2022 Agenda | UK Business Summit

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Featuring write-ups on:

Delivering a nature-positive future
How digital innovation transforms environmental projects
Time for ESG to stand up and be counted
Business Leaders’ Forum wrestles with ESG opportunities
ESG and net zero define new era for UK E&S consulting

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2022 UK Business Summit

Event agenda

08.30 Registration and Networking

09.00 Welcome from Environment Analyst

09.05 Opening Remarks from the Chair

Linden Edgell, Global Sustainability Director, ERM

Session One: UK Environmental & Sustainability Services Market Outlook, Drivers & Disrupters

09.10 Reviewing the UK Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Market: Current Status & Outlook

Environment Analyst shares our latest research findings on the UK environmental & sustainability consultancy sector, including:

Update on the industry structure, including recent M&A activity, industry rankings, and future forecast
Reviewing net zero journey leaders and the progress and success of different initiatives
Assessing key business drivers and disruptors, and how companies and business models are evolving in response:
- pinpointing exactly where key business opportunities lie
- managing disruptors and emerging challenges / risks
Finding the ESG “sweet spot” and where the sector can deliver the most added-value

Ross Griffiths, Operations Director, Environment Analyst

09.30 Presenting the Key Findings of the Recent Early Careers Survey

The UK E&S consulting sector is experiencing unprecedented demand for services to support ESG requirements, infrastructure delivery, net zero ambition and biodiversity recovery. But this demand is stretching resources, highlighting an urgent need to attract the next generation of professionals into the sector.

To understand how the E&S consultancy sector will attract and retain the next generation of talent, Environment Analyst’s Sustainability Delivery Group Early Career Advisory Board launched a survey aimed at professionals who have worked in the sector for up to 7 years and asked them questions such as why they chose their career, if they are satisfied with their role and what motivates them on a daily basis.

This presentation will share the key findings of this survey, focusing on topics including diversity, entry routes into the sector, sector awareness, personal drivers, staff retention, and job satisfaction. The findings will be used by business leaders within the industry to plan outreach activities and improve recruitment and retention initiatives.

Michael Bentham, Senior Sustainability Consultant, Jacobs and Acting Chair, Environment Analyst’s Sustainability Delivery Group Early Careers Advisory Board

09.55 Industry & Audience Panel Discussion

Industry panellists will offer insight into how their companies are responding to market trends and the threats and opportunities these present, as well as how as a sector we need to adapt to meet growing demand for ESG-related services and reporting. Short presentations will lead into an audience and panel discussion where attendees are encouraged to contribute by sharing their own experiences and perspectives.

Panellists:

Brendan Cuddihy, Climate and Sustainability Associate Director, Arup

Lucy Thomas, Managing Director, Centre for Sustainability Excellence & Group Chief Scientist, RSK

Dr Adrian Williams, CEO, APEM Group

10.45 Industry Poll followed by Morning Refreshments & Networking

Session Two: UK Environmental Policy Priorities & Strategies

11.15 Prospects for Environmental Progress: Is the 25 Year Environment Plan on Course?

The period since Brexit has seen significant environmental policy reform including a new architecture under the Environment Act 2021, but will that reform deliver the government’s ambition to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited?

Taking stock of the reforms underway and environmental trends, this presentation will consider whether the 25 Year Environment Plan is on track and look ahead to the next Environmental Improvement Plan.

Tony Grayling, Director of Sustainable Business and Development, Environment Agency

11.35 Exploring Key Environmental Policy Drivers & Priorities

Exploring key obligations of the Environment Bill and the opportunities they create for the environmental and sustainability services industry in the UK
Update on the strategy, objectives and enforcement policy of the Office of Environmental Protection:
- priorities for the delivery of sustained environmental improvements
- how the Office will interact and work alongside other public and regulatory bodies
- detailing the nature and scope of the Office’s enforcement powers
Exploring the demands of the levelling-up agenda and how the sector can support the different objectives
Assessing progress achieved since COP26 and priority objectives for COP27 in delivering net zero ambitions:
- exploring how the definition of net zero is evolving
- clarifying the SBTi criteria for recognising net zero target achievement
- what commitments are most effectively being translated into action?

Matthew Farrow, Chief Operating Officer, Broadway Initiative

11.55 Q&A

Session Three: Roundtable Discussion

12.10 Interactive Roundtable Discussion - One

An opportunity to discuss a specific topic of interest to you in a more informal, participative format. Delegates choose a roundtable to attend, and each table will be hosted by a facilitator to lead discussion, encourage optimum debate and exchange of ideas

A. Managing Organisational Challenges & the Impact of the “New Normal” on Business Structure & Practices

Evaluating what the post-Covid organisation looks like and solutions to address the challenge and long-term impact of remote working on internal & external relationships, including:

employee and client engagement & connection
future talent pipeline development
the culture of the organisation
the optimum workplace strategy

Philippa Ross, Director of Planning and Environmental Consenting, Atkins

B. Natural Capital Accounting in Practice: Leveraging Tools Available to Value Environmental Impacts & Benefits and Facilitate the NbS Business Case

Exploring how the tools available to effectively measure environmental impacts and the benefits of nature-based solutions can be used to facilitate the business case and enable better decision-making.

Justine Saunders, Senior Manager, Capitals Coalition

C. Addressing the Skills Challenge and Improving Diversity and Inclusion in the Sector

With a legacy skills shortage heightened by the pandemic impacting business growth, and a considerable lack of diversity and inclusion in the sector, particularly at a senior level, this discussion explores solutions for improving staff retention, engagement & progression, and how best to future-proof your skills capability.

