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Mon 13 Nov 2023 | by Rob Hutchins
SiLC 2023 IN PICTURES | The Sustainability in Licensing Conference as it happened
The Sustainability in Licensing Conference made its triumphant return to the Royal Geographical Society in London last week where it was hailed 'the most inspiring and engaging industry event ever attended' by visitors who were left 'buzzing' by the day's sessions and discussions around cross-industry development.As more than 200 guests took their seats in the Royal Geographical Society's auditorium, a further 100 attendees joined them from elsewhere around the world via the livestream sharing in common an eagerness and energy to engage in a day's learning.The day did not disappoint and a jam-packed agenda of panel sessions spanning sustainability at retail, the innovation being pioneered to develop emerging circular systems, the legislation set to shape the landscape of business for good, and a bit of carbon literacy thrown in kept audiences engaged throughout.If you weren't in the room or online this year... there will be next. Here's a visual recap of what went down at SiLC 2023...
The Morning Sessions
Kate Gibson, md of Gibsons Games grabs an early morning snap with the Wombles.Early morning guests begin to congregate around the tea and coffee - to the backdrop of some of the Royal Geographical Society's beautiful rooms and collections.To team Paramount, a coffee to start a day of learning off the right way is... well, paramount.Guests occupy and network in within the halls of the Royal Geographical Society. Where else but SiLC?Products of Change founder, Helena Mansell Stopher opens proceedings with a quick introduction to a packed day's agenda.Guests fill out the seating space of the Royal Geographical Society's auditorium to watch the keynote address.... which is delivered by none other than Caroline Petit, the deputy director of the United Nations Regional Information Centre.POC Ambassadors Mike Swain and James George are joined by Ilana Adamson to talk through the incoming legislation and why we all need to pay attention... before we pay the pricePhil Korbel, co-founder and director of advocacy at the Carbon Literacy Trust shares a thing or two about Scope 3Paramount Consumer Products' Simta Sawhney (right) pictured with Great Uncle Bulgaria (left) mid interview.Helena hosts the licensing panel Mapping Sustainability featuring David Boyne (Bravado); Jeremy Orriss (Difuzed); Sine Møller (LEGO); Anna Halford (Disney); Nichola Torode (DK Books); Elizabeth Eaves (Mattel EMEA); and Nicolas Loufrani (Smiley)The Smiley Company founder and president, Franklin Loufrani watches on his son and Smiley ceo, Nicolas talks the hurdles within sustainability in licensing.The LEGO Group's sustainability transformation lead, Sine Møller updates attendees on POC's carbon work stream and the framework to map scope 3 emissionsMatt Bailey, head of strategy and sustainability at Desert Vipers talks the steps he is taking to build a sustainable sport from the ground up.POC's Ambassador for Sports, Simon Gresswell hosts a sports panel featuring Wimbledon's Dan Ashmore, Liverpool FC's Rishi Jain, and Desert Vipers' Matt Bailey.Helena sits down for. chat with with KI's Jelena Stosic, LEGO's Jakob Max Hamann, and Netflix's Rikesh Desai to introduce the Industry Framework Maturity Index tool.The session prompted deep concentration and a number of questions from engaged audience members, including Octane 5's Denise Penn.Before proceedings broke for lunch, attendees were surprised with the first ever Products of Change SDGs Members Awards. LEGO's Jakob Max Hamann and Sine Møller join the UN's Caroline Petit and the POC team to accept theirsThe ceremony recognised the efforts made by Wastebuster's Katy Newnham and the team at Tesco for the Recycle to Read pilot roll out.
The Afternoon Sessions
SiLC attendees enjoy a vegetarian lunch in the halls of the Royal Geographical Society in London.When the panel sessions and talks resume, Ryan Collins from Dayrize talks guests through the company's technology for recording product impact.Jonathan Baker, CCO at Fabacus takes to the stage to discuss the Digital Product Passport and the company's partnership with Nobody's Child.before Nobody's Child Leo, Jody Plows sits down for a fireside chat with Helena to talk through the ethical fashion brand's approach to setting the bar in sustainability.The afternoon trains its focus on new approaches to sustainability at retail as Asda's senior sustainability manager, Jade Smart joins George at Asda's sustainability manager, Jennifer Ward to talk the latest from the supermarket giant.Another break provides another chance for guests to mingle and discuss the learning from the day... just as the team from Pure Table Top are doing right here.Cartoon Network's Monika Women delivers her talk on how to engage children in the climate conversation... and then drive them into action.A circular story: Poetic Brands' Anne Bradford; Asda's Jade Snart; Yellow Octopus' Jack Ostrowski; Upcycle Labs' Barry Kane; and Norlanka's Ben Alexander tell an inspiring tale of circularity within its collective businessTesco's Cheryl Thomson (left); Wastebuster's Katy Newnham (centre); and Tesco's Felicity Thomson share the limelight to tell audiences about the toy rehoming and recycling campaign, Recycle to Read.Melody Morton and Matt Bradbrook travelled from the LUSH Cosmetics in Poole to tell guests all about the brand's approach to both sustainability and licensing.Melody, Matt, and Jade are joined by Nick Lambert, circular product lead at Primark for the final panel session of the day, a focus on sustainability at retail.The day's speakers and guests gather for one last drink (or three) at the end of a long but insightful and engaging day of learning, discussion, and inspiration.
