David Bent

Background

My role combines two things: first, I lead our Sustainable Business Practice, which helps companies and public sector organisations succeed through sustainability. I run change projects that deliver results for companies and the critical systems we all depend on. Recent examples include Carillion’s sustainability vision, innovation with eBay Europe, and embedding change at O2 UK. I also lead our relationships with O2 UK, Sony Europe and others. I’m responsible for: keeping Forum’s methods and thinking at the cutting edge; running the sustainable business team; and raising our profile. I have a particular focus on sustainable business models, and the financial case for sustainability.

Second, I act as deputy to Sally Uren, the deputy CEO. Aspects of this senior role include overseeing Forum’s business development pipeline and helping Sally run our Communications and Networks functions.

At university I was very active in green and development student societies (including Oxford University’s first alternative careers fair). But when I joined PricewaterhouseCoopers to do accounting – a normal step for someone with a Masters in Physics – one of my first clients was a company I’d just been protesting against! During my time at PwC I felt I was learning vital stuff about business, but couldn’t align the work with my passion for social and environmental justice. As my bridge out I did a Masters in Responsibility and Business Practice at the top-rated School of Management at Bath University (the course has subsequently moved to Ashridge). That experience has given me a deep appreciation of human and organisation change – to complement with the quantitative approach of physics and accounting – plus a dynamic global network.

Back in 2003 Forum wanted a ‘Green Accountant’ – and immediately 10 people sent me the job advert. A sign. I applied and got the job, which then became sustainability accountant and then Head of Business Strategies. Eight years have flown by because of the opportunity to work with committed companies, and the challenge of illuminating problems by connecting people with ideas, and to transform situations by engaging people so they can act.

My dream project? Helping a leading company implement a business model that decouples growth from environmental and social impact.

What floats my boat outside work? My wife and kids. Music – listening and playing guitar. Rugby – just watching these days. Reading and bouncing ideas around.