in conversation with Retail Gazette editor Gemma Goldfingle

Confirmed speaker:

Mike Barry, sustainable business transformation consultant ; former M&S Plan A director

Business sustainability is critical – to the planet, and increasingly to consumers, shareholders and investors. Join us today as we share ideas, challenges and proposals of how to build a cohesive business-wide sustainability strategy that meets the ESG legislative landscape and makes the path towards sustainability work financially.

• How can you build a climate transition strategy that threads throughout the entire business? We discuss how businesses can – and must – work together across roles and remits to reach this common goal
• Can sustainability realistically help to shape economic return? As some businesses announce ambitious targets, and link executive pay to sustainability, we explore how prioritising longer-term innovative goals over short-term financial gains can shape your business for the future

Hosted by Emma Slade Edmonson, sustainability consultant, writer and podcast host

Confirmed speakers:

Catherine David, director of collaboration and change, WRAP
Clara Eisenberg, legal and sustainability director, The Dune Group
Pip Murray, founder and CEO, Pip & Nut

Retail Gazette’s Sustainability Think Tanks provide the unique chance to talk openly with industry peers in this space; sharing opinions, experiences, challenges and initiatives in a roundtable setting, and gaining insight from industry experts.

The talking points and areas of focus that underpin these sessions are:

– collaboration: acknowledging that sustainability is a shared goal and requires a shared approach
– understanding parameters: outlining targets, legislation, expectations
– benchmarking: knowing who is leading the way in this space and how you can do better

THINK TANK 1: CONSUMER STREAM

ESG insight: what are consumers asking for?

Join us for a deep dive and open discussion around the things that matter most to consumers today in regard to sustainability. Are carbon targets top of mind? Do they want to see in-depth detail around ethical supply chains? Or are they simply asking for honesty, authenticity, and progress?

This think tank aims to provide food for thought for brands and retailers concerned about action, initiatives, and where to toe the line between greenwashing and greenhushing.

Host:

Emma Slade Edmonson, sustainability consultant, writer and podcast host

Confirmed speakers:

Rose Dyer, global head of ESG and project portfolio, Beauty Pie
Anna Woods, founder, Positive Retail
Harriet Hird, head of marketing, Zedify

THINK TANK 2: NET ZERO STREAM

Supply chain mapping: is a data-led approach the only way, and do the small things really make a difference?

Host:
Jacqui Parr, editor, Sustainability Beat

Confirmed speakers:
Sara Brennan, positive business director, Pentland Brands
Dorothee D’Herde, director of responsible business, Kingfisher
Simon Finch, supply chain director, Harrods
Sarah Greenwood, PLM expert, Centric

THINK TANK 3: TECH & CIRCULARITY STREAM

Rise of the circular economy: can we move away from take-make-waste?

Host:

Gemma Goldfingle, editor, Retail Gazette

Confirmed speakers:
Dean Kramer, director of services, Currys
Kate Wright, director of sustainability, DFS Group
Ross Barry, co-founder, Reskinned
Tony Bryant, director, Microsoft Global Alliance, K3

THINK TANK 4: CONSUMER STREAM

The conscious consumer? What is retail’s role in sustainability education and engagement?

Host:

Emma Slade Edmonson, sustainability consultant, writer and podcast host

Confirmed speakers:

Oscar Benjamin, head of sustainability, Brompton Bicycle
Alex Robinson, CEO, Hubbub
Zoë Brady, ethics & sustainability lead for planning & performance, John Lewis Partnership.

THINK TANK 5: NET ZERO STREAM

Collective industry action: Reaching net zero

Host:

Jacqui Parr, editor, Sustainability Beat

Confirmed speakers:

Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive officer, British Retail Consortium
Carmel McQuaid, head of ESG, M&S
Alyson Walsh, commercial director, Fareshare

THINK TANK 6: TECH & CIRCULARITY STREAM

Outside the box: fresh perspectives on a circular future

We delve into initiatives and technologies that are built to support and enable circularity – join us to gain insights into the thinking behind the offering, the journey so far, and take away food for thought around changing approaches to the circular economy.

Host:

Gemma Goldfingle, editor, Retail Gazette

Confirmed speakers:

Charlotte Morley, founder, The Little Loop
Russ Taylor, director, Velorim
Melissa Braithwaite, product development manager, Ananas Anam
Safia Qureshi, CEO and founder, CLUBZERØ

In conversation with Emma Slade Edmonson, sustainability consultant, writer and podcast host

Confirmed Speakers:

Chris Allen, director of sustainability, Decathlon

The power of collaboration in driving sustainability forward cannot be underestimated. Cross-business and cross-industry relationships provide critical ideas, expertise and inspiration. Pioneering innovation can open up pathways to sustainable outcomes for everyone. Data-sharing becomes a huge advantage; providing invaluable intelligence. However, knowing where and how to start can be daunting. Today we explore the huge opportunities offered via collaboration, and where to start, including:

– Investing in making things happen: working with and scaling up ESG initiatives, processes and tech that can be adopted by all retailers
– The value of sharing data to drive open innovation and efficiencies
– Evolving industry opportunities for resource sharing – from sharing warehousing and deliveries, rethinking inventory, building partnerships, and far beyond…

Hosted by Emma Slade Edmonson, sustainability consultant, writer and podcast host

Confirmed speakers:

Ruth Andrade, earth care strategy lead, Lush
Karina O’Gorman, European head of force for good, Innocent

Delivered by Gemma Goldfingle, Editor, Retail Gazette