Rebalance Earth Podcast

Episode 13 - Chris Walters, OFWAT: Water is a Serious Business

Most people only think about water when it stops working.
But the story of UK water is far bigger, and far more broken, than those moments suggest.
£104 billion.
That's the investment committed to the UK water sector over the next five years. A system serving 70 million people, running on Victorian infrastructure, facing a reckoning it can no longer defer.
In this episode, Rob Gardner sits down with Chris Walters, CEO of Ofwat, the economic regulator at the centre of that transformation.
Chris explains why water bills stayed flat for two decades while the infrastructure fell behind. Why two thirds of what pollutes our rivers isn't domestic wastewater. And why the most serious thinkers in this space aren't reaching for concrete at all.
They're reaching for reed beds, wetlands, and restored river catchments.
It's a conversation about stewardship, natural infrastructure, and whether the next generation of essential systems gets built from pipes and tanks, or grown from the landscape itself.
If you've ever turned on a tap without thinking twice, this episode is worth your time. Water is a serious business. 
 
 

Episode 11 - Eoin Murray: Why Water Will be the Next Major Crisis

He has spent his life studying risk.
From the trading floors of the City, to investment committees, to flood rescue teams pulling people from fast-rising water in the middle of the night.
Eoin Murray has seen what happens when systems fail. Financial systems. Natural systems. Human systems.
In this conversation, Eoin makes a stark case for why water will be the next major global crisis, and why almost nobody is paying enough attention.
As CIO at Rebalance Earth and a specialist in water rescue, Eoin sits at a rare intersection. He understands capital, climate, and catastrophe. He talks about floods not as abstract climate models, but as forces that humble even the most prepared teams. He explains why nature risk is already sitting on balance sheets, even if it is not yet priced in.
Drawing parallels with the build-up to the 2008 financial crisis, Eoin reflects on how over-reliance on backward-looking models blinds us to systemic risk. He argues that water scarcity, flooding, and food insecurity are not future threats, they are signals already flashing red.
Along the way, he shares what search and rescue has taught him about leadership, trust, and decision-making under pressure. Why the most experienced voice matters more than hierarchy. Why planning for failure is not pessimism, it is professionalism.
This is a conversation about water, yes. But it is also about responsibility. About what happens when we ignore warning signs. And about the uncomfortable question facing investors, governments, and all of us.
If we can already see the crisis coming, why are we still acting surprised?

Episode 10 - Robert Gardner: Why Finding your Purpose is a Superpower

He walked away from one of the safest careers in finance to build something the world had never seen before.
 
A way to make nature an investable asset class.
 
Robert Gardner, co founder and CEO of Rebalance Earth, has spent two decades at the intersection of money, purpose, and systems change. In this candid conversation, he explains why he left the FTSE 100 track, not once but twice, to tackle the climate and nature crisis head on.
 
From the trading floors of Deutsche Bank to founding Redington in a two room office, to his most recent startup in Rebalance Earth, Rob shares the moments that shaped him. He describes the mentors who pushed him, the first believers who backed him, and the purpose that now powers his boundless energy.
 
Rob talks about what it takes to build movements that people once called “crazy”, why purpose is a superpower, and how the UK could become the world leader in nature based resilience. 
 
It all comes back to one question. "Will I be able to look my daughters in the eye in 15 years and say I did everything I could?"
 
This is a conversation about risk, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a world worth living in.

Episode 9 - Lewis Pugh: I Swam Across the North Pole to Get World Leaders to Protect Our Future | Season 2 Premiere

He swam across the North Pole, through water colder than where the Titanic sank, to deliver one message to world leaders about our planet’s future.
Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Oceans, is one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance swimmers. In this Season 2 premiere of The Rebalance Earth Podcast, he shares what drove him to swim in –1.7°C water, and how that moment changed his life.
From the Arctic to the UN, Lewis explains what he’s witnessed beneath the surface: collapsing ecosystems, melting glaciers, and a future we can still protect... if we act now.
This is a conversation about courage, leadership, and the limits of endurance, both human and planetary.

