On Wednesday 4 December the Green Business Network will be hosting their event, Catalysing change: Empowering Green Business for 2025 and beyond.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from people in industry, who are paving the way to a more sustainable future, and network with like-minded individuals, passionate about doing their bit to help our planet.
Location
CMRI Gallery, 老司机福利社, College Rd, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL
Agenda
09:00 - Registrations
09:15 - Welcome note by Professor Stephanie Hussels and Dr Zimu Xu
09:30 - Keynote by Chris Lindsey, Director and Owner of Lindsey Group
10:30 - Tea break
10:45 - Workshop: ‘Using Sustainable Value Analysis Tool for Business Model Innovation’, led by Dr Miying Yang
12:30 - How you can engage with us? – meet with wider Cranfield team
- Engage with Master’s students’ projects – with Roberto Di Nuzzo
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership
- The Henry Royce Institute
13:00 - Lunch and networking
14:00 - ‘Bio-diversity at work and home’ by Jon Thornes MBE, director of South Ormsby Park Ltd, and founder of Cool Milk
15:00 - Breakout activities: what are your biggest takeaways from this year for 2025?
15:30 - Chat over mince pies: what would the ideal network look like? – led by Alan Rance, Managing Director at Midas Pattern Company
16:00 - Close
Speakers
Dr Miying Yang, Reader in Sustainability, Cranfield School of Management
Dr Miying Yang is a Reader in Sustainability at the Cranfield School of Management. She holds a PhD degree from the Centre for Industrial Sustainability at University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on studying how companies move towards sustainability and circular economy through digitalisation and business model innovation.
She is enthusiastic about developing practical tools from her research to solve problems faced in companies. She has developed the Sustainable Value Analysis Tool to help many companies identify opportunities for sustainable value creation throughout the product life cycle. She is currently the module leader of Leading Sustainable Business module on Cranfield EMBA.
Jon Thornes MBE, Nature-Friendly Farmer and Environmental Entrepreneur
Jon Thornes is a nature-friendly farmer and environmental entrepreneur, dedicated to fostering biodiversity and sustainability at South Ormsby Estate in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Known for his innovative approach to land management, Jon’s “Jurassic Park moment” invites visitors to experience the thriving populations of wild birds across the estate—a testament to the impact of sustainable practices.
At the heart of South Ormsby’s transformation is the integration of biodiversity with a dynamic business model. Jon oversees a diverse range of sustainable ventures, from organic food production to biochar products aimed at soil improvement. His energy business is a key component, with renewable energy sources such as solar power and biomass helping the estate reduce its environmental footprint. Jon also champions community engagement through initiatives like the Saturday Club, which connects volunteers to conservation projects.
In addition to his role at South Ormsby, Jon was named Cranfield Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016, reflecting his ongoing leadership in entrepreneurship. His vision is a future where business, nature, and community thrive together.
Alan Rance, owner and MD of Midas Pattern Co Ltd, Foundry Patternmaker, Chartered Scientist (CSci), Fellow of the Institute of Materials (FIMMM) and Member of the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (MICME).
Following a successful engineering apprenticeship in Foundry Patternmaking I started Midas Pattern Company in August 1989. Midas now employs around 100 people and is the largest dedicated PU moulder in the UK. We make the largest, the heaviest, the most complex and the highest quality polyurethane mouldings in the world. Only using oil based earth chemistry for the production of life enhancing & lifesaving medical and analytical device enclosures I lead the company with a respectful, down to earth, hardworking environmentally responsible ethic.
Since April 2019 I have made the fight against Climate Change my primary objective, the #midasgreeninitiative has documented our journey to carbon neutrality in 14 months and onto Carbon Net-Zero in just 20 months. I strive every day to make the world a greener place and I ensure the platform we have is used to encourage others to do everything in their power to arrest the onslaught of Climate Change as quickly as possible.
In April 2023 the #MidasGreenInitiative received Royal Recognition when Midas was awarded The Kings Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development.
Secure your ticket
Tickets are 拢100. To secure your place, please use this link.
* Businesses within Central Bedfordshire Council region are eligible for a free ticket. To secure the limited free place, please email greenbusinessnetwork@cranfield.ac.uk.
** Discounts are available for 老司机福利社 alumni. Please email greenbusinessnetwork@cranfield.ac.uk for discount.
** You may be eligible for a free ticket if you have not attended an event with the Green Business Network in 2024 (The Green Business Network Relaunch, VentureDay or the September event). Please email greenbusinessnetwork@cranfield.ac.uk for more information.
Become a member
Interested in joining the Green Business Network? An annual membership is just £499, and includes entry to quarterly events (including this event). Discounts and limited free places are available for eligible businesses.
Please contact greenbusinessnetwork@cranfield.ac.uk for more information.
