Astrid Horward MA, founder and director of Eco Promotion.

Astrid is an experienced environmental coach and advisor to organisations, communities and individuals. She advises on the process of change towards true sustainability. Astrid supports the development of corporate environmental identity and ethics, addressing existing perceptions, attitudes and underlying values. She coaches management to inspire, lead, encourage and empower their staff.

Astrid was born in Breda in the Netherlands in 1965. She studied French Language and Literature at Leiden University and subsequently Public Relations and Communication at the Institute for Social Sciences in Utrecht. During her studies, she spent two years in France to improve her linguistic skills, and to obtain a thorough knowledge of the French culture. She returned to the Netherlands in 1989.

During her working career Astrid became a professional in the field of communications, a specialist in networking and facilitator in building partnerships. She also co-founded and was head of communications of a Business Consultancy specialized in Interim Management for the non-profit sector. In 1999, after working for three consecutive years for the Dutch Refugee Council, Astrid decided to concentrate on the linguistic aspects of integration. She initiated and successfully led the project Buitenschools Leren and Taalstages for five years, dedicated to helping refugees learn the Dutch language 'on the job'. During these years, Astrid was instrumental in instigating regional collaboration with fellow institutions. She additionally initiated and edited a nationally published periodical on the subject.

Astrid's lifelong passion is our natural world, which she celebrates in her every day life through her personal writings, her nature photography and her study of ecological philosophies and their translation into effective policies. She 'walks the talk' and continuously strives to lead an ecologically sustainable life with her family. Astrid ardently commends the principles of the ecocentric Deep Ecology Movement and was a member of, and volunteer with several Dutch environmental interest groups, such as Stichting Natuur en Milieu (the Dutch society for the protection of nature and the environment), Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth NL), Goede Waar en Co (ethical consumers association) and Platform Biologica (Dutch equivalent of the Soil Association).

In 2004 Astrid decided to apply her professional knowledge and skills onto the protection of nature and the building of a society deeply rooted once again in the natural world. To that purpose, she founded Eco Promotion. Through Eco Promotion, she sets out to raise ecological awareness and inspire people to embrace an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

After relocating to Scotland in May 2007 (making a dream come true!), Astrid soon became a member of the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Soil Association, the Centre for Alternative Technology and other environmental and conservation interest groups. She joined and actively supports local environmental initiatives, such as Callander and Climate Change, the Blane Valley Carbon Neutral Group and Seil Natural History Group. She is an advisor to the board of the Group for Recycling in Argyll & Bute, the GRAB Trust.

Beginning 2008, Astrid initiated and founded Sustainable Oban, a forum gathering all organisations and individuals in Oban and the surrounding area who want to contribute to building a truly sustainable Oban. In partnership with the GRAB Trust, she kicked off the Oban Plastic Bag Free! campaign on 29th August 2008. (for more info, visit projects).

Since moving to Stirlingshire in April 2009, Astrid is focussing on her work as a green lifestyle coach, supporting individuals, community groups and businesses who wish to embrace an environmentally friendly lifestyle or corporate conduct.

Astrid can be contacted by sending an email to astrid . horward at eco-promotion . org