If I Knew Then: Ian Townsend

Ian Townsend became CEO of Bristol Green Capital Partnership in 2016.

The community interest company supports the city’s environmental sustainability network of around 850 member organisations, enabling collaboration and collective action across private, public, academic and civil society sectors towards a shared vision of a sustainable city with a high quality of life for all.

The partnership recently announced three priorities for 2019-22: environmental equality, becoming the UK’s first ‘gold’ sustainable food city, and ensuring Bristol becomes a circular, resource efficient city.

How did you start out in business?

It depends on how you define ‘business’. I left the public sector and London in 2012, coming home to Bristol to head Development Initiatives’ research team, focusing on the investments needed to end global poverty.

Though our advocacy work around what became the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), I became increasingly aware of environmental issues. I set up my own SDG research consultancy in 2015, but then jumped at the opportunity to work with Bristol Green Capital Partnership in 2016.

It has been an incredible experience, collaborating across sectors and meeting so many inspiring people.

If you knew then what you know now, what mistakes might you have avoided?

I had a fantastic role in my 20s, but could have benefitted from getting outside my comfort zone earlier. However, I’ve been fortunate in my career, so not sure I would actually do things differently.

Everyone makes mistakes, especially when taking risks. The key thing is to learn from – and not repeat – them.

What advice would you have given yourself when starting out?

Listen to everyone, but don’t be driven by anyone. In fractious times, we all need to listen to others, even if you think you might disagree with them. People have reasons for their views, and these can be really enlightening – and challenging, in a good way.

If you then take what you see as the best path on the best information available, you minimise regrets.

If you knew then what you know now, would you still be sitting there?

Hard to say for sure, but I think so.

What do you know now that you didn’t know then?

So much! Sometimes I think maybe I could write a book…

Throughout my career the importance of building strong and respectful relationships has become ever clearer.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received so far?

Compromise. A Bristol sage that I very much respect once said to me: “If everyone is a bit unhappy, you’re probably doing the right thing.”

What is your business highlight?

The last few months have been great for the partnership. We published our annual review 2017/18 (the 10th year of the partnership since its founding in 2007), organised a Spark Forum for our members to share project ideas, took part in Green Great Britain Week, contributed the Global Parliament of Mayors, and launched our three priorities for the years ahead.

We couldn’t have done this without such a hard-working and enthusiastic team: Vicki, Claire, Amy and Allan all deserve a big mention.

What is your business low point?

The first six months in this role during 2016 were tricky. The end of Bristol European Green Capital 2015 was not as smooth it could have been. Progress stalled when the city could have been taking environmental sustainability to the next level.

But we worked through this, and things have been on the up ever since.

What keeps you awake?

Apart from climate change (I recommend Blade Runner 2049 for a haunting depiction of climate disaster), probably ‘Brexit’. But after a long run around Bristol, not much keeps me awake.

What’s changed from when you started out?

Positively, increasing awareness of sustainability, and responsible businesses increasingly focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Less positively, the financial conditions our members are dealing with right now. It is tough, and Britain leaving the EU will not make it easier.

What’s still on your to-do list?

Quite a lot! Some say Bristol is ‘changed but not yet transformed’ environmentally. No-one can do this alone, but the city working together can.

I’d also like to put my evening class Spanish to the test, maybe in sustainability ‘world-leader’ Costa Rica…

What’s next for you in business and personally?

Business: Helping the partnership pursue those three priorities and accelerate progress towards a carbon neutral city.

Personally: A big holiday – either by train or further afield (carbon offset, of course).

Read more: If I Knew Then: Zoe Whitman