When most people picture a corporate retreat, they imagine corporate conference rooms, uninspiring hotel catering, and the occasional team-building exercise. Jack Watt, founder of Climate Pursuits, is determined to change that. His events company specialises in taking executives, teams or graduates out of the city and into some of the UK’s most stunning natural landscapes. The goal: to create unforgettable retreats that not only strengthen teams but also connect organisations with their sustainability commitments.

“Most of us spend both our working lives in cities, but our downtime and holidays in nature” Jack says. “The UK is full of extraordinary locations that inspire and restore, and there is a real missed opportunity for organisations to use these places to better connect with their employees. The venues I select aren’t just beautiful they’re actively contributing to conservation, nature restoration, or carbon sequestration. So when organisations host retreats there, they’re also aligning with their own ESG or sustainability policies.”

Retreats with Purpose

Climate Pursuits designs events ranging from one-day workshops to week-long offsites, working with HR leaders, executive assistants, and event managers. While formats vary—from graduate programmes and leadership development retreats to client entertainment and executive strategy sessions—the constant is the setting.

In recent years, Jack has noticed a shift in what employees value. “Gone are the days when alcohol-fuelled networking was the default. Younger and older generations, especially since COVID, want experiences that reflect their personal values—spending time outdoors, being active, and contributing to something meaningful.”

That shift is opening up new possibilities for companies to connect with staff in more authentic ways. “If you can take employees into the kind of environments they already seek out in their free time, you’re more likely to engage them. It’s about moving away from the corporate-level conversations and giving people a chance to see climate action and community impact firsthand.”

Learning by Doing

A hallmark of Climate Pursuits’ approach is bringing together local experts and communities. Their leadership programme in the insurance industry, for example, gathers emerging leaders on Scotland’s west coast to collaborate in a “nature summit” with local specialists. Their graduate ESG training programme for a European financial services firm includes workshops and volunteering on a farm outside London giving participants both practical skills and a tangible legacy from their day outdoors.

“The impact is different when you’re in the field,” Jack explains. “You can go from talking about big climate concepts in theory to seeing them in practice. That creates real ‘aha’ moments.”

Closer Than You Think

While many companies default to city-centre venues for convenience, Jack says the reality is that wild escapes are often closer than they imagine. “Within one or two hours on a train, you can reach places that feel a world away. People are always surprised how accessible it is and once they’ve experienced it, they want to come back and do more.”

Venues are carefully vetted, from land estates and historic houses to boutique Scottish islands. Each is chosen not only for transport links and facilities but also for its commitment to climate and nature projects. “What I’ve learned is that people love being outdoors – even if it’s raining or cold, as long as there’s a hot drink, a slice of cake, and a warm shower afterwards, the magic of the outdoors still works a treat” Jack laughs.

Bringing Business Back to Nature

Having worked for nearly a decade in sustainability, Jack believes Climate Pursuits can have the biggest impact from working with organisations who are still shaping their sustainability strategy. For him, corporate retreats aren’t just about taking teams out of the office they’re about sparking new perspectives.

“When you put strategy discussions or leadership training in a natural setting, it brings everything alive. It’s not just another meeting. It’s an experience people remember, and one that can create breakthrough outcomes long after they return.”

Visit Jack on the Climate Pursuits stand 129 at The BNC Show on Tuesday 14th October at Mansion House

Learn more about Climate Pursuits