Foundation and Friends Podcast: Making Sustainability a Core Part of Your Organisation’s Success

by Jul 31, 2025Awards alumni, Green skills, Podcasts0 comments

What does true sustainability look like when it’s woven into every aspect of work — not just bolted on as a embedded initiative? In this revealing episode, host Natasha Kalinga sits down with renowned keynote speaker Raquel Noboa, founder of the multi award-winning Fifty Shades Greener and recipient of a Princess Royal Training Award, and Edwin Raj, Senior Programme Manager at Johnson Matthey, to explore how sustainability can become a cornerstone of organisational culture, leadership, and skills development.

Together, they unpack how sustainability can — and must — be built into the employee journey from day one, and why practical, hands-on learning is key to making a lasting impact. From green apprenticeships to lean thinking, this episode is packed with valuable insights for any organisation aiming to meet its net zero goals.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • Why embedding green skills in training and development is business-critical
  • How apprenticeships and continuous improvement fuel a sustainable mindset
  • The biggest barriers to net zero — and how to overcome them
  • How HR and L&D teams can integrate sustainability into onboarding, progression, and performance frameworks
  • Why sustainability is about progress, not perfection — and how to start where you are

Whether you’re just beginning your organisation’s sustainability journey or looking to embed it more deeply into your culture and systems, this episode offers both strategic inspiration and practical steps to take action.

This is essential listening for L&D professionals, HR leaders, organisational development experts, NetZero champions, and anyone responsible for shaping the future of work.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share this episode with your network. 

For more about the Princess Royal Training Awards or to learn how to apply, visit: Princess Royal Training Awards

Listen to more episodes in the Foundation & Friends podcast series, here.

Want to be kept up to date?

Sign up to City & Guilds Foundation email alerts and newsletter

Previous posts

City & Guilds Foundation supports Generation UK to help break down barriers to employment

The City & Guilds Foundation is delighted to announce £74,000 in funding for Generation UK, supporting an innovative project that will help more people facing barriers to employment gain the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to build sustainable careers....

Insights from Action: Skills in Place, or Skills in Time?

Finding new ways for people and industry to get the skills they need to thrive is front and centre of many conversations about the future right now. Unemployment and underemployment are issues seeping through every part of society – 1 million 16–24-year-olds, 1...

More than history: How Voyage is opening doors for the next generation

This Black History Month, we explore how City & Guilds Foundation funding is helping Voyage create opportunities for young people to discover their heritage, develop their confidence and explore new career pathways. For many young people, understanding their...

Update on Chief Executive appointment

The Board of Trustees of the City and Guilds of London Institute has decided not to proceed with the appointment of a new Chief Executive at this stage. The Institute is undertaking a wider review of its future strategy, organisational structure and operating model,...

Foundation Newsletter: September 2026

As we move into autumn, we’d like to share an update on some of the work we’ve been supporting to create greater access to skills, opportunity and progression. From investing in new pathways into work for young people, to supporting community organisations across the...

Skills on the doorstep: Local Community Skills Fund backs 25 organisations across all four UK nations

The City & Guilds Foundation has awarded almost £190,000 to 25 community organisations through the second round of its Local Community Skills Fund, supporting people across the UK to develop skills and take steps towards employment. The second funding round ran...

Fellowship in the City 2026: exploring the pathways that get young people into STEM

On Wednesday 16 September, we brought together Fellows, charity partners and key stakeholders at Mansion House for this year's Fellowship in the City, themed around Pathways to Progression, with a particular focus on STEM. Welcoming guests, Jessica Leigh Jones MBE...

£75,000 awarded to Youth Employment UK to help young people see the way into work and build Skills for the Future

The City & Guilds Foundation has awarded £75,000 to Youth Employment UK to launch Skills for the Future, a new strategic partnership designed to help young people better understand the opportunities, skills and routes into growing sectors of the economy. The...

Foundation Newsletter: August 2026

This month’s newsletter is a little different. With summer in full swing, we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate one of the highlights of our year: our annual 2026 Princess Royal Training Awards recipient announcement! Today, we’re delighted to announce 56...

Meet the 2026 Princess Royal Training Award recipients: from stained glass restorers to prison mentors

Every year we are genuinely moved by what we read in the Princess Royal Training Award applications. This year was no exception. Today, we're delighted to share that 56 training programmes have been recognised in the 2026 Princess Royal Training Awards, chosen from...

Podcast episodes

Foundation & Friends Podcast (2024-)

​Green Skills Podcast in collaboration with Green Edge (2024-)

Hosted by Dr. Michael Cross and Fraser Harper, this podcast series explores the critical transition towards a sustainable planet and the pivotal role of green skills in shaping the economy.

Listen now

Share This