Sustainability Conference 2024: From vision to impact

Aimed at senior and strategic leaders within HE, this conference will focus on the sector's responsibilities in relation to the UN SDGs, civic responsibility, new sustainability initiatives and research.

By way of keynote speakers, panel sessions and workshops, this conference will provide a forum for learning about evidence-based and co-produced initiatives that engender real change, and offer a safe space for discussion on how to achieve your institution's sustainability targets.

Join us at the conference

Date: 11 June 2024, virtual

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Who should attend?

This conference is aimed at senior and strategic leaders of higher education institutions wishing to progress the sustainability agenda within their institutions and make impactful change.

Sustainability Conference 2024 Programme

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Our first keynote of the day is Rufus Black, Vice Chancellor from University of Tasmania, sharing the story of their 20 place rise in the Times HE Impact Rankings in 2023 and their ambitious Lighthouse Strategy. We will hear about the UTAS vision in the context of the social, environmental and economic sustainability context with tips on how the vision converts to impact. Rufus will emphasise the importance of vision in creating a joined up university wide approach from Student to Board, and give examples of how UTAS measures success, past, present, future.

Rufus Black

Vice-Chancellor and President
,
University of Tasmania

Rufus Black is the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Tasmania.

Rufus holds degrees in law, politics, economics, ethics, and theology from the University of Melbourne and Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

Alison Johns

Chief Executive
,
Advance HE

Alison is the Chief Executive of Advance HE. She was appointed in the autumn 2017, to lead the merger of three national agencies which created Advance HE in 2018. Prior to that, she was the Chief Executive of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE).

Peter Ptashko

Cambio Founder

Peter Ptashko FRSA is a social entrepreneur, funder and supporter of social entrepreneurs and currently an independent entrepreneurship change management consultant working with a range of clients across the Public and Private sectors. He holds a series of leadership and Board-level positions across these two sectors.

Damien Ashford

Partner, Education Sector Lead, PwC UK

Damien has been at PwC for over 25 years, specialising in restructuring and performance improvement for government clients, leading many high profile, complex and sensitive assignments from independent reviews to hands on implementation support.
In 2016 he was made a Partner before taking on the role as Education sector lead as well as the lead for the Government Restructuring practice.

Kim Ansell

Senior Consultant Governance and Leadership
,
Advance HE

She has worked across higher and professional education providing support to groups at all levels including senior leadership teams and Boards, to facilitate change, strategic thinking, planning and performance improvement. Kim has recently led the Advance HE membership themed month on the topic of Transforming Organisations from student to board.

Dr Kay Hack (PFHEA)

Lead Consultant (Education)
,
Advance HE

Dr Kay Hack (PFHEA) is the Lead Consultant (Education) for Advance-HE. Her role includes developing, managing and promoting excellence in teaching and learning, both generally and within STEM disciplines. She delivers a range of services to the HE sector, including supporting strategic leadership and change in HEIs and building and maintaining strong relationships with the STEM community, PSRBs, government and other organisations and individuals.

Laura Kelly

Partner - ESG Reporting and Assurance at PwC UK

Laura is passionate about the transformational power of an organisation (whether private or public) focused on broader societal value creation and supporting clients to navigate the complex ESG reporting journey both now and in the future.