Business as a Force for Good Conference
Being a force for good is no longer just good for society, but a smart business strategy. The day-long conference includes inspirational panels, spotlight speakers and plenty of time for Q&As and networking. Discover the rationale, insights, approach and realities on becoming more purpose-led in your organisation.
The landscape is changing. Consumers, investors, and talent are increasingly drawn to businesses that make a positive impact alongside profit. This conference explores the compelling reasons why being a force for good is no longer just good for society, but a smart business strategy.
The event will be hosted by broadcaster Declan Curry, with keynotes from the world-leading speaker, changemaker and climate change consultant, Benita Matofska, and the political strategist, leading policy-maker and president of The Jobs Foundation, Lord Matthew Elliott.
The day-long conference includes panels, spotlight speaker and plenty of time for Q&As and networking. A networking lunch and coffee and refreshments are also included.
This is a chance to discover the rationale, insights, approach and realities on why organisations should become more purpose-led.
We’ll discuss and debate the benefits of social and environmental responsibility, from attracting top talent and boosting brand loyalty to creating a more sustainable future and driving innovation. We’ll explore the costs of doing it – and the costs of not….
Join us for us for a day of inspiration, insight, networking and practical takeaways to help your business thrive while making a positive impact.
Panels include:
- Embedding Environmental and Social Responsbility for Growth
- Sustainable Business: Where Profit and Planet Align
- Leadership and Innovation. Business as a Problem Solver
- Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Beyond: Their Future in our Hands
Tickets are £99+vat for Members and £120+vat for Standard. Book here >>
The Dorset Business Festival is supported by Premier Festival Partner, Lester Aldridge, and Festival Partners, Blue Sky Financial Planning Ltd, Bournemouth and Poole College, Dorset Council, ElectriX and YMCA Bournemouth.
Keynote Speakers & Host
Benita Matofska
Lorem ipsum..
Benita Matofska
Benita Matofska is a world-leading speaker, changemaker and climate change consultant to some of the world’s most forward-thinking businesses.
An award-winning social entrepreneur, she is renowned for her ability to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide with her knowledge, dynamism and insights on sustainability, social innovation and business transformation.
Benita leads sustainability for business consultancy Futuretivity, who specialise in delivering climate innovation for business.
Benita is the author of Generation Share, a ground-breaking book voted top isolation read for a positive future by Forbes. In 2024, Benita co-founded Climate Women, a network for environment conscious women. Driven by a passion to transform business into a force for good, Benita uses social innovation techniques, global intelligence and over a decade of research to ensure businesses stay relevant and become future fit.
Lord Matthew Elliott
Lorem ipsum..
Lord Matthew Elliott
As a political strategist and leading policy maker, Matthew has worked on UK public policy for almost twenty five years, including overseeing two national referendum campaigns, founding four high profile pressure groups and convening two respected policy commissions.
On 9 October, he will be sharing his insights and experiences as the president of The Jobs Foundation, a registered charity that champions the role of business as a force for good. Matthew is instrumental in galvanising business leaders to unite to make a difference for communities.
Working with organisations across the country, the charity is building a broad coalition of business leaders who share its mission to form a Business Council, which it will then develop into separate Regional Councils, connecting and inspiring local businesses as they work in their communities to help people most in need.
Andrew Radcliffe
Lorem ipsum..
Declan Curry
Broadcaster & Host
Declan is a highly experienced broadcaster who will be skillfully hosting the event and panels. With decades spent at the forefront of broadcast media for BBC and LBC, Declan returns following last year’s popular event.
Four Thought Provoking and Practical Panels
Panel 1
Why be a force for good? Embedding Environmental and Social Responsibility for Growth
Think ESG is just about good PR? Think again. Businesses committed to environmental and social practices reap real rewards: attracting investors, winning customers, and retaining top talent. Plus, they avoid legal pitfalls by staying ahead of environmental regulations and proactively managing HR issues. Ignoring ESG hurts your brand, limits funding options, and drives away skilled employees – or it has the potential to in the future.
