Bristol sustainable conference attracts top line speakers
A sustainable business conference in Bristol has attracted a star studded line-up of speakers.
The Blue Earth Summit is aimed at business leaders who are inspired by the great outdoors.
Guest speakers already confirmed for 2023 include TV Dragon, businesswoman, investor and writer Deborah Meaden; Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit; Kresse and Elvis founder Kresse Wesling; Uplift founder and climate change lawyer Tessa Khan; Riverford chief executive Guy Singh-Watson; BBC Global Sustainability Director Danielle Mulder and SHE Changes Climate co-founder Bianca Pitt.
Deborah Meaden, who is a judge of the Observer Ethical Awards, a fellow of WWF and an ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Climate change is one of the biggest opportunities of our time.
“We need purpose-led business to drive innovation, invest in long term solutions and regenerate our natural world. But we need clarity, certainty and leadership. I’ll be at the Blue Earth Summit to drumbeat the need for purpose-led business and green investing for a healthy, inclusive and prosperous future.”
One of the big draws of the event is the Pitch Tent, where innovative, progressive and purpose-led start-up and scale-up businesses pitch live to impact investors looking to fund sustainable enterprises.
This year Blue Earth is targeting 1,000 businesses to apply with an aim to raise well over £10m for this year’s cohort.
Last year’s Pitch Tent has raised over £6m so far and the recipients of investment include DAME (award-winning sustainable period products), Shackleton (luxury endurance clothing) and Runna (personalised training plans) who have all raised over £1m in investment.
The organisers of Blue Earth are also in the process of completing successful raises for Bundlee (baby clothing rental) and Stelar (luxury, sustainable hand-woven bags) off the back of the 2022 summit.
Alongside the top-tier keynote speakers, the event will include action-focused panels and workshops that give businesses the tools they need. Over three days the summit will feature 160 speakers who are leaders in business and conservation alongside adventurers, activists and influencers.
Will Hayler, co-founder of Blue Earth Summit, said: “Business as usual is no longer an option.
“Business leaders that understand this, will be part of the future. Those that don’t, won’t be. It’s as simple as that.”
