Starting a better year with the Better Business Summit

Manchester Metropolitan Business School was joined by hundreds of change-makers and innovators at the Better Business Summit on Thursday 19th January 2023, to begin the year of action for people and the planet.

This conference-with-a-twist featured carbon literacy training, keynote speakers from Patagonia, Manchester Metropolitan University and Faith in Nature, micro talks, workshops and tangible ways to become a leader of change.

According to YouGov 60% of people want to go greener, putting sustainability at the top of the agenda for UK business leaders. Especially with the government’s drive to hit net zero by 2050.  
The Better Business Summit is the brainchild of Hannah Cox, founder of sustainability impact agency Betternotstop and The Better Business Network.

The Summit was hosted in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and Ethos magazine and covered everything from leadership and finance to activism, impact and empowerment. 

Organiser Hannah Cox said: “We wanted to create something special in the North West for business leaders who want to make positive changes in their lives, businesses, and the wider world.

“The Better Business Summit provided the opportunity to collaborate and learn from some of the brightest changemakers in the UK.

“With two fantastic partners on board and a great interactive space at the University’s Business School, the 2023 summit was set to inspire attendees and provide tons of actionable takeaways.”

Delegates also joined the action a day early for a one-day accredited carbon literacy training course in Manchester, designed for professionals who want to take action on climate change. There was also a fringe event on Friday 20 January where delegates took in the fresh air and sights of the Peak District. 

Manchester Met has delivered Carbon Literacy training since 2012, helping individuals and businesses understand the causes and impacts of everyday carbon emissions. The training is designed to give an understanding of the science behind climate change and the actions that individuals and businesses can take to address the issues and talk about the subject to others. Those who participate in the training will join organisations like the NHS, Patagonia, and the BBC to become carbon literate. 

Andrew Beattie, the co-founder of Ethos, added: “We like to focus on action in the magazine - things that people can actively do to create change for the better.  

“So the Better Business Summit was a great reason to bring people together to share insights and experience in the pursuit of a better business world.”  

Mandy Parkinson, Head of Business Engagement and Enterprise at Manchester Met, said: “Through our award-winning carbon literacy training and initiatives such as the Manchester Fuel Innovation Centre, PrintCity Network and Eco-I North West programme, we are helping businesses develop and evolve with the green future. 

“As one of the UK’s most sustainable universities, according to the People and Planet University League, we were delighted to be hosting the Better Business Summit and look forward to helping businesses become more sustainable.” 

Businesses were left inspired by all the companies leading the way in sustainability and social impact, networking, workshops, and more. 

It was a great time to join like-minded business leaders and have those important conversations about the climate crisis and needs for change.