The Future Icons Awards: Introducing The Judges 2026
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1 month ago
Meet our panel of pioneers, innovators, risk-takers and champions
Country & Town House’s Future Icons Awards are back. Once more, the awards will celebrate the pioneers, innovators, risk-takers and champions that are building businesses, fostering inclusion and creating products for a better world.
And who better to help us find those people, brands and companies than this esteemed roll of call of judges that spans all industries and has centuries of experience between them. All are passionate advocates for sustainability becoming the mainstream.
The Country & Town House Future Icons Awards: Meet The Judges
Aisling Connaughton
Aisling is the co-founder of Cyd Connects, a women-led sustainability consultancy helping businesses become a force for good. With an 18-year background in global PR for beauty and tech brands including Clarins and Huawei, she later gained a master’s in sustainability. Aisling now works to make complex sustainability topics accessible and actionable, delivering talks for TEDx and universities. At Cyd, she helps brands turn environmental and social impact into a competitive advantage.
Amelia Windsor
Amelia is a sustainable fashion and travel writer, as well as a collaborator with brands including Brora, BEEN London and Pretty Ballerina. Her limited-edition collections raise awareness and funds for charities such as Blue Marine Foundation, War Child and the Cross River Gorilla Project, where she is an ambassador. Amelia uses her platform to champion mindful travel, ethical design and the power of fashion as a force for good.
Amy Powney
Amy is the founder of Akyn and former Creative Director of Mother of Pearl, where she became a leading voice in sustainable luxury fashion. Her journey to build a transparent, ethical supply chain was documented in Fashion Reimagined (2022). Akyn, launched in 2025, continues her mission with timeless staples made using regenerative materials and low-impact production. Amy’s work redefines conscious fashion with creativity and conviction.
Annabel Heseltine
Annabel is a journalist and conservation advocate with a career spanning over 30 years. She has reported on environmental and rural issues for major newspapers and magazines and served on the advisory boards of Tusk Trust, the Museum of English Rural Life and the Scientific Explorers Society. In 2024, she launched Hope Springs, a podcast for the Resurgence Trust exploring trauma, nature and healing.
Avril Groom
Avril is a seasoned journalist and editor who leads Country & Town House’s watch and jewellery supplement. She has contributed to the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Centurion and Sphere, specialising in luxury goods and fashion for over two decades. Her insight into craftsmanship and design continues to shape the narrative around timeless, responsible luxury.
Carole Annett
Carole is the Interiors Editor at Country & Town House, bringing over two decades of experience in interior design journalism. She has witnessed a distinct shift in the luxury interiors industry toward materials and practices that prioritise sustainability, wellbeing and longevity. Through her editorial work and podcast House Guest, Carole champions thoughtful design that balances aesthetic excellence with a lighter footprint on the planet.
Claudia Simms Abram
Claudia is Chief Brand Officer at DEPLOY, one of the world’s highest-scoring B Corps in fashion. She joined after 15 years in global brand strategy, including a senior role at Publicis. Claudia co-founded The Brussels Sustainable Fashion Forum and oversees DEPLOY’s thought leadership and events. With a career grounded in purpose-led storytelling and policy engagement, she is committed to reshaping the future of fashion with creativity and rigour.
Diana Verde Nieto
Diana is a business strategist, author and co-founder of Edify, an AI-powered, expert-led learning platform transforming workforce development. She has advised governments, global brands and NGOs on purpose and sustainability, and authored Reimagining Luxury: How to Build a Sustainable Future for Your Brand. A Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, Diana sits on the boards of Watts 1874 and the British Beauty Council and holds credentials from Harvard Kennedy School and the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.
Dominique Palmer
Dominique is a climate justice activist, speaker and member of the Youth Climate Justice Fund and Climate Live. Recognised in Forbes’ Top UK Environmentalists and a Green Carpet Fashion Awards Young Leader, she advocates for intersectional climate action through music, media and policy. Dominique regularly speaks at major climate events and uses her platform to empower younger generations to act with urgency and hope.
Duncan Grossart
Duncan is the founder and chair of Journeys With Purpose, a B Corp-certified travel company connecting guests to the world’s most ambitious conservation and community projects. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and nominator for The Earthshot Prize, Duncan brings over 20 years of experience in travel, nature storytelling and regeneration. He believes in the power of purposeful travel to drive systems change and build a better future.
