Walker Smith, 54, said he was ‘crying inside’ when he was dismissed

A Waitrose worker has been fired after trying to stop a shoplifter from stealing luxury Easter eggs, it has been reported.

Walker Smith, 54, was a Waitrose employee for 17 years before being sacked. He revealed he was “crying inside” when bosses showed him the exit.

Mr Smith was a shop assistant at a Waitrose branch in Clapham Junction, south London. He says he was carrying out his usual role when a shopper told him that someone had filled up a bag with eggs.

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The usual protocol is to avoid approaching shoplifters, and to report it to a manager, according to The Mirror. But after seeing repeated thefts over the years, Mr Smith decided to act, he said.

He was said to have confronted the thief and snatched their bag. There was reportedly a brief struggle, before the bag ripped and several Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs fell onto the floor. The shoplifter made a run for the exit, but Mr Smith picked up a piece of broken Easter egg and “threw it out of frustration” toward some trollies. He insists these were not thrown toward the thief.

He was reprimanded by his boss at the time but a few weeks later, he was hauled into a meeting with store managers. Mr Smith said he made a final plea for forgiveness, but was told he was being sacked.

Bosses said they were unable to “discuss an individual case” but that Mr Smith’s claims were ‘not the full facts of the situation’.

‘Demoralised’

But Mr Smith told the Guardian: “I tried to stay strong and I didn’t say a word but inside I was crying. They led me out the back door by the bins. I just felt demoralised.

“Waitrose is like my family. My friends are there. I was there for 17 years, I must have been doing something right. I’m not a bad or violent or aggressive person. I just got frustrated seeing this day in and day out and not seeing Waitrose do much about it.”

Mr Smith later thanked supporters on his personal Facebook page. He said his priority for now is to find a new job.

He wrote: “Thank you everyone for getting in touch with kind messages and support, I really appreciate it. I didn’t think it would blow up like this but now it has my priority is getting a job.

“I’m based in Clapham Junction so if you or anyone you know is looking for a reliable, conscientious employee please reach out. I was at Waitrose for 17 years so warehousing, customer service – except dealing with shoplifters(!), or similar would be amazing.”

What Waitrose has said

Waitrose, meanwhile, said the safety of its staff was very important, which is why it had policies for responding to shoplifters. Staff had previously been injured when confronting thieves.

A Waitrose statement read: “The safety and security of our Partners and customers couldn’t be more important to us, and we have policies in place to protect both. We’ve had incidents where our partners have been hospitalised when challenging shoplifters. Luckily, they have always recovered, but that might not always be the case.

“There is a serious danger to life in tackling shoplifters. We refuse to put anyone’s life at risk and that’s why we have policies in place that are very clearly understood and must be strictly followed.

“As a responsible employer, we never want to be in a position where we are notifying families of a tragedy because someone tried to stop a theft. Nothing we sell is worth risking lives for.

“The reporting on this does not cover the full facts of the situation. While we would never be able to discuss an individual case, we can assure you the correct process is being followed, which includes a standard appeals procedure.

“We have campaigned for some time for more to be done to protect shop workers from offenders, including retail crime being made into a specific stand alone offence.”

Balint Pasztor, president of the Vojvodina Hungarian Association, and another key Orban ally, posted on Facebook: “If the investigation proves that we were not the primary target after all, but rather Hungary’s supply lines, then this makes it even clearer: the terrorist attack was planned with the aim of bringing down Viktor Orban.”

The Curing Barn is recalling its 60g pack of British Bresaola, and it has issued a “do not eat” warning for the product.

Listeria monocytogenes is “a bacterium that is potentially harmful if consumed”, the company explains.

The affected batch codes are WLRC, J1Z2, 0WD0 and J85J with the use-by date of June 10, 2026.

Sunday, 5 April 2026. The Curing Barn recalls British Bresaola because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes #FoodAlert https://t.co/pwerbJWm2O pic.twitter.com/NDfvnnUUiG

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) April 5, 2026

Shoppers can buy The Curing Barn’s British Bresaola at Tesco for £4.50.

Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced the recall and shared a risk assessment for the product, explaining: “Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature,  muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

“However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.   

“Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.”

The FSA added: “If you have bought the above product, do not eat it.

“Instead, return it to where you bought it from for a full refund.”

The Curing Barn explained that customers who have bought the item with the affected batch codes don’t need a receipt to return it.

What is a food recall?

The FSA explains what a food recall is: “If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

“The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

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“In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

“This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.”

Have you bought The Curing Barn’s British Bresaola recently? Let us know in the comments below.

