Comms from the Shed: interviewing diverse voices on our present and the future.

With over 20 years experience working for some of the most prestigious brands in fashion, beauty, fragrance, electronics and home: we talk to Mark Forsyth, Director of Communications at the new UK online start-up Sproutl - dedicated to demystifying gardening, making it accessible and fun for all.

Episode Summary

Mark Forsyth is former Global Head of Communications at Yoox Net-A-Porter, and founder of Mark Forsyth Ltd - a strategic Brand and Communications consultancy. With over 20 years experience as a Retail consultant and Comms professional, Mark has spent a considerable time directing global campaigns for some of the most prestigious brands in fashion, beauty, fragrance, electronics and home. He's worked at House of Fraser, John Lewis, Liberty, and is now Director of Communications at online start-up Sproutl, who, with their female CEO Anni Noel-Johnson are backed by Index Ventures - also backers of Deliveroo and Dropbox (amongst others) - and are also supported by ethical investment funds. We talk start-ups, tomato chutney, low ego environments, the joy of dog-walking and so much more. Sproutl is a new UK Tech Startup dedicated to demystifying gardening, making it accessible and fun, inspiring fresh new audiences across the country who may never have planted anything before. We bring the best in gardening from phone to your door for patios, pots, windowsills, and backyards. Music by Gavin Calder and Sam Bleazard.

Episode Notes

INTRO

1min30s - finding out more about Sproutl, and comparing notes on home gardening

5mins30s - why Mark joined a start-up after a varied successful career

9mins30s - Mark on Inclusion: "Diversity and inclusion isn't just something you do for a week or a year..."

11mins - Background on team Sproutl

14mins - How important is social media?

15mins - How to do gardening if you've never done it before...?

19mins - "The person who has helped me most in my career..."

20mins30s - Hybrid working and treating employees like adults

23mins30s - Body image, size normal swimwear and expectations of brands in 2021

25mins30s - Sustainability: what should big brands be doing in this space? "We are in a climate crisis..."

28mins - Start-ups: what's better, and what's been more challenging?

30mins - Side hustles, new puppies, art and house renovations

32mins - Huggy's Disco and Norman Cook

33mins - What's next for Sproutl?

Music by Gavin Calder and Sam Bleazard.