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PODCAST

The naturethrive podcast

Jonathan Withey

The naturethrive podcast is here to inspire and connect you with nature, while exploring practical solutions to the environmental and planetary challenges we face.Through engaging conversations with expert guests, we’ll delve into the issues affecting our world in a way that’s accessible and uplifting, not overwhelming. We’ll highlight real stories and experiences that bring hope and optimism, showcasing a wide range of current and future solutions—from large-scale initiatives to everyday

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All Episodes

43:50

Episode 38: Restoring Nature's Wealth via...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/09/28

On this episode host Jonathan Withey speaks with Jim Day, founder of Naturefy, a BNG tech platform aimed at operationalising Biodiversity Net Gain by making the market more transparent and liquid. They discuss how Naturefy helps landowners map habitats and estimate unit potential, helps developers find available off-site units via a marketplace map, and uses data insights such as tracking BNG unit sales by local planning authorities. Jim shares his background in economics and tech, argues tha...

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46:48

Episode 37: Making it Easy to Comply with...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/09/11

On this episode host Jonathan Withey speaks with Jack Sherborn Hoare, founder of RevVerte, a platform where developers list biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements and habitat banks submit quotes in one place. Jack shares his farming and land management background, how he moved from regenerative agriculture into BNG, and why Revert aims to build market infrastructure rather than act as a broker, combining an online marketplace with human support and exploring an assurance scheme. The convers...

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40:39

Episode 36: Cities as Living Ecosystems with Tom...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/08/13

On this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Tom Butterworth, Fellow Director and Nature Lead at Arup, at Arup’s Goodge Street office. Tom shares his career path from studying ecology and volunteering at the Natural History Museum to working on nature reserves, conservation coordination, Natural England, and consultancy, including biodiversity net gain and natural capital. The conversation focuses on cities as living ecosystems and why urban design must account for water, species movement...

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49:43

Episode 35: Why Nature Restoration is about People...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/06/16

On this episode host Jonathan Withey takes a walk across Port Meadow in Oxford with Bruce Howard, head of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network (EKN), discussing Bruce’s shift from mining and pollution management to nature restoration and knowledge sharing. They explain EKN’s origins in the UK Government’s 2011 white paper, its transition to an independent charity in 2015, and its UK-wide membership of around 4,000 spanning environment professionals and other sectors. The conversation covers why l...

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48:54

Episode 34: Nature is Critical Infrastructure with...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/06/01

In this episode host Jonathan Withey speaks with Leslie Wilson, policy and engagement lead at ISEP (formerly IEMA), about business, biodiversity, and natural capital. They discuss ISEP’s role as a global membership body, its biodiversity and natural capital network, and how member insights inform policy and consultations. Leslie explains IPBES as a science-policy platform similar to the IPCC, how its assessments inform the Convention on Biological Diversity, and why the Manchester plenary and...

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47:10

Episode 33: How to Integrate Nature into Decision...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/05/07

Jonathan Withey welcomes listeners to episode 33 featuring a conversation with Ella Moseley, Director of Ecology at Pegasus Group. Ella describes her path into ecology through a physical geography degree in the UK and Australia, the value of gaining construction-side experience, and how Pegasus brought ecology in-house to complete a multidisciplinary offer and support clients from early land appraisals through post-consent delivery. They discuss biodiversity net gain (BNG) as a way to communi...

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40:08

Episode 32: All Roads Lead to Nature Recovery with...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/04/22

Jonathan is joined in central London by Julia Baker of Mott MacDonald to discuss how nature services connect biodiversity, climate resilience, carbon, and social wellbeing, arguing that nature recovery is a solution society and the economy need. The conversation focuses on biodiversity net gain (BNG), especially for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), including the government’s announcement that mandatory BNG for NSIPs will go live on 2 November 2026 and planned interim pu...

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56:47

Episode 31: From Creator to Rater of Biodiversity Net...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/04/06

Jonathan Withey hosts a conversation with David Hill CBE, described as a key architect of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), discussing its origin from David’s experience in environmental impact assessment, his push from biodiversity offsetting to mandated BNG, and why voluntary adoption failed. David argues onsite BNG is ineffective and advocates professional, audited offsite habitat banks, noting BNG costs about 0.6% of gross development value and warning that exemptions, environmental delivery p...

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42:50

Episode 30: The Green Thread - Connecting the Dots...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/03/23

On this episode Jonathan Withey chats with Lawrence Cummins, Sustainability Manager at Wates Group, who describes his path from a biology degree and applied research role into leading the nature strand of Wates’ environmental strategy. They discuss drivers behind Wates’ nature work, including the Nature Based Neighbourhoods programme and research with More in Common showing cross-political support for green spaces. Lawrence outlines nature tech uses such as high-resolution satellite imagery a...

