November 12, 2024 | Courthouse Hotel, Shoreditch, London
Sustainability Debate Agenda
11:00AM – 12:00PM | REGISTRATION, BRUNCH & NETWORKING
12:00 – 12:05PM | WELCOME FROM RETAIL GAZETTE
Delivered by Gemma Goldfingle, editor, Retail Gazette
12:05 – 12:15PM | SUSTAINABILITY CONNECT
12:15 – 12:50PM | FIRESIDE CHAT
Accelerating sustainability ambitions: where are we aiming to get to, and how are we going to get there?
With macro challenges and legislative uncertainty affecting optimism that 2030 carbon targets can be met, how do you remain focused on your sustainability ambitions, and drive them forward? Join us as we explore Decathlon’s unrelenting focus on building sustainability into the business and discuss how, by working collaboratively, the industry can continue to build momentum and shape an ecosystem of action.
In conversation with: Anna Turrell, chief sustainability officer, Decathlon
12:50 – 1:30PM | PANEL DEBATE
A circular retail landscape: raising the level of ambition around wider system change
– How can retail gain buy-in for longer-term circular investments without any immediate business benefit?
– What solid data can help to make the connection between circular business models and long-term strategies?
– Exploring how partnerships can help to shape and scale the transition to circularity; meet targets; and drive long-term growth
Panellists include:
Sue Fairley, head of sustainability, sourcing and quality, New Look
Catherine Loader, ethics and sustainability lead (circular economy), John Lewis Partnership
Harriet Lamb, CEO, WRAP
Dan Rubel, brand and marketing director, Currys
1:30 – 1:50PM | IN PERSPECTIVE: Can ESG add value?
Hear a quickfire viewpoint on a key industry topic. Listen in to challenge your assumptions, gain a fresh perspective, and spark new ideas! Gain insights to help shape your business’ approach to ESG.
Hear from: Amy Whidburn, ESG director, Pets At Home
1:50 – 1:55PM | LIVE AUDIENCE VOTE
We take the pulse of the room: do you think ESG is valued or expected by consumers and investors?
1:55 – 2:35PM | NETWORKING & REFRESHMENTS
2:35 – 3:25PM | SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION THINK TANKS: Choose your focus:
THINK TANK 1: Exploring the business drivers for social sustainability: doing right and doing well
From surplus food to community engagement, we explore ways that retail can engage in ESG activities that meet both social shortfalls and business needs. Join us to understand how the concept of community trust can build brand advocacy – and footfall.
Speakers include:
Steve Butterworth, CEO, Neighbourly
Jo Curtis, community and social impact programme lead, B&Q
THINK TANK 2: Futureproofing through regulation
The complexity of CSRD regulation can seem overwhelming. Join us as we explore requirements from double materiality assessments to ESG data collection and beyond, and ensure that you can gain the most strategic value out of the regulation for your organisation.
Speakers include:
Briony Gittins, head of responsible business, Kingfisher
Clare McMahon, head of environmental delivery, Specsavers
Steph Schlipper, associate director, sustainable business, Bioregional
THINK TANK 3: Packaging EPR spotlight: shaping waste innovation and meeting triple bottom line expectations
– The vision behind cocoa cardboard: dive into the process behind a successful trial converting cocoa husks into fibre-based packaging
– Breaking the perception of high costs: understand the scope of EPR in fibre-based packaging, from data submission to the financial impact
– Overcoming the resistance to change: learn from a pilot scheme how post-production waste fibres help retailers move closure to circularity (and overcome the scalability challenge)
Speakers include:
Mike Jessop, co-founder, Medoola
Fiona Shackleton, chief communications officer, Medoola
Poul-Erik Neilson, director, Paper Trading UK
3:25 – 4PM | NETWORKING & REFRESHMENTS
4:00 – 4:25PM | FIRESIDE TALKING POINT
Takeaway learnings from a career in sustainability: driving change and cutting through the noise
Join us for a candid journey into lessons learnt across a career in sustainability. From exploring how the sustainability remit has changed to unpicking the challenge of gaining business-wide and board-level buy-in, join us to dive into take away learnings and insight.
In conversation with: Dorothée D’Herde, director of responsible business, Kingfisher
4:25 – 5:10PM | PANEL DEBATE
Transformative partnerships: driving collaboration to overcome sustainability challenges and accelerate positive progress
– How can we approach and standardise industry approaches to sustainability-related data, language and targets to develop consistency around emissions reduction?
– Where can we learn from collaboration projects – in terms of successes, complexities, standards, tech – and gain inspiration to accelerate retail’s journey?
– How can we create a framework or call to action to accelerate industry change; what proposals and plans can we close the day with?
Panellists include:
Ed Austin, director, sales and marketing, Segura
Neil Jones, head of ESG, international, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Tuze Mekik, director of sustainability, Dr. Martens
Chris Tyas OBE, non-executive director, DEFRA; chair, GS1 UK
5:10PM | CLOSING REMARKS, DRINKS & NETWORKING
Delivered by Gemma Goldfingle, editor, Retail Gazette