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Keziah Cowan

Associate Director

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Keziah, Associate Director.

Discover more about Keziah Cowan, Associate Director at 1st Formations and learn from her expertise in sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Bio

Keziah Cowan leads the organisation’s sustainability and CSR programs. Having graduated with a distinction in her Masters degree in environmental consultancy, Keziah is a passionate ESG expert, and champions initiatives that drive positive social and environmental impact.

Keziah created 1st Formations’ charitable partnership with the WONDER Foundation to advance projects that enhance access to education and opportunities for vulnerable communities. She was instrumental in 1ST Formations achieving B Corp status, as well as it’s carbon net-zero commitment and securing Green Mark Level 2 certification.

  • Expert in UK CSR initiatives
  • Set-up charitable partnership driving global female education
  • Helped company achieve Certified B Corporation status
  • Environmental Consultancy Master's degree with distinction
25+

Company formation blogs authored

Experience & Education

Associate Director

1st Formations (2019 - present)

Master's Degree: Environmental Consultancy

Master's degree with distinction, Newcastle University

Degree: Geography 2:1

University of Brighton

Expertise

  • Corporate sustainability and ESG strategy
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • Environmental policy development
  • Ethical business practices
  • Community partnerships and charitable initiatives
  • Customer retention strategy

Q&A
with Keziah Cowan

Why should sustainability matter to small businesses?

Small businesses thrive long-term when they protect the resources they rely on. Sustainability isn't just good ethics its smart strategy that can reduce costs, act as a competitive differentiator which strengthens customer trust, attract new talent, improve resilience, and help ensure the business remains successful and competitive for future generations.

What is the first step companies should take towards becoming more sustainable?

The first step toward becoming more sustainable is understanding your current impact. By measuring energy use, waste, resource consumption, and emissions, companies can identify their biggest opportunities for improvement and create realistic, effective goals that drive meaningful long-term change.

How can businesses balance growth with environmental responsibility?

Businesses can balance growth with environmental responsibility by integrating sustainability into their core strategy. This means innovating products and processes to use resources more efficiently, reducing waste and emissions, and making decisions that create long-term value for both the company and the planet.

Published Blog Articles

See all Articles
Weaving change: How Celina Chigne is redefining social enterprise with Casa Cantua

Weaving change: How Celina Chigne is redefining social enterprise with Casa Cantua

Discover how Celina Chigne founded Casa Cantua, a social enterprise empowering Peruvian single mothers and female artisans. Through sustainable design and cultural preservation, this LSE Generate-backed venture connects traditional craftsmanship with the UK market, demonstrating how purpose-driven businesses can create lasting economic and social impact.

July 16, 2026
1st Formations funding fuels LSE inclusive-tech startup

1st Formations funding fuels LSE inclusive-tech startup

Akrolimb is an inclusive-tech startup developing affordable custom prosthetics using AI-powered scanning and 3D printing. Founded by Namit Garg and Vihan Gemawat, the company received prize funding from 1st Formations through the LSE Generate Startup Competition. The funding enabled real-world testing in India, where the team fitted seven below-elbow amputees with custom devices. Akrolimb has since joined the King’s Trust programme and incorporated in India.

April 2, 2026
International Women’s Day 2026: How startups can ‘Give To Gain’

International Women’s Day 2026: How startups can ‘Give To Gain’

International Women’s Day 2026 invites businesses to embrace the ‘Give To Gain’ mindset by sharing time, skills, visibility, and opportunities with women. For founders, this means mentoring, making introductions, supporting women-led businesses, and leading with inclusive values. These acts of generosity can help strengthen professional networks, attract customers and talent, and build more resilient businesses. By contributing to collective progress, founders can achieve sustainable growth while supporting a fairer and more connected business ecosystem.

February 24, 2026