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38:05

Episode 29: Enabling a Regenerative Food System that...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/03/16

In this episode host Jonathan speaks with Joseph Gridley, CEO and founder of Soil Association Exchange, a for-profit arm distinct from the Soil Association charity, which helps companies and about 2,200 UK farms (around 4.5% of UK agricultural land) measure and improve environmental impacts through finance, advice, and simplified access to public and private funding options like SFI and other schemes. Gridley explains the business value for partners—supply chain resilience, credible fie...

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38:00

Episode 28: From Conservation to Restoration with...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/03/09

On this episode Jonathan Withey hosts Peter Dorans, Business Development Director at the charity Plantlife. Peter shares his unconventional career path into the NGO environment sector, including roles in the civil service, New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment, 15 years at The Wildlife Trusts, and moving to Plantlife to build commercial engagement in nature restoration. Plantlife was founded by botanists to address the lack of attention on plants and fungi and focuses on species-rich gra...

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40:08

Episode 27: How to Measurably Improve Nature and...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/03/02

In this episode Jonathan interviews Nick White, Principal Adviser for Net Gain at Natural England, about his career path into biodiversity work and his 14-year involvement in developing biodiversity net gain (BNG). Nick explains how Brexit created a political window to help get BNG onto the national agenda and ultimately enshrined into law, and discusses BNG’s global influence, including international uptake of the metric. They explore what natural capital means, why habitats are used as a pr...

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36:15

Episode 26: Beyond the Pipes - Making Space for...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/02/23

On this episode Jonathan frames the conversation as a focus on Anglia Water’s work for nature recovery and biodiversity, while acknowledging wider water industry challenges around drinking water, sewage treatment, and infrastructure. Angus explains Anglia Water’s geographic coverage (from the Humber Estuary to the Thames Estuary and inland to Northamptonshire) and discusses work across the UK’s driest region, including river restoration, slowing flows, habitat creation and some wetland creati...

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39:46

Episode 25: Creating Places for People and Nature...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/02/16

On this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Peter Rogers, co-founder of Lipton Rogers and former co-founder of Stanhope. They discuss Rogers’ long career in commercial and residential development, including insights into 22 Bishopsgate (“22B”), designed as a “vertical village” with shared amenities such as restaurants, bars, gyms, art in the lobby, and community-focused spaces to offset limited ground-level public realm. Rogers shares how he got into construction through early exposure t...

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55:32

Episode 24: Nature Positive, What's all that About?...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2026/02/09

In this episode Jonathan dives into a captivating conversation with Edward Pollard, founder of Positive by Nature. Edward shares insights on sustainability, nature recovery, and biodiversity, drawing from his extensive experience in the field. Learn about the interconnectedness of climate and nature, the importance of business resilience, and the exciting projects driving nature conservation forward. Edward also shares memorable personal stories from his career, highlighting the crucial role ...

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49:16

Episode 23: Allies in Making Nature Restoration...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2025/11/19

In this episode host Jonathan sits down with Connell Grogan, co-founder of Nature Impact, to discuss the significance of biodiversity net gain policy, the creation of offsite habitat banks, and how an entrepreneurial spirit can drive nature recovery in the UK. They delve into the policy's impact, the importance of offsite versus onsite biodiversity enhancements, and innovative approaches like the upcoming nature credit offerings. Connell shares insights from his career, the journey of Nature ...

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35:02

Episode 22: Making Commercial Sense of Embracing...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2025/11/12

In this episode host Jonathan speaks with Nick Wenman, owner of Albury Vineyard in the Surrey Hills. Nick shares his transition from the IT world to cultivating vines for certified organic wine production in the UK, while adopting biodynamic principles. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of organic viticulture, the commercial benefits of sustainability, and the importance of reconnecting with nature. Nick also discusses the significance of introducing educational and natu...

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43:44

Episode 21: The Business Case for Nature with Helen...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2025/10/31

In this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Helen Nyul, former Head of Biodiversity at Barratt Redrow, who recently transitioned to a new role at the nature tech startup, Verna. Helen shares her career journey, the impact of nature-rich housing developments, and the essential role of biodiversity in business and the economy. We discuss successful projects like Kingsbrook and the value of biodiversity action plans. Don't miss the engaging stories and practical insights on how both develop...

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37:01

Episode 20: Designing Nature into the Built...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2025/10/15

In this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Philippa Birch-Wood, the former Executive Director for ESG at Chetwoods and now Head of Climate Action at the UK Green Building Council. They delve into the critical role of architecture in enhancing connections with nature and promoting sustainability. Learn about Chatwood's Thrive Design approach and Phillipa's career journey into sustainability, her insightful experiences in nature, and the importance of integrating biophilic designs in mode...

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37:21

Episode 19: How the Built Environment is Driving...

The naturethrive podcast ·

2025/09/23

In this episode Jonathan engages in an insightful conversation with Simon Kennedy, Associate Director of Wates Wild Scape. They discuss the formation and mission of Wates Wild Scape by the Wates Group, an over-a-century-old construction and development company in the UK. The episode covers key themes such as natural capitalism, nature markets, biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality, and sustainable alternative natural green spaces (SANGs). Simon shares his career journey, the ...

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