2025 UN Global Compact Network UK Annual Summit
Unlocking Competitive Advantage Through ESG
Tuesday 14 October 2025, 09:00 - 18:00 BST l Church House Westminster, Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3NZ
Supported by
Forward-thinking business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts exploring how key enablers can achieve significant positive impacts for their bottom line and society.
The sustainability landscape is more complex than ever. Geopolitical disruptions, regulatory uncertainty, and rising climate risks are reshaping corporate strategy. What hasn’t changed is that managing ESG-related opportunities and risks is an effective pathway for businesses to secure competitive advantage, gain commercial benefits, and future-proof against further uncertainty.
Businesses must integrate sustainability as a key performance driver and focus on pivotal enablers for business success: mobilising sustainable finance, leveraging innovation and technology, transforming supply chains, engaging with policy frameworks, and tackling inequalities. These levers are propelling businesses to rapidly achieve significant positive impacts for both their bottom lines and society.
The 2025 UN Global Compact Network UK Annual Summit will convene business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore delivering tangible business benefits by driving progress on sustainability.
Through thought-provoking panel discussions, engaging fireside chats, hands-on workshops, and extensive networking, the Summit will showcase how you can future-proof your business in a rapidly changing world by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Join us to gain actionable insights, connect with industry pioneers, and discover how integrating the SDGs into your strategy can help your organisation lead, compete, and thrive as we race toward 2030.
*AGENDA*
(click here for Side Event Agenda)
09:00 - 09:30: Coffee and Registration
Welcome
09:30 - 09:40
David Schofield
Sustainability Director
Aviva; and
Chair, UN Global Compact Network UK
Fireside Chat – Leading by Example: Sustainability in Action
09:40 - 09:55
Session 1 - Value Chain Sustainability: Driving Resilience and Profitability
10:00 - 10:45
How are companies engaging with their upstream and downstream value chains to scale action on their sustainability targets?
This session will explore how leading companies are driving progress on their environmental and social sustainability targets by working more effectively across their value chain – both upstream (e.g. suppliers, raw materials, etc.) and downstream (e.g. distributors, customers, etc.) The objective of the session is to demonstrate how deeper, more strategic engagement across the value chain can accelerate sustainability performance, drive business resilience, and unlock new opportunities for value creation.
Through practical examples and discussion, panellists will share how they are partnering with stakeholders to deliver impact in key areas such as climate action and fair labour practices.
Speakers will present tools, strategies, and innovative approaches their organisations are using to build sustainable, inclusive, and efficient value chains – ultimately showing how these efforts contribute to both commercial success and meaningful progress toward sustainability goals.
Robert Williams
Senior Director, Sustainable Procurement
AstraZeneca
10:45 - 11:20: Networking Break
Session 2 – Strategic Capital: Unlocking Business Value Through ESG-Linked Finance
11:20 - 12:00
How can businesses improve access to capital and reduce costs by advancing their sustainability performance?
Sustainability is no longer a trade-off, it’s a catalyst for growth, resilience, and profitability. Companies with strong ESG performance are unlocking better access to capital, lowering borrowing costs, and attracting long-term investors who are seeking credible, future-fit business models. As the market evolves, it’s increasingly clear: sustainability is paying its own way—and strengthening the bottom line.
This session brings together business leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore how aligning finance with sustainability creates real business value. Panellists will share practical strategies for using ESG to drive down risk and boost investor confidence—from accessing capital through green, social, and SDG-linked bonds, to leveraging blended finance models that de-risk investments.
Session 3 – Reducing Inequalities: The Business Case for Fairness, Inclusion, and Decent Work
12:00 - 12:45
How can reducing workforce inequalities, upholding fair labour practices, and unlocking inclusive economic growth improve profitability and enhance long-term business performance?
This session will explore how integrating fair work principles into business strategies can drive sustainable success. By embedding inclusion into ESG efforts, companies can enhance productivity, attract diverse talent, foster innovation, and strengthen brand reputation, contributing to a more equitable economy.
Our expert panel will provide insights on closing gender and racial pay gaps, improving working conditions, and preparing employees for future skills while addressing the risks of AI and automation on inequalities.
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to create fair, productive workplaces that enhance profitability, attract top talent, and improve long-term business performance, while also reducing inequalities and fostering inclusive growth for positive social impact.
