Organised by B Lab UK, Louder Than Words: The B Corp Festival will take place on September 10 and 11.
B Lab UK is the non-profit behind the UK B Corp movement. B Corp firms have been judged by B Lab UK to have high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
The event will kick-start with Mary Portas, the co-chair of B Lab UK’s flagship campaign, The Better Business Act, and founder of B Corp Portas Agency.
She will deliver a keynote speech on driving a positive shift in business culture.
She said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at Louder Than Words this year.
“Business leaders in this country are ready to drive the movement for positive change. The momentum and the success of the B Corp network is testament to this.
“The question now is less why and more how. How do we make the restless pursuit of better the norm in the UK and lead the world by example.
“Because change comes through action, not words. And action comes when we come together to share, learn, challenge, and inspire. That’s why events like these are so important.”
Patrick Grant, founder and director of Community Clothing and judge of The Great British Sewing Bee, will open the second day of the festival.
Oxford’s New Theatre will host a discussion about ways to effectively change the UK economy for the better, with panellists including British lawyer and activist Farhana Yamin, former managing director of Ben & Jerry’s, Anuradha Chugh, and former UK energy minister, Chris Skidmore.
The UK B Corp community is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with more than 2,000 businesses – twice as many as 18 months ago.
As well as headline moments at New Theatre, more than 50 fringe agenda sessions will take place across the city.
The Guardian will focus on how to tell sustainability stories with integrity, Patagonia will speak about how to help protect wild salmon and The Living Wage Foundation will share what’s next for good work in the UK.
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK and campaign director of the Better Business Act, said: “It will be an event that showcases the very best of British business, with a whole host of brilliant speakers and businesses exploring the role that business can play in ensuring our world is one where society and the natural environment can thrive.”
