A professional record spanning nearly five decades of sustainable business practice

This page provides a factual overview of Ken Alston’s professional career, leadership roles, publications, speaking engagements and advisory work.

It is intended as a reference for journalists, conference organizers, publishers, researchers, universities and organizations seeking background information.

For the story behind the work, visit the About page.

For executive advisory services, visit Circularity Edge®.

Career Overview

Ken Alston has spent nearly five decades working at the intersection of business, product innovation, sustainability and circular economy.

His career spans corporate leadership, international consulting, executive advisory, public speaking and authorship.

Professional experience includes:

  • Product development and research
  • Global corporate sustainability leadership
  • Circular economy implementation
  • Executive consulting
  • International policy and institutional advisory
  • Keynote speaking
  • Publishing and thought leadership

His current work focuses on business stewardship, sustainable circularity and the ideas explored in Our Common Future—Now.

Career Timeline

1976–1979

Beecham Products Research & Development

Food Scientist working in product development and applied chemistry.

1979–2000

SC Johnson

Twenty-one years with SC Johnson in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

Final role:

Director of Global Product Responsibilities Worldwide

Responsibilities included environmental strategy, product responsibility, eco-efficiency, sustainability reporting and global corporate environmental leadership.

2000–2017

McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC)

Seventeen years working alongside William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart.

Roles included:

  • Senior Advisor
  • Chief of Staff
  • Chief Executive Officer

Key initiatives included:

  • Cradle to Cradle design implementation
  • Sustainable Packaging Coalition launch
  • Formation of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
  • Development of Version 1.0 of the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

2017–Present

Founder, Circularity Edge®

Independent advisory practice helping leadership teams understand why sustainability initiatives reach a ceiling and how organizations can redesign for long-term stewardship.

Current work includes executive advisory, keynote speaking, publishing and development of proprietary strategic frameworks.

Education

Brunel University, London

Bachelor of Technology (Applied Chemistry)

Henley Management College

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Completed while working full-time with SC Johnson.

Publications

Books

Our Common Future—Now

Why Sustainability Reached a Ceiling—And What Comes Next

(Forthcoming)

Perfectly Wrong

How AI Turns Sustainability Blind Spots Into Business Risk

(Forthcoming)

Real Circularity

Co-authored with Rachel S. Kan

Published 2023

Articles

Selected peer-reviewed and professional publications on sustainability, product responsibility and circular economy.

Partners in New Product Development, Corporate Environmental Strategy, Vol 6 #2m 1999

Ken Alston y las características de la economía circular.” ”El Espectador”, 29 August 2019.

Selected International Advisory Projects

Consulting and advisory work has included projects with:

Projects have addressed renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable business strategy, and policy development.

Speaking

Ken speaks internationally to:

  • Executive leadership teams
  • Conferences
  • Universities
  • Professional associations
  • Government organizations
  • Industry forums

Recent engagements have included:

Professional Leadership

Career highlights include:

  • Director of Global Product Responsibilities Worldwide, SC Johnson
  • Chief Executive Officer, McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry
  • Program Manager, Sustainable Packaging Coalition launch
  • Formation leadership for the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
  • Founder, Circularity Edge®

Current Work

Today Ken’s work focuses on four interconnected areas.

These ideas are developed through books, keynote presentations, executive advisory and The Inquiry, his ongoing public exploration of the future of sustainable business.

Media Resources

Available upon request:

  • Professional biography
  • High-resolution photographs
  • Book information
  • Speaking topics
  • Interview requests

Contact

For:

  • speaking engagements
  • interviews
  • media inquiries
  • publishing inquiries
  • executive advisory

please use the Contact page.