The Sustainable Event Summit (SES) returns to the Showman’s Show, Wed 21st October, launching a focus year on energy as part of the Climate Transition Plan 2030
Celebrating the successful launch of The Show Must Go On Report #3, SES 2026 will bring together outdoor event organisers, suppliers, local authorities and experts to share best practice, innovation and collaborate on delivering sector change through the Climate Transition Plan 2030.
SES 26 will host invited guests for a morning of roundtable workshops, with a networking lunch, before doors are opened for the open-to-all afternoon conference program. The roundtable sessions and networking are hosted in collaboration with the Association of Independent Festival’s (AIF) Sustainability Step Change Fund Program and is open to all events who have taken the Vision 2030 Climate Action Pledge.
Event organisers who would like to join the morning session, simply take the Vision 2030 Climate Action pledge HERE.
Registration is open for afternoon tickets, on a first come first serve basis:
This annual Invite-only Interactive session of roundtables will explore the green successes and challenges from the summer season, and how we can remove barriers and support events to deliver the change set out in the Climate Transition Plan 2030 in practice.
(Exclusive to Vision: 2030 Pledge events, AIF Step Change participants, SES Speakers and Sponsors/partners).
Pauline Bourdon brings a unique set of logistical expertise and unshakable commitment to climate and social justice. Over the years she has supported major festivals and events from Glastonbury Festival (Silver Hayes) and Boomtown Fair to FORWARDS Festival, Love Saves The Day and Simple Things Festival, first building her career in Artist Logistics and Accreditation Management.
Pauline’s values and creativity have always been at the heart of her life and career. Her time growing up in France nourished a profound love and respect for artists, cultural spaces and their ecosystem of creatives. In 2021, 7 years after moving to the UK, she took a bold leap and founded Soliphilia. A consultancy that would merge her passion for artist development and for a fairer, greener and kinder future for the music industry.
Ross Patel , Impact Consultant, LIVE Green
Ross Patel
Impact Consultant, LIVE Green
Ross is an artivist, advocate and strategist with over 15 years of experience across music, media, entertainment and climate action. As the LIVE Green Impact Consultant, helping coordinate the UK’s live music sector commitment to net zero on behalf of 4,000+ businesses and 40,000+ artists. As the LIVE / LIVE Green representative Ross co-chaired the Show Must Go On Report #3 and the Green Event Code Of Practice which in 2026 featured in the UK Government policy paper ‘Turn It Up: Our plan for music’.
They sit on the founding Advisory Council of the Global Artivism movement, co-chair the Global Music Advisory Board for In Place of War / Earthsonic and are the Cultural Strategist at Balance Eco. As a former music industry CEO at Whole Entertainment and board director at the Music Managers Forum, Ross brings firsthand knowledge of talent, touring, events and commercial music operations. As a DJ and champion of queer rights, they use their platform and access to advocate for safer, more inclusive spaces across the cultural industries.
Ross draws on expertise at the intersection of culture and climate justice to guide engagement across the arts, music and events sectors.
Sally Mills , Freelance consultant specialising in Sustainability and Complex Transformation projects
Sally Mills
Freelance consultant specialising in Sustainability and Complex Transformation projects
Sally Mills is a freelance consultant specialising in Sustainability and Complex Transformation projects. With c25 years’ experience in the media industry, Sally has held leadership roles across sustainability, commercial & operations, and regulatory, most recently being the Head of Sustainability at BBC Studios, covering their Net Zero, Nature Positive and People Positive Strategies. In 2024/25 Sally went freelance, working with multiple clients including: the UN (UN Accelerator City programme Director), the BFI, Screen Alliance North, Netflix, Vision for Sustainable Events and Production Companies.
