The University of Northampton’s Annual Sustainability Summit is back for its third and most ambitious edition on June 30 and July 1, yet again welcoming leaders from business, local government, the charity sector and academia.
Taking place at the University’s Waterside Campus, the summit provides a crucial platform for dialogue, inspiration, innovation and partnership – at a time when cross-sector collaboration has never been more essential as sustainability comes under threat.
The theme of this year’s summit, Building Sustainable Organisations: Strategies and Partnerships for Enhancing Positive Impact, reflects the growing need for organisations to embed sustainability a core strategic pillar. Over two days, attendees will explore the models, mindsets and mechanisms that enable businesses and institutions to create positive environmental, social and economic impact.
The event will be opened by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson, whose pres- ence underlines the importance of sustainability as a regional as well as national priority. His address will set the tone for a summit grounded in ambition and unity of purpose.
One of the headline speakers is Stéphane Bazire, Head of Business Sustainability at Silverstone Circuits Ltd. In a keynote session, Stéphane will show how a global brand such as Silverstone embeds sustainability at the heart of its operations – bridging high-performance sport with environmental and social responsibility. His address will offer practical tips on aligning organisational purpose with long-term sustainability stewardship.
Summit highlights
The 2025 programme includes:
- Keynote on geo-political issues and their influence on sustainability trends
- Strategies for developing a win-win approach to sustainability and success
- Interactive sessions on turning strategy into measurable outcomes
- Real-world case studies from businesses driving change
- How to communicate sustainability initiatives effectively
In partnership with the UK’s Business Climate Hub and the Institute of Directors, the summit is also hosting a live streamed session on Supply Chains and Sustainable Procurement. This will address the growing pressures on small and medium-sized businesses for mandatory sustainability reporting as well as disclosure and pre- approvals when tendering for contracts.
In addition, the event will incorporate the Sustainable Innovation Challenge – a student-led competition where interdisciplinary teams develop and present solutions to live sustainability challenges set by local businesses and partners. This initiative highlights the University’s ongoing commitment to collaborative learning.
Catalyst for action
The summit is more than a talking shop – it’s a catalyst for action. Since the inaugural event in 2023, the summit has spurred the creation of the Northampton Sustainability Accord, a shared regional roadmap for sustainability, and SLIPAH (Sustainability Local Innovation Partnership Agenda Hub), a network linking researchers, policymakers, businesses and community groups to accelerate sustainable innovation.
One of SLIPAH’s flagship initiatives is TANZ West Northants, a two-year programme supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by the University’s Centre for Sustainable Business Practices. TANZ works directly with organisations to help them understand and make progress towards Net Zero goals – with loads of practical tools and insights.
Collective impact
The summit reflects regional aspirations for sustainable growth. It accepts that no single organisation can solve today’s challenges on their own. By bringing together thought leaders, change-makers and young talent, the summit objectives are to build enduring capacity and effective networks that support the region’s ambitions for a fairer, greener economy.
Participants will benefit from active networking, best practice knowledge, and a chance to shape the South Midlands sustainability agenda. There are a wide range of sponsorship packages available – the event offers a valuable opportunity for organisations to align their brand with high profile and impactful sustainability initiatives.
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