BUSINESS leaders from across the south are to get practical advice on how to make sustainability and profit go hand in hand at a conference next month.

The Solent Sustainability Summit on Thursday, March 13, will help firms reap the rewards of putting green principles into practice by boosting their bottom line.

Writer, broadcaster, commentator on sustainable development and co-founder of Forum for the Future, Sir Jonathon Porritt, pictured, will be the keynote speaker.

The former Green Party politician and director of Friends of the Earth will be dispelling some of the myths around the sustainability agenda and showing how businesses can benefit.

Matt Sexton, director of corporate social responsibility for B&Q, will be giving an insight into the Hampshire-based company’s approach to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Colin MacDonald, head of microgeneration at British Gas, will be talking about the potential for businesses to generate their own renewable energy sources.

The Solent Sustainability Summit follows the success of the first Sustainability Summit in 2013, held in partnership with Business South, Southampton-based law firm Trethowans and Copyrite.

It has been designed to offer a more practical approach for businesses to adopt.

Simon Rhodes, managing partner at Trethowans, said: “The summit will be an ideal opportunity for business leaders to gain insight and practical tips on how their bottom line can benefit from adopting a more sustainable approach.”

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations taking place in Southampton, organisers of the Sustainability Summit will be producing a list of 50 top sustainability tips for businesses.

  • Anyone who wants to register to attend the Solent Sustainability Summit should email bookings@businesssouth.org or call the Business South events team on 023 8068 2520.