John Rostron , CEO Association of Independent Festivals
John Rostron
CEO Association of Independent Festivals
John Rostron is the Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, the UK’s leading festival representative body. AIF membership has now surpassed 100 of the leading independent music festivals in the UK. AIF leads on the campaign to reduce VAT on tickets to 5% for the next three years in order to support festivals and audiences. During 2023 John initiated the First Festival Campaign to present a new way for 18 year olds to access UK festivals. John formed a new All Party Parliamentary Group for Festivals which enables independent festivals to meet with MPs from across the UK to improve understanding of the festival sector. He also Chairs the LIVE Expert Group for festivals.
In 2023, John was appointed to the Board of Creative Wales – the Welsh Govt department for the Creative Industries. He advises on the Music Sector in Wales.
Andrew Lansley , Event Sustainability & Accessibility Consultant
Andrew Lansley
Event Sustainability & Accessibility Consultant
Andrew has worked for almost 30 years in cross sector roles including culture, events, politics and innovation and is now undertaking PhD research at Music Futures UK around environmental regulations and live events. Leading on research and project delivery within creative ecosystems, event sustainability & accessibility policy, he also works as a consultant in intersectional, regenerative projects around the UK and beyond.
His research specialisms are rooted in climate adaptation and climate justice and has recently written a chapter on how the UK can improve environmental regulations for outdoor events, and is working with the Canadian Live Music Association to deliver their Climate Contingency Roadmap. He is one of the project leads for the national Green Events Code of Practice project and has recently contributed to the third edition of TheShow Must Go On report. Andrew is also a trustee for Youth Music and Global Local and in his spare time plays double bass in Thrill Collins.
Richard Phillips , Climate Change Specialist, Julie’s Bicycle
Richard Phillips
Climate Change Specialist, Julie’s Bicycle
Richard Phillips is a consultant and facilitator for sustainability in the music sector.
He brings climate and environmental expertise across the breadth of live and recorded music, from festivals and venues, to record labels and touring teams. His work spans advising on decarbonisation strategies, leading research into the sector’s most pressing sustainability challenges, and building environmental action networks.
Richard recently helped deliver the landmark Show Must Go On report, conducting the most extensive carbon footprint of the UK festival sector to date and modelling the impact of emissions reduction initiatives. He also plays a key role supporting local authorities to embed the Green Events Code of Practice, transforming environmental practices at scale.
Richard is motivated by collaborative action on the climate crisis that can unlock the potential of the creative industries to inspire societal change
Bryonie Mathews , Event Sustainability Consultant
Bryonie Mathews
Event Sustainability Consultant
Bryonie’s work is grounded in the operational delivery of sustainability, aiming to bridge the gap between goals and action through practical strategies. Working as Sustainability Coordinator at Shambala festival & Kendal Calling festival, and as a Founding Partner at The Earthed Collective, she works to deliver change with teams on-the-ground informed by evidence and experience, with a keen focus on waste management and the power of collective vision. Bryonie’s key skill is making sustainability practical, accessible, and achievable at any level.”
Kevin Mackay , Sustainability Manager, DF Concerts
Kevin Mackay
Sustainability Manager, DF Concerts
Kevin Mackay leads environmental sustainability for DF Concerts & Events, spanning Glasgow Summer Sessions and Edinburgh Summer Sessions alongside the organisation’s wider live music and venue portfolio. His work turns ambitious commitments into practical event delivery across energy and temporary power, travel, materials and waste, procurement, and biodiversity. He focuses on robust measurement, honest reporting and collaboration with suppliers, venues and audiences to reduce impacts at scale.
Eloise Clarke , Event Sustainability Consultant
Eloise Clarke
Event Sustainability Consultant
Eloise Clarke is an event producer and sustainability consultant with over nine years’ experience delivering events and embedding sustainability across UK festivals, venues, exhibitions, conferences and large-scale brand activations. She brings together detailed event production and considered sustainable implementation, from build materials and waste systems to trader standards, carbon reduction and impact reporting. Eloise has previously worked with A Greener Future as the sustainability consultant and coordinator for Massive Attack’s Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator concert, delivering the lowest-carbon event of its size in the UK. She has also supported Shambala Festival for several years, and has lectured on event sustainability at BIMM University. Eloise is motivated by the power of behaviour change, and arts and culture to inspire climate action, delivering experiences that create meaningful change at scale.
