would you answer it personally)?

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This one! :)

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What motivates you?

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My passion for sustainability.

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What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

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You can’t make everyone happy.

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What’s the smallest change that’s given the biggest return?

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Telling my son about the job I do. As a pre-schooler, I assumed he wouldn’t understand, but he has become my greatest advocate. He is really into recycling, reusing items (particularly plastic items) and wants to ‘save the world’.

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How do you balance your life while remaining disciplined, what percentage of your time do you keep unscheduled?

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Still working on this. I try to block time in my diary for ‘work’ and make time available for ‘home life’. Probably because I love what I do, work and life can get intertwined. I always try to make time for lunch away from my desk.

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What are your strengths and weaknesses?

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(This is my worst interview question!) I should say something like – I’m a perfectionist… I’m not.

Strengths: passion for my job and sustainability

Weakness: (can’t think of one :D)

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Do you think that entrepreneurial attributes are personality traits, or skills that can be developed?

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I believe entrepreneurial skills can be learned, but having a good role model or mentor is key.

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How has what you do, changed you as a person?

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I think I’ve always been this way. I care about people and the planet - my career has always linked back to that.

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What is your vision for the future personally and professionally?

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Net zero by 2050 – I don’t want to imagine what the world would be like if we miss that target.

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Are there any books or blogs on your reading list?

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During lockdown I read ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’. I always have on hand the IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) blogs and magazines, which I am a practitioner member of.  

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What do you love most about x+why?

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I love the relaxed nature of the office, while still having important rules in place to ensure our safety during these COVID times.

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I enjoy speaking to other tenants and hearing about how their days are going and when I come into the x+why in Whitechapel, I particularly enjoy hearing the bird song on the ground floor and the office décor which makes it feel like a home away from home.

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