Ruth Wilkinson
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Institution of Occupational Safety and Safety
IOSH
Matteo Squire
Global Sustainability Manager - Livelihoods & Human Rights
Unilever
Uzma Hamid-Dizier
Sustainable Business Director
Slaughter and May
Ori Chandler
Group Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Aviva
Amanda Powell-Smith
Chief Executive
Forster Communications
12:45 - 13:50: Lunch
Climate Comedy with Matt Winning
13:50 - 14:00
Dr Matt Winning
Lecturer in the Economics of Sustainability and Climate Comedian
UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources
Report Launch – Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability
14:00 - 14:10
Session 4 – Transformative Innovation: How ESG Fuels Competitive Advantage
14:10 - 14:50
How can businesses achieve long-term growth with breakthrough solutions to global challenges?
Innovation and technology are critical for unlocking transformative solutions that deliver measurable business benefits and societal impact. This panel explores how businesses are harnessing cutting-edge technologies, disruptive business models, and transformative partnerships to enhance competitiveness and tackle global challenges. From artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT to blockchain, learn how these innovations are transforming industries and scaling impact.
Discover how disruptive business models, such as the circular economy, are reshaping markets and unlocking new revenue streams. Unpack the power of collaboration, where strategic partnerships amplify innovation and create shared value.
By spotlighting leading organisations that are redefining the boundaries of business-led sustainability innovation, this session will reveal actionable strategies for leveraging technology and innovation, proving that bold ESG solutions can deliver measurable impact and strengthen business performance.
By spotlighting leading organisations that are redefining the boundaries of business-led sustainability innovation, this session will reveal actionable strategies for leveraging technology and innovation, proving that bold ESG solutions can deliver measurable impact and strengthen business performance.
Anthony Levy
Founder and CEO
Circularity First
14:50 - 15:15: Networking Break
Keynote: MP Chris Bryant - Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade
15:15 - 15:25
Sir Chris Bryant
Minister of State
Department for Business and Trade
Session 5 – Tilting the Playing Field: The Case for Corporate Policy Advocacy
15:25 - 16:05
How can bold policy better support your company’s ESG targets and make sustainable business practices more competitive?
This session will explore how businesses, as influential actors in the global economy, can align their strategies with the SDGs to not only drive sustainability but also position themselves as leaders in the market. The discussion will highlight the importance of corporate responsibility in advocating for transformative policies, including sustainable practices, ethical governance, and stakeholder engagement.
Key themes will include how corporations can work alongside governments, NGOs, industry associations, and chambers of commerce to push for policies that address climate change, social equity, economic development, and environmental protection, that in turn, support business priorities. The panel will delve into the ways that strong corporate policy can leverage both influence and resources to create systemic change that makes sustainable business more competitive in the long term.
By spotlighting leading organisations that are redefining the boundaries of business-led sustainability innovation, this session will reveal actionable strategies for leveraging technology and innovation, proving that bold ESG solutions can deliver measurable impact and strengthen business performance.
Session 6 – Communicating Sustainability: What should you say? Debate
16:05 - 17:00
Should increasing communication about sustainability efforts be seen as a strategic power play for competitive advantage, or does it risk fuelling backlash in today’s polarised environment?
Communicating your business’s sustainability efforts can unlock new markets, build trust, and enhance brand value, even amid ESG scepticism.
However, a cautious approach may be needed as heightened communication can lead to accusations of greenwashing and public backlash. In this climate, errors in sustainability messaging can damage trust and value.
In this formal debate, experts will discuss how to approach communicating about corporate sustainability in these challenging times.
17:00 - 18:00: Networking Reception
*SIDE EVENT AGENDA*
Side Event 1
Responsible Business Conduct in Supply Chains: Policy Feedback Roundtable with the Department for Business and Trade
11:15 -12:45
The Responsible Business Conduct in Supply Chains: Policy Feedback Roundtable will convene UK businesses to provide structured input into the UK Government’s current RBC Review. Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) is a positive part of the Government’s mission to grow the economy. Announced in June’s Trade Strategy and led by the Department for Business and Trade with cross-government support, the RBC Review is an appraisal of the UK’s current RBC policy approach and alternative options to enhance RBC. It focuses on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK and will harness the insights and expertise of businesses, investors, trade unions, academia, civil society and our trading partners.