One of the gardens is easy to reach from Cambridgeshire and might be worth a visit in 2026.

A historic garden near Cambridgeshire has been shortlisted to be garden of the year for 2026. The Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award for 2026 will see six gardens across the UK compared to each other to be named the best.

Burghley House, in Stamford, has been shortlisted as one of the places that could see its garden named the best of the year through a public vote. The shortlist has been created by selecting from hundreds of gardens that are publicly accessible member properties of Historic Houses.

Ben Cowell, Director General at Historic Houses, said: “Now that spring is finally here, we are thrilled to offer a truly exceptional shortlist for our annual Garden of the Year competition.

“Each of these six gardens is reflective of the horticultural excellence that can be seen across our member properties at Historic Houses. We look forward to seeing which emerges with the most votes by the end of a busy summer of garden tourism.”

The other gardens up for the award are Coughton Court in Warwickshire, Kelmarsh Hall in Northampton, Monteviot House on the Scottish Borders, Plas Cadnant in Anglesey, and Slemere House in East Yorkshire. The public has until the end of August to vote for their favourite garden.

Ursula Cholmeley, Chair of the Historic Houses Gardens and Parklands Committee, said: “We are grateful to historic house members for a strong list of entries this year and the shortlist features six small and large gardens all open to the public and all worth visiting before you cast your vote.

“There are two awards available to the gardens that entered this year including The Judges’ Choice Award that represents a lifetime’s work. Both awards acknowledge the dedication that owners and gardening teams put into making historic gardens some of the best in the world.”

The Burghley Estate has a few different gardens to explore, including the Garden of Surprises, which was inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology, astronomy, and classical civilisations. The garden features water fountains and a mirrored maze to explore.

For those who love art, the Sculpture Garden has artwork from a “diverse collection of artists” as well as views across the great lake and pathways to follow around the area. The South Gardens are only open on certain days but are worth a visit thanks to the ‘spectacular’ trees and rose garden packed with modern varieties of rose.

You can also take a walk through the deer park if you want to see the herd that lives in the grounds. The deer park was “the vision” of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown who worked with the 9th Earl of Exeter to remodel the parkland in the 18th century.

The Hide and Secrets adventure play area is ideal for children to let off some steam with climbing walls, walkways, and lookout nests for children to run around. The Hidden Towers covers multiple levels with two slides and a rope bridge that takes children to the lookout platform.

Younger children can explore the toddler and pre-schooler area that has a mini slide and things to do that are closer to the ground. The free Spymaster’s Guide activity booklet should keep children occupied for at least a few hours at the house.

If you are in need of something eat while visiting Burghley House, there are a few spots to choose from. At the Garden Café, you can enjoy a hot drink alongside a light lunch, homemade cake, or pick up a children’s lunch box for the day.

The Muddy Mole is also available and set right next to the adventure play area. It has plenty of picnic benches to relax on.

Tickets for access to the gardens and adventure play area cost £11 for adults and £8.50 for children aged between three and 15 with a family ticket available for £35. Tickets can be booked on the Burghley House website.

The gardens are open from 10am until 5pm. Burghley House is only a 26-minute drive away from Peterborough and just over an hour away from Cambridge via the A14. Parking is free for all visitors.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a call Sunday to lay down arms and seek peace to global conflicts through dialogue, but he departed from a tradition of listing the world’s woes by name in the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, emphasized Easter’s message of hope as a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection after being crucified.

“Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!” the pope implored.

With the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Leo acknowledged a sense of indifference “to the deaths of thousands of people … to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow … to the economic and social consequences they produce.’’

Without mentioning the wars by name, Leo quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, who during his last public appearance from the same loggia last Easter reminded the faithful of the “great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.’’

Francis, weakened by a long illness, died the next day on Easter Monday.

The Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for “to the city and the world,’’ has traditionally included a litany of the world’s woes. Leo followed that formula during his Christmas blessing. There was no immediate explanation for the shift.

Earlier, Leo addressed some 50,000 faithful from an open-air altar in St. Peter’s Square flanked with white roses, while the steps leading down to the piazza where the faithful gathered were filled with spring perennials, symbolically resonating with the pope’s words.

He implored the faithful in his homily to keep their hope in the face of death, which lurks “in the abuses that crush the weakest among us, because of the idolatry of profit that plunders the earth’s resources, because of the violence of war that kills and destroys.’’

Speaking from the loggia, the pope announced a prayer vigil for peace April 11 in the basilica.

