Mike Barry

Former Director of Sustainable Business for Marks and Spencer, Director of Mikebarryeco, Co-Founder of Planetry Alliance & Advisor on Sustainable Business for Tala Consultancy School

Mike Barry’s Biography:

Mike Barry is a world-renowned sustainability expert best known for transforming corporate sustainability through his leadership at Marks and Spencer, where he created and implemented the industry-leading ‘Plan A’ programme. With more than 20 years of professional industry experience, Mike has become one of the most respected voices in sustainable business, climate literacy and responsible leadership. As a keynote speaker, he is highly regarded for translating complex environmental and social challenges into practical business strategies, helping organisations understand how sustainability can drive innovation, resilience and long-term commercial success.

Mike began his career in 2004 as a Programme Committee Member at WWF, where he developed an early understanding of environmental advocacy and corporate responsibility. In 2005, he joined Marks and Spencer as Head of Sustainable Business before becoming Director of Sustainable Business in 2013. During his tenure, he played a leading role in embedding sustainability into one of the UK’s most recognisable retail brands. Since leaving Marks and Spencer, Mike has continued to advise organisations through consultancy, strategic partnerships and board-level roles. In 2019, he founded Mikebarryeco, an organisation focused on helping businesses scale sustainable change and support innovative start-ups.

Alongside his executive career, Mike has held numerous influential advisory and governance positions. He has served on the BITC Environment Leadership Team, been a Board Member at the World Environment Center and acted as Co-Chair of the Sustainability Steering Group at The Consumer Goods Forum. In 2011, he was named Sustainable Business Innovator of the Year by the Guardian Group, recognising his pioneering contribution to sustainability leadership. Mike has also partnered with Kite Insight’s Climate School to improve climate literacy across organisations and industries.

Today, Mike continues to shape the future of sustainable business as Co-Founder of Planetry Alliance and Advisor on Sustainable Business for Tala Consultancy School. A trusted advisor and consultant, he is known for helping organisations navigate environmental transformation with practical insight and commercial understanding. Through his speaking engagements, Mike inspires audiences to rethink business models, embrace sustainable innovation and create measurable long-term impact.

Why Hire Mike Barry?

Mike Barry is hired as a speaker for his unrivalled expertise in sustainable business transformation and corporate climate strategy. Combining decades of frontline experience with engaging storytelling, Mike delivers practical insights on sustainability, leadership and responsible growth. Having led the globally recognised ‘Plan A’ programme at Marks and Spencer, he offers audiences real-world examples of large-scale organisational change. Mike is also known for his TED Talk, ‘A Manifesto for a Sustainable Business Revolution’, where he explores how businesses can drive meaningful environmental and social change. His talks are insightful, commercially focused and tailored to organisations navigating the future of responsible business.

Mike Barry’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Mike Barry’s remarkable career:

  • 2025 – Co-Founded Planetry Alliance, helping organisations accelerate sustainable transformation and climate action.
  • 2022 – Became Advisor on Sustainable Business for Tala Consultancy School, supporting sustainable leadership and business education.
  • 2022 – Partnered with Kite Insight’s Climate School to improve climate literacy across organisations and industries.
  • 2020 – Appointed Board Trustee for A Blueprint for Better Business, supporting ethical and responsible corporate leadership.
  • 2020 – Served as Strategic Advisor for Clim8, helping promote sustainable investment and climate-focused innovation.
  • 2020 – Worked as Strategic Advisor for Instinctif Partners, advising organisations on sustainability and communications strategy.
  • 2019 – Founded Mikebarryeco, focused on growing start-ups, transforming businesses and scaling sustainable change.
  • 2019 – Became Advisor for CoGo, supporting businesses and consumers in measuring environmental impact.
  • 2013 – Appointed Director of Sustainable Business at Marks and Spencer, leading the globally recognised ‘Plan A’ sustainability programme.
  • 2011 – Named Sustainable Business Innovator of the Year by the Guardian Group for his pioneering work in corporate sustainability.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mike for speaking at the Go Green Conference earlier this month. We had great feedback from the delegates online and in person about the level of content that was delivered on the day. We appreciate Mike taking time out of his busy schedule to highlight the benefits of sustainability, to businesses across the North. We hope to welcome him back to one of the events we host in the future.” – Helen, Events Executive, Department for Business & Trade