Eshita Kabra-Davies
Eshita is the founder and CEO of By Rotation, the UK’s first social fashion rental app. A former investment analyst, she launched the platform to promote access over ownership and reduce waste in fashion. Eshita has been recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30, Drapers 30 Under 30, and contributes to Condé Nast Traveller. She also serves on the boards of Women for Women International and Eco-Age, advocating for systemic change across fashion and lifestyle.
Fleur Britten
Fleur is a journalist and former long-time editor at Sunday Times Style. She writes across sustainability, beauty, interiors and fashion, often focusing on greenwashing and the ethics of consumption. She has authored several non-fiction books and is a known voice in holding power to account, particularly around transparency in the fashion and lifestyle industries.
Francisca Kellett
Francisca is an award-winning journalist and sustainable travel expert, previously Travel Editor at Tatler and Digital Travel Editor at The Telegraph. She now contributes to The Times, Financial Times, National Geographic Traveller, and is a philanthropy columnist for LUXX. As Travel Editor-at-Large at Country & Town House, Francisca champions responsible travel through powerful storytelling.
Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey
Ginnie is a fashion consultant, writer and broadcaster passionate about responsible style. Formerly at Vogue, she now advises brands on ethical storytelling and sits on advisory boards focused on fashion’s future. She regularly appears in The Telegraph and on national TV, and in 2024 launched The FairGround, a curated marketplace for vetted, purpose-led fashion brands.
Harriet Vocking
Harriet is the founder of For.Tomorrow, a strategic consultancy supporting brands with sustainability strategy, comms and supply chain analysis. Formerly with Eco-Age, she is a respected voice on greenwashing and reputational risk. Harriet regularly speaks at international conferences including SXSW and the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, offering thought leadership grounded in 20+ years of experience in responsible brand communication.
Jacqueline Gunn
Jacqueline Gunn is Head of Community at B Lab UK, where she leads engagement and growth of the UK’s B Corporation ecosystem. With a career rooted in arts management and stakeholder relations, she now implements community-driven strategies that support certified B Corps in scaling their impact, embedding systemic change and fostering collaboration across sectors. Based in London, Jacqueline holds a master’s in social innovation and has guided numerous organisations through the transition to purpose-led business models.
James Bidwell
James is co-founder at Re_Set, the next generation strategy consultancy for disruption, innovation, and sustainability. He is a seasoned positive change investor, advisor, and advocate with over 25 years’ experience in building brands and driving change. He also wrote Amazon bestseller Disrupt! 100 lessons in Business Innovation.
James Haycock
James is the founder of BRiMM, a membership-based platform supporting responsible brands through retail, content and community. BRiMM’s model reinvests in the brands it champions, helping them grow more sustainably. Previously, James ran a design and innovation agency, working with global companies to adapt to change. A writer and father of two, his commentary has featured in The Guardian, Financial Times and the BBC.
James Rae
James is the founder of Good Company, a consultancy that helps purpose-led brands scale their impact. Formerly at Freuds, he led special projects such as launching the world’s first B Corp store and activating brands at global events including COP26 and the World Economic Forum. James has worked across sustainability, innovation and storytelling for over 16 years.
Jamila Brown
Jamila is a Sustainability and Social Impact Strategist who helped build Soho House’s global sustainability programme. Now a consultant, she works with brands to embed purpose, scale partnerships and drive cultural engagement. Jamila is a TEDx speaker and was recognised by HOSPA as one of the UK’s top sustainability leaders in 2022.
Jennifer McGarrigle
Jenn is CEO and co-founder of Cyd Connects, the women-led consultancy helping businesses become a force for good. With over a decade of experience in brand strategy across health, beauty and wellness, Jenn works with startups and major corporations alike. Her focus is on progressing gender equality and embedding sustainability into business culture and practice.
Joanna Jensen
Joanna is the founder of Childs Farm, the award-winning children’s skincare brand she created in response to her daughters’ eczema. In 2022, she sold a majority stake to PZ Cussons, and now champions female entrepreneurship through investment and advocacy. She sits on the Invest in Women Taskforce and the advisory board of Buy Women Built.
Jonathan Hall
Jonathan is Managing Partner of Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice. He advises global brands on embedding sustainability at scale and is a regular speaker at major events including COP28, Cannes Lions and the World Marketing Summit. He also hosts Kantar’s Sustainable Futures podcast, offering insights into the intersection of consumer behaviour and environmental responsibility.
