You asked, we listened. Retail Week’s first Responsible Retail Summit is born out of our acclaimed Sustainability Summit, broadening its reach with impactful content designed to help you solve the most business-critical challenges and realise opportunities on the horizon surrounding ESG and responsible retailing.
Over four hours, expect content that will make you think differently about your ESG and CSR strategies. We’ll be exploring not only the environmental issues retailers must tackle today, but the social responsibilities employers need to address, and the governance factors shaping decision making.
Beyond the agenda, there will be 60 minutes of unmissable networking, giving you the chance to speak candidly with your peers in an off-the-record environment, sharing best practice and learnings across retail sectors.
And that’s not all. Our Responsible Retailing Showcase returns for 2025 – a celebration of burgeoning brands with ethical retailing at their heart – with businesses bringing samples and information for you to learn from and be inspired by.
Demand is expected to be high – our last three Sustainability Summits reached capacity with wait lists – so be sure to register your interest early to secure your attendance.
Apply for a place
Attendance at the Responsible Retail Summit is limited and reserved exclusively for senior leaders from retailers and retail brands.
Tickets are priced at £50 per person. Register your interest for a place at the summit, and our team will be in touch to confirm your attendance and share details on how you can purchase your ticket.
Agenda
8.30-9.05: Breakfast and networking
9.05-9.10: Welcome address
9.10-9.35: Keynote speech | Decathlon’s Circular Transition
Nearly two-thirds of the UK shoppers surveyed by Retail Week (60%) rank ‘the sustainability of products’ as an important influence on their shopping behaviour, but what drives them to act on it at the checkout?
In this keynote session, Decathlon’s Director of Sustainability Chris Allen explores the retailer’s 20-year sustainability journey, from the circular challenge the brand is facing, to exploring the path they’re on, the bigger picture for the wider retail industry and what’s next to come for the retailer.
9.35-10.00: Panel | What really counts as responsible retail?
Being an ESG leader can feel like an impossible task in 2025.
The set of considerations required to ensure you meet the ‘responsible' criteria spans ethics, sustainability, technology, consumer trust and more.
The targets are steep, the timescales are tight and the repercussions of getting it wrong are high.
So, what should leaders really be prioritising to achieve ‘responsible retail’ status in 2025? What are the true metrics of success? And what role are AI and emerging technology playing to drive change?
In this panel, we bring together retailers and industry experts to explore:
- What ‘responsible retail’ really means in 2025 and the soon-to-be business-critical areas you might have overlooked
- How to take stock of what's going well, what needs improvement and which measurement tools are designed with responsibility in mind
- How brands can implement AI and innovative technologies with integrity and protect their businesses from cyber threats along the way
Speakers include:
- Joanna Gluzman, Director of Sustainable Business, B&Q
- Jessica Long, Head of ESG, Holland & Barrett
- Moderated by Rebecca Taylor, Commercial Content Editor, Retail Week
10.00-10.25: In conversation | The cost of going green: balancing budgets and environmental impact
Sustainability is fundamental to retail today, but so are profits.
While going green won’t necessarily break the bank, it can come at a cost for retailers, which, amid a volatile economic landscape, can provoke tension between green targets and financial realities.
In this session, we will bring together leading retailers and industry experts to explore:
- Which sustainability initiatives have the strongest business case, with real-world examples of cost-effective wins.
- How to balance sustainability and cost KPIs, and measure and compare their effect across business functions.
- Strategies for improving internal stakeholder alignment to boost collaboration between sustainability, finance, procurement and operations teams.
Speakers include:
- Hannah Cornick, Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, Danone UK & Ireland
- Terry Gardner, Account Director, Acopia
- Moderated by Hugh Radojev, News Editor, Retail Week
10.25-11.05: Coffee and networking
11.05-11.35: Panel | Who is really responsible for driving ethical and sustainable consumption?
The challenges of sustainable retail transformation can’t be tackled by retailers alone.
Customers should be adopting more ethical consumption practices, suppliers should be ensuring supply chain evolution and transparency, and the retail sector as a collective should be connecting the dots to drive sustainable messaging forward.
But, when push comes to shove, who does the buck sit with when it comes to driving ethical and sustainable retailing?
In this session, we’ll explore:
- The strategies leading brands are employing to engage customers as active participants in their CSR strategies.
- How partnerships are helping logistics operations become more sustainable.
- Case studies from retailers successfully democratising the sustainability function across their businesses, and what works to engage employees at all levels.
Speakers include:
- Natasha Fry, Head of Sales, Mer UK
- Cathy Moscardini, Head of Sustainability, Depop
- Emma Reynolds, Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Mars Food
- Moderated by Nicola Harrison, Commercial Content Director, Retail Week
11.35-11.55: Fireside chat | Four days, five generations, one workforce: rethinking responsible recruitment and retention
Recruitment and retention aren’t just about keeping boots on the ground.
