Helen Tandy, Founding Director, Eco Communities
This month feels like the start of a brand-new chapter for me. After more than 20 years working in ethical investment, I’m not walking away from that world, in fact, I’m as passionate as ever about the work we’re doing at Castlefield, where I’ll continue three days a week as Partner and Chartered Financial Adviser. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved there: pioneering values-led investment advice, fund management with purpose, and embedding sustainability at the heart of finance.
But alongside this, something else has been quietly growing.
Back in 2018, I founded Eco Communities. It started with projects like Plastic Free Chester, helping local businesses cut down on single-use plastics. From there, we expanded to launch our reusable cup scheme in Chester and Winsford, our reusable cup hire scheme to reduce single use plastic at our door events, and sustainable food initiatives. Having been the lead of the Net Zero work at Castlefield and our Carbon Literacy Trainer I started to be asked to do talks and training for other organisation. What began as a side passion has turned into a movement that I now feel compelled to dedicate more of my time to.
More and more, I’m being asked to support businesses who want to do better, who want to reduce their carbon footprint, rethink their operations, and take practical steps towards a sustainable future. And that’s where Eco Communities comes in.
Supporting Businesses on Their Sustainability Journey
Through Eco Communities, I now offer workshops and training designed to make sustainability accessible, realistic, and most importantly—actionable.
For busy leaders, we run short Carbon Reduction Workshops that give an immediate overview of their carbon footprint and simple steps to cut emissions. For those ready to dive deeper, our Carbon Literacy Training offers a full-day, accredited programme, equipping teams with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to embed sustainability in everything they do.
Alongside this, businesses can also explore Plastic Free accreditation, join the National Refill Scheme, or take part in Food for the Planet, a campaign helping communities and businesses embrace climate-friendly food practices.
It’s about meeting people where they are and giving them the confidence to take the next step.
Recognition Along the Way
It’s been an honour to see this work recognised. This year I was named a finalist in the Women in Green Business Awards 2025, in not one but two categories:
🌿 Corporate Sustainability Leader of the Year
🌿 Investment Professional of the Year
The winners will be announced in October, but for me, being shortlisted alongside so many inspiring women is already a huge milestone.
I have also been nominated for the Net Zero 50 list. I don’t expect to make the 2025 line-up, but 2026 is definitely my target!
Looking Ahead: Bringing Refill Home
While I love the big-picture work with businesses, I also want to make sustainable living practical for households here in our region. With so many zero waste shops closing it has been harder to reduce my plastic. I now have subscription schemes for household laundry and cleaning which has reduced plastic but isn’t as plastic free as I would like. That’s why I’m exploring the launch of a Eco Communities Refill home delivery service—a simple way to cut single-use plastics without compromising on convenience.
Imagine being able to refill your everyday essentials—
🧴 All-purpose cleaner
🧴 Fabric conditioner
🧴 Laundry liquid
🧴 Hand cream and micellar water
🧴 Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hand wash
—delivered straight to your door, without the waste.
For me, it’s all part of the same mission: making sustainability second nature, whether at home or in business.
This new chapter is about weaving my two worlds together—finance and sustainability, business and community—and using them both to create meaningful impact.
If you’re on your own sustainability journey, whether as a business leader or an individual, I’d love to connect. Together we can make change happen, one step (or one refill!) at a time.
