Curiosity, applied.

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Global supply chains are under immense stress. Whether it’s a case of  sanctioned goods and impure materials or unethical labour practices, the potential for hidden risks in your supply chain is greater than ever before.  Understanding the true origin of your product can be the difference between building an enduring and sustainable brand, or being blindsided by a reputational and regulatory crisis. 
In this episode of Curiosity, Applied, Rupert Hodges, Chief Commercial Officer at Oritain, and Wes Tucker, CEO of Tracr (De Beers Group), explore the critical but often overlooked world of product origin. We explore how businesses can de-risk their supply chains, navigate a tightening regulatory landscape and turn radical transparency into enduring brand value and consumer trust.
Key learnings from this episode:
Recognize the triple threat of integrity, regulatory and reputational risk and why "plausible deniability" in your supply chain is no longer defensible. 
Understand how tightening global regulations, including frameworks like Europe’s Digital Product Passports, will soon require all product claims to be backed by verifiable data, not just paperwork. 
 Learn how supply chain transparency can become a strategic advantage, using provenance storytelling to meet growing consumer demand and enhance brand value.
Host:
Ryan Skinner, Research Director at Verdantix
Guests:
Rupert Hodges - Chief Commercial Officer at Oritain
Wes Tucker - CEO of Tracr (De Beers Group)
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The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) role has undergone a radical evolution. Once focused primarily on voluntary reporting, policy formation and goal-setting, today’s CSO are strategists, futurists and value creators, that drive commercial impact while shaping business culture and long-term performance.
In this episode, Liz Brown, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Inchcape, and Andrew Lowe, Senior Client Partner, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, EMEA at Korn Ferry International, explore how the CSO role has evolved into one of the most strategic positions in global business. They unpack the traits, capabilities and organizational expectations needed to thrive and why the CSO role is now a stepping stone to broader executive leadership roles. 
Key learnings from this episode:
Understand how the CSO role has shifted from reporting-focused tasks to a strategically critical position that shapes business direction, culture and long-term value creation.
Explore why sustainability teams are increasingly prioritizing strategy and transformation, while functions like finance, legal and risk teams take the lead on compliance and reporting.
Uncover how growing board involvement is redefining expectations for CSOs, shaping the skills, mindsets and experiences organizations now seek.
Learn what differentiates top CSOs today, including the ability to translate sustainability into commercial value, navigate emerging risks and build enterprise-wide influence.
Host:
David Metcalfe, CEO Verdantix
Guests:
Liz Brown - Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Inchcape plc
Andrew Lowe - Senior Client Partner, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, EMEA at Korn Ferry International
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Climate change is not about 2050 – it’s a present-day business reality. From heatwaves changing travel patterns, floods shutting down hotels and transport hubs, and wildfires disrupting operations, climate events are affecting revenue, insurance costs, workforce safety, critical infrastructure and asset value. Organizations that succeed in the next decade will be those that adopt adaptive, climate resilience strategies built to evolve with changing risks.
In this episode, Danielle D’Silva, Director of Sustainability at Booking.com and Dan Zarrilli Chief Climate & Sustainability Officer at Columbia University and former NYC Resilience leader, explore how climate resilience strategy and adaption planning is evolving across industries, what we can learn from global tourism and city governments and how business leaders can shift from long-term theory to resilient, practical action.
Key learnings from this episode: 
Understand the financial and operational impact of climate events and why a resilience plan is essential for both business continuity and public services.
Learn how sustainability teams can reframe climate adaptation from “compliance cost” to “business advantage”.
Discover why real-world narratives drive more action and how to use this storytelling as a lever for change. 
Actionable strategies for effectively communicating climate risks to supply chain partners, investors, policmakers and stakeholders over the next five years

Host:
David Metcalfe, CEO Verdantix
Guests:
Danielle D’Silva - Director of Sustainability at Booking.com 
Dan Zarrilli - Chief Climate & Sustainability Officer at Columbina University and former NYC Resilience leader 
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In 2025, shifting regulations, ambitious targets and increasing scrutiny on ROI continued to shape an uncertain sustainability landscape. As leaders across business, policy and finance gathered for one of the biggest moments in the sustainability calendar - New York Climate Week 2025 –the theme of “Power On” posed a crucial question: how can sustainability leaders maintain momentum and keep driving progress forward? 
In this episode, guest hosted by Verdantix Senior Manager Nathan Goldstein, we unpack what "Power On" really meant. From corporate strategy and policy, to technology and finance, we share our practical insights and key take aways from the week – what we saw, what we heard and what it means for sustainability professionals shaping the next phase of climate action. 
Join us for a front-row seat to the conversations driving corporate climate action and discover how you can deliver meaningful impact in 2026 and beyond. 
Host 
Nathan Goldstein, Senior Manager at Verdantix
Guests
Felicity Laird, Principal Analyst at Verdantix
Josh Graessle, Senior Analyst at Verdantix
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In today's market, sustainability has become an essential attribute for many brands and products. But as companies grow increasingly complex, and with many companies making similar claims, how can you authentically express your commitment in a unique voice, and what steps do you need to take to make sure you fulfil your promise to the consumer?
In this episode Al Iannuzzi, Vice President Sustainability at Esteé Lauder Companies and Preeti Srivastav, Group Head of Sustainability at Asahi Group Holdings share how these leading, multi-brand companies are embedding sustainability into their business DNA, balancing corporate commitments with consumer relevance and regulatory pressures, to build trust and long-term value.  
Key learnings from this episode:
Understand how to integrate sustainability into the DNA of a company while preserving the unique voice of each brand.
Discover how to move beyond data and reports to tell compelling stories that build trust.
Learn how to manage the risks and opportunities of sustainability marketing through “offensive” and “defensive” strategies.
Discover how to align sustainability objectives with brand strategy to build resilience, trust and long-term value.
Host:
David Metcalfe, CEO Verdantix
Guests:
Al Iannuzzi - Vice President Sustainability at Esteé Lauder Companies
Preeti Srivastav - Group Head of Sustainability at Asahi Group Holdings 
 
Enjoyed the episode? Make sure you hit follow so you don't miss the next one and check out our website for related content on this topic Verdantix.com

Practitioners get complimentary access to our library of research content at Verdantix Vantage - Register now.