They’re about building inclusive, flexible and value-led cultures that reflect the evolving expectations of workers and customers alike.
The retailers failing to listen to their colleagues, adapt their recruitment and retention practices, and employ the right technologies to support HR functions will get left behind.
In this conversation, we’ll unpack:
- What’s working, and what isn’t, when it comes to inclusive and cross-generational hiring strategies.
- The future of hybrid and flexible working patterns, such as the four-day week.
- What’s driving the cultural shift to prioritising wellbeing and purpose in the workplace?
- What role should AI be playing in colleague recruitment and retention?
Speakers include:
- Daniel Jenkins, Head of Colleague Development, Timpson Group
- Moderated by Rebecca Taylor, Commercial Content Editor, Retail Week
11.55-12.25: Panel | Walking the talk: how to responsibly communicate ESG claims
Customers, investors and employees are asking more of brands – not just to act responsibly, but to communicate those actions transparently and authentically.
How can retailers find the right balance in communicating their ESG claims, saying enough to build trust without overpromising or oversimplifying?
From product claims to company-wide commitments, in this session we’ll discuss how retailers can ‘walk the talk’. We’ll cover:
- Getting your green and ethical claims right to win customers and stay compliant.
- Why collaboration between sustainability, marketing, legal and product teams is key.
- Moving beyond required reporting and how to share what stakeholders want to know.
Speakers include:
- Karl Arpon, ESG Engagement Manager, Kingfisher
- Ed Ayton, Ethics & Sustainability Advisor, Abel & Cole
- Moderated by Megan Robinson, Senior Reporter, Retail Week
Chris Allen
Chris Allen
Joanna Gluzman
Joanna Gluzman
Karl Arpon
Karl Arpon
Natasha Fry
Natasha Fry
Terry Gardner
Terry Gardner
Daniel Jenkins
Daniel Jenkins
Cathy Moscardini
Cathy Moscardini
Emma Reynolds
Emma Reynolds
Jessica Long
Jessica Long
Hannah Cornick
Hannah Cornick
Speakers
Chris Allen, Director of Sustainability, Decathlon
Decathlon UK’s Director of Sustainability and Head of Circular Economy Chris Allen has over 15 years’ experience across retail, commercial and sustainability leadership. For the past four years, he has led sustainability efforts, specifically driving circular economy initiatives. Previously, as Head of Outdoor, he shaped strategy and customer experiences. With a degree in Sport Engineering, Chris is passionate about sustainability, outdoor adventure and making sports more accessible through responsible business practices.
Joanna Gluzman, Director of Sustainable Business, B&Q
Joanna joined B&Q in July 2024 as Director of Responsible Business, a newly created role for the business, and is responsible for leading B&Q’s sustainability strategy and overall roadmap, ensuring its delivery across the company and on B&Q’s journey to carbon net zero. Joanna has over 25 years of experience spanning ESG and investor relations. Prior to joining B&Q, Joanna held senior positions at PZ Cussons, a FTSE 250 FMCG company as Chief Sustainability Officer, at Avon Cosmetics as Group Director of Sustainability, and at BT Group as Group Director of ESG engagement.
Ed Ayton, Ethics & Sustainability Advisor, Abel & Cole
Karl Arpon, ESG Engagement Manager, Kingfisher
Karl Arpon is an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Engagement Manager who specialises in corporate sustainability reporting, data analytics and stakeholder engagement.
At Kingfisher plc, Karl manages the company’s ESG investor engagement programme alongside the Investor Relations team and oversees the delivery of sustainability disclosures in line with key ESG rating agencies like MSCI, Sustainalytics and ISS. Karl co-manages the delivery of Kingfisher’s Responsible Business reporting suite which includes the company’s annual sustainability report.
Prior to joining Kingfisher, Karl worked at CDP to develop and manage its accountability framework to enable sub-national governments to disclose on their climate change and forest management efforts.
Natasha Fry, Head of Sales, Mer UK
Natasha joined Mer as the Head of Strategic Accounts following Mer’s acquisition of Elmtronics in April 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience of working with fleets.
She is responsible for managing the relationships between Mer and some of the UK’s largest private sector organisations, including several FTSE 250 businesses.
Natasha’s mission is to enable the transition of large EV fleets by ensuring that no stone is left un-turned when EV charging infrastructure is critical to the operation. She is passionate about providing expertise and advice to businesses at every stage of their electrification journey.
Terry Gardner, Account Director, Acopia
With over 14 years at Acopia, Terry Gardner leads new business development while also driving retail strategy, innovation, and key account success. His deep experience in the retail sector and passion for solving complex challenges have made him a trusted advisor to some of the UK’s most recognisable brands.
