Sebastian Parsons

{{#badges:stub}} Sebastian Parsons is the Chief Executive of Elysia, "the exclusive UK Distributor of the award-winning Dr.Hauschka brand of organic skincare and cosmetics.”" He is also the cofounder of "LIV and Rush Farm. LIV is a fair trade luxury textile brand. Rush Farm is a 200-acre Soil Association and Biodynamic certified mixed farm in north Worcestershire." In 2010 Parsons noted that: "I am also Chairman of the English Symphony Orchestra and the Biodynamic Agricultural Association.”

"Sebastian comes from a biodynamic family. His maternal grandfather, David Clement, was a biodynamic pioneer, whose farm was the Biodynamic Association’s headquarters from the 1930s to 1980s. Sebastian’s mother Anne, (daughter of Clement), was brought up on the farm, and embraced the biodynamic philosophy. Anne Parsons was secretary of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association from 1988 to 1994. During this period, she also distributed biodynamic preparations with the help of her then-young children, Sebastian, Tabitha and Sophie, who packed envelopes with plant preparations to be dispatched round the world. Anne was also involved in developing Demeter’s legal certification standards in the 1990s.

"In many ways, Anne Parsons embodies biodynamic principles. She and her husband, Adrian, now in their seventies, have been farming Rush Farm under its wise principles since their three children bought it. With its fertility and diversity restored, the farm is a sanctuary for wildlife; it encourages lapwings and curlews and is frequently studied, one such organisation is the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. " [1]

Interview from 2013

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers? "The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson – read it and then live the standards with your colleagues in the outputs of your organisation. Also, engage with the Grubb Institute."

Can you leave us with who'd be your Ethical Investment Pioneer? "Right now my Ethical Investment Pioneer is Jamie Hartzell, the founder of Ethex, because he has seen what is needed and is creating a really professional and accessible way in which this ethical investment movement can consolidate and build momentum. I am really happy to have Martin Large on our Board too though, because he is a real radical and has been behind a host of pioneering projects, not least of which is Fordhall Farm." [2]