Full Agenda
2024 Agenda
8.30am doors open, 9.30am conference starts
9:40am - Opening Key Note: Moksha Roy
9:50am - Tony’s sweet endeavour: Taking the bitter taste out of cocoa
Tony’s Chocolonely is revolutionising the chocolate market. As a B-Corp and Fairtrade certified company, its mission is to make chocolate 100% slave-free – not just its own but all chocolate worldwide. Tony’s is an impact company wrapped up as a chocolate producer… and what’s not to love about that?
Founded by three Dutch journalists back in 2005, Tony’s Chocolonely sprang into action when the trio uncovered the distasteful truth – that the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers were sourcing their cocoa from plantations using illegal child labour and modern slavery.
Now 19 years in business and rooted in purpose, Tony’s Chocolonely is not only experiencing significant growth across market but driving real social and environmental impact while doing it.
Speakers:
Hannah Perry, UK&I food service manager, Tony’s Chocolonely
Georgina Savva, trade marketing and events manager, Tony’s Chocolonely
10:10am - The new business landscape: How global regulations are shaping the economy of tomorrow, today
With wave after wave of new legislation impacting industries globally, our team of Products of Change Advisors will guide Conference attendees through the latest requirements and timelines for compliance.
Speakers
Jamie Beck, vice president of sustainability and compliance, Fabacus
James George, POC advisor
Andrea Green, POC advisor
Michelle Papayannakos, sustainability director, Paramount
Mike Swain, POC advisor
Lisa Ly, senior sustainability manager, Dunelm
10:30am - Marketing with impact: Navigating EU green claims
Join Michelle Carvill and Gemma Butler for an insightful session on marketing with purpose. Discover practical strategies to create impactful campaigns while staying compliant with the latest EU green claims guidelines and regulations. Learn how to align your marketing efforts with sustainability goals and make a positive difference.
Speakers
Gemma Butler, author and co-founder/director, Can Marketing Save the Planet?
Michelle Carvill, author and co-founder/director, Can Marketing Save the Planet?
10:50am-11:15am - Networking and refreshments
11:15am - Following the paper trail: Exploring the EU's new Deforestation Regulation
Deforestation is a major driver of both the climate and biodiversity crises, and the EU plays a role by consuming a significant share of products linked to irresponsible or illegal forestry. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified halting deforestation and restoring ecosystems as one of the most effective strategies to reduce CO₂ levels and combat climate change. Consequently, a new piece of legislation, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), was set to take effect in December 2024, bringing significant implications for the industry, however a year long extension is being proposed.
Join FSC Blockchain, DK Books, Carousel Calendars, and the European paper mill and supplier, UPM, as they discuss how businesses of all sizes are preparing for this change.
Speakers
Niina Niemelä, senior manager of sustainability, UPM
Steve Plackett, managing director, Carousel Calendars
Anand Punja, chief engagement and partnerships officer, FSC Trace
Nicola Torode, head of operational compliance and sustainability, DK Books
12:00pm - Sustainable merchandising: Bravado's decarbonisation plan
Join Matt Young, president of Bravado, the merchandising arm of the Universal Music Group as he showcases their ambitious plans as a business, and their sustainability journey so far.
Speaker
Matt Young, president, Bravado
12:20pm - Creating a circular future
Primark updates the industry on its latest initiatives to integrate circularity into its fashion business. Discover how they are working closely with industry partners to drive innovation and foster cultural connections through their brand’s voice. Join us to learn about Primark’s commitment to a sustainable future and the steps they are taking to make a significant impact.
Speaker
Nick Lambert, head of circularity, Primark
12:40pm - Partnerships for Purpose
Join Tracey Richardson, head of partnerships at Louis Kennedy, as she presents the latest research on how partnerships can enhance both value and brand positivity.Toggle Content
Speakers
Tracey Richardson, head of partnerships, Louis Kennedy
Grant Morgan, founder and CEO, Louis Kennedy
12:50pm - POC Member Awards
A wonderful opportunity to honour outstanding sustainability achievements as POC presents the second annual Products of Change Members’ Awards.
