100 Years of Innovation in the City of 1000 Trades: How Will We Reach a Circular Economy in the Next Century?

The Event

Even in the toughest of times, Birmingham continues to innovate and adapt, building on the city’s legacy and embracing change for the future.

STEAMhouse believe that current innovators must make sustainability and circularity a central pillar of their purpose to make a difference for generations to come. But what does that mean for you?

From the clothes on your back, to the roof over your head, an increased focus on circularity is having an increasing impact on our day to day lives. But as individuals we can only do so much. It’s on businesses and leaders to make the right considerations that will ensure the next 100 years in the city of 1,000 trades are as innovative as the last… if not more!

As part of the event, businesses and leaders will be brought together, so you can hear from the leading minds already taking the steps to implement ground-breaking sustainability practices in their respective industries. This will ensure an informative and engaging panel discussion and interrogation on what we can do to accelerate our journey towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

With an interactive panel discussion, featuring both established leaders and visionary trailblazers, ‘100 years of innovation in the city of 1,000 trades: How will we reach a circular economy in the next century?’ attendees will have the chance to see how the region can continue to build upon an industrious past in a profitable and sustainable way that protects the planet.

Kurt Jacobs, Editor at Midlands Business Insider, will chair the panel and bring together expert insights into how they are implementing ground breaking sustainability and circularity practices into their industries, as well as the challenges they have face, and opportunities they see.

The panel will include:

• Anna Bright, CEO of Sustainabilty West Midlands.
• Ella Gould, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at landmark destination retailer, Selfridges.
• Dr Sonia Reynolds, Founder and CEO of pioneering textile company, Zephlinear, which has a patented solution to sustainably revolutionise the future of textiles.

The panel will be followed by a fireside chat with some of STEAMhouse’s very own innovators discussing the impact of our sustainable choices.

This workshop will feature regular breaks designed for networking and refreshment, as well as the chance to ask our panel any burning questions you may have.

During the event, there will also be a screening of ‘Reframe: Directors’ Cut’, a film created by young Black and Black dual-heritage creatives, alongside the Southbank Centre, Factory International and the MAC Birmingham.

This mesmerising experience will combine photography, film and music with powerful messages to power the conversation around climate change from 77 Black artists, 23 of which are from the West Midlands.

Who is this event for?

If you’re an entrepreneur, sole trader, small business, or even a larger corporate, this event is for you!

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a sneak peek at what the future holds!