Brianne West

A little about me

I am passionate about protecting and restoring our environment and I believe that business should benefit everyone involved, from suppliers, to the team, not just shareholders.

I am also a WWF board member (something I am immensely honoured to be a part of), currently back studying for my Masters in Microbiology (I want a PhD!) and try and help other impact-driven entrepreneurs make the world a better place.

Brianne West
Laboratory glassware with plant samples in warm light

Who am I?

I am an entrepreneur and environmentalist from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Originally from the Isle of Man (points if you know where that is), my family immigrated to New Zealand in 1994.

You may know me from my first startup, Ethique, which became a global beauty brand before I stepped down in 2023.

Business should benefit everyone involved, from suppliers to the team, not just shareholders.

Getting to know me

  • Fave bookThe Stand (Stephen King). But it depends on the day. 
  • Fave authorJust to name a few... Stephen King, Natalie Kyriacou, Bill Bryson, Thomas Hagar. 
  • Fave conspiracy theoryThat the megalodon is still swimming around down there. 
  • Most unusual diveIn the world's deepest pool in Dubai. 
  • Fave animalImpossible to answer. All of them. Except spiders. They're fine... but not near me. 
  • Fave microbeLyssaviruses - the viruses that cause Rabies. Yeah, it's a bit morbid. But they are fascinating.  
  • Fave useless factHumans don't feel 'wet'. We don't have wet receptors. You just feel the difference in temperature and friction. 
  • Business hill I'll die onMost people who give you advice have absolutely no bloody idea.
  • Most overrated environmental solutionCarbon capture tech. Utter rubbish. 
  • Best animal encounterGreat White off the coast of South Australia. Incredible.
  • Animal I'd least like to meet underwaterGoddamn Jellyfish.
  • Fave terrible movieThe Core.
  • Thing I collectRadioactive antiques, like clocks and compasses. 
  • Most unhinged business ideaInjecting everyone with chloroplasts so they could photosynthesise and no one would go hungry anymore. In my defence I was 8.
  • Worst business adviceHire the guy with the amazing CV - look at all that corporate experience. 
  • Most useful thing I learnt from EthiqueToo many to choose from. That bigger things are possible than you can ever imagine, if you just work at it maybe. 

What I do now

  • BuildingBusinesses for good

    Building brands and businesses that do right by the planet, through Incredibrands and Business, but Better.

    See the projects →
  • ScienceResearch and science comms

    Researching towards my Master of Science (the goal is a PhD), and making science make sense for everyone else.

  • ConservationProtecting the wild

    Sitting on the WWF board, rewilding my lifestyle block, and investigating and funding solutions for the planet through Because Why?!.

Outside of all that.

When I am not working you will usually find me underwater, reading a book somewhere, painting, or being bossed around by my animals. 

    Some of the causes I support.

    Some of the organisations I give to, fundraise for or work with.