Sustainability Speakers – Page 3

Sir Trevor Phillips

In a varied career Trevor has led the council that oversees the John Lewis Partnership, served as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and now leads a data analytics company. He is also an acclaimed writer, documentary-maker and broadcaster. He covers the intersection of business and society by way of diversity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility, and what data reveals about attitudes, behaviours, and how to address some of the biggest questions of the day.

Dr Bertrand Piccard

Bertrand made history when he circumnavigated the Earth in the Breitling Orbiter balloon. He continued his pioneering work with Solar Impulse, successfully completing the first ever entirely solar-powered round-the-world flight by aeroplane: “If we can fly day and night without fuel, everybody could use these same technologies on the ground to halve energy consumption.” As a trained psychiatrist Bertrand talks about changing behaviours and overcoming neighsayers in pursuit of a cleaner, sustainable future.

Paul Polman

In a decade at the top of the global food and consumer products giant, Paul made Unilever a widely admired leader in sustainability and responsible business. He put tackling climate change, inequality, and employee and customer concerns central to the culture and goals of the company whilst also improving financial performance.

Sir Jonathon Porritt

Jonathon believes the effect of global warming will be felt sooner than many anticipate; but he refutes the case for nuclear as the solution to energy needs. As in his latest book, The World We Made, Jonathon sets out his vision of a sustainable planet. With clean technology and a fairer model of economic growth, he sees it as a dynamic and aspirational place to be: “It’s clear that we’ll never be able to scare people into living more sustainably.”

Jay Rayner

The Kitchen Cabinet host, critic and sometime MasterChef judge is “a greedy man in a hungry world.” Alongside reviews he also likes to slay sacred cows, like the cult of farmers’ markets. As well as a serious look at the food industry, what we eat and why, and the resillience of the restaurant sector, Jay dispenses his view on service and food fads and dips into his one man theatre show My Dining Hell – examining why we’re all so keen to read lousy restaurant reviews.

Richard Reed

Richard left advertising to set up a fresh fruit juice business; Innocent went on to achieve huge growth before selling to Coca-Cola. Richard now works with a new wave of entrepreneurs, investing in and advising a range of online and food and drink startups. In speeches he argues for a simple mission, emotional appeal, and work on the small details such as ‘enjoy by’ instead of ‘use by’ dates. Recruit entrepreneurial types with a ‘yes’ mentality, show zero tolerance to those with conflicting values, and borrow ideas from anywhere and everywhere.

Lord (Stuart) Rose

Stuart took over the reins at Marks & Spencer when the famous retailer was at its lowest ebb. He fought off a high profile takeover bid, reversed the decline in performance and restored the public’s affections. He now invests in online and chairs a fashion chain. In presentations Stuart considers the lessons learned about organisational change, and how to navigate turbulent trading conditions. He also underlines the case for socially responsible business.

Rt Hon Amber Rudd

Before serving as only the fifth woman to hold one of Britain’s Great Offices of State, Amber represented the UK at the Paris climate change conference as Energy and Climate Change Secretary. As Home Secretary she led calls for tech companies to take greater responsibility for the spread of radicalising content online. After also serving as Work and Pensions Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister, Amber left the Government amid the bitter arguments over the pursuing of a no-deal Brexit policy.

Jessica Sansom

With leading sustainability roles at some of the most recognisible food and drinks brands in the world, Jessica explores the importance of sustainablity and how to place it at the centre of strategy, brand, community building, and individual and organisational responsiblity.

Rt Hon Sir Grant Shapps

Having had a Ministerial career that spanned briefs including defence and energy at a number of critical moments (including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), Grant speaks on topics including geopolitical events will impact businesses, and how net-zero targets can be an opportunity for innovation.

Dr Tara Shine

David Shukman

From the deep blue of the Arctic ice to dappled sunlight in the Amazon rainforest, David has witnessed some of the world’s most magical sights. He has also seen how human activity is damaging the planet on a catastrophic scale. The former BBC Science Editor gives insights into how to choose a new, cleaner, and healthier direction.

Lucy Siegle

With a focus on eco-living and CSR, Lucy is a journalist and presenter who has written for The Time and The Observer and regularly appears on The One Show. Her books provide guidance on living more greenly and cover problems from single-use plastics to fast fashion.

Sir Tim Smit

Since it opened at the turn of the millennium, Eden has attracted millions of visitors and generated over £1bn for the local economy. Tim is now focusing on overseas projects, including plans to develop a giant botanical garden in an old industrial city in southern China. In his presentation Tim highlights the need to lead by example, to stick to principles but move out of your comfort zone, to meet challenges head on, and “to dare to be ambitious.”

Sonia Sodha

Sonia Sodha is a journalist and broadcaster who has worked across charity, policy and politics sectors, including a stint assisting Ed Miliband as the Labour leader. As well as sharing overviews of policy and politics, she is passionate about social issues and considers what socially responsible business practises look like.

Dr Sally Uren

As the Chief Executive of the Forum for the Future, Sally is an expert in helping organisations transform their practices to have a positive impact socially, environmentally and economically. Working across industries from clothing to agriculture, she helps reshape global supply chains and coordinate industries to work together to create a sustainable future for themselves.

Rt Hon Dame Theresa Villiers

Former MP, MEP, barrister, and Cabinet Minister, Theresa served in government for over two decades, holding roles including Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. She was Transport Minister during the 2012 Olympics, served on the Intelligence and Security Committee, helped form key market, financial and regulatory policy, and advocated for environmental and diversity issues.

Dale Vince

Dale started the first renewable energy provider, which today powers 200k homes and businesses. He also has ventures in vegan school dinners and lab-grown diamonds, and owns FIFA’s ‘greenest football club in the world’ – Forest Green Rovers. Dale argues for intervention to spur investments: “There’s no such thing as a free market. They are all man-made. We need regulations.”

Dr Gabrielle Walker

Gabrielle has dodged icebergs and pulled fresh lava from a volcano. She’s one of few strategists equipped to focus on the nexus between scientific, economic and political aspects of climate change, and how businesses achieve responsible resource-efficient growth. The ex-Princeton academic uncovers the latest research data and offers leadership tools to bring stakeholders and customers on board. She also explores how the circular economy affects investment, reputation and long-term risk.

Quentin Willson

The ex-Top Gear presenter and Motoring Writer of the Year doubles as an entrepreneur and a doughty campaigner against rises in fuel duty. His Bordeaux vineyard produces 15,000 cases each year, while his TV formats go out in 14 countries around the globe. Quentin continues to make gloriously irreverent speeches.

Dr Matt Winning

As one of the few (if not only) people working at the intersection of climate change research and stand-up comedy, Matt provides informative and humorous talks about what needs to be done to save our planet.

Professor Lord (Robert) Winston

Robert is an expert in fertility, a leading voice in the genetic engineering debate and a natural presenter. In Bad Ideas? he examined how all human progress from farming to medicine to urban living has made us more vulnerable. He’s now working on an app to help new parents care for their babies. Robert takes on big moral and practical questions. Can we look to technology to solve problems it has created? Where does genetics stop? Is it wrong to play God?