From backpacking to B Corp, The Re_Set Director shares what she’s learnt about the world and being a consultant on her journey so far
I put off starting work for as long as possible to travel and see the world. Before moving to Birmingham to study at university, I worked on a marine conservation project in Honduras, while my degree was followed by backpacking for a year with friends. Eventually, I needed a job, and found myself at Accenture – though I did manage one more big adventure during this time, travelling to Tibet, Nepal, and India on my honeymoon.
I went from Goliath to David when I left Accenture to join Re_Set. At Accenture, I’d been Senior Strategy Consultant, UK Innovation Director, and Global Innovation Lead for CSR. But after nearly 20 years, I decided it was time for a change. I was convinced to join Re_Set in September 2021 by three things: the focus on sustainability and innovation; the opportunity to be part of building a business; and the fact Re_Set is a B Corp and committed to positive change.
Being part of the B Corp community means we’re on a journey. It’s a signal of intent to use our business as a force for good in the world. It’s about constantly looking at how we improve the way we run our business to have a greater impact on society and the environment.
I’ve spent the past decade working with clients on how to navigate disruption. Interestingly, to begin with that was the rise of digital and now it’s the rise of purpose.
My at-work superpower is making complex things simple. I live by Einstein’s quote that “Genius is making complex ideas simple, not simple ideas complex”.
Hannah Mansour, Director of Innovation and Sustainability, Re_Set
I’m fuelled by tea. I’m very British in that I need a cup of tea to get me through the day. You can probably tell by the middle of the afternoon if I haven’t had one…!
In a meeting, you can count on me to bring the drive to get to an outcome. Time is so precious, and everyone’s so busy that we must make good use of it. If we’re coming together it needs to be for a reason and I want people to feel that it was a valuable use of their time.
I’m passionate about gender equality and women’s empowerment. This is important to me on so many fronts – as a mum, as a leader and as a member of society. As a mum, I’ve noticed there’s much we need to do to transform the expectations we place on girls versus boys from a very young age. We need to create a level playing field for the future, which involves empowering our girls and encouraging our boys to confront the existing narrative.
As a female leader and member of society, I want young women to thrive. I do this in my work by creating opportunities and environments that enable others to succeed. In my personal life, I work with charities to address issues that hold back girls and women. This includes supporting girls’ rights and helping to advance women’s economic empowerment.
I believe businesses will only truly become sustainable if they innovate to transform
Hannah Mansour, Director of Innovation and Sustainability, Re_Set
Clients should come to me if they need help with sustainability and innovation. I believe we can’t have one without the other – businesses will only become truly sustainable if they innovate to transform. One thing I’ve learnt about innovation is that it’s 1 per cent ideas and 99 per cent blood sweat and tears. It’s easy to come up with new ideas but they are only truly innovation when they are delivered at scale.
The only certainty we have is uncertainty. That’s my ‘prediction’ for the business world in 2022, Businesses are being disrupted on many fronts and the pace of change is relentless. Businesses need to be agile to be able to respond. The cost of doing nothing is too high.
Hannah is Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Re_Set. To speak to her about the disrupted world and how she can help you navigate it, email her. Read more from Hannah here, or meet the rest of the team here