Small shifts in traditions

Leo greeted the global faithful in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Latin, reviving a practice that his predecessor Pope Francis had let lapse.

Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia’s shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below. He later greeted people in the piazza from the popemobile that took him all the way down Via della Conciliazione toward the Tiber River and back.

During the marathon that is Holy Week, Leo also reclaimed the tradition of washing priests’ feet on Holy Thursday, a gesture of encouragement toward clergy, after Francis had chosen a more inclusive path, traveling to prisons and homes for the disabled to wash the feet of women, non-Christians and prisoners.

The 70-year-old pontiff also became the first pope in decades to carry the light wooden cross for the entire 14 stations during the Way of the Cross on Good Friday.

Christians in the Holy Land mark a subdued Easter

Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police. Authorities have put limits on the sizes of public gatherings due to ongoing missile attacks.

The restrictions also dampened the recent Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday, as well as the current weeklong Jewish festival of Passover. On Sunday, the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall — normally attended by tens of thousands — was limited to just 50 people.

The restrictions have strained relations between Israeli authorities and Christian leaders. Police last week prevented two of the church’s top religious leaders, including Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Gaza’s tiny Palestinian Christian community celebrates first Easter since ceasefire

At the Holy Family church in Gaza City, Catholics young and old gathered for a traditional Easter Mass. Singing, they formed a queue in the aisle, waiting for their chance to kiss a sketch of Jesus held by a member of the clergy who wiped the glass frame between turns.

“There is great joy, especially after the ceasefire and after nearly three years of suffering and being unable to celebrate all the holy holidays,” said George Anton from Gaza City. “People are somewhat relieved and more stable.”

Armenian Christians try to show normalcy by celebrating in Iran

Armenian Christians observed Easter at a church in Iran’s capital on Sunday, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy five weeks into the war.

Families embraced and children exchanged painted eggs at the St. Sarkis Cathedral in central Tehran. Iran’s capital has been targeted by daily airstrikes since the United States and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.

“Whether we like it or not, we have young children who do not understand what’s going on,” said Juanita Arakel, 40, an English language teacher. “They just need to feel normal.”

The Islamic Republic, with a population of around 90 million, is home to some 300,000 Christians, mostly Armenians, and three seats in parliament are reserved for Christians.

“Our calls and prayers are that we will be able to end this war,” said Sepuh Sargsyan, the archbishop of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran. “Our calls and prayers are that we will be able to end this war.”

____

Barry reported from Milan. Associated Press journalists Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Bassem Mroue in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

Frankie, the “tiny noodle-shaped extrovert”, surprised officers when he “ambushed” them, jumping straight into a North Yorkshire Police van while officers were out on patrol in Barkston Ash, near Selby, on Friday (April 3).

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He was taken to the police station before being transported to Wicstun Veterinary Hospital in Market Weighton.

Staff at the vets kindly agreed to look after Frankie, who police named, until his owner could be found.

Speaking on Sunday (April 5), North Yorkshire Police said: “Frankie the ferret, who asked for police assistance in locating his owners, has now been successfully reunited with them.

“Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word.

“We are glad this story ended well.”  

EXCLUSIVE: Beyond Paradise could see the exit of more than one beloved character

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Beyond Paradise star Zahra Ahmadi, who portrays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams, has expressed her admiration for co-star Kris Marshall, who plays Detective Humphrey Goodman.

The latest instalment of the Death in Paradise spin-off has returned to television, following Humphrey and Esther alongside their police colleagues as they investigate a series of crimes in Shipton Abbott.

Yet, unknown to his team members, Humphrey faces a difficult choice and must part ways with one of his staff – and this won’t be the only exit in Shipton Abbott.

In an exclusive conversation with Express.co.uk, the actress behind Esther offered viewers a glimpse into what series four holds and revealed what collaborating with Kris Marshall is genuinely like.

Zahra explained, “He takes his work very seriously, because he wouldn’t be as successful as he is if he didn’t. But what I really admire about Kris is his energy. It’s relentless,” reports the Express.

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READ MORE: Patsy Kensit hid injury from co-stars on BBC’s Pilgrimage ‘Didn’t want to complain’READ MORE: Beyond Paradise fans ‘work out’ sad exit of Humphrey Goodman and he’s not alone

She added, “And that’s a huge responsibility when you’re at the helm of a show like that, and you’re leading the cast and crew.

“And you know, often, I might come in and feel slightly tired, or, you know, stressed or whatever, and you only need to look at Kris and go, ‘No, actually, I need to take Kris’ lead on things’. And that’s the thing I admire most.

