On Thursday 29 May, UCL School of Management hosted the Sustainability and Social Good Summit: The Future of Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship on Level 50 of One Canada Square. In collaboration with MSc Entrepreneurship student Tally Bevis and Assistant Professor Jen Rhymer, the event was sponsored by the UCL Grand Challenges ChangeMakers Grant, which supports student-staff projects working to combat the global climate crisis and benefit society.
The 1-day Summit welcomed UCL School of Management students and alumni for a hands-on initiative designed for those who are interested in using business as a force for good. It featured workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions focused on the intersections of sustainability, entrepreneurship and social impact.
In the morning, Summit participants learned from Guest Speakers Phoebe Sanderson of WSP’s UK Built Environment Team and Tara Al Marzooqi of the UAE Independent Climate Accelerator. The UCL and UICCA connection is ongoing, as both undergraduate and postgraduate students engaged in an in-person visit to learn about UICCA’s efforts as part of the recent UCL School of Management Global Impact Week in the UAE. More information on the trip can be found on LinkedIn.
Summit attendees were then tasked with a Business Redesign Challenge that required sustainable, entrepreneurial problem-solving, with only a few hours to prepare a hackathon-style presentation. Attendees then presented their work to the audience which included our panel of sustainability experts.
Panel discussion moderated by Tally Bevis (left), followed by Guest Speakers Gillian McMahon, Harry Bremner, Neil Grundon and Shivaang Sharma (right).On the night, we were delighted to welcome UCL School of Management PhD candidate Shivaang Sharma, an expert on the use of artificial intelligence within humanitarian efforts. Shivaang recently presented his research to the United Nations during Humanitarian Networks Partnership Week (HNPW)
Also joining the panel was MSc Entrepreneurship alumnus Harry Bremner, who graduated from UCL School of Management in 2021 and has since raised an incredible £1.1 million in funding for his pet food startup Tuggs. Discussing his experience of the Summit, Harry said, “It was enjoyable returning to the School of Management where, 4 years ago, I began working on the concept for Tuggs. I feel stronger than ever that the onus is on brands and founders to pioneer sustainable change in the products they create, and the summit was an opportunity to discuss how best to do so.”
Gillian McMahon, Executive Director at Right to Play UK, discussed the valuable work taking place at the company. Right to Play is an educational organisation supporting children’s learning and wellbeing though incorporating play into learning. Finally, the panel welcomed Neil Grundon, Chairman of Grundon Waste Management. The business provides waste management services that place sustainability at the forefront, offering services in mixed recycling, food waste, and paper cup waste. The panellists explored the organisational and societal need for sustainability within business and shared their professional and entrepreneurial expertise with the audience.
While an excellent networking opportunity for the UCL School of Management and wider UCL community, the event also presented clear educational value for attendees. Student Harsh Nagda said, “The summit was an inspiring mix of insight, interaction, and impact. Tara from UICCA was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, and Phoebe Sanderson’s perspective from WSP, especially her take on how sustainability is often approached as a response to mandates rather than genuine intent, was particularly eye-opening. I found the Sustainable Business Model Canvas to be a powerful tool; it was something new I learned that really helped me understand the intersection of economy and ecology.
Hearing from Neil Grundon on waste management and Shivaang Sharma on crisis coordination added real-world depth to our discussions. The Sustainable Business Redesign Challenge pushed us to think creatively but responsibly. It wasn’t just about innovation — it was about impact. The entire day sparked ideas that I’ll carry forward for my life.”
Discussing her event, Tally Bevis said, “The Sustainability and Social Good Summit was a passion project of mine that was a joy to bring to life. The unique contributions of each of our speakers and panelists were a highlight in the event, and I’m grateful to each student and the many guests that made the effort to join us. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Davide Ravasi and Simon Hulme of the School of Management for the support, Dr. Jen Rhymer for the time committed as my faculty partner, and the UCL Grand Challenges ChangeMakers grant-awarding body for believing in the Summit and its value. It was a privilege to host the Summit and curate the day as part of UCL’s mission to approach the Climate Crisis head on and inspire the next generation of young, purpose-driven leaders in London and beyond as London’s Global University.”
Jen Rymer echoed Tally’s sentiment, noting, “The Sustainability and Social Good Summit was a day full of excitement and meaningful engagement for everyone who participated. From the workshop sessions during the day to the inspiring evening panel, the passion and important activities that promote sustainability and social good in business was clear. Student-driven events like this highlight how these issues are becoming core topics in business education today.”
The Sustainability and Social Good Summit aligns with School’s focus on organisational sustainability and supports the mission of the recently launched UCL Centre for Sustainable Business.
