Opening Dinner – Why We Need a New Nature of Business: Charting a Path to Sustainable Prosperity

Monday, 20 January, 2025, 19:30-22:00 CET

EARTH ROOM

Global prosperity has been achieved through management practices of short-term profit maximisation but this system is in danger. Social, human, and natural capitals are showing clear signs of weakness. We need to act to mitigate these symptoms and our value creation model needs updating.

During dinner, we will discuss why businesses must evolve beyond a purely financial focus and also start measuring impacts on the three capitals. Nature in particular is treated as an inexhaustible resource with no cost attached, and there is widespread recognition that it needs to be valued more accurately.   Including such data in our financial accounts would give us better decision data points for improved management of businesses. We need to talk about nature in the same way as we discuss time, talent, and finance.

What are some practical steps for businesses to consider social, natural, and human capital? How can we encourage more companies to adopt this new nature of business? Are there any successful examples of businesses integrating social and environmental impacts into their strategies? Join us for an evening of thought-provoking dialogue and collaboration as we reimagine capitalism for sustainable prosperity.

An interview of André Hoffmann and Peter Vanham, Co-Author of the New Nature of Business followed by a panel with:

• Julia Binder, Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation, IMD
• Jasper Brodin, CEO, IKEA
• Kiki Del Valle, Division President, North LAC, Mastercard
• Emmanuel Faber, Chair, ISSB 
• Andre Hoffmann, Vice Chair, Roche, and Author, The New Nature of Business

 Moderated by Des Dearlove, Co-founder, Thinkers50