12:00 pm
12:00 – 12:50 Networking Lunch: Exclusively for morning session participants.
A chance to carry on conversations over lunch.
1:00 pm
13:00-13:05 Welcome to the Summit
Host of the Sustainable Event Summit, Graham Brown welcomes delegates and speakers, thanks sponsors and sets the context for the day.
Graham Brown , Publicity & Supplier Relationships Manager, Vision for Sustainable Events
Graham Brown
Publicity & Supplier Relationships Manager, Vision for Sustainable Events
Graham supports Vision for Sustainable Events with PR and manages the Green Supplier Directory and Partnership Relations.
Graham has over two decades in events media and PR, supporting sustainable initiatives and creative event industry communications, through his consultancy Brown Fox Comms. He supports organisers and suppliers to strategically connect their brands with their clients, stakeholders and to build communities. Graham has been a trustee of the charity ecolibrium since 2018 having met other trustees through his role as brand advisor for ecolibrium’s founding organisation, Powerful Thinking, and realising the positive impact the charity could make around transport emissions in the festival and event sector.
1:05 pm
13:05-13:15pm Opening Remarks
Feimatta Conteh, Senior Manager for Environmental Responsibility at Arts Council England, explores the transformative power of music to drive environmental action and inspire systemic change.
Feimatta Conteh , Senior Manager for Environmental Responsibility at Arts Council England
Feimatta Conteh
Senior Manager for Environmental Responsibility at Arts Council England
Feimatta Conteh is Senior Manager, Environmental Responsibility at Arts Council England – working with colleagues to support creative and cultural organisations and practitioners to embed environmental responsibility. From 2020-2023, she was Environmental Sustainability Manager for Factory International, advising and working with all teams to integrate environmental sustainability into their practice.
Feimatta has worked across sustainability, technology development, digital culture and the arts for over 15 years. She was a trustee of Phoenix Dance Theatre, Artsadmin and Invisible Dust, and a facilitator of the GMAST network supporting the cultural and creative community across Greater Manchester to address the climate and ecological crisis.
Outside of work, Feimatta is involved with an educational children’s camping charity – she enjoys building communities and helping young people interact with nature.
1:20 pm
13:20-14:00 Panel: Climate Transition Plan 2030: Making it real
Following the publication of the Show Must Go On report #3 and Climate Transition Plan to 2030 for the UK Live Events Industry, this panel hosted by Ross Patel (LIVE Green Impact Consultant), brings together the experts who are leading key workstreams to provide an update and discuss the groundbreaking work taking place across the sector.
Ross Patel (Panel Host) , Impact Consultant, LIVE Green
Ross Patel (Panel Host)
Impact Consultant, LIVE Green
Ross is an artivist, advocate and strategist with over 15 years of experience across music, media, entertainment and climate action. As the LIVE Green Impact Consultant, helping coordinate the UK’s live music sector commitment to net zero on behalf of 4,000+ businesses and 40,000+ artists. As the LIVE / LIVE Green representative Ross co-chaired the Show Must Go On Report #3 and the Green Event Code Of Practice which in 2026 featured in the UK Government policy paper ‘Turn It Up: Our plan for music’.
They sit on the founding Advisory Council of the Global Artivism movement, co-chair the Global Music Advisory Board for In Place of War / Earthsonic and are the Cultural Strategist at Balance Eco. As a former music industry CEO at Whole Entertainment and board director at the Music Managers Forum, Ross brings firsthand knowledge of talent, touring, events and commercial music operations. As a DJ and champion of queer rights, they use their platform and access to advocate for safer, more inclusive spaces across the cultural industries.
Ross draws on expertise at the intersection of culture and climate justice to guide engagement across the arts, music and events sectors.
Richard Phillips , Climate Change Specialist, Julie’s Bicycle
Richard Phillips
Climate Change Specialist, Julie’s Bicycle
Richard Phillips is a consultant and facilitator for sustainability in the music sector.