This roundtable will serve as a forum to explore business processes on RBC, gather perspectives on the existing policy landscape, and consider the merits of alternative approaches. It will be organised in workshop format with officials from the UK Government’s Office for Responsible Business Conduct facilitating small-group discussions.
*Please note this side event takes place in parallel to the plenary sessions.*
Side Event 2
Mobilising Corporate Investments in Nature: UK Policy Roundtable with GFI and Defra
13:30 - 15:00
In collaboration with the Green Finance Institute (GFI) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), this breakout session will foster a rich conversation on how businesses are considering their climate and nature risks, and the challenges they face when seeking to invest to mitigate these risks.
The aim of the session is to share learnings, and consider several solutions, including Nature Positive Transition Pathways, the role of nature markets such as carbon and BNG, and the role of regional aggregation co-investment models. Through discussion, we will explore whether there are clear steps policymakers, businesses, and the finance sector can take together, and how we can move collectively beyond risk analysis and disclosures, and into investment. The session will feature a short presentation to set the scene on key policies and government initiatives that are seeking to unlock private sector investment into nature, before moving to discussion and shared experiences.
Within the discussion, we will tackle:
- To what extent are companies aware of their nature/climate risks? (at an operational level, regional level, supply chain/sourcing level)
- What are the key risks that are driving business action? (e.g., flood, water shortage, GHG emission reduction, pollution)
- How are companies seeking to then a) invest to mitigate those risks and b) reduce impacts? (through market mechanisms like carbon credits, paying land managers to make changes, working with suppliers, etc.)
- What challenges are they facing when looking to invest? (e.g., unable to provide business case, risk committee challenges, free rider issues, lack of project delivery pipeline, or unsupportive policies)
- What are the obvious solutions we see?
- How can policymakers, the finance sector, and the business sector each play a supportive role?
*Please note this side event takes place in parallel to the plenary sessions.*
Speakers:
Helen Avery, Director, Nature Programmes and GFI Hive, Green Finance Institute
Helen Edmundson, Deputy Director, Green Finance, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Side Event 3
Decent Work in the Global Economy: World Café Roundtable
15:15 - 16:45
In collaboration with the Better Than Cash Alliance, IOSH, Living Wage Foundation, UNDP FAST initiative, and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, the UN Global Compact Network UK is hosting a world café style roundtable discussion during its 2025 Annual Summit to explore various topics relating to decent work and how business can be a force for good in ensuring the workplace is fair, safe, and inclusive for all.
Each organisation will host a table relating to a certain topic on decent work, including topics such as:
- Highlighting the importance of digital payments in bolstering financial inclusion
- Fostering a safe workplace that considers wellbeing and mental health
- Providing a living wage to employees and advocating for it in supply chains
- Raising awareness of pervasive modern slavery and trafficking in value chains
- Examining how emerging digital technologies can increase inequalities in the workforce
*Please note this side event takes place in parallel to the plenary sessions.*
Speakers:
Dr Christopher Davis, Thought Leadership Manager, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Lauren Wetherilt, Senior Manager, Living Wage Foundation
Katherine Rickard, Lead - Private Sector Digitisation, UNDP Better Than Cash Alliance
Jill Huinder, Finance and Human Rights Specialist, UNDP Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) Initiative
Anithra Varia, Labour Rights Researcher, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Who’s attending:
The UN Global Compact Networks UK’s biggest event of the year brings together CEOs, CSOs, COOs, directors, heads of and senior management from the leading businesses and organisations across sustainability, CSR, environment, human rights, strategy and risk management, external affairs, supply chain management, procurement, and innovation.
“It's the conversations you have as part of the UN Global Compact that inspire the change we are all focused on delivering. Don't miss it.”
“The Annual Summit hosted by the UN Global Compact Network UK was a thrilling experience. Speakers at the Summit were highly recognised, and the agenda was perfect with wide scope of content.”
“Once again the UN Global Compact Network UK held an event full of speakers who delivered the benefit of their knowledge and experience in an easily digestible and friendly manner, who inspired enthusiasm and an increased commitment to take action to save the planet!”
“This was an outstanding event. Outstanding topics and speakers imparting their experiences in addressing some of the major issues faced by corporates and society.”
Contact
To get in touch about our Annual Summit, please reach out to summit@unglobalcompact.org.uk
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