“He’s got such great energy, he’s got such a positive attitude, he’s so warm, he’s up for a good time, he’s always finding the light-heartedness in things.

“And I mean, it’s a real privilege to work with someone like that, because sometimes you need that, sometimes you need someone to gear you up, and he’s really great at that.”

Esther will shortly bid farewell to her daughter, Zoe Williams (portrayed by Melina Sinadinou), who revealed her wish to leave Shipton Abbott and travel overseas in Friday’s episode.

While chatting with her employer, Martha Goodman (Sally Bretton), Zoe confided that she felt restless in her life and yearned for more.

She inadvertently mentioned she was considering relocating to Australia after encountering PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn). In a subtle reference to the Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise, Zoe revealed she was considering Dolphin Cove, the series’ setting.

Discussing her on-screen daughter and their dynamic and Zoe’s plans to leave, Zahra remarked, “I think this is the point. I don’t know how to say this without sounding really dramatic and probably overly dramatic.

“This is the point of no return, and I think all parents and children go through it, you know, the point where someone steps fully into adulthood, and both they and the parent realise that, and there’s a shift. There’s a massive shift.

“And I think that’s what we’re seeing here in series four, and that isn’t easy for either of them, particularly for Esther, and it throws up all sorts of issues.

“We see that at play, and we see the cogs kind of turning, and what we do see is, with that kind of reaching a point of no return, that kind of shift, we see what a good parent Esther is, because we see how well she’s raised her daughter, and we see what a wonderful human Zoe is.”

Beyond Paradise is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Martin Fowler (James Bye) was a stalwart of EastEnders, and his death rocked the lives of nearly every Albert Square resident.

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Martin’s true love with whom he’d reconciled moments before his demise was utterly broken; the loss of Martin eventually seeing her own departure from the Square.

Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) was forced to deliver the heart breaking news to Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield), the daughter she shared with Martin, while dealing with her own grief over losing her childhood sweetheart.

Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), a character intrinsically linked with both Martin and Stacey also left Walford amid her grief, while Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) took an extended leave of absence, heading to Australia to support her grieving friend Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell).

The loss of Martin was seismic, with residents gathering in Harry’s Barn to celebrate his life, mourning the death of a beloved EastEnders legend.

Speaking at the time of his alter-ego’s death, James said: ‘Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the show’s epic 40th anniversary – the time felt right.

‘It’s an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. A huge thank you to all the fans of the show – EastEnders wouldn’t be what it is without you – and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years.

‘This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s time to look forward, and I’m incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler.’

With Martin gone, a remnant of him does linger in Walford: his old shed, which Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) have big plans for: they want to turn it into a man cave.

Both previously formed a foursome alongside Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) who vowed to provide a safe space to talk and now, Ross and Harvey plan to make that space tangible, but they need the key from Jean Slater (Gillian Wright).

When Ross and Harvey tell Zack Hudson (James Farrar) of their plan, he’s initially reticent, believing that it’s disrespectful to Martin’s memory.

When he talks to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman), though, his son helps him to realise that Martin himself would’ve been fully behind the idea.

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Zack approaches Jean and tells her of the groups plans for the shed and puts his all into persuading her that it’s a good idea.

The only problem? Jean turns around to find Ross and Harvey trying to steal the key.

As the shed renovation begins, Ross begins to open up, leading to the groups next issue…

MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as killer finally faces the jury

MORE: Sparks fly as EastEnders’ Mark clocks palpable atmosphere between Vicki and Zack

JERUSALEM (AP) — President Donald Trump announced early Sunday that the U.S. had rescued an aviator nearly two days after he was shot down over Iran.

The extraction came after a frantic search in what appears to be a remote, mountainous region of Iran. A second crew member had been rescued Friday, soon after the F-15E Strike Eagle crashed. It was the first U.S. aircraft to be downed by Iranian fire since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.

“This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!”

Here’s what we know about the rescue:

Frantic search conducted behind enemy lines

The operation began with a deception campaign launched by the CIA, a senior U.S. administration official said Sunday.

Before locating the airman, the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public. The campaign managed to confuse Iranian officials while the agency conducted its search and rescue operations, the official said.

Those operations involved “dozens of aircraft,” armed with lethal weaponry, Trump said. Iran had promised a sizable reward to anyone who captured the service member.

“This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,” Trump wrote.

The difficult rescue came after a Friday operation to save the first airman was conducted in “broad daylight,” Trump wrote. He said the White House had avoided confirming the rescue to avoid jeopardizing the search for the second aviator.

