In early 2026, our very own Laila was one of 11 young people from around the world to get a scholarship to travel to the Subantarctic Islands and the Ross Sea, learning about conservation efforts in the region. She recounts her experiences for Ethos magazine, issue 24.

Recently I travelled across Sri Lanka from coast to jungle, ancient cities to tea-covered hills. What stayed with me most wasn’t just the diversity of landscapes, but how quickly everything changes - in pace, in atmosphere, and in perspective.

25 years ago, I opened a retail store in West Kirby on the Wirral with my mother as my business partner. Together we built something we were incredibly proud of – a business rooted in knowledge, trust and genuine care.