An independent business owner from Farnham has been included in The Sustainability Awards' Top 100 Leaders 2026, an international list celebrating 100 people making a difference in sustainability.

Simon Mitchell, founder of Green Laurels based in Weybourne, is featured alongside internationally recognised names including Billie Eilish, Chris Packham, Stella McCartney, Joaquin Phoenix and Erin Brockovich.

The list recognises a diverse range of sustainability contributions, from independent entrepreneurs and business founders to environmental campaigners and influential public figures. The individuals are listed alphabetically rather than ranked, reflecting the breadth of people helping to move sustainability forward.

Simon established Green Laurels in 2020 with a simple aim: to make more sustainable choices accessible through everyday products.

Based in Farnham, Green Laurels creates and sells a range of eco-conscious personal care and home fragrance products, including handmade soaps, shampoo bars, deodorants, soy candles, reed diffusers, wax melts and bath and body products.

The business places sustainability at the heart of its approach, with vegan and cruelty-free products and an emphasis on reducing unnecessary plastic through the use of plastic-free card packaging.

Simon said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be included in The Sustainability Awards' Top 100 Leaders 2026. To see my name alongside people who have achieved so much in the world of sustainability is quite humbling. Green Laurels started as a small business with the idea that we can all make better choices in our everyday lives. I believe sustainability doesn't have to be complicated or inaccessible. Small changes, made by individuals and businesses, can collectively make a real difference.

Running a small independent business isn't always easy, but recognition like this makes all the hard work worthwhile. I hope it also helps demonstrate that businesses of any size can play a part in creating a more sustainable future.”

Looking ahead Simon hopes the recognition will help raise awareness of Green Laurels and encourage more people to consider the environmental impact of the products they buy.