Making Commercial Sense of Sustainability

Sponsored by the British Furniture Association, Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, Ocee + Four Design, Panaz, SATRA and UK Sustainable Flooring Alliance

In the current economic climate, many furniture companies are challenged by the commercial realities of transitioning to ‘green’. What are the barriers? Price versus ‘green’? How do we communicate commitments and relevance to customers?

Leading members of the furniture and furnishing sector will discuss the issues and describe how commitments to sustainability are supporting their overall business strategy.

11.00 am Welcome

• Jessica Alexander, Senior Warden, The Furniture Makers’ Company
• Joanna Knight, Chair – Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, The Furniture Makers’ Company

11.15 am Transitioning to ‘green’: The achievements and the barriers. Panel discussion (30 minutes)

• Moderator: Joanna Knight
• Manufacturer – Amalie Aarestrup, Sustainability Manager, Colebrook Bosson Saunders
• Manufacturer – Tim Morton, Sustainability Data & Projects Analyst, Simba Sleep
• Manufacturer – Rollie Attard, Managing Director, Panaz
• Q&A

12.00 pm Business Resilience

• Managing Climate risks – commodity shortages, supply chain failures – Kate Wright, DFS Group
• Legislation Update – TBC
• Q&A

12.50 pm Lunch

1.45 pm Communicating ‘Green’ Commitments

• Company Carbon Footprint – Science Based Target Initiative – Kate Wright, DFS Group
• FISP: John Hubbard, Lead Auditor, FIRA International
• EPDs, PEF, Carbon Footprint, Circularity, Digital Product Passports Joanna Knight – Fellow of the Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals
• Katie Furmston – PhD Student and Design Conformity

2.30 pm The Circular Economy

• Designing for Circularity – James Lawrence, Head of Design, Ocee & Four Design
• Reuse and Take Back – Cathie Clarke, UK Sustainable Flooring Alliance
• Jake Margiotta, Returnal
• Q&A

4.00 pm End

Admission

Members: FREE (request promo code)
Non-members: £25

Lunch is included.