Richard provides climate and environmental expertise to organisations and professionals across the breadth of live and recorded music, from festivals and venues, to record labels, touring teams and more. His work includes advising on decarbonisation strategies, leading research deep-dives on industry-relevant sustainability topics, delivering technical carbon measurement and building environmental action networks.
His recent projects include developing practical environmental action toolkits for touring and festivals across Europe and the US, trialling new environmental standards for events (Green Events Code of Practice) and supporting a climate transition plan for festivals towards 2030.
Recent partners include the BRIT Awards, independent record label association IMPALA, live events industry association LIVE and sustainable festival network Vision for Sustainable Events.
Livvy Drake , Project Director, onboard:earth
Livvy Drake
Project Director, onboard:earth
Livvy Drake has been working as a Sustainable Event Consultant since 2015 with a specialism in behaviour change. She has worked across the industry on festivals, corporate events and worked with city event schemes to engage stakeholders in sustainable event approaches. She is Project Director at onboard:earth, where she specialises in supporting the live events industry to tackle the impact of travel to events, and to fund climate restoration projects. Through onboard:earth, she is leading the Travel Task Force for the Climate Transition Plan 2o30.
Sally Mills , Freelance consultant specialising in Sustainability and Complex Transformation projects
Sally Mills
Freelance consultant specialising in Sustainability and Complex Transformation projects
Sally Mills is a freelance consultant specialising in Sustainability and Complex Transformation projects. With c25 years’ experience in the media industry, Sally has held leadership roles across sustainability, commercial & operations, and regulatory, most recently being the Head of Sustainability at BBC Studios, covering their Net Zero, Nature Positive and People Positive Strategies. In 2024/25 Sally went freelance, working with multiple clients including: the UN (UN Accelerator City programme Director), the BFI, Screen Alliance North, Netflix, Vision for Sustainable Events and Production Companies.
Bethan Riach , Communication Manager, Vision for Sustainable Events
Bethan Riach
Communication Manager, Vision for Sustainable Events
Bethan is Communications Manager at Vision for Sustainable Events, a not-for-profit group that promotes climate action in the live events industry by providing free-to-access shared knowledge. Founded in 2015, the organisation publishes the Show Must Go On Reports, which benchmark the UK live events industry’s environmental impacts and set the Climate Transition Plan 2030 to map reductions in line with government targets.
Bethan is also Communications Manager at onboard:earth, a charity that works with the live events industry specifically to tackle the environmental impacts of travel emissions. The charity provides tools, advice and resources to reduce emissions, alongside campaigns to engage event networks in channeling donations to environmental restoration projects. Bethan authored the Travel and Transport section of Future Festival Tools e-learning course and presented the online course.
Ruth Dancer , Director, White Griffin Ltd
Ruth Dancer
Director, White Griffin Ltd
Ruth is Director of White Griffin, a sustainability consultancy focused on supporting adaption, resilience and mitigation for the sports, music, culture and education sectors. Originally an Event Director herself, Ruth spent 17 years running international events including London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, England Rugby World Cup 2015, Wembley Stadium, Formula 1 and many more. Retraining as a Chartered Environmentalist and founding White Griffin 10 years ago, Ruth now uses her understanding of the operational and commercial requirements of running a business and event, to create meaningful change for businesses, venues and event organisers globally.
2:00 pm
14:00 – 14:10: Introducing the ‘season of energy’ + Smart Power Guide 2
This 10th edition of the Summit kicks off a four-year pathway for the Climate Transition Plan 2030 with a focus on Energy for the 2027 season. This focus includes the launch of a new edition Smart Power Guide for Events, introduced by project lead Pauline Bourdon.
Pauline Bourdon brings a unique set of logistical expertise and unshakable commitment to climate and social justice. Over the years she has supported major festivals and events from Glastonbury Festival (Silver Hayes) and Boomtown Fair to FORWARDS Festival, Love Saves The Day and Simple Things Festival, first building her career in Artist Logistics and Accreditation Management.