In 2015, when a national charity approached Acopia to help streamline their procurement, Terry identified the opportunity to create a digital solution—what would eventually become MyAcopia®: their ‘industry-leading’ procurement portal.
Terry’s hands-on approach and industry insight have helped transform procurement processes for clients including Barnardo’s, Oxfam GB, ProCook, Saltrock, Aldo and Dobbies Garden Centres. He continues to shape bespoke solutions that deliver real-world results—always with a focus on efficiency, impact, and innovation.
Daniel Jenkins, Head of Colleague Development, Timpson Group
Daniel has worked for the Timpson group for nearly 17 years. He has spent most of his career in field leadership roles, especially in post-acquisition environments where Timpson Group prioritise cultural change and ensure they inspire colleagues so they can be the best that they can be. Daniel describes himself as a passionate people person and believes it’s important to be kind and remember that leadership is ultimately about communication. Daniel is now the head of colleague development for the Group and his role is to ensure every colleague has the ability and resources to reach their full potential.
Cathy Moscardini, Head of Sustainability, Depop
Cathy Moscardini is Depop’s Head of Sustainability, joining the business in 2021. She is responsible for the development and delivery of Depop’s Impact Goals across net zero, circularity, sustainable operations and marketplace DEI.
During her time at Depop, she has focused on quantifying and communicating the real impact of resale – proving that buying second-hand clothing is not just a trend, but a fundamental driver in reducing fashion’s environmental footprint.
Cathy joined Depop from Given London, where she held the position of Senior Sustainability Strategist and led the development, integration and delivery of sustainability strategies for a range of businesses. Prior to that, Cathy spent four years at a global management consultancy, helping clients to achieve their commitments to responsible business practices and behaviours.
Emma Reynolds, Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Mars Food
As Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Mars Food & Nutrition, Emma Reynolds sits on the Global Food & Nutrition Leadership Team and leads Corporate Affairs for the segment. Home to a portfolio of global food brands including Ben’s Original, Dolmio, MasterFoods, Kevin’s Natural Foods, and Seeds of Change, Mars Food & Nutrition is guided by its purpose to make food tasty, accessible and healthy – Better Food Today. A Better World Tomorrow.
Under Emma’s leadership, the Corporate Affairs team is responsible for promoting and protecting Mars Food & Nutrition’s corporate reputation and building connection with our brands through earned media; driving the business’ purpose-led performance; shaping policy and regulatory environments around the world; driving leadership for the segment on industry topics including health and sustainability; and delivering strategic business communications to its Associates. Emma is also a member of Mars, Inc’s Global Corporate Affairs Leadership Team.
Prior to joining Mars in 2023, Emma worked at Vodafone UK heading up Communications, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, leading campaigns to tackle digital poverty, reform the regulatory and policy environment, and promote the reputation of the business. Prior to Vodafone, Emma worked at AB InBev in a number of Corporate Affairs leadership roles, and at Tesco, as Government Affairs Director.
Jessica Long, Head of ESG, Holland & Barrett
With nearly 20 years’ experience across research, consultancy and commercial insights, Jessica has worked cross sector in driving sustainability initiatives, with a focus on making sustainability sustainable commercially. Her career has spanned Africa, Asia, South America and the UK, including advising heads of state and working within the House of Lords.
Jessica launched Ipsos’ first Climate Change and Sustainability pillar, and later led its ESG consulting practice through Strategy3, helping some of the world's largest corporate multinationals build and optimise their sustainability strategies.
She is passionate about connecting insights and shaping strategy to help organisations make informed, future-focused decisions. Highlights include speaking at COP26, winning the 2024 MCA Award for work in double materiality, and contributing to global thought leadership.
Jessica is Head of ESG at Holland & Barrett, supporting the business in delivering long-term health for people and planet.
Hannah Cornick, Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, Danone UK & Ireland
Hannah is Head of Sustainability and Social Impact for Danone UK & Ireland where she is responsible for embedding the company’s Impact Journey strategy and managing the delivery of Danone’s environmental sustainability and community impact programmes. She is passionate about supporting business growth with purpose and engaging consumers on sustainability. Prior to joining Danone, Hannah led CSR and sustainability strategies for BT/EE and Tesco.
Rebecca Taylor, Commerical Content Editor, Retail Week
Rebecca Taylor is Retail Week’s Commercial Content Editor. She is responsible for helping to grow and deliver bespoke reports and events across themes from stores and the consumer to supply chains and tech. Rebecca has been recognised by the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) and Conference News with their respective 30 Under 30 awards and sits on the PPA’s Next Gen Board, which aims to encourage inclusivity of younger voices across the special interest media sector.
