The theme of our conference on 24 October 2013 was “Business Success through Serving Society”.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols opened the conference. ‘Our agenda today continues to reflect an underlying ethos of the project; the need for a whole community to play their part in ensuring that business success is intertwined with the success of the society that allows business to thrive. It is not a credible alternative to focus solely on maximising profit and making amends to society as an afterthought. All the actors in society need to play their part, from companies, investors in companies, and social commentators , to academics and institutions that represent people in society. Hence the broad range of our conversation today’. For the full text of the speech click here

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury also addresed the conference. Drawing on the parable of the generous vineyard owner – with his ‘deep sense of belonging to community’ – the Archbishop used his keynote speech to propose perspectives that ‘should be at the heart of our ethics’ in order to tackle issues of regeneration. He called for a financial services system which is ‘positive about entrepreneurs’, recognising the ‘dignity’ and ‘integrity’ of human beings and allowing them ‘to take risks, to succeed, and to fail.’  This may lead to our society rediscovering ‘the importance of the human being with whom we deal,’ he said. Click here for the full text.

Conference Programme

The Change Imperative

John Kay, academic & commentator

The Message and the Framework
Loughlin Hickey & Sue Garrard

What is the role of boards & management in leading the way?
Panel to include:
Bob Walker, Chairman, Barratt Developments plc
Sir Ian Gibson, Chairman, Morrisons
Paul Feeney, CEO, Old Mutual Wealth Management
Noreen Doyle, Non Executive Director Credit Suisse & Newmont Mining

Are investors incentivised to serve society?
Panel to include:
Saker Nusseibeh, CEO, Hermes Fund Managers
Anne Richards, CIO, Aberdeen
James Macpherson, MD, BlackRock
Jeremy Cohen, Europe Chair Business + Social Purpose, Edelman
John Kay

Key note address – Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

How can wider society promote positive change?
Panel to incude:
Sir Richard Lambert, former director general CBI, chair of new professional body on banking standards
Frances O’Grady, general secretary, TUC
Dame Barbara Stocking former CEO Oxfam GB

Audio files of the speeches and  panel discussions will be posted to this site shortly
See #B4Biz13 to see our twiiter feed on the day and since!