1:30pm-2:15pm - Networking and Lunch
2:15pm - Barriers to sustainability: A cross-sector panel
Join retail, brand owners and licensed manufacturers as they come together for an open discussion on the barriers they face in implementing and driving sustainable change. This is a valuable opportunity to share challenges, explore solutions, and collaborate on advancing sustainability within the industry. POC advisor, James George, will be joined by Asda, Lego, Poetic Brands, and Bravado.
Speakers
Anne Bradford, director, Poetic Brands
James George, POC advisor
Jakob Max Hamann, business development and sustainability governance, LEGO
Matt Young, president, Bravado
3:00pm - Decarbonising the children's print media landscape
The UK children’s magazine market is extremely influential, but collaboration is key to industry transformation. Hear how companies are putting their competitive differences aside to create an industry standard and a decarbonisation plan for the sector.
Speakers
Steph Cooper, education and communications director, Immediate Media
Duncan Shearer, client services director, Seymour
3:20pm - Emissions, Possible: Creating the tools for tackling Scope 3 GHGs
As reporting pressures intensify and brand owners are increasingly required to demonstrate visibility of their environmental, social, and governance impacts, Products of Change showcases a pioneering body of work. Led by The Walt Disney Company, The LEGO Group, Universal Music Group (Bravado), the BBC, the Jamie Oliver Group, Paramount, Manchester City, and many others within the sector, this initiative is focused on developing a comprehensive Scope 3 methodology for the Brand and Licensing Industry. Join us to explore how these leaders are setting new standards for sustainability and accountability hosted by Lego, South Pole, and the BBC.
Speakers
Harini Manivannan, managing consultant, South Pole
Sine Møller, sustainability transformation director, LEGO
Michelle Papayannakos, sustainability director, Paramount
3:40pm-4pm - Networking and refreshments
4:00pm - Beyond the home: Dunelm's holistic approach to social and environmental impact
In this session, senior sustainability manager, Lisa Ly, and design manager of research, development, and innovation, Jo Seddon, will walk you through Dunelm’s three-pillar sustainability strategy: Our Home the Planet, Our Home in Communities, and A Home for Our People. Learn how they’re creating a lasting impact, both today and for generations to come, and explore their future vision for the growing retailer.
Speakers
Lisa Ly, senior sustainability manager, Dunelm
Jo Seddon, design manager – product research, development and innovation, Dunelm
4:20pm - Designed for life: Following eco-design regulations all the way to retail
The Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) was officially published on 13th June 2024. Its goal is to standardise sustainable products across the EU market by introducing several new measures. Among those is the Digital Product Passport, a digital identity card for products that stores information relevant to sustainability, promotes circularity, and strengthens legal compliance. Join Pure Table Top, Dayrize and Fabacus as they showcase the first homewares DPP and explore its implications for the industry.
Speakers
Jonathan Baker, chief commercial officer, Fabacus
Tanith Sellicks, founder and director, Pure Table Top
Austin Simms, CEO, Dayrize
4:40pm - Toying with the future: Reimagining plastic for the next generation
With 90% of the world’s toys made from plastic, finding alternatives to virgin feedstock is crucial. Join the Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP), recognised experts in assessment and assurance, as they embark on a journey to develop an assessment framework suitable for companies of all sizes and sectors. The ESCP aims to create a standardised process for Recycled Materials Chemical Safety Assessments (RCSA), which will streamline data sharing and improve both cost and resource efficiencies. Presented by ESCP president and CEO, Carmel Giblin.
Speaker
Carmel Giblin, president and CEO, ESCP
5:00pm - The future of eco-friendly textiles and toys
Join us for an engaging session as we explore the groundbreaking work of a biotech start-up dedicated to revolutionising the textile and toy industries, Bio-Fluff. Discover their new bio-based material that is fully biodegradable, free from plastics and toxins, and vegan-friendly, achieving a remarkable reduction in CO₂ emissions by 75-80%.
In partnership with Bio-Fluff, POC will establish a working group after the conference to delve into the possibilities of scaling this innovative material. We will discuss strategies to ensure that all future plush toys not only enhance playtime but also minimise environmental impact and safeguard the well-being of children.
This will be delivered by Roni Gamzon, co-founder and chief commercial officer at Bio-Fluff.
Speaker
Roni Gamzon, co-founder and chief commercial officer, Bio-Fluff