Harvey Knight on Sustainability, Risk, and Building a New Kind of Wealth

Daisy Moll sits down with Harvey Knight, CEO of Sustainable Wealth Group and Sustainable Times, to uncover the journey that led him into the world of sustainable investment. In this conversation, Knight shares the pivotal experiences that shaped his values, the motivations behind his career shift, and how he has found and invested in companies of the future.

On this week's episode of Profit Meets Purpose I sat down with Harvey Knight, founder of the Sustainable Group of Companies. Listen here .He is charting a bold course through the trillion-pound sustainability sector. With sister ventures Sustainable Times and Sustainable Wealth Group, he's on a mission to democratise investment, amplify ethical entrepreneurship, and reimagine what doing business sustainably means.

Harvey took his time finding the sustainable investment market.

“I left school at 16. I was never really book smart… My mum forced me to become an electrician. I absolutely hated it.” Harvey tells me. 

After experimenting with small businesses as a teenager, he trained as an electrician, before realising very quickly that it was not for him and moved into financial services. But personal growth and the impending birth of his son forced a reassessment.

“I felt that there was a better way of doing business. I was going through a bit of a spiritual awakening. The previous business didn’t fit my values.”

Knight had begun to observe a resurgence in sustainability as a dominant economic trend. “We started to see what some people have labeled clean tech 2.0. There was institutional capital moving into this market. And I knew it was time.”

Splitting the Brand to Focus the Mission

Today, Harvey Knight oversees two distinct but complementary ventures: Sustainable Times, a rapidly growing media platform for startups and investors in the sustainability sector, and Sustainable Wealth Group, an investment platform specialising in private assets within the same space. Originally operating under a single brand, the two functions, media and investment, were housed together under the Sustainable Times name. However, as Knight explains, the decision to separate them into standalone entities was essential for scaling effectively.

“We didn’t want to confuse the market by having a media brand selling investments,” says Knight. “So we decided to offer more structured solutions through dedicated funds. Now both brands have a clear vision, and attracting top talent has become much easier.”

On April 24, 2025, this strategic split was formally announced at the EIS Investment Forum. Under the new structure, Sustainable Times, now led by Managing Director Stuart Hall and a newly appointed team, will focus on producing high-quality content, hosting impactful events, and publishing insightful thought leadership, positioning itself as a go-to resource for both founders and investors. Meanwhile, Sustainable Wealth Group will operate as a specialised wealth management division, providing investors with access to previously inaccessible private markets across venture capital, private equity, private debt, and real estate. The restructuring enables each brand to serve its audience with greater focus and clarity: Sustainable Times as a trusted hub for founders and startups, and Sustainable Wealth Group as a gateway to high-impact investment opportunities.

One of Knight’s goals is to make private market investment accessible to smaller investors. Historically reserved for institutions or the ultra-wealthy, he is breaking down these barriers with Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) platforms. “Up until now, access meant £250k, £500k, even a million plus in ticket sizes. Our ambition is to reduce the minimum entry levels.”

Listen here 

What Makes a Startup Investable?

Knight will serve as a judge for Sustainable Times’ upcoming RISE Awards. His criteria is clear, 

“Keep it simple, people, planet, profit. If they’re not profitable, they’re not sustainable.”

I asked him what would immediately stand out as a red flag when he is evaluating a startup proposition. “Sometimes the proposition is so far-fetched that commercially, it just won’t work. That’s a red flag. It’s uninvestable. Some founders underestimate how long their journey will take and how much capital they’ll need.”

Above all, he values clarity, realism, and proactive energy.

“Have they already started to build a waiting list? Got market research? Paying customers? That shows obsession with the customer.”

The Next Chapter

Harvey sees Sustainable Times becoming the world’s most influential platform for sustainable business and investment media, and Sustainable Wealth Group managing over £5 billion in private sustainable assets.

“There are lots of great solutions out there. People just don’t know about them. We want to change that.” He envisions a full ecosystem, awareness, capital, and support, for innovators building a better world.

And as for the reason behind it all?

“I want to leave the world better for my son. That’s the ultimate ROI.”

Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Sustainable Wealth Group has already partnered with several remarkable companies. One standout is GT Wings, a wing propulsion innovator that has rapidly gained traction by delivering technology capable of reducing fuel consumption by 30%, a breakthrough poised to transform the shipping industry. Another is Carnot Engines, a company developing high-efficiency engines that use significantly less fuel and can operate on biofuels. While often overlooked by traditional venture capital, these kinds of companies reflect the Group’s commitment to backing bold, sustainable innovations that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

If you think you have a business that could be the next sustainable solution. Apply to the RISE awards Here.

The RISE Awards celebrate purpose-driven innovation and give a platform to those shaping a better future.

Taking place Thursday 6th November with reception drinks, a 3 course dinner, followed by our awards and the afterparty with entertainment at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London.

Apply Here.

Why register?

• Connect directly with investors actively seeking sustainable and impactful opportunities.

• Recognise your team's hard work and the positive change you're driving.

• Leverage judges' insights from across industries including Microsoft, TechUK, Octopus Energy and more to refine your strategy and strengthen investor outreach.

I will be featuring all the entries, nominees and winners along the way through Sustainable Times, making this a great opportunity to increase your reach as a business, so once you have registered get in touch so we can delve deeper into your sustainability focused business venture.

Apply Here.