USBS/Abri Sustainability Summit

On Wednesday 25 June, the University of Southampton Business School (USBS)  in partnership with Abri Group organised the first-ever Sustainability Supply Chain Summit. The first of its kind in USBS, this event brought together experts and leaders from across the SME and supply chain landscape to explore practical pathways to sustainability. It was positive to see all the meaningful steps Abri is taking to bring their supply chain with them on their sustainability journey, along with their ambitious plans for the future.

With insightful contributions from USBS speakers  and Abri  key stakeholders, the summit explored how SMEs can engage with public procurement and collaborate with universities through knowledge exchange and enterprise activities to implement innovative practices.

Participants gained insights into how they could collaborate with USBS, particularly through collaborative research, innovation partnerships and access to academic expertise and resources. More specifically, attendees learned more about the following USBS offerings:

• Help to Grow Programme for SMEs : Richard Cartwright, Principal Enterprise Fellow and Director of Help to Grow: Management (HTG:M)  programme shared his insights on the path to net zero, highlighting various strategies suppliers can use to integrate climate adaptation, either to achieve net zero or to enhance efficiency. Richard also gave an overview of the government-funded HTG:M programme, which is designed to help SME leaders unlock growth opportunities through strategic thinking. Learn more about HTG:M and register here .
• Sustainability Reporting: Professor Ven Tauringana showcased how USBS can support companies of all sizes and charities in preparing their Sustainability Reports aligned with GRI Standards. In addition, Dr Renata Konadu, senior Lecturer, delivered a presentation on leveraging Sustainability Reporting as a strategic tool to provide suppliers with a competitive edge. By adopting a rigid approach to Sustainability Reporting, suppliers ensure regulatory compliance with ESG standards, promote transparency, and meet expectations for ethical sourcing. We are proud to be among the very few universities worldwide that have achieved certified GRI Training Partners; if you would like to learn more about the Executive Education courses we offer at USBS, please visit our website .
• Sustainable Supply Chain: Professor Jeni Giambona, Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise, and Associate Professor Nicholas Dacre, led an interactive session on how to apply Industry 5.0 thinking to construction supply chain management. Participants explored emerging trends in human-centric, sustainable, and resilient supply chain practices and discussed how they can apply these concepts on their day-to-day.

Our partnership with Abri is a powerful example of how collaboration between industry and academia can drive meaningful progress. Through open knowledge exchange and shared learning, we have not only celebrated the steps already taken on their sustainability journey but also explored exciting opportunities for future impact as a result of potential synergies with USBS. We look forward to continuing this journey together, while building on our shared insights and exploring new ways to innovate for a more sustainable future.