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Description

Our Framework for Growth and annual Green Growth Trends Report highlight that “Green” growth is increasingly central to the East Midlands’ competitiveness, resilience and international positioning.

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”—it is a defining factor in business success.

Across the East Midlands and beyond, companies are facing rising costs, tighter regulations, shifting customer expectations, and increasing pressure from investors. In this environment, sustainability is not just about responsibility but about resilience, profitability, and long-term competitive advantage. There is also a focus on the importance of CSR to organisational strategy and the associated benefits.

In the current economic climate this year’s conference is built around a simple but critical premise that sustainability must pay.

On the day there will be a range of keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitors and opportunities to network with like-minded businesses. There will be lunch provided, which will be followed by the final workshop sessions.

Overview

Agenda:

- Year 11 of the East Midlands Green Growth Trends Report – Dr Polina Baranova, Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability, University of Derby

- Net Zero Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth - Torben Starkey, Carbon & Procurement Specialist, and Julie Adams, Client Relationship Manager, Auditel (U.K.) Limited

How can organisations balance growth, profitability, and sustainability in today’s challenging economic climate? This session explores how businesses can reduce their carbon footprint without compromising financial performance.

With rising costs many organisations feel forced to choose between cost control and climate action. Auditel will demonstrate why that trade-off is no longer necessary.

- Lifting the Lid on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA): Driving Decarbonisation While Managing Energy Costs – James Cunningham, Managing Director, Geo Green Power

With rising energy price volatility and increasing pressure to meet Net Zero commitments, solar PV becomes an obvious choice to reduce scope 2 emissions, lower energy bills and increase long-term energy security; but is a PPA the right way to fund it?

- Pay now or pay more later: The real economics of sustainability – Richard Smith, Director, PS:Planet

We often hear that “sustainability must pay.” But the reality is: sustainability will be paid for, one way or another. The real questions are who picks up the bill, how large it will be, and what we stand to lose if we leave it too late - Richard will challenge the idea that sustainability only matters if there is an immediate financial return. Drawing on the latest climate science, he will explain why action is not optional and why delay is rarely the cheaper option.

- Beyond CSR: Building shared value – Dr Barbara Tomasella, University of Derby, Dr Elaine Conway, Loughborough University.

-Workshops and Panel discussions on Sustainable Business and CSR - see "Additional Content" below.

Additional Information

There are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities avaiable for this conference, if you would like to find out more, please contact policy@emc-dnl.co.uk

PANEL DISCUSSIONS:

Driving Forward Sustainable Business Practices:

Richard Smith, Director, PS:Planet
James Cunningham, Managing Director, Geo Green Power
Sally Ann Hurn - Head of Sustainability, Duncan & Toplis

Beyond CSR: Building shared value

Caroline Killeavy, Chief Executive, Our Dementia Choir
Richard Cohen, Chief Operations Officer, Neurotherapeutics Ltd
Dr Barbara Tomasella, University of Derby

WORKSHOPS TO DATE:

Making the change - and making it stick. Top tips for encouraging sustainable behaviour - Dr Alison Lawson, Subject Lead for Marketing and Operations, Derby International Business School, University of Derby

SMEs delivering value and impact – Accountability in relation to ESG, compliance and priorities in the current economic environment - Sally Ann Hurn, Head of Sustainability, Duncan & Toplis

Find out what solar would look like on YOUR roof - Let the Geo Green Power team design a solar PV system for your business on the day!

Business 4 Nature: making Nature-Based Solutions business mainstream – University of Derby and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Beyond CSR: Building shared value –Dr Elaine Conway, Loughborough University Business School
Student-led projects to support sustainability in your business - Orla Kelleher from Derby International Business School and Eleanor Atkins from the College of Science and Engineering, University of Derby

This event is available for: Anybody

10th September 2026

9:00am - 2:45pm

In-Person

University of Derby Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB

FREE

Members must Sign in / Register to purchase member only tickets

In stock

*All our business prices are excluding VAT at 20%.

For further information on this event, please contact The Policy Team on 0333 320 0333 or email policy@emc-dnl.co.uk

Presenters & Panelists

Caroline Killeavy

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Caroline Killeavy is the Chief Executive of Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir, leading the charity’s mission to improve the lives of people living with dementia through the power of music, community connection and inclusive practice. She brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the charity and public sectors, including senior roles with the National Trust, Canal & River Trust, and YMCA Lincolnshire. Caroline has a strong track record in delivering high social impact, achieving community led urban regeneration and securing place based investment. She has worked extensively with businesses, local authorities and community organisations to reshape environments and improve quality of life. She has also served on numerous boards and advisory groups focused on driving both social and physical change in communities, championing approaches that blend strategic business engagement with deep community insight. Caroline was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bishop Grosseteste University in 2025, recognising her outstanding contribution to social, economic and cultural life, and her leadership across the charity and public sectors. She was also Winner of the East Midlands Institute of Directors Award - Third Sector Director 2019. Throughout her career, Caroline has advocated for sustainable, mutually beneficial cross sector collaboration — designing partnership models that create shared value for communities while aligning with core business drivers such as purpose, reputation, workforce wellbeing and long term profitability. She believes that when businesses and the third sector work together strategically, they can deliver outcomes that strengthen community resilience, enhance commercial impact and support sustainable growth.

Dr Polina Baranova

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James Cunningham

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Julie Adams

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Richard Cohen

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Richard Smith

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Torben Starkey

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About

East Midlands Sustainability and CSR Conference 2026

Description

Overview

Additional Information

Presenters & Panelists

Caroline Killeavy

Dr Polina Baranova

James Cunningham

Julie Adams

Richard Cohen

Richard Smith

Torben Starkey

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