"Raising voices of planet-positive changemakers who are working towards a more brilliant tomorrow."
Introducing Anabel Kindersley
Co-Owner and CEO of Neal's Yard Remedies; a long-standing advocate of ethical and sustainable business practices. In 2022, Kindersley lead a coalition of more than 100 businesses to fight the government’s reauthorisation of harmful pesticides with the #StandByBees campaign.
What was the moment you knew you had to dedicate your time to your cause?
Neals Yard have been campaigning for biodiversity for over a decade, supporting bees and utilising our business and products to directly contribute to bee conservation in both the UK and globally. However, when I saw the government's reauthorisation of a banned neonicotinoid pesticide into the environment, I knew I couldn’t stand by and watch it happen without doing anything. A single teaspoon of this neonicotinoid is enough to kill 1.25 billion bees. We have lost 60% of our flying insects in the past 20 years alone. So, I've rallied a coalition of over 105 businesses and organisations to call on the government to reduce pesticide usage. What kind of land can we expect for future generations if we don't do everything in our power to advocate for nature now?
How do you keep motivated when it feels one step forward and two steps back?
That’s a good question, and I think a very pertinent one. Owning my own business and the daily challenges that I face helps me to be resilient. However, with campaigning there have certainly been some setbacks. Many, in fact. What I thought was a reasonable request for a reduction target for pesticide use has turned out to be much more political and challenging to achieve, and has left me at times baffled by the lack of understanding surrounding the need to protect our environment. What keeps me motivated is the sense of responsibility to persist, challenge and protect biodiversity. It’s for our future generations, so I’ve adopted a long-term view, and realised that I’ll be campaigning for a very long time!
Community gardening with Tayshan Hayden Smith & Danny Clarke of Grow To Know a non-profit that aims to inspire, educate and empower through horticulture. We worked with them to create a garden in a unused area of North Kensington for the community to enjoy for their wellbeing and to improve biodiversity in the inner city.
What does a diamond represent to you?
Resilience, Strength, Continuity.
What would you say to Mother Nature if you could shout it up to the Sky?
“You are me, I am you.” (This acknowledgement signifies our connection to nature, reminding us to respect and protect it.)
Who or What are you currently most encouraged by that will help us deliver a more brilliant tomorrow for people or planet?
That there are many voices who are concerned and who care, and together we will stand to make a difference. Collaboration is everything.
*Image credit to first photo: It was 13th November, taken from my office at home in Portobello. Had a tough day ahead, and I often look to nature and the sky for comfort. I saw this, ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’ put a smile on my face. That day we won the Best Organic Brand, at the Country and Townhouse Sustainability Awards!