On 10th November 2023, we hosted the 2nd BIG South London Business, Innovation & Growth Summit at The Exchange in Twickenham.
The event included talks around achieving Net Zero, panel sessions discussing Skills, Finance and Innovation as well as a busy Net Zero Exhibition and Innovation Showcase with Lighting Pitches throughout the day from some of the brightest minds in South London. We celebrated the achievements of the South London Business community at our awards ceremony, honouring BIG South London-backed businesses. That evening, we hosted a post-summit dinner and refreshments, offering our delegates the opportunity to network and discuss the day’s activities.
You can catch up on the action in the video and images below or read the press release here.
Watch the video
BIG Summit 2023 Photo Gallery
BIG Summit 2023 Illustration Summary
Session write-ups
Keynote: Opportunity London, Opportunity Net Zero: A new partnership approach for the capital
Speaker:
Jace Tyrrell, CEO of Opportunity London
Read a summary of the session
Panel 1: What's happening, What's working, Where are the opportunities?
Speakers:
Matthew Hamilton, Director, South London Partnership | Andrew Hagger, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability for London Borough of Richmond and of Wandsworth | Jane Mossman, Head of Business Decarbonisation, West London Business, Better Futures | Luan Baptista, Climate Partnership Manager, London Borough of Sutton | Nicola Bradley, Business Engagement Lead | Gosbert Chagula, Co-Founder & Head of Programmes
Read a summary of the session Challenge 1: People - Skills for a Net Zero Economy
Speakers:
Polly Persechino, Head of Economy, Skills & Employment, South London Partnership | Dianna Neal, Strategic Lead for Enterprise, Economy and Skills, London Councils | Mark Corbett, Head of Policy & Networks, London Higher | Richard Keogh, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and External Engagement), University of Roehampton | Peter Mayhew-Smith, Principal & CEO, South Thames Colleges Group | Forbes Low, Chief Executive, Kingston Chamber of Commerce | Rachel Bennett, Strategic Lead, South London Careers Hub
Challenge 2: Investment - Financing Innovation & Infrastructure for the Green Transition
Speakers:
Duncan Brown, Assistant Director of Regeneration & Economic Development at the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames | Mario Gruber, Researcher & consultant, Westminster City Council | John McNamara, Innovate UK EDGE Invest-ability Investment Readiness Specialist | Pru Ashby, Head of Sustainability for London & Partners | Jonathon Clark, Head of Investment Programmes, Capital Enterprise
Read a summary of the session Challenge 3: Innovation – Accelerating Net Zero innovations into practical use
Speakers:
Chris Baker, Director at Studio Zao| Chloe Donovan, Managing Director of Natural Building Systems and Material Research LTD | Jasmine Husband, Place of London | Neil Pearce, Head of Commercial Enterprise at LSBU | Shona Campbell, Knowledge Transfer Adviser for Innovate UK
Panel 2: Leading placed-based approaches to realising Net Zero
Speakers:
Paul Kirkbright, Head of Partnerships, SLP & BIG South London | Kirsty MaCauley, Senior Clinical Programme Manager, Anchors & Sustainability Network, NHS England – London | Michelle Reeves, Senior Manager, Policy and Programmes, GLA & London Research & Policy Partnership | Liz Shutt, Programme Director, Insights North-East | Jecel Censoro, Net Zero Lead, Insights North-East
Read a summary of the session
