Introducing the experts, thought-leaders and influencers who will shape the content and discussions at the Sustainable Event Summit, 23rd October 2024 at The Showman’s Show. Read the programme and register for the free open to all afternoon sessions HERE
Andrew Lansley is Innovation Manager for Cheltenham Festivals and has worked for almost 30 years in cross sector roles including culture, events, academia, politics, broadcast and innovation. Leading on research and project delivery within creative ecosystems, event sustainability & accessibility policy, mental health, and the future of cultural placemaking, he specialises in intersectional, regenerative projects around the UK and beyond. He is a member of the Barnwood Circle, a trustee for Youth Music and Global Local and works as a Senior Academic at the University of Gloucestershire.
As CEO Bonnie is responsible for the overall management and strategy for GIG, Eat to the Beat, Bonnie May Food & Events and e2b and leads a multi-disciplined team. Together they deliver world-class events and brand logistic support to lavish private events, royal weddings, governmental summits, international automotive roadshows, world expos and major sporting events worldwide. Having worked within the business for over 30 years, Bonnie has been involved in some incredible events and played an integral role in the Group’s expansion and growth.
As MD of White Light, Bryan led the sustainability strategy of the company including achieving B Corps Status and ISO14001 accreditation. Since stepping away from the company early in 2024 he has been concentrating on various sustainability initiatives including the Theatre Green Book and working organisations such as PLASA, Music Venues Trust and ABTT as well as continuing to work with d&b/White Light and other SMEs on their sustainability strategies.
An experienced editor, journalist and content consultant, Chris has been the editor of Access All Areas (AAA) since 2020. Chris oversees editorial, video and conference content across all AAA platforms, including the magazine, website, Backstage podcast, roundtables, AAA Explores video series, and events including the AAA Conference & Awards, Event Production Show conference and Event Production Awards. Being passionate about the environment and wanting to help to drive awareness of sustainable event solutions and innovations, Chris has dedicated multiple editions of AAA to the subject.
Chris has been a climate activist in the festival space for over a decade. He is co-founder and Sustainability Lead of Shambala festival, Chair of Vision :2025 – the environmental steering group for the UK outdoor event industry, co-founding member of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), co-founder and CEO of sustainable travel charity onboard:earth, columnist, and speaker.
Feimatta Conteh is Senior Manager, Environmental Responsibility for Arts Council England – working with colleagues to support creative and cultural organisations and practitioners to embed environmental responsibility. From 2020-2023, she was Environmental Sustainability Manager for Factory International, advising and working with all teams to integrate environmental sustainability into their practice.
Graham Brown is Director of Brown Fox Comms, he sits on the board Vision: 2025 and is a trustee of onboard:earth both focused on promoting and enabling carbon reduction for events and tours, in the face of the climate crisis.
Graham launched Plaster Creative Communications in 1998, building a team serving the event and tech sectors, moving on to launch Brown Fox Comms in February 2020. Event sustainability is a central ethos of the work they undertake. He has hosted the Sustainable Event Summit for 9 years.
Hannah runs betternotstop, a sustainability impact agency, helping purpose-driven businesses to implement strategies, policies and frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, B Corp Certification and Carbon Literacy to increase both their revenue and customer base. Hannah also founded the Better Business Network. A community of like-minded founders and leaders that create energy and action.
As CEO, LIVE, Jon leads an organisation representing the UK’s £5.2 bn live music sector with his board comprising representatives from festivals and venues, artists and managers, agents, promoters, orchestras, production and beyond. LIVE presents a single voice to Government and the media for this creative and economically significant sector. The team works across Whitehall on issues such as sustainability, touring, safety and promoting Britain as a great place to visit, study and invest.
Jon joined the Compass Group family in 2014, became Managing Director of Levy UK + Ireland in 2018 and more recently CEO. His interest in all things culinary and hospitality, coupled with his love of sport and entertainment, makes this the perfect role for him. Jon’s commitment for the planet and leading the industry into a more sustainable future is steadfast. He is passionate about collaborating with like-minded suppliers and partnering with clients to join Levy’s quest of minimising environmental footprint and having a positive social impact. Jon says the best part of his job is working with great people in the Levy team, and the variety of working with such prestigious venues throughout the UK and beyond.
John Rostron is the Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, the UK’s festival representative body. AIF membership has grown rapidly in recent years and now supports 142 of the leading independent music festivals in the UK. John also Chairs the LIVE Expert Group for festivals. In 2023 John was appointed to the Board of Creative Wales – the Welsh Govt department for the Creative Industries. He advises on the Music Sector in Wales.
Phil was CEO of TicketSellers and Eventree until both companies were sold to Citizen Ticket in April 2024. He now serves on the board of Citizen Ticket and holds the roles of Chief Product Officer.
Paul Schurink is an expert in the field of temporary energy supply, sustainability and innovations. He holds a MBE in energy systems and has been involved with a variety of large-scale events, festivals and (world) tours including Coldplay, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, the Olympic Games, UEFA EURO 2012 and The Ocean Race.
Since joining Material Focus, Rowan has made it her mission to produce a resource for the events industry based upon Material Focus’ expertise in e-waste management and changing consumer behaviour, making vape and electrical recycling a more approachable topic for festival organisers and audiences alike
Richard Phillips is a consultant and facilitator for sustainability in the music sector at pioneering culture and climate non-profit Julie’s Bicycle. Richard provides climate and environmental expertise across the breadth of live and recorded music, from festivals and venues, to record labels, management teams and touring. His work includes advising on decarbonisation strategies, delivering technical carbon measurement, leading research deep-dives on specific industry challenges to sustainability and building communities around environmental action.
Suzanne is the Founder of Attitude is Everything and she co-leads the organisation with the Managing Director Celia Makin-Bell. Together they provide strategic direction and leadership in accordance with the organisation’s vision and mission. Suzanne is also the organisation’s Environmental Champion. Over she career, she has received some accolades – an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to music, arts and disabled people, an ‘Access All Areas Editor’s Award’ at the Event Production Awards, and Music Week’s Women in Music ‘Campaigner of the Year’ Award.
Vikki is Live Nation’s Head of Sustainability for the UK & Ireland. She works to implement Green Nation, Live Nation’s sustainability charter, across their festivals, venues and tours. Vikki has been with the Live Nation family since 2016 having previously worked as Sustainability Coordinator at Festival Republic where she was recognised as a Creative Green Champion by Julie’s Bicycle in 2018. She is part of the first cohort of the Creative Climate Leader alumni and sits on the steering group of Vision 2025 & Powerful Thinking.
Co-director at a public safety, event operations and crowd management consultancy company. As part of our remit I fulfil the Senior Event Manager role at Junction 2 Festival, which incorporates leading on the event’s sustainability policy.