About

Twelve was formed by co-founders Ellie and Jessica in 2018 – the year that global climate scientists sounded the alarm and said we have until 2030 to reverse catastrophic climate change.

We help businesses respond to the climate emergency and embed sustainability into the way they work. Together we bring extensive experience working with some of the world’s best-loved consumer brands, providing well known products from tea to furniture and pet food.

We’ve crafted sustainability strategies, set ambitious goals, supported B Corp certification and helped brands tell their sustainability story.

We love working with founder-led and purpose driven businesses. We support the B Corp movement to use business as a force for good and we’re embedded in the B Corp community as B Leaders. We also give our expertise to Business Declares, a network of business leaders declaring a climate and ecological emergency.

Why Twelve?

In November 2018 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a landmark report stating that we have just twelve years to limit climate change catastrophe. Urgent and unprecedented changes are needed by 2030 to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees and avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We never lose sight of that 2030 deadline. It’s now only ten years away, and the clock, like our logo, keeps ticking down. Since Twelve was founded in 2018 there have been updates on the dire state of the world’s oceans, the onset of the sixth mass extinction of species, and millions of people worldwide affected by devastating flooding, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. And now we’re living through a global pandemic and economic recession, it’s more important than ever for businesses to play their part in building a better future.

It’s this sense of urgency that infuses our work and every conversation we have with our clients. We remain hopeful that everyone can come together to achieve what at times feels impossible. It’s a privilege to work with businesses that share our sense of urgency and desire to act.

The Co-Founders

Jessica Ferrow

Co-Founder

Jessica has spent more than eleven years working with purpose-driven businesses on their sustainability strategy and communications. After starting her career in renewables, Jessica helped to build several green business networks in Bristol before heading to London where she supported global brands with their sustainability reporting. As co-founder of Twelve, she is now dedicated to growing the B Corp movement and helping business leaders respond meaningfully to the climate and ecological crisis.

As well as being a climate activist, nature facilitator and podcaster, Jessica is a mentor and advisory board member of Catalyse Change, a social enterprise helping young women into sustainability careers. She is also the elected director of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, co-chair of the Bristol Climate Leaders Group and sits on Bristol’s One City Environment Board, helping the city achieve its net zero 2030 targets.

Ellie Austin

Co-Founder

Ellie is a sustainability strategy and communications specialist. She’s supported major brands in the UK and Europe to increase their impact and inspire audiences. Over fourteen years she’s developed detailed knowledge of corporate sustainability trends and worked with clients to embed positive change.

Ellie brings broad-reaching consulting experience from KPMG, SustainAbility and other agencies, together with experience of campaigning and environmental policy in international charities. She’s authored multiple corporate sustainability and research reports on transparency and reporting trends, climate change and human rights.

As a B Leader she’s well connected to the B Corp community and passionate about business as a force for good. She’s also an advocate for Business Declares, a network of business leaders and companies who have declared a climate emergency.

The Team

Sam Herbert

Associate Director

Sam is a sustainability strategist with a particular passion for halting biodiversity loss and addressing our climate crisis through protecting and restoring our natural world. After forging a successful 20-year career in brand and business strategy working with high-profile, global brands both corporate and in the not-for-profit sector, Sam decided to re-train and focus her expertise on evolving the sustainability of these organisations. Having led research into business leadership and biodiversity, as well as recently co-authoring a peer-reviewed paper looking at wetland ecosystem services, she is always looking for more opportunities to explore and develop nature-based innovations with clients.

She holds several post-graduate qualifications including an MBA, a Diploma in Strategic Leadership and an MSc in Sustainable Development. Around supporting Twelve’s clients to develop their own sustainability roadmaps, Sam spends her days volunteering with the Wildlife Trusts, Heal Rewilding and various local regeneration projects, putting practical hours into supporting nature’s recovery wherever possible.

Molly Hannafin

Junior Consultant

Molly is a sustainability consultant committed to helping purpose-led brands drive positive change. As well as supporting businesses on their B Corp journey, she helps clients create sustainability strategies and develop impact reports.

A climate and social justice advocate with a love for nature and all things outdoors, Molly’s especially passionate about supporting local communities and protecting green spaces. Her industry experience includes coordinating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alliance in Bristol to advocate for a more sustainable city. Currently studying for a Masters degree in Sustainable Development, she brings extensive knowledge of sustainability topics and an optimistic mindset to the challenges we face.

Who we work with

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