It’s almost a year since I stepped into the role of CEO at Bore Place—full of ambition, with a healthy dose of trepidation, and, rather naively, thinking I’d write a monthly blog. Well, that plan didn’t quite take off! I’m now 11 months in and only just writing my first one. But what better occasion to start than International Women’s Day? It’s a chance to reflect on leadership, celebrate the incredible women around us, and (hopefully) kick-start a more regular blogging habit—though I won’t make any promises about keeping it monthly!
About Bore Place
Bore Place is a beautiful historic estate in Kent and home to the Commonwork Trust, an environmental education charity dedicated to restoring ecosystems and fostering a world where people and nature thrive together within the planet’s natural limits.
We work towards this vision by:
🌿 Hosting eco-conscious events, retreats, and corporate gatherings that create spaces for connection and inspiration.
📚 Providing education in sustainability and regenerative living through our learning centre.
🚜 Demonstrating regenerative farming that enhances biodiversity and builds resilience.
💡 Experimenting with bold, radical ideas—because in these unprecedented times, we need to innovate. Not every attempt succeeds, but as a wise former colleague of mine once said, “Failure is the compost of success.”
Taking on the Role: A Systems Challenge
Leading Bore Place is no small task, but as a systems thinker looking for a new challenge, it felt like a natural next step. After 30 years of helping organisations tackle the climate and nature crisis, this role ticked a lot of boxes:
🏡 Historic, energy-inefficient buildings in need of retrofitting.
🌱 500 acres of challenging farmland (hello, heavy clay soil!) to manage sustainably.
🚗 A remote location with limited public transport, meaning too much car dependence.
💰 Situated in the heart of the South East, where some of the UK’s highest greenhouse gas emitters live—presenting an opportunity to drive real behaviour change.
The good news? I wasn’t starting from scratch. Bore Place already has a thriving outdoor education centre, a stunning events venue, a successful eco-wedding business, and, most importantly, an amazing team. In fact, 85% of our staff are women, and our senior leadership team is entirely female.
Leadership: My Perspective
At first, I considered making this blog about female leadership—but that didn’t feel quite right. While we are a female-led organisation, I deeply value everyone I work with, regardless of gender. I’m not advocating for a female-led world—I want an equitable world. More importantly, I don’t subscribe to any one leadership style. Instead, I draw on my experiences—both good and bad—listen to my instincts, and take inspiration from nature.
Here are some reflections on my approach to leadership:
Leadership is about ecosystems, not hierarchies
Organisations don’t exist in a vacuum; they’re part of interconnected economic, political, social, and environmental systems. Decisions should benefit the whole system long-term, not just deliver short-term wins—though an occasional quick win can do wonders for morale!
We must go beyond ‘sustainability’
Simply sustaining the status quo isn’t enough—we need to actively restore and improve the systems we operate in. In fact, I think the term “conservation” should be banned—why conserve something broken when we can regenerate and rebuild?
Leadership should be people-centred
I strive to lead with empathy, inclusion, and collaboration—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it fosters a thriving workplace culture where diversity, well-being, and personal growth are valued.
Adaptability and resilience are non-negotiable
We live in uncertain times, and change is inevitable (and necessary). Great leaders don’t resist change; they embrace it. Some of the best ideas come from the most unexpected places, and I believe innovation should be encouraged at every level of an organisation.
Leadership should be distributed, not singular
Decision-making should happen throughout the organisation, not just at ‘the top’. And the best decisions are rarely made in isolation. I actively seek input from others—not because I can’t make decisions alone, but because they’re better when shaped by diverse perspectives. If I ever start thinking I have all the answers, it’s time for me to step down!
Purpose and values come first
While we need to keep the lights on and pay wages, our purpose is so much bigger than profit. I constantly ask myself:
- Why are we here?
- What are we trying to achieve?
- Is this decision aligned with our values?
Nature is the best teacher
At Bore Place, nature is our guide. I believe in biomimicry—learning from nature’s ecosystems that regenerate, adapt, and sustain themselves over time. I want Bore Place to be a place where everyone—people, wildlife, and ideas—can flourish, not just survive.
A Dedication to the Women Who Inspire Me
And so, on International Women’s Day, I’d like to dedicate this blog to all the women in my life who have inspired me, challenged me, supported me, held me, and taught me. And I’d like to make special mention of one woman in particular—Jenifer Wates, a truly remarkable person and co-founder (with her then-husband Neil) of The Commonwork Trust at Bore Place. Jenifer has been a driving force behind its vision and impact. She continues to serve as an emeritus trustee, challenging, guiding, and inspiring us with her unwavering commitment to a fairer, more just world, with nature at its heart.
Among the many questions I ask myself, one often stands out: What would Jenifer think? Her insight, wisdom, and dedication continue to influence my thinking and the work we do at Bore Place, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.