Sustainability Summit 2025

April 3, 2025, Birmingham NEC

3rd April – 8:30 – 17:00
Birmingham, Hilton Metropole NEC

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British Footwear Association (BFA) has been supporting the footwear industry for over 126 years. As a non-profit organisation, we’re proud to work with businesses across the UK and beyond, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
 
Sustainability Summit 2025 is designed to address some of the most pressing issues facing the footwear industry today. With the rapid pace of change in legislation, technology, and sustainability practices, this event will bring together global experts to explore solutions and share practical advice on key topics such as circularity, materials, legislation and AI.

Tickets

Agenda

Richard Shetliffe,
CEO, British Footwear Association
 
Professor Christine White,
De Montfort University
Host: Dr. Andrew Hudson,
Managing Director, Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd
 
10:20 Compliance & Regulatory Landscape
Rhian Owen,
Project Manager for Sustainability Services, Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd
 
10:40 Introduction to the Apparel & Footwear Quality Association
Philip Rydhard,
Senior Director of Group Quality, ECCO
 
10:55 Panel Discussion, Stepping Forward: Navigating Sustainability Legislation  
Nicola Pitchel-Juan,
Head of Sustainability, SATRA Technology Centre
Paul Bridge,
Global Head Footwear, Leather and Accessories, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services
Justin Patel,
Managing Director, International Dance Shoes
Kerry Senior,
Director, Leather UK
Host: Alberto Mattiello,
Business Futurist, Scientific Committee Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags
 
11:55 Fireside Chat, Digital Product Passports
Kevin Dixie,
Co-Founder, Buyerdock
Dan Gyves,
Managing Director, Esska Design Ltd
 
12:15 Tech spotlight: Startup Innovations in Sustainability
Tatiana Alexa,
Founder & CEO, Sangrove
 
12:20 Tech spotlight: Startup Innovations in Sustainability
Joe Darwen,
CEO & Founder, Circkit
 
12:25 Fireside Chat, Product Lifecycle Management
Mark Gaydon,
Account Executive, Centric Software UK
Rosie Cripps
Head of Revivo and Circularity, Vivobarefoot
 
12:45 Tech spotlight: Startup Innovations in Sustainability
James Omisakin,
Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Compare Ethics
 
12:50 Tech spotlight: Startup Innovations in Sustainability
Simon Payne,
Co-Founder, SoleResponsibility
Host: Joanne Jorgensen,
Founder CEO, TeamGlue
 
14:10 Panel Discussion, Advancing Circular & Sustainable Materials
Daniel Whitely,
Footwear Collective
Amanda Johnston,
Curator and Education Consultant, The Sustainable Angle
Jack Millington,
Founder, Billy Tannery
Thomas Bogle
Founder & CEO, Solum
 
14:40 Spotlight Huddle: Next-Gen Leather: Innovation for a Circular Future
Tuze Mekik,
Group Head of Sustainability, Dr. Martens
Alice Robinson,
Designer and co-founder, British Pasture Leather
 
14.50 Building a Sustainable Future: Sustainable Leather Processing
Chinnasami Anbumalar,
Vice Chair, P A Footwear Ltd, India
Host: Joanne Jorgensen,
Founder CEO, TeamGlue
 
15:30 Wild Futures – Strategic Foresight for Regeneration
Session Opening Geraldine Wharry,
Fashion Futurist & Regenerative Futures Architect
 
15:40 Trailblazers Lounge, Redesigning Footwear for a Circular Future
Helen Kirkum,
Director, Helen Kirkum Studio
Solene Roure,
Co-Founder & Creative Director, Circle Sportswear
Will Verona,
Founder, PURIFIED FOOTWEAR
 
16:00 Presentation: Stitching social impact into clothing & shoe circularity
Alexandre Gilbert,
Vice President, International Business Development, Soles4Souls
Mike Shirey,
COO and EVP, Circularity, Soles4Souls
 
16:15 Fireside Chat: Closing the Footwear Loop
Sophie van Kol,
Innovation Manager Footwear, Fashion for Good
Dr. Natalie Fohrer
Corporate Social Responsibility, Deichmann
 
16:30 Closing Remarks Circularity
Joanne Jorgensen,
Founder CEO, TeamGlue
Thomas Bogle,
Founder and CEO, Solum
Richard Shetliffe,
CEO, British Footwear Association

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