Pilot wounded but expected to recover

Trump said the airman held the rank of colonel and had been seriously wounded. Nonetheless, Trump said he would be “just fine.”

Trump gave no details about the first crewman’s condition.

The US destroyed 2 planes during the getaway

Iran’s state TV showed a picture of black smoke from what it said were a destroyed American transport plane and two helicopters.

A regional intelligence official briefed on the mission said the U.S. military was forced to bring in additional aircraft to complete the rescue due to a technical malfunction. The official said the U.S. blew up two transport planes it was forced to leave because of the mishap. He spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the covert mission.

Iran says it downed another plane

Iranian state media on Friday also said a second U.S. plane — an A-10 aircraft — crashed after being hit by Iranian forces. The U.S. military has not commented on the status of that aircraft or its crew.

___

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

In business, nature often gets reduced to numbers: emissions targets, sustainability metrics, biodiversity data. But when professionals rely too heavily on what’s measurable, they can risk missing what’s meaningful. One of the most effective ways to tackle this is through outdoor education.

For business students and professionals, this approach offers something conventional leadership programs often miss. Outdoors, environmental issues become tangible. Ecosystems, soil, and water are no longer abstract case material, but living systems to notice and learn from.

My own work with students studying for a Masters in business administration (MBA) shows how outdoor learning can support business professionals. It helps them rethink leadership, sustainability and their relationship with the living world in ways that classroom teaching rarely achieves.

My students and I have headed out of seminar rooms at the University of Bath and into nearby fields and woodland to experience, instead of just think and talk about, sustainability. Some were hesitant at first. As they slowed down and tuned in, though, the conversations shifted.

One told me they had not felt so clear-headed in years. Others described sudden “ah-ha” moments – experiencing interdependence (a cornerstone of both ecology and sustainability) not as theory, but as an experienced reality.

These moments highlight what philosophers describe as the shift from “shallow” to “deep” connection with nature. As I have argued in research, shallow approaches treat nature as a backdrop for reports, strategies, or symbolic gestures. Deep connection arises when leaders feel their place within living systems through direct, embodied experience.

Other studies have found similar results. A research study that reviewed a wide range of outdoor learning programs found consistent outcomes. Participants reported stronger motivation, improved wellbeing and more positive environmental attitudes.

Recent research in has found that direct engagement with nature is one of the strongest predictors of a lifelong commitment to helping the environment. Experiential education can support this. It involves hands-on, immersive experiences in nature, where people engage emotionally with ecosystems and reflect on their place within them, rather than learning in abstract ways.

This matters for business because leadership decisions are not purely analytical. They are influenced by perception, emotions and values. Research shows that awe-inspiring encounters in nature can reduce stress and enhance empathy. In one study, participants who spent meaningful time outdoors later drew themselves smaller, reflecting a humbler, interconnected sense of self.

For business leaders, humility and empathy are not soft extras. They are essential for navigating crises, building trust and making effective long-term decisions. Outdoor learning creates the conditions for these qualities to develop.

This is why nature-based leadership retreats and wilderness programs are on the rise.

Business practice

A growing number of companies are taking their teams outdoors to connect employees more deeply with their sustainability strategies. Rather than discussing sustainability in meeting rooms, participants encounter nature directly through the living systems they depend on. The intention is to make organisational values tangible and emotionally resonant.

Clothing company Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, has long credited time outdoors as foundational to his company’s environmental values. Footwear company Vivobarefoot’s leadership team has held nature immersions on remote beaches and in woodlands to guide a shift toward “regenerative thinking”.

These initiatives are not fringe experiments – they signal how business culture itself is beginning to shift.

Of course, there is a risk that outdoor learning initiatives become either a form of greenwashing or simply another obligatory corporate away day. Simply taking employees outdoors does not guarantee meaningful engagement with sustainability. Without careful design and integration into organisational practice and culture, such experiences may remain superficial – inspiring individuals without leading to real change.

Additionally, peer-reviewed research on the effectiveness of nature-based retreats for corporate sustainability is still limited. Many organisations that adopt them already hold strong pro-environmental values.

Evidence does, however, suggests outdoor education can influence how people think and lead. Reviews of outdoor leadership initiatives show strong “learning transfer”. Follow-up studies on outdoor education programmes indicate that leadership capacities developed in nature – such as independence, confidence and decision-making – persist after outdoor education retreats.

Business leaders must do more than analyse. They must feel their connection to the living world in order to lead with compassion and courage. Nurturing that connection may be one of the most strategic decisions any (future) business leader can make, both for the planet and for themselves.