Joycelyn Longdon
Joycelyn is an environmental justice technologist and PhD researcher at Cambridge University, exploring sound-based methods for rainforest protection. She’s a TEDx speaker, a Vogue ‘Force for Change’, and a published author. Her debut book Natural Connection highlights how marginalised voices and indigenous wisdom offer powerful solutions to the climate crisis.
Juliet Fallowfield
Juliet is founder of B Corp-certified communications consultancy Fallow, Field & Mason. With over 20 years of experience across luxury fashion and hospitality – including roles at Chanel, Burberry and Shangri-La – Juliet helps brands communicate with integrity. She also hosts a podcast and champions B Corp values across her client portfolio.
Juliet Kinsman
Juliet is a sustainability journalist and broadcaster. Formerly Condé Nast Traveller’s first Sustainability Editor, she’s the founder of nonprofit Bouteco, a contributing editor at Evening Standard, and a Sky News commentator. Juliet is the author of The Green Edit: Travel and The Bucket List: Eco Experiences, and a long-time advocate for ethical tourism.
Julietta Dexter
Julietta is Chair of Smart Works, the women’s employment charity, and co-founder of ScienceMagic. Previously, she was founder and CEO of The Communications Store, a leading brand consultancy. Julietta advises businesses on purpose, ethics and culture and has been a lifelong champion of values-led leadership.
Kate Shepherd
Kate is a design strategist with over 20 years’ experience shaping branding and communications for global companies and startups. A respected voice in design innovation, she speaks regularly at institutions such as Google and London College of Fashion. Her work champions inclusive, sustainable design for the future.
Lisa Oxenham
Lisa is a sustainable beauty expert, creative director and award-winning journalist. Formerly Beauty & Style Director at Marie Claire, she now consults for purpose-driven brands while creating content across platforms, including her YouTube channel. Lisa’s work centres on ethical beauty and conscious motherhood.
Lucy Cleland
Lucy is co-founder and Editorial Director of Country & Town House, the world’s first B Corp glossy. A passionate advocate for sustainability, storytelling and purpose, Lucy has led the brand’s transition to a values-led platform and believes in the power of words and beauty to inspire change.
Lucy Johnson
Lucy is founder of Lovebrook & Green, the world’s first ethical digital department store. With a background in journalism and psychotherapy, she merges expertise in sustainability with wellness and behavioural change. Lucy is also a speaker and coach on regenerative living and conscious consumerism.
Marine Tanguy
Marine is the founder of MTArt Agency, a B Corp-certified talent agency representing leading contemporary artists. A long-time advocate for the social impact of art, she launched MTArt to support creators shaping public space and cultural narratives. Marine regularly speaks on creativity, equity and innovation.
Mary Fellowes
Mary is the founder of Greenwith Studio, a B Corp and consultancy focused on sustainable fashion. A former Vogue editor, she works at the intersection of innovation, storytelling and impact, and speaks globally at events including Davos and COP. Mary is the author of white papers on circularity and technology for the British Fashion Council.
Michelle Pughe-Parry de Klerk
Michelle is the founder of The Women’s Chapter®, a purpose-led community that supports the growth of women in business. She’s a UN Women UK delegate, ambassador for The King’s Trust, and sits on the councils of Founders4Schools and Maths4Girls. A frequent moderator and speaker, Michelle has hosted hundreds of conversations with female changemakers and contributes regularly to titles including Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar and Country & Town House.
Mirjam Peternek McCartney
Mirjam is the founder of Lemongrass, an award-winning travel PR agency with a mission to transform how travel is communicated. She combines creativity with data to drive storytelling for hotels and tourism boards. Mirjam frequently speaks at global industry events, from Pure and Further East to the Travel + Leisure Summit, and is a known advocate for more meaningful, sustainable travel.
Nnenna Onuba
Nnenna is a former Rothschild investment banker turned clean beauty entrepreneur and angel investor. She orchestrated the sale of Nailberry, the premium natural nail brand, and now sits on the executive board of the British Beauty Council. Nnenna also founded 100 Allies CIC, a talent development initiative championing underrepresented voices in beauty leadership.
