Press release: Over 2,000 sustainability and procurement leaders will join Transform Europe 2021, 23-24 November, to discuss how to put sustainability as the new business imperative

2021 now stands as the ‘make or break’ moment. We need to see a shift towards a sustainable, collective mindset throughout a company and its value chain, integrating sustainable practices into every job description, and function, and ensuring sustainability is ingrained in every idea, action and investment

Sustainability is now the business imperative. It must be adopted to uphold and advance the reputation, resilience and long-term profitability of the business. Yet, delivering a sustainable business is no longer limited to the sustainability function; the entire value chain has a critical role to play in transforming business to be both purpose and profit driven. To make demonstrable advancements, businesses must focus their efforts on their supply chains, which harbour the biggest issues and opportunities. Collaborations and partnerships need to be scaled, procurement and sourcing teams must be supported, and all available technology has to be deployed.

Reuters Events: Transform Europe 2021 will convene senior sustainability, procurement and sourcing decision makers – tasked to implement systemic change across large, complex global supply chains – to discuss HOW they are helping make sustainability the business imperative.

First speakers named include:

• Dave Ingram, Chief Procurement Officer, Unilever

• Regine Lucas, Chief Procurement Officer, L’Oréal

• Cristina Kenz, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kraft Heinz

• Jim Townsend, Chief Procurement Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance

• Stacey Tank, Chief Transformation Officer, Heineken

• Miguel Veiga-Pestana, Head of Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer, Reckitt

Key topics of conversation include:

Net Zero and Real Zero: All eyes are on companies and their work to achieve their ambitious climate and carbon goals. Discerning judgement from consumers, shareholders and employees means that there is zero tolerance for greenwashing or carbon offsetting shortcuts. Learn just how to deliver strategised, goal-driven and transparent change across your supply chain to get closer to your net-zero goals.

Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain: As a result of its day-to-day engagement with manufacturers, suppliers and coalitions along the entire supply chain, the procurement and sourcing functions are uniquely positioned to accelerate transformation, and deliver on ESG commitments. Hear how procurement professionals are transforming their own role and utilising it in the interest of pushing forward the sustainability agenda for the whole business.

Plastics and Packaging: For many businesses, going fully circular isn’t achievable in the short-term. With the lack of commercially viable infrastructure and products available, the war on plastics must be re-evaluated. Understand how to take a refreshed look at the packaging dilemma by finding ways to balance, and explain, their approach to reduce, remove and replace polluting materials.

The full agenda and further details can be found on the Reuters Events: Transform Europe 2021 homepage.

Transform Europe 2021 is produced by Reuters Events and powered by Reuters’ award-winning newsroom. Reuters Events was created in October 2020 after Thomson Reuters acquired FC Business Intelligence. It delivers high-end conferences and exhibitions to diverse sectors including energy, insurance, pharmaceuticals, transportation, travel, strategy and technology. Its offerings help senior business professionals stay at the forefront of change through insight sharing and networking with peers.