The Sustainability Summit

Join the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce for The Sustainability Summit, a crucial event exploring the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in sustainable business practices. Connect with industry leaders, learn from expert speakers, and discover practical strategies to integrate sustainability into your organisation. This summit will provide valuable insights and networking opportunities to help drive positive environmental and social impact while enhancing your business resilience.

If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities for this event you can see our packages here.

Why is the event being hosted at DSM Group?

The summit is being hosted at DSM Group, a leader in sustainable infrastructure, to showcase real-world examples of eco-conscious business practices in action. Home to an innovative Eco Data Centre, DSM Group integrates cutting-edge water-cooled racks, a cooling lake, a 200kW solar farm, and an evolving nature reserve. These features demonstrate how businesses can achieve operational efficiency while prioritising environmental responsibility. By holding the event at DSM, attendees will experience sustainability in practice and gain inspiration for their own organisations.

Panel 1: Beyond Greenwashing: Authentic Sustainability Practices for Business

Panel Host: Alex Hughes, Green Jobs Foundation

Chair of  the Green Jobs Foundation, bringing my experience in entrepreneurship and community-focused initiatives. I’ve worked extensively in creating educational and employment pathways for young people, particularly focused on East of England. I’ve also had the privilege of being involved in multiple startups and scaleups, employing over 150 people in those businesses I have started and more recently built the first Citizen Hub in the UK, the reimagination of what a Job Centre could look like in the future. My skills are in facilitating and convening citizens and businesses to drive socioeconomic change.

The Green Jobs Foundation is dedicated to mitigating climate change-driven employment risks by raising awareness of and access to green jobs. Through collaboration with job seekers, businesses, NGOs, and governments, the foundation aims to deepen knowledge of green job opportunities and support a more equitable and sustainable future. Its mission focuses on providing access to the right jobs, using the right skills, in the right places, at the right time, ensuring that no one is left behind in the green transition.

Panel Speaker: Helen Porter, DSM Group

Helen is an experienced professional in management, marketing, business development, web development, and business strategy, having successfully run multiple businesses. With expertise in information security and sustainability, she brings a strategic and hands-on approach to driving growth and innovation. Soon to be IEMA Foundation qualified, Helen is committed to integrating environmental best practices into business operations while ensuring robust security and resilience.

Panel Speaker: Andrew Masters, Practical Energy Solutions

With his background in owning and operating businesses, working with business support organisations and experience in the field of commercial energy supply, Andrew is now engaged as a senior consultant with Practical Energy Solutions.

The company provides assessment of energy consumption for businesses and guidance in exploring
renewable energy alternatives to meet demand. Being well versed in the range of renewable solutions
available means that the most suitable technologies can be recommended, as there is no ‘one-size fits
all’. Energy efficiency is a key part of any solution ensuring that any waste is addressed to reduce such
costly losses to a minimum.

The aim is to provide the business with a high level of autonomy in respect of their energy and how it is produced, along with a significant reduction in harmful emissions, that benefits both the environment and their own ESG/Net Zero goals.

Sustainability is of key importance to Andrew along with his colleagues, and Practical Energy Solutions was in part created to further awareness of the need for businesses to take appropriate steps to become more energy efficient and decarbonise their energy supplies as far as possible.

Practical Energy Solutions in partnership with its Sunderland based sister company Northern Renewable Energy Services, has provided businesses throughout the UK with sustainable energy solutions since 2014.

Panel 2: Supply Chain Sustainability: From Traceability to Ethical Sourcing

Panel Host: Dr Denise Taylor, PIEMA, Wylde Connections

Denise is a sustainability consultant with over 30 years of international experience in manufacturing and construction. As co-founder and Managing Director of Wylde Connections, she helps businesses develop sustainability strategies, achieve regulatory compliance, and showcase ESG credentials.

Wylde Connections provides consultancy, workshops, and digital learning to support organisations at all stages of their sustainability journey. Denise specialises in ESG reporting, leadership development, and embedding sustainability into operations with practical, tailored solutions.

Committed to biodiversity and conservation, she is a board member of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network (IWCN) and a trustee for several charities. Her work bridges business and environmental stewardship, driving positive change for both people and the planet.

Panel Speaker: Martin Traynor OBE, FIH, MIoD, Business 2 Business Ltd

Martin has recently completed five years as the Small Business Crown Representative, at the Cabinet Office, where he was tasked to work with government departments and arm’s length bodies to make public procurement policies, practices, and procedures simpler for SMEs to navigate. This culminated in the Procurement Act 2023.

Following a successful career in hotel management, in 2001 Martin decided to change career and take up the role of Group Chief Executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce (including CEO of Business Link, Leicestershire).

After leaving the Chamber in 2014 to set up his own consultancy business, Martin took on a number of key non-executive roles, including Chair of the King Richard lll Visitor Centre Trust, Chair of The Forest Experience Ltd, and Deputy Chair of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Martin has a long history of working with local, region, and central government on economic development, regulatory reform, and procurement. In 2018, Martin completed six years on the HM Govt’s Regulatory Policy Committee. He has also served as a Champion for the Govt’s Red Tape Challenge and an Advocate for Business Focus on Enforcement. Martin successfully piloted the Better Business for All programme and worded with colleagues from Regulatory Delivery to role out the programme across the UK.

In the 2007, Martin was awarded an OBE in HM The Queen’s New Year’s Honours for “services to business and the community of the East Midlands”.

Panel Speaker: Mark Connolly, British Sugar

Mark is the Senior Category Manager, Directs and ESG and has over 25 years’ experience in procurement and supply chain, spanning various industries including energy, chemicals, food ingredients, engineering, and medical devices. He has a strong focus and passion for sustainability and ESG, along with broad experience in project management and team leadership. Within his current role at British Sugar, Mark is leading on responsible sourcing and ensuring its principles are embedded into the procurement function across all sites.

How to book

Tickets

Members: FREE

Non-Members: £30.00 (plus VAT)

If you are a Chamber Member please use the code ‘member‘ at checkout for your free tickets.

Exhibition Stands

Exhibition space is available at this event. Use this opportunity to showcase how your business can help others on their sustainability journey.

£150.00 (plus VAT)

If you are a Chamber Member please use the code ‘memberstand‘ at checkout for 10% off your stand.

Address

DSM Group The Old Hangar Elton Road PE8 6NE