Looking ahead to what the future of industry holds, STEAMhouse – the innovation centre at the heart of Birmingham’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) community – is challenging the city to ask what comes next at its event on Wednesday 24th April.
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 sustainable way that protects the planet for future generations.
Kurt Jacobs, Editor at Midlands Business Insider, will chair the panel and bring together expert insights into how they are implementing groundbreaking sustainability and circularity practices into their industries, as well as the challenges they have face, and opportunities they see.
The panel will include:
– Ella Gould, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at landmark destination retailer, Selfridges
– Anna Bright, CEO of Sustainabilty West Midlands,
– Dr Sonia Reynolds, Founder and CEO of pioneering textile company, Zephlinear, which has a patented solution to sustainably revolutionise the future of textiles.
Sharing her thoughts on the importance of a transition towards a circular economy, Vita Woods, Innovation Manager and Sustainability Lead at STEAMhouse commented:
“From the clothes on our backs, to the roofs over our heads, the increased focus on circularity is rightly having more and more of an impact on our day to day lives. However, as individuals, we can only do so much. It’s on businesses and leaders to take action that will ensure the next century is more innovative, profitable and sustainable than the last!
“It’s their resources, influence and capacity for innovation that have the power to achieve circularity at every stage of production and distribution. Here at STEAMhouse, we pride ourselves on driving growth through collaborative innovation and that’s what this event is all about. Whether you’re a start-up, SME or work for a large corporation, it’s only by working together that we can effectively make change for people and planet.”
The panel will be followed by a fireside chat and mini-exhibition with one of STEAMhouse’s own innovators, Biomaterials Specialist and practitioner, Sarah King, who will be discussing the impact of sustainable choices.
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.
To register for tickets to 100 years of innovation in the city of 1,000 trades: How will we reach a circular economy in the next century? head to the STEAMhouse website.