Oliver Scutt
Oliver is a Legal Director at Bates Wells and head of its sustainable fashion group. He specialises in helping purpose-led businesses navigate regulatory change and build responsible governance structures. Oliver recently co-authored a white paper on UK fashion regulation with Fashion Declares and is a strong advocate for the role of legal frameworks in shaping a fairer industry.
Olivia de Courcy
Olivia is a luxury beauty editor and brand strategist whose experience includes editorial leadership roles at Harrods and Condé Nast. Now Beauty Director at Country & Town House, Olivia uses her platform to spotlight purpose-led brands and narratives that blend luxury with sustainability. She is passionate about shaping an industry that champions substance as well as style.
Rachel Arthur
Rachel is a sustainability strategist and journalist focused on systems change within fashion. As Advocacy Lead for the UN Environment Programme’s sustainable fashion work, she promotes narrative shifts that reduce overconsumption. Named in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators list, Rachel’s work explores greenwashing, aspiration and citizen action as levers for transformation.
Rebecca Cox
Rebecca is Online Content Director at Country & Town House, where she leads digital strategy and editorial. She is co-author of How To Be A Happy Single Parent, a DE&I lead, and writes about family, identity and sustainability for titles including Elle, Vogue and Evening Standard. Rebecca’s work balances creativity with authenticity, always underpinned by purpose.
Rosanna Falconer
Rosanna is a creative consultant and textile designer with a 16-year career in fashion and lifestyle marketing. She is passionate about a sustainable future for the industry. To this end, she co-founded FashMash 10 years ago. Its networking events and mentoring scheme aim to encourage dialogue and sharing of ideas to shape the future of fashion.
Sallie Berkerey
Sallie is Managing Director of CEW UK (Cosmetic Executive Women), the industry’s largest professional beauty network. With previous roles at Vogue and Glamour, she now drives CEW’s strategic direction, overseeing initiatives such as the Beauty Tech Summit and Two-Way Mentoring Scheme. Sallie is a leading connector and champion of innovation in the beauty sector.
Shailja Dubé
Shailja is Deputy Director of the British Fashion Council’s Institute of Positive Fashion. Formerly Accenture UK’s Responsible Retail Lead, she has over 20 years’ experience across sustainability, digital transformation and social impact. A respected strategist and systems thinker, Shailja leads major programmes including the Circular Fashion Ecosystem and advises policymakers on sustainable industry frameworks.
Smruti Sriram OBE
Smruti is CEO of Bags of Ethics and co-founder of the Wings of Hope Achievement Award, an education charity working with 40,000+ students. She has collaborated with the British Fashion Council, Fashion Trust Arabia and Queen’s Green Canopy to promote responsible production. Smruti is a BBC 100 Women honouree and holds an MBA from London Business School.
Tania McNab
Tania is founder of La Maison Couture, an award-winning platform spotlighting sustainable jewellery brands. With over 30 years in luxury retail, she mentors for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and has served on the board of STELAR. Tania champions craftsmanship that prioritises people, planet and progress.
Thomas Bourne
Tom is the founder and Chief Ecosystem Officer at Greenheart, a B Corp-certified consultancy helping businesses align with nature-based principles. One of the UK’s first B Leaders, he has guided dozens of brands through B Corp certification and brings a ‘living systems’ perspective to strategy and impact.
Tiffanie Darke
Tiffanie is a writer, shopkeeper and campaigner for a more sustainable future in fashion. With a background in publishing and creative strategy, she works with global brands and founder-led businesses to shape purpose-led content and storytelling. Her work fuses journalistic instinct with commercial intelligence.
Tori Tsui
Tori is a climate justice activist, writer and musician. She is a senior advisor to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and works with Brian Eno’s Earth Percent initiative. Her debut book It’s Not Just You was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize and explores climate anxiety through a personal and political lens.
Victoria Brownlie MBE
Victoria Brownlie MBE is Chief Policy & Sustainability Officer at the British Beauty Council, where she leads advocacy and environmental strategy for the UK beauty industry. With nearly 20 years’ experience in government relations, she was awarded an MBE in 2024 for securing vital pandemic support for the personal care sector. Victoria chairs the Department for Business & Trade Hair & Beauty Skills Group and heads the Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition, driving initiatives like the Plastic Solutions Summit and Planet Positive Beauty Directory to ensure a more sustainable, future-fit industry.