Our panel will explore how a focus on ESG focus can strengthen your bottom line and sure-up your company’s future.
Panel 2
Sustainable Business: Where Profits and Planet Align
Forget the myth that sustainability hurts profits. Our panel of experts will share how a focus on sustainability can shape your bottom line and strategic growth. We will explore some of the keys to the circular economy model, such as smart design for product longevity, sustainable material choices, and viewing waste as a potential resource and how it can attract consumers, enhance brand reputation, and save money
Panel 3
Business as a problem solver: Leadership – innovation – Ethics
Businesses have a unique capacity to solve problems through ethical leadership, innovation and the way they prioritise and use resources. Organisations like yours can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
This panel looks at how businesses can move beyond being bystanders and become active solutions to solve pressing environmental, ethical, and social challenges. As well as inspirational stories and practical takeaways, the panel of experts and entrepreneurs will explore the challenges and rewards of ethical leadership.
Panel 4
Gen Z – Alpha and Beyond: Their future in our hands
The next generation of talent is here, and their expectations are evolving. Are you prepared to meet their demands for social and environmental responsibility? This panel explores the challenges and opportunities of our future workforce, and what businesses can do to align their values with the aspirations of younger generations, seeking purpose-driven careers.
As well as exploring strategies to attract and retain top talent, we will explore the future skills landscapes and how businesses need to evolve to meet tomorrow’s workforce.
Hear insights from experts from:
Meet the Panellists
Dr Gareth Sherwood
Lorem ipsum..
Nuno Almeida
CEO
Nourish Care Systems Ltd
Nuno Almeida is the CEO at Nourish Care, a market leader in digital health and care information and insights management. Nuno has a background in Data Science, a track record of building fast growth and sustainable businesses and an interest in ventures that deliver positive societal impact at large scale, and a permanent curiosity and drive to design scaleable digital transformation that leads to improvements to people’s experience of health and care.
Nuno is also a serving board member with the Care Software Providers Association (CASPA), chaired the Social Care Vision subgroup of the APPG for Adult Social Care and is a though leader in digital transformation in the health and care sectors across the globe.
Dr Gareth Sherwood
Lorem ipsum..
Ruth Andrade
Earthcare Strategy Lead
Lush
Born in the bioregion of the Brazilian Atlantic Moist Forests, Ruth grew up in a concrete jungle, witnessing first hand the destruction of the natural environment.
This prompted an early interest in environmental issues, nurtured a deep love for the rainforest and fueled great passion for driving change.
She considers herself a systems activist, identifying key nodal interventions in systems to support the transition to regenerative cultures. Co-creating Lush’s environmental strategy since 2004, Ruth supports the business to leave the world Lusher than we found it.
Dr Gareth Sherwood
Lorem ipsum..
Lisa Morelli
Managing Director
4Couture
With over 30 years of experience, Lisa is an inspiring business woman who founded 4Couture in 2003. Since then, she’s built the company, which supplies corporate wardrobe, branded uniforms and promotional merchandise to household names globally.
Lisa’s leadership style is all about collaboration and creativity. She’s passionate about creating a positive work environment, supporting her team, and making a difference in the community through the business.
Lisa leads a women-owned, certified B Corp that puts people and the planet first with sustainability and social impact at the heart of 4Couture.
Dr Gareth Sherwood
Lorem ipsum..
Seemin Suleri
VP of Engineering
Prima
Seemin is a change agent in the digital world, specializing in building and leading high-performance teams to transform businesses culturally and technologically. Passionate about Agile and continuous improvement, she fosters an innovative culture.
A mother of two, Seemin advocates for flexibility and inclusion to help people from all backgrounds succeed. She has led initiatives to increase women’s representation in the software industry, focusing on the human element in organisational success.
Seemin Suleri
Lorem ipsum..
Melanie Collins
Head of Local Skills Improvement Policy
Department for Education
Head of the Local Skills Improvement Plans, Mel has a varied career history working on complex collaborative programmes including a number of international research and innovation programmes. Mel also leads the Local Skills Improvement Fund and its predecessor, the Strategic Development Fund.
