The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
From Manager, Circular Economy & Compliance (L5)
3-5 years at L5Skills to master
- Moving from managing a function to leading a business unit's strategy. This means developing stronger executive presence, cross-functional influence at a senior level, and a deeper understanding of the BU's P&L and strategic priorities. You'll need to prove you can think beyond your direct team's deliverables.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major circular economy programme that delivered significant, measurable impact across multiple departments.
- Consistently exceeded functional KPIs and demonstrated strong leadership in developing your team.
- Proactively identified and mitigated significant regulatory risks for your function.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders outside your direct reporting line.
- 2
From Head of Sustainability/EHS (smaller organisation)
5-8 years in a similar leadership roleSkills to master
- Scaling your strategic thinking and operational oversight to a larger, more complex global business unit. This involves navigating more intricate political landscapes, managing larger budgets, and influencing a broader range of senior stakeholders. You'll need to show you can operate effectively within a matrixed corporate structure.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully built and executed a comprehensive sustainability strategy for a smaller company, with demonstrable results.
- Managed a multi-disciplinary team and budget effectively.
- Demonstrated strong external representation, engaging with regulators and industry bodies.
- Proven ability to adapt to a more complex, multi-national corporate environment.
- 3
From Senior Consultant (Big 4 / Specialist Firm)
8-12 years in sustainability/circular economy consulting, with significant client leadershipSkills to master
- Transitioning from advising clients to owning and implementing the strategy internally. This means developing direct people management skills, navigating internal corporate politics, and taking full accountability for outcomes, not just recommendations. You'll need to show you can build and lead an internal team, not just project manage external ones.
You're ready to move on when
- Led large-scale sustainability transformation projects for major clients, with demonstrable impact.
- Built strong client relationships at an executive level.
- Managed project teams and budgets effectively.
- Demonstrated a strong desire and aptitude for internal leadership and long-term organisational impact.