Episode 8 - Over the Hedge: Reimagining Farming for a Changing Climate - Tim Coates & Tim Field

Join us for a captivating conversation with Tim Coates and Tim Field, the visionary farmers behind the Northeast Cotswold Farmer Cluster - a groundbreaking collaboration that's transforming how farmers work together to build resilience in a changing climate. From 10 farms to over 170, discover how this farmer-led movement is pioneering nature-based solutions that benefit both agricultural productivity and the wider environment.
In this eye-opening episode, our guests share:
How collaborative farming at landscape scale creates solutions traditional approaches can't achieve
The business case for nature-based solutions that protect farms from flooding and drought
Why "re-wiggling" rivers and creating healthy soils acts as natural infrastructure
How infrastructure companies like Network Rail are investing in farm-based solutions that are 10x more cost-effective than concrete alternatives
The journey from post-WWII "maximize production" mindset to today's integrated ecosystem approach
Practical ways farmers are turning climate challenges into opportunities
Don't miss this inspiring discussion that offers a practical blueprint for how farmers can lead the transition to a more resilient landscape while maintaining productivity. Whether you're a farmer, landowner, investor, or simply concerned about climate resilience, this episode provides valuable insights into the future of sustainable land management.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on sustainable finance and nature-based solutions!
Discover more from the team: https://www.rebalance.earth/
#RegenerativeFarming #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateResilience #Collaboration #SustainableAgriculture #Cotswolds

Episode 7 - The Role of Water Utilities in Implementing Nature-based Solutions - Jo Harrison

In this episode, we are joined by Jo Harrison, Strategic Planning Director at United Utilities, as she shares how one of the UK's largest water companies is pioneering innovative approaches to water management. Discover how nature-based solutions are transforming the water industry's response to climate change, urban growth, and environmental challenges.
In this fascinating episode, Jo reveals:
How United Utilities is breaking down silos between flood management, water quality, and resource planning
The success stories behind groundbreaking projects in the Petteril and Wyre catchments
Why working with farmers, local communities, and unexpected partners like Nestlé creates powerful environmental markets
The business case for choosing green infrastructure over traditional "grey" engineering solutions
United Utilities' vision for valuing "every drop that falls" through nature-based approaches
 
Don't miss this inspiring discussion on how innovative thinking and cross-sector collaboration are transforming water management for a more resilient future. Whether you're interested in sustainability, infrastructure planning, or nature-based solutions, this episode offers valuable insights into creating climate-resilient communities.
Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on sustainability, finance, and innovative solutions to our global challenges. 
Discover more from the team: https://www.rebalance.earth/

Episode 6 - Rebalancing The Future: Women in Nature and Finance | IWD2025 - Kirsty Wilman and Liberty Scutcher

International Women's Day Special:
Career Conversations with Kirsty & Liberty
In this special International Women's Day episode of the Rebalance Earth podcast, COO Kirsty Wilman sits down with Investment Analyst Liberty Scutcher for an inspiring conversation about careers, confidence, and navigating professional life as a woman. From early career challenges to finding balance, this candid discussion offers valuable insights for professionals at all stages.
 
KEY INSIGHTS:
💡 "There's no such thing as imposter syndrome. It's the inside catching up with the outside." - Changing perspective on self-doubt
💡 Cultural change is more important than rule changes when creating inclusive workplaces
💡 Finding your authentic style is more effective than trying to copy others
💡 Women often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet 100% of qualifications, while men apply with far fewer
💡 Taking on challenges that make you nervous is essential for professional growth
💡 Strategic career planning and viewing yourself as an asset to develop can accelerate your professional journey
💡 Work-life balance is essential for long-term success and happiness in your career
Follow Rebalance Earth for more insights on sustainability, investing, and professional development!

Episode 5 - Pension Funds as a Catalyst for Nature-based Investing - Leandros Kalisperas and Darran Ward

A groundbreaking conversation with the leaders of the UK's third-largest local government pension fund as they reveal how they're pioneering investments in natural capital. Discover how West Yorkshire Pension Fund is reshaping the future of sustainable finance with their innovative approach to nature-based solutions.
 
Featuring:
Leandros Kalisperas (Chief Investment Officer, WYPF)
Darran Ward (Head of Alternatives, WYPF)
 
Key Insights:
- Why nature is the new infrastructure asset class
- How pension funds can drive environmental innovation
- The power of patient capital in sustainable investing
- Breaking down barriers to natural capital investment
- The future of ESG and nature-based solutions

Episode 4 - City Resilience and the Role of Nature-based Solutions in Manchester - David Hodcroft

In this eye-opening episode, we explore how Manchester is revolutionising its approach to water management with David Hodcroft, Infrastructure Lead at Greater Manchester Combined Authority. From transforming concrete jungles into water-smart spaces to building unprecedented collaborations between public and private sectors, discover how one of Britain's largest cities is adapting to climate change through innovative nature-based solutions.

Episode 3 - City Resilience and the Role of Nature-based Solutions in Plymouth - Kathryn Deeney

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kathryn Deeney, Head of Environmental Planning at Plymouth City Council, as she shares how the city is pioneering innovative approaches to urban nature. From introducing beavers as natural flood engineers to creating Britain's first urban habitat bank, discover how Plymouth is transforming the relationship between city growth and nature. Learn how creative thinking and brave leadership are helping reshape urban planning for a more resilient future.