Dr Gareth Sherwood
Lorem ipsum..
Rosie Radwell
Managing Director & Owner
Marsham Court Hotel
Rosie started working at the hotel at 14 and became a Director of The Marsham Court at 26 after six years of experience in the USA. Now Managing Director, she runs the hotel with her two brothers, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity for guests and employees.
Over the last four years, they have undertaken several ambitious projects and are the first UK hotel to install a Changing Places Toilet and Shower. Rosie is passionate about advancing Accessible Tourism in the UK.
Seemin Suleri
Lorem ipsum..
Lisa Watson Cook
Head of Charities
Lester Aldridge
Lisa advises charities, social enterprises, clubs and community organisations on legal and regulatory matters in the not-for-profit sector. Before joining Lester Aldridge as a Partner, she gained valuable insight as in-house legal counsel for a top ten charity.
Lisa specialises in structural and governance reform, including collaborations between charities and businesses, providing simple, pragmatic, and tailored advice to help boards achieve their strategic goals with minimal risk.
Dr Gareth Sherwood
Lorem ipsum..
Gareth Sherwood
CEO
YMCA Bournemouth
Throughout his careers, Gareth has focused on improving lives and communities. He believes that environmental and social values are essential for organisations to make a lasting positive impact.
He believed we should all care about our environment, ethical governance, and the well-being of our staff and customers. He is passionate about helping people and organisations work together to create a better world. The YMCA he leads has upheld these values for nearly 150 years, a legacy he is proud to champion.
lEILA
Lorem ipsum..
Leila Willingham
Associate Business & Account Director
Liz Lean PR
Leila is a chartered PR professional with over seven years of experience and the CIPR’s youngest ever chartered practitioner. She has represented major brands like Nuffield Health, Royal London, Pukka Pads, and Paultons Park, gaining strategic knowledge across various PR disciplines.
Leila’s deep understanding of LLPR and its values comes from joining the family business after A-Levels, where she developed her skills through both practical experience and formal training.
Seemin Suleri
Lorem ipsum..
Edison Earl
Students’ Union President 23-24
AUB Students’ Union (AUBSU)
Edison (Ed) Earl is a recent graduate of BA (Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication at Arts University Bournemouth and has just completed their tenure as Students’ Union President at AUB Students’ Union.
From being a recent student to working with students, as well as being part of generation z they are equipped with the knowledge of what current topics are challenging our young workforce and what this workforce needs from employers.
Seemin Suleri
Lorem ipsum..
Gary Neild
CEO
Blue Sky Financial Planning Ltd
Gary Neild is the CEO of Blue Sky Financial Planning Ltd, based in Poole, Dorset. The company focuses on helping clients live fulfilling lives through dynamic financial planning, coaching, mentoring, and asset management.
In December 2022, Gary transferred 100% of his shares to an Employee Ownership Trust, making all team members indirect owners. Blue Sky operates with a strong emphasis on ESG principles. Gary is honored to partner at the Dorset Business Festival and present awards to companies that share this ethos.
lEILA
Lorem ipsum..
Phil Sayles
Principal & CEO
Bournemouth and Poole College
Phil has been Principal of Bournemouth and Poole College since January 2022, following a 20-year career in education and skills. He has worked extensively with major employers to support their training needs.
The college offers technical education to school leavers and adults and is a leading apprenticeship provider in the UK. It covers almost every sector, is developing T-Level courses, has a Degree Centre on its Poole Campus, and recently received planning approval for a new £30m building.
lEILA
Lorem ipsum..
Simon Cassin
Managing Director
Ouch Learning and Development Ltd
Simon is a highly experienced people leader and has worked in or provided training and support to clients across multiple industries and business sectors. Simon is the managing director of Ouch Learning and Development Ltd., which provides learning opportunities and business support across various risk management topics, including H&S, first aid, mental health, behavioural change, and applied ethics.
After studying psychology, philosophy and applied and professional ethics at university, Simon has become a strong advocate for the benefits of implementing a philosophical and psychological approach to business activities.