Pauline’s values and creativity have always been at the heart of her life and career. Her time growing up in France nourished a profound love and respect for artists, cultural spaces and their ecosystem of creatives. In 2021, 7 years after moving to the UK, she took a bold leap and founded Soliphilia. A consultancy that would merge her passion for artist development and for a fairer, greener and kinder future for the music industry.
2:15 pm
14:15-14:55 Decarbonising Event Power by 2030
Focusing on Energy, the priority area set out in the Climate Transition Plan 2030, this panel explores key developments in decarbonising event power across the live sector. With rising fuel costs and tightening budgets making efficiency an urgent priority, the session dives into power demand reduction strategies and practical alternatives to traditional diesel generators.
Hosted by Chris Barrett, the panel brings together leading innovators to examine real-world solutions: Stefan Edwards (Bristol Mobile Power Project) shares insights on municipal battery hubs; Vikki Chapman (Festival Republic) details the Finsbury Park Grid Connection project; Mazie Reece, on recent hydrogen powered stages (Boomtown Fair), and Andy Barnby (Instagrid) who highlights advancements in portable, high-performance battery systems
Chris Barrett (Panel Host) , Content Director, Access All Areas
Chris Barrett (Panel Host)
Content Director, Access All Areas
An experienced editor, journalist, content consultant and producer, Chris has been the content director at live events industry publication Access All Areas since 2020. At AAA, Chris oversees all editorial, video and conference content across platforms including the magazine, website, podcast, roundtables, the AAA Explores video series and events such as the AAA Leaders’ Summit, Event Production Show conference, AAA Producers’ Summit, Access All Areas Awards and Event Production Awards. Prior to joining Access, Chris spent more than a decade overseeing the creation of compelling content for clients including Abbey Road Studios, Google, Universal Music, Warner Music and music trade body the BPI. Extensive entertainment industry business journalism experience includes contributing to Billboard, IQ, Music Week and Music Ally,. His work has also appeared in newspapers and consumer titles as far and wide as the US and Australia.
Stefan Edwards , Senior Events Officer, Bristol City Council
Stefan Edwards
Senior Events Officer, Bristol City Council
With 20 years’ experience in the events industry, Stefan began his career as a gig promoter, going on to become Operations Director of Wychwood Festival. Now, as Senior Events Officer in Bristol, he commissions the 200,000+ person Bristol Harbour Festival and Bristol Run, which between them generate over £6m of economic impact to the city each year. In recent years, Stefan has increasingly specialised in event sustainability and is passionate about pushing the boundaries in this field. In 2024 he was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to research decarbonising power at festivals and events. He has been applying this knowledge practically this summer through Bristol’s innovative clean power pilot.
Andy Barnby , Clean Energy Specialist, Instagrid UK
Andy Barnby
Clean Energy Specialist, Instagrid UK
With over 40 years of experience in the UK sound, lighting, rigging, and live events industry, Andy brings deep technical expertise and a proven ability to deliver complex projects working closely with clients, architects, designers, consultants, main contractors, and integrators.
Now serving as a Clean Energy Specialist at Instagrid, Andy combines decades of hands-on industry knowledge with a passion for innovative, sustainable power solutions. Andys love for analytical problem‑solving supports partners across film, media, and live events in the transition to finding cleaner, more efficient technologies that can drive a more sustainable future.
Mazie Reece is Operations Manager at Boomtown Festival, one of the UK’s leading large scale festivals, where she works across the planning and delivery of complex event operations with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
With a background in event operations, site management and project delivery, Mazie brings a practical, on the ground perspective to the challenge of decarbonising live events.
Passionate about moving sustainability from ambition to action, Mazie is particularly interested in how emerging technologies can be integrated into the realities of live event delivery while balancing operational requirements, audience experience, infrastructure and cost while reducing carbon emissions.