Hugh Radojev, News Editor, Retail Week
Hugh Radojev is News Editor at Retail Week. He currently covers all things retail property, policy, fashion under £250m market cap and the non-big four grocers. He has also written about department stores, direct to consumer brands and emerging retail technologies.
Hugh joined Retail Week in January 2019, from Fundraising Magazine where he held the role of Senior Reporter. He also worked at the BBC with Top Gear Magazine and began his career as Travel Feature Writer and then Acting Editor of TNT Magazine in his native Australia in 2012.
Nicola Harrison, Commercial Content Director, Retail Week
As Commercial Content Director, Nicola leads Retail Week’s growing content marketing business Connect. Her team produces intelligent and timely thought leadership content for a range of big clients such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft through products including comprehensive reports and live and virtual events. Nicola’s job is to ensure quality content across all of Connect’s output and to lead on product development, while ensuring Connect hits its quarterly revenue targets. She chairs panels, speaks at events and delivers client presentations. Nicola has 14 years experience as a business journalist. She has held positions including News Editor and Content Editor at Retail Week, during which time she led the editorial team to a digital-first approach. Nicola joined the Connect team in 2017.
Megan Robinson, Senior Reporter, Retail Week
Megan Robinson is a Senior Reporter at Retail Week. She joined in 2023 and currently covers tech, value, marketplaces and electricals.
She was previously a Junior Reporter at trade publication Mobile News and has written for music, beauty and sustainability publications. She has a BA Hons in Journalism from Kingston University where she also worked as the arts and entertainment editor for the student newspaper.
Rebecca Taylor
Rebecca Taylor
Hugh Radojev
Hugh Radojev
Nicola Harrison
Nicola Harrison
Megan Robinson
Megan Robinson
Sustainability Showcase
Every year, we host a small selection of burgeoning retailers and brands created with sustainability at their core to be part of our Sustainability Showcase. These innovative businesses will be at the 2025 event with samples, information and representatives on hand to provide insight and inspiration.
Bio-D
Bio-D creates powerful eco cleaning products without compromising the planet. Founded in 1989, it is the UK’s leading manufacturer of environmentally responsible, ethically sound and vegan cleaning products.
Using only plant-based and naturally derived ingredients, B Corp certified Bio-D creates a wide range of products, from All Purpose Sanitiser to Laundry Liquid and Bathroom Cleaner, which are available in consumer sizes and larger refills to reduce plastic use.
All of Bio-D’s consumer bottles and five litre refill containers are both kerbside recyclable and created from 100% PCR packaging as opposed to virgin plastic. The brand also runs a closed-loop ‘No Brainer Container’ laundering initiative, which allows retailers to return as little as two empty Bio-D 20 litre refill containers often used as part of a store’s refill station. Helping to further reduce plastic use, the containers are returned, cleaned, refilled and reused.
Bio-D’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of its operations. With a passionate team that believes in making a positive impact, Bio-D has accumulated various accolades. Alongside being the longest registered holder of The Vegan Trademark, a range of its products are also accredited by Allergy UK.
Freckleface
Freckleface is a nature-inspired home fragrance and wellbeing brand rooted in storytelling. Each scent is crafted to evoke memories, emotions, and the beauty of the world around us, transforming everyday spaces into sensory escapes. From hand-poured wax melts to sustainably designed candles, every product is made in Freckleface’s workshop in England with care and conscience. With UK retail stores, a growing trade presence and an online store, Freckleface blends craftsmanship, sustainability and soul to bring the stories of scent to life.
Suri
Every year, over 4 billion toothbrushes end up in landfill or in our oceans. And electric toothbrushes are nothing to smile about either. Decades of needless innovation, outrageously wasteful packaging, and millions more plastic components and batteries that will never be recycled.
Suri has taken the electric toothbrush back to first principles. Creating a design that delivers an exceptional clean for your teeth with a minimal impact on our planet. Suri brush heads are made from plant-based corn starch, and the bristles are made from castor oil. Suri has designed a brush with these innovative materials because it makes them bio-based and reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics. Furthermore, Suri will recycle the heads for free in the UK and the US. The body of the brush is made from aluminium, which makes it long-lasting and easily recycled.
Get involved
Can you help retailers and brands achieve their responsible retail goals? Do you have insights to enable retailers to measure and improve their ESG ratings, wherever they are on their journey?
Sponsorship of the Responsible Retail Summit provides exclusive speaking opportunities, targeted lead generation and brand awareness among a captive audience. Share your insights with retailers and position yourself as a thought leader.
Contact Retail Week’s Commercial Content Director Nicola Harrison to find out more: nicola.harrison@retail-week.com
Alternatively, if you are a retailer with a great story to tell and you would like to speak at the Responsible Retail Summit, please contact Rebecca Taylor at rebecca.taylor@retail-week.com