The climate emergency and social inequality are profound and pressing problems, thrown into sharp relief by the COVID crisis, that can only be solved if we harness the enormous potential of entrepreneurs, innovation and enterprise.
The world needs business at its best – creating good jobs, helping to fix pressing problems and adding value to society. But at precisely this point in history, trust in business is low and examples abound of poor governance leading not just to poor business outcomes but harmful damage to communities and the environment. We don’t need to accept these outcomes as inevitable, but rather strive to do better in our boardrooms. Voters, consumers and investors expect this now. Research shows that UK voters and consumers want business to do better. Three quarters of the UK public think business has a responsibility to protect the environment and the majority favour brands that do good in the world.
What do we mean by better? This means freeing decision-makers in business to act in everyone’s long term interests – combining traditions of good stewardship and responsibility with new ideas to meet the challenges of the 21st century. There is evidence that business in the UK has taken the lead in reforming its practices around purpose, but we need the statutes and policies to ensure these become the norm. Specifically, this means putting purpose at the heart of company law and the fiduciary responsibility of directors.
A small change in the law will make a big change in the world. It will allow businesses to make decisions in all of our long term interests, helping to create a fairer, greener future.
Discuss this event on Twitter using the hashtag #BristolLectures.
This event will take place online only. The University is currently restricting events on campus to help control the spread of the transmission and we must continue to play our role in reducing the spread of the virus. We hope to be back to in person events for the Autumn series, thank you for your understanding.
Register & more information
UWE Bristol is one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West. We are globally connected and regionally embedded, with strong employer and partner connections.
The Courts – hard hat tour of Bristol’s newest Creative Enterprise Hub
4pm
-5pm
The Courts, Bristol, BS1 2AG
Networking
You are invited to join Creative Youth Network for a hard hat tour of Bristol’s newest Creative Enterprise Hub – The Courts! These will take place on Tuesday 12th December from 4-5pm – get in touch now to attend!
Bristol Business Development Meetup
9am
-10am
Online
Roundtable
A free Meetup for anyone working in Business Development.
Introduction to Unreal Engine – 3 day course in Bath
9am
-5pm
Newton Park Campus, University of Bath Spa, Bath
Training
Are you interested in learning Unreal Engine? Do you want to advance your career in the creative tech industries or are looking to enter the creative tech industries? Do you live or work in the Bristol/ Bath area? Do you identify as being from a group or groups currently under represented in the creative tech industries?
If yes, please check out the details of the new 3 day MyWorld Introduction to Unreal Engine Training course – its free of charge but you need to sign up to be considered for a place by 09:00 on Monday 11 December!