Patagonia, the Royal Society for Arts, B Lab and the Carbon Literacy Project are amongst businesses who will talk about turning ideas into action for a ‘better business’ future at a new event in Manchester.
The Better Business Summit, which will be held on Thursday January 19th, is designed to help delegates explore and embrace the sustainability agenda, including its environment, social and community impacts. It is the city’s first ‘better business’ conference – focusing on progress, rather than perfection – and is split into three sections: seed, feed and grow.
The conference features a keynote speech from Faith In Nature, the first business to put nature in the boardroom, alongside microtalks, workshops and tangible ways to become a leader of change. Two fringe events either side support your businesses looking to create an impact, including Carbon Literacy training and a restorative Peak District walk which are already sold out.
The day will be hosted by BBC radio presenter and social entrepreneur Ngunan Adamu, and will see panels discuss ideas around future leadership, money, corporate activism, impact and empowerment, before an afternoon session focusing on action. It will urge businesses to take action, and discuss the best ways to move from ideas to activity.
According to YouGov 60% of people want to go greener, putting sustainability at the top of the agenda for UK business leaders, prompted by the government’s drive to hit net zero by 2050.
The inaugural event will be held at MMU’s Business School, in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. It will see more than 300 attendees gather to hear from 50+ speakers across 12 panels, including a second stage that builds on Manchester’s history of radicalism, by prompting a number of thought-provoking questions and peer to peer catalyst conversations attendees can get involved in.
Delegates can join the action a day early on Wednesday 18th for a one-day accredited carbon literacy training course for professionals. Designed for professionals who want to take action on climate change, it will be hosted at the first carbon literate venue in Manchester, HOME.
On Friday 20th delegates will be able to switch off for the day with event partner Freshwalks in the Peak District, to reconnect with nature, benefit from the fresh air and reflect upon an inspiring time at the Summit.
The Better Business Summit is the brainchild of Hannah Cox, founder of Manchester based sustainability impact agency betternotstop and The Better Business Network.
Organiser Hannah Cox said: “We wanted to create something really special in the North West for business leaders who want to make positive change in their lives, their businesses, and the wider world.
“The Better Business Summit is an opportunity to collaborate and learn from some of the brightest changemakers in the UK.
“With two fantastic partners on board so far and a great interactive space at the university’s business school the 2022 summit is set to inspire attendees and provide tons of actionable takeaways.”
The fully accessible event will have 300 tickets available as well as up to 50 free places for students.
And organisers are expecting places to be snapped up.
Mandy Parkinson, Head of Business Engagement and Enterprise at Manchester Met, said: “Through our initiatives such as the Manchester Fuel Innovation Centre, Print City Network and Eco-I programme, we are helping businesses develop and evolve with the green future.
“As the UK’s most sustainable university, according to the People and Planet University League, we are delighted to be hosting the Better Business Summit and look forward to helping businesses become more sustainable.”
Join hundreds of change-makers and innovators at the Better Business Summit and begin your year of action for people and the planet.
Tickets are now on sale.
For interviews or more information on The Better Business Summit, or if you would like to sponsor the event, please contact Hannah Cox at hannah@betternotstop.com.
