Big name speakers lined up for bank’s annual event
BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke and retail expert Mary Portas will join Bristol-based sustainable bank Triodos Bank for its annual meeting.
The event is being held on Thursday 27th April at the Bristol Old Vic theatre.
The annual brings together high-profile advocates for responsible business, sustainability campaigners, Triodos customers and members of the public to exchange ideas on the power of personal finance in driving forward positive social and environmental change.
It returns to being face to face for the first time since 2019, when the event was held at St George’s Bristol.
Triodos Bank UK has been based in Bristol for over 25 years and plays an active role in the region’s sustainable business community. The bank, which has its European head office in the Netherlands, only finances organisations creating positive social, cultural and environmental change.
The event will offer the opportunity to meet the Triodos team, understand how the bank is performing, and hear first-hand from the impactful organisations it is funding. The bank’s chief economist, Hans Stegeman, will share the latest thinking for how to accelerate the transition to a just, sustainable and prosperous society.
Mary Portas will be speaking in her capacity as a Triodos Bank customer and co-chair of the Better Business Act, a campaign backed by Triodos that is calling on the government to amend Section 172 of the Companies Act to ensure businesses are legally responsible for benefiting workers, customers, communities and the environment while delivering profit.
Zoe Sear, director of marketing and communications at Triodos Bank UK, said: “For over 40 years, Triodos Bank has been a driving force in the move towards a vibrant world that provides a prosperous life for people on a thriving planet – all powered by our brilliant customers. We’re delighted to once again bring together the city’s passionate community and hear from a host of exciting changemakers delivering real impact.”
The event will also feature a range of stalls from some of Triodos’ partners including Babbasa, RSPB, Soil Association and Friends of the Earth, as well as networking opportunities. A ‘pop-up’ Triodos branch will offer the opportunity to talk about capital raising and business lending, how to stay safe from fraud and help getting online.
The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest working theatre in UK, and a cornerstone of Bristol’s vibrant cultural scene. Nancy Medina, newly appointed artistic director of Bristol Old Vic, will speak at the event on the theatre’s vision and why the arts matter.
The event runs from 1pm until 7.30pm on Thursday 27th April. Tickets are free and open to those working in or interested in sustainability, alongside Triodos customers. The event will also be broadcast online for those that cannot attend in person.
