In this episode of the Innovation Brief, our host Gabriella Hernandez speaks with James Ellsmoor, CEO of Island Innovation and a sustainable development advocate for islands. James and Gaby explore how island communities worldwide are driving climate action, pioneering renewable energy solutions, and building resilient, innovative ecosystems, despite the complex challenges they currently face. They also dive into collaborative strategies, the role of government and regional organisation...

In this episode of the Innovation Brief, hosts Gabriela Matic and Gabriella Hernandez sit down with Priscila Chaves, Innovation and Ecosystem Lead at Cargill, whose global career spans corporate, startup, and public sectors. Priscilla shares her insights on building resilient innovation systems, the importance of context and collaboration, and how organisations can balance short-term wins with long-term impact. The conversation examines the evolving role of leadership in promoting colle...

In this episode of Innovation Brief, we sit down with Léonie Weerakoon, human ecologist, designer, conservationist, investor, and Managing Director of Kinetik Ventures, to explore how nature-centric innovation is reshaping the future of business, policy, and community. Leonie shares her journey across cultures and industries, revealing how treating nature as a collaborator (not just a resource) can open up new opportunities, drive regenerative economies, and build resilience in the face of c...

In our third episode of the Innovation Brief, Matt Briggs sits down with Gordon Hamilton, Digital Innovation Lead at Heineken UK, for an inside look at how a 150-year-old brewing giant is embracing digital transformation. Discover how Heineken is reimagining the pub experience for younger generations, addressing sustainability, and driving experimentation through initiatives such as Heineken Studio and the Innovators Brew House. Gordon shares candid insights on the challenges of i...

In this episode of the Innovation Brief, hosts Will Benton and Gabriella G. Hernandez sit down with Jonatan Pinkse, Professor of Sustainable Business and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Business at King's Business School, King's College London. Jonatan shares his journey from economics to pioneering research on business responses to climate change, and unpacks what truly defines sustainable innovation in today’s complex world. Together, they explore the paradoxes and trade-offs that or...

In our debut episode of Innovation Brief, we sat down with Alisdair Gunn to talk about Scotland's emerging tech landscape and the importance of nurturing the city´s innovation ecosystem. As director of the Glasgow City Innovation District, Gunn reveals how a collaborative, community-driven approach can transform a city's innovation potential. We explore the unique strategies of building an ecosystem that values local talent, embraces cross-sector innovation, and creates meaningful solutions t...