Will Pearson is a pioneering entrepreneur and the co-founder of both Ocean Bottle and Ocean Co, two ventures dedicated to tackling the global plastic crisis and driving measurable environmental impact. His work has mobilised communities worldwide, removing millions of kilograms of plastic from entering the ocean while providing long-term social benefits to local collectors and their families.
As a respected leader in the sustainability space, Will has earned recognition for redefining how businesses can operate with purpose at their core. His ventures showcase how environmental responsibility and profitability can not only co-exist but thrive together, positioning him as one of the foremost entrepreneurs committed to shaping a regenerative future.
In this exclusive interview with The Sustainability Speakers Agency, Will Pearson shares his views on why businesses must invest in environmental and social impact, how to communicate sustainability authentically, and what it means to innovate with purpose.
Q1. Many businesses still see sustainability as an added cost rather than a core investment. Why do you believe companies should commit to environmental and social impact today?
Will Pearson: “Businesses should invest in environmental and social impact. Not just because it’s the right thing to do for moral reasons and you know you’ll sleep better at night, but I also really believe that it presents an amazing economic opportunity, especially when we think about the long term.
“The public are demanding that companies do more for people and the planet. Consumers buy with their emotions first and employees are looking for jobs with much better credentials. We believe that the brands that will exist tomorrow are the ones that are going above and beyond for all of their stakeholders.
“And we are truly proving this is the case with our audience, where purpose is truly driving profit and is creating a positive feedback loop which allows us to ultimately invest in even more purpose.”
Q2. Communicating sustainability is often where companies fall short, with accusations of greenwashing undermining trust. How can businesses ensure their sustainability standards are authentic and credible?
Will Pearson: “To be really effective, I believe that you need to root your strategy in the DNA of your company and you need to involve your employees especially, but also your consumers in that process so that they truly feel bought in.
“If your slogan is ‘just do it’ and you’re all about putting one foot in front of the other, then your approach should reflect that to make sure that it’s true to your company. Ultimately, a green athlete is not born overnight and it takes hours of dedication, but it’s so worth it.”
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Q3. Innovation is often discussed in commercial terms, but you emphasise purpose-led innovation. How do you define this in the context of sustainability?
Will Pearson: “To me, purpose-led innovation is where you have a very clear idea of the outcomes that you want to achieve, and you innovate to unlock those outcomes.
“Where the real magic happens is where you’ve created an innovation that has almost no drawbacks and only positives for stakeholders.
“Take for instance NPL, who’ve created a plastic alternative to seaweed that not only biodegrades within six months back into the soil and has no chemical additives, but where the agriculture process itself sequesters carbon and also enhances biodiversity.”
Q4. When you step onto a stage to deliver a keynote, what do you want your audience to feel and take away from your message?
Will Pearson: “I hope that they feel inspired from hearing some real-life examples and also stories of what it takes to build a business truly with purpose at its core.
“In a way, I also hope they feel a little bit of outrage and a little bit of optimism – that perfect combination and mix that drives people towards action.
“We’re really big believers that people have the power to influence immense change, not only in their daily lives but influencing the companies that they work for and the politicians that they vote for.
“As an individual, tackling a challenge like climate change or the ocean plastic crisis can feel incredibly daunting. And that’s why we set out to make it easy for individuals to make a global difference.
“I hope that in some way what we do will help convey this and inspire some action.”
This exclusive interview with Will Pearson was conducted by Jack Hayes of The Motivational Speakers Agency.
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