Alex Beasley (Patagonia) - In business to save our home planet

You've probably heard of Patagonia. Their products adorn outdoor enthusiasts and conscious clothes buyers across the world. Often held up as THE responsible business, Patagonia champion progressive causes and activism across the world. Most radically, in September 2022, Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard, announced that he was transferring ownership of the company into a trust which would use profits to tackle the climate crisis. Alex Beasley, General Manager UK, Ireland and Nordics, joins us for this conversation. He discusses:How 'saying no' to his father was a big moment in his early lifeThe huge value of going to university beyond the subject you studyHow he still considers himself 'an engineer' after studying Civil Engineering, despite not working in that industryHow Patagonia unlocked his 'little bit radical' natureWhy he doesn't like job titlesThe importance of collaboration, listening, and amplifying each other's strengths to solve big challengesThe history of Patagonia, its mission: 'In business to save our home planet'The 'For profit, not-for-profit model'The 1% for the Planet programme and the details of how Patagonia fund hundreds of small impact projects every yearThe story of how Patagonia's energy in the UK came to be produced entirely on the roof of Streatham Tube Station in LondonHow Patagonia encourages Autonomy on both an individual and business levelHow the culture of Patagonia is implemented across the globeHow Patagonia can be put on a pedestal, and how they want to 'knock the pedestal away'The importance of curiosity to be successful Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard, his manifesto for work culture 'Let My People Go Surfing', and his decision to give away his business for the benefit of the planetThe moment Yvon announced this decision to the company, and where Alex was...Patagonia's vision of a circular economy and the decisions they make to champion thatThe huge campaign Patagonia supported to protect the River Vjosa from 260 dams and keep it as the last remaining free flowing river in EuropeHow he feels our economic paradigm needs to change - you can't have infinite growth on a finite planetHis criticism of the word 'consumer' and 'consumerism'Alex on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-beasley-60bb2723/Visit: patagonia.comRob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/Want to appear? Email [email protected]: ⁠standingongiants.com⁠