Mike Barry - In conversation with Leafr
Event Overview
Sustainability reporting has grown rapidly over the past decade, but reporting alone is not enough. Businesses, investors, and stakeholders now demand tangible impact and verifiable progress.
Join Leafr for an in-depth conversation with Mike Barry, one of the pioneers of sustainable business, as he explores the critical shift from sustainability reporting to action. Drawing on decades of leadership experience at Marks & Spencer and beyond, Mike will share what it takes for organisations to move from publishing reports to driving real-world change.
About Mike Barry
Mike is widely recognised as a leader in sustainable change:
Co-creator of Marks & Spencer’s Plan A, a ground-breaking sustainability programme that delivered £750m of net business benefit and won over 230 awards.
Helped M&S achieve zero-waste-to-landfill, 100% renewable electricity, and carbon neutrality across its global operations.
Global sustainability leadership roles with the World Economic Forum, Consumer Goods Forum, and Business in the Community.
Recognised as Guardian Sustainable Business Innovator of the Year (2011), Ethical Corporation Honouree (2019), and Trustee at Blueprint for Better Business.
Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership and Business Fellow at Oxford University’s Smith Centre.
Mike has worked across corporates, start-ups, charities, and think tanks, always emphasising collaboration, trust, and bold innovation in shaping a sustainable future.
What you’ll learn
In this session, Mike will unpack:
Why reporting is no longer sufficient in today’s fast-changing sustainability landscape.
How businesses can embed sustainability into everyday decision-making.
Lessons from Plan A and how they can be applied across industries.
The role of partnerships, systems thinking, and resilience in accelerating impact.
What it will take for businesses to truly deliver on net zero and beyond.
Why Attend?
This event is designed for:
Sustainability leaders seeking to move beyond compliance and into impact.
Consultants and advisors helping clients turn commitments into action.
Investors and policymakers looking to understand the next frontier of ESG.
Anyone passionate about the practical delivery of sustainability.