Marc Davies, Managing Director, Environment, Tetra Tech Europe

D. Exploring Evolving Business Models and Organisational Structures to Truly Achieve an ESG-Focused Strategy Mind-Set

Discussing how to embed sustainability and net zero principles into the organisation, secure the support of senior leadership, manage the impact on company culture, and align organisational purpose and values with ESG metrics to genuinely make it an “all-business mission”.

Jo Jeffreys, Principal Social Value Consultant, Office of Global Climate Response and ESG, Jacobs

E. Using Effective Partnerships & Collaborative Strategies To Maximise Your Value Proposition

Most national and big infrastructure projects are being delivered through collaborative relationships and framework agreements. What lessons are being learnt about these partnership approaches and how can they be leveraged to deliver optimum value and innovation?

Max Campbell, Regional Segment Manager - Civil, EMEA, Seequent

F. Making Sense of the Noise: Guiding Clients through Investor Climate Action Plans (ICAPs) and Climate-Related Reporting

Exploring the current requirements in climate reporting, ICAP and how investors are managing environmental considerations across their portfolios, and the implications for environmental consultants in ensuring both they and their clients are effectively dealing with climate change as a systemic risk.

Stephen Metcalf, Head of Sustainable Investing, British Isles & Asia, RBC Wealth Management

H. Developing Resilient Cities: Integrating Adaptation and Mitigation Measures into Sustainable Urban Development to Deliver Climate Objectives

Exploring what climate resilient urban development means and the key challenges to delivering sustainable cities. Discussing where and what progress is being made and how to align stakeholder priorities to deliver results.

Christine Wissink, Technical Director of Climate Resilience and Adaptation, Wood

I. Achieving an Innovative, Sustainable Approach to the Supply Chain & Procurement

Exploring how ESG and sustainability pressures are changing behaviours and expectations, including those of environmental consultants who are part of the supply chain. The discussion will also consider opportunities for innovation and embedding sustainability into contracts and supplier agreements to deliver real change and added value.

Torsten Glaeser, Director, CEPROSO - Circular Economy Procurement Solutions

12.45 Lunch and Networking

13.30 Welcome Back from the Afternoon Chair:

Peter Skinner, Chief Operating Officer, SLR Consulting

Session Four: Nature Positive: The New Net Zero

13.35 Opportunities in delivering a Nature Positive Future: How Natural and Social Capital-Based Approaches are Transforming the Delivery of Environmental Goals

Pinpointing key transitions needed to move towards a nature-positive economy and developing a roadmap for action
Successfully embedding biodiversity and social considerations throughout the project lifecycle
Integrating a nature-positive approach to infrastructure development to leverage nature and improve resilience
Proving the monetary business case for nature-based solutions - quantifying natural capital for the balance sheet and financial decision-making
Examining Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the implications and next steps

Panellists:

Julia Baker, Technical Director of Biodiversity, Wood Environment & Infrastructure

Dr Sally Fraser, Associate Director, Biodiversity, Jacobs

Chris Gerrard, Catchment and Biodiversity Manager, Anglian Water Services & Vice-President for England, CIEEM

Session Five: Decarbonisation and the Energy Transition

14.35 Energy Transition & Decarbonisation: Exploring Opportunities to Help Establish Decarbonisation Priorities & Support a Just Transition

Determining the likely pace of the transition, and the support energy companies need to restructure their operations and adopt new business models:
- financing options and attracting investment
- pivoting existing skills and infrastructure in the provision of new energy sources
Evaluating the evolution of heavy-emitting industries such as oil & gas, mining and construction; how can they achieve deep decarbonisation goals?
Assessing what needs to be done to enable the transport sector to progress towards a zero-carbon future
Examining the evolving roadmap for renewable and alternative fuels, and the implications of the growing hydrogen and CCS economy
Exploring the role the professional advisory and management consultants play in this and how partnerships and collaborative strategies can further drive the transition

Panellists:

Jeff Woodward, Global Market Sector Leader - Next Generation Energy, AECOM

Sean Sargent, Chief Executive Officer, Green Lithium

Ross Glover, Development Director, IGas Energy

Session Six: Getting the Most From Digital Innovation

15.45 Exploring How Digital Innovation can Effectively Transform Future Environmental Projects & Data Management to Accelerate the Net Zero Transition

Exploring how digital adoption can be best exploited to drive the sector forward:
- enabling the energy transition
- facilitating the development of smart cities and infrastructure
- increasing innovation in the supply chain
- assisting with the recruiting challenge
Evaluating Regulatory acceptance of digital tools and processes
Assessing the impact of adopting digital technology on working practices, staff and resources; how do businesses need to adapt to accommodate innovation?
Considering how to tackle “data-blindness” resulting from the plethora of information available: best practice for data-based decision-making and client support

Panellists:

Viral Desai, Associate Director, Atkins

Dr. Thomas D. Krom, Segment Director, Environment, Seequent

Session Seven: Roundtable Discussions

16.25 Interactive Roundtable Discussion - Two

Another opportunity to discuss a topic of interest to you in a more informal, participative format. Delegates choose a roundtable to attend, and each table will be hosted by a facilitator to lead discussion, encourage optimum debate and exchange of ideas

The following roundtable topics are the same as those listed above at 12.15.