Last month, our Head of Climate and Sustainability attended the Blue Earth Summit in London, a leading gathering for businesses and change makers driving a regenerative future. Here she shares her highlights.
Walking into Woolwich Works for Blue Earth Summit this year felt like entering a buzzing hub of purpose-driven energy. You were surrounded by founders, corporates, investors and activists – all drawn to find real solutions for regenerating the natural world. Over three days, the schedule was packed: plenaries, panels and workshops (not to mention DJs and yoga) covering topics from oceans and water scarcity to circular economy, energy transition and nature-based solutions. The format encouraged interaction, from startup pitch sessions to investor meetings and plenty of networking.
Attending the summit was, once again, an energising reminder of what’s possible when people from across sectors come together around a shared purpose. It’s a whirlwind of people, sounds, ideas and coffee!
Among the many highlights for me, Chris Packham’s keynote, conversations on ocean pollution, rehabilitation and grassroots action with Giles Bristow, Sandy Luk and Tony Juniper CBE (from Surfers Against Sewage, Marine Conservation Society, Natural England) offered both realism and hope. Inspiration also came from Tom Kay of Finisterre, whose story reminded us that building a purpose-driven business takes courage and persistence; and from Jose Roberto of Segura, whose award-winning work on accessible water monitoring is now being taken forward in collaboration with Earthwatch Europe.
There was also the joy of reconnecting with so many brilliant minds across climate, nature and sustainability – individuals and organisations who continue to push boundaries and inspire change. The immersive aspects of the summit such as outdoor sessions, walking, yoga, and nature-connected experiences – added an unconventional, grounding twist to the event, keeping the focus firmly on place, planet and practical action.
What stood out most was the theme of action. This wasn’t just another conference full of vague ambition. Business as a force for good was front and centre, partnering with nature, innovation, investment and community all at once. As one write-up put it, “We already have the biggest carbon capture machine; it’s called nature.” From an attendee perspective, there was a powerful mix of hope, challenge and community: a reminder of how much remains to be done, but also how much energy exists to tackle it.
For us at Oxford HR, gatherings like Blue Earth Summit are a powerful reflection of what drives our work, helping purpose-led organisations identify and support the leaders who turn ambition into tangible impact. Whether it’s championing inclusive leadership, fostering collaboration, or rethinking what sustainability looks like in practice, we see every day how strong, values-driven leadership can accelerate change.
Zoe Greenwood
Zoe is Deputy Executive Director at Oxford HR, overseeing all of the organisation’s sector areas, with a particular focus on Climate, Nature and Sustainability. She brings deep expertise in inclusive recruitment and co-leadership, alongside a strong interest in advocacy, justice and feminist organisations.
Zoe has led CEO, Board and Director-level searches for a wide range of organisations, including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Global Canopy, Ethical Tea Partnership, Positive Money, Manufacture 2030, Womankind and Climate Emergency Collaboration Group. Before joining Oxford HR, Zoe spent 16 years working across environmental NGOs in communications, field management, partnerships and leadership development. She has led cross-sector partnerships involving local organisations, global NGOs and businesses to embed sustainability principles, and has worked in some of the world’s most biodiverse regions alongside climate scientists to design and deliver nature-based behaviour change programmes for corporate leaders, teachers and young people.
In 2018, Zoe co-founded Climate Change Coaches, an organisation focused on accelerating the green transition through coaching. She is a trained coach and facilitator, and is also actively involved in the B Corp movement. In her space time she supports community development and youth engagement in Oxford.
