Sustainability Conference Hailed a Success

I’m pleased to say that a first-of-its-kind event I organised in Harrogate, the Sustainable Best Practice Exchange, was a great success and we welcomed over 100 of the UK’s leading environmental and sustainable practitioners committed to raising awareness, creating connections and sharing global best practice across a host of green, eco and ethical issues. 

A mixture of renowned expert speakers took to the stage to cover energy, supply-chain issues, closing the skills gap and economic development. Group-based roundtable discussions covered electric vehicles, water efficiency, and getting value from food waste, among many other topics. We also launched a new Sustainable Best Practice Mastermind group at the event which will see myself and many senior executives continue the discussions and share ongoing best practice.

Samsung Electronics Europe’s Director of Sustainability and Citizenship Wouter van Tol delivered the keynote and shared the fact that whilst 93% of CEOs see sustainability as important to their company, most have no idea how to embed it. Shaun McCarthy OBE, Chair – Supply Chain Sustainability School and an independent advisor, author and speaker in the field of sustainable business policy and practice also addressed the event. He suggested that implementing standards should be a condition of future business.

And, Sonya Bhonsle from CDP pointed to her own experience of how working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions has driven innovation and enabled cost savings in her clients' businesses. She also highlighted companies such as Walmart, Kelloggs, KPMG and National Grid as among 3,000 firms committed to sustainability and demanding compliance from their own suppliers. 

The event focused on practical application and implementation rather than simple theory, and this take on sustainability was very much appreciated by our attendees. I’m very pleased to call it a complete success, and I don’t doubt the outcomes of it will bring significant benefits across the board in the future. We’re all very excited to have launched SBPMg - the new Sustainable Best Practice Mastermind group which will support the building of better business on the foundation of sustainable best practice.

See you at SBPE17 - the Sustainable Best Practice Exchange next year!