Vikki Chapman , Head of Sustainability for Live Nation UK & Ireland
Vikki Chapman
Head of Sustainability for Live Nation UK & Ireland
Vikki Chapman is Head of Sustainability for Live Nation UK & Ireland, where she leads the implementation of Green Nation, the company’s sustainability charter, across festivals, venues, offices and tours. Since joining Live Nation in 2016, she has helped embed environmental responsibility into the company, building on her previous role at Festival Republic, where she was recognised as a Creative Green Champion by Julie’s Bicycle.
Vikki is a passionate advocate for climate action in the creative industries. She was part of the first cohort of Creative Climate Leaders and currently contributes to sector-wide progress through participation in The Vision for Sustainable Events Forum, supporting The Show Must Go On Report, and as a member of LIVE Green. In recognition of her leadership, she was named one of the AAA 100, celebrating influential figures shaping the future of live entertainment.
Her career spans public sector procurement, creative project management, and sustainability leadership. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability and Adaptation, complementing her undergraduate training in environmental law. Previous roles include Sustainability Manager at The Eden Project and leading environmental reporting for East Street Arts, where she helped the charity meet new sector-wide requirements introduced by Arts Council England.
3:00 pm
15:00-15:25 Innovations in Action: Clean Energy Solutions for Live Events
Following our deep dive into energy transition strategies, this fast-paced showcase puts cutting-edge solutions directly under the spotlight. Hosted by James Robertson, Digital Content Manager at Festival Insights, leading innovators each take the stage for a five-minute presentations, sharing real-world case studies and recent project successes. From battery storage technology to microgrid management and low-carbon fuels, discover the practical products and services actively helping the live sector move away from fossil fuels and power the future of sustainable events.
James Robertson (Panel Host) , Digital Content Manager at Festival Insights
James Robertson (Panel Host)
Digital Content Manager at Festival Insights
Ian Peniston , Director of Operations at Power Logistics
Ian Peniston
Director of Operations at Power Logistics
Ian Peniston is Director of Operations at Power Logistics. Having joined the company as a Project Manager in 2011, he has worked his way through the ranks and led the delivery of some of its most high-profile and operationally demanding projects, including the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, HM The King’s Coronation, BST Hyde Park and Winter Wonderland.
Ian has extensive experience in developing practical, sustainable power solutions for large scale live events. He has been instrumental in driving Power Logistics’ innovative approach to developing sustainable power solutions.
He is currently playing a leading operational role in Power Logistics’ involvement in the Clean Power Pilot with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). The project is helping to test and demonstrate how lower-carbon power solutions for both events and film and television can work in practice. Power Logistics is facilitating the use of micro grid technology and battery-powered solutions wherever operationally possible, helping productions and events reduce emissions without compromising the resilience of their temporary power supply.
Alexis Parkin , Sustainability Officer at 4Wall Europe
Alexis Parkin
Sustainability Officer at 4Wall Europe
Alexis Parkin is Sustainability Officer at 4Wall Europe, where he leads the carbon measurement, training, and circularity programmes for one of the UK’s largest AV rental operations. Alongside this role, he continues to work out on the road as a touring screen technician with The Prodigy.
His path into the industry began in Newcastle’s carnival scene in the early 1990s, performing on stilts. Since then, he has worked as a street performer, actor, HGV driver, production hand, and video technician, building a profile of hands-on experience across live events.
A Carbon Literacy Practitioner and Trainer, Alexis focuses much of his current work on metering audio, lighting, and video departments individually, measuring what a show actually draws in practice rather than relying on spec-sheet estimates.
Paul Gill , Sales Manager, GeoPura
Paul Gill
Sales Manager, GeoPura
Andrew Doherty , Sales Director, Sunbelt Rentals
Andrew Doherty
Sales Director, Sunbelt Rentals
Andy has developed over 20 years of commercial, contractual and technical knowledge, skill and experience in the M&E and Energy Rental industry, specialising in providing effective sustainable technical solutions working with and for the worlds largest suppliers of temporary power and temperature control equipment.
3:30 pm
15:30 – 16.10pm Extreme weather x Outdoor Events: Adapting to a changing climate
As heatwaves and storms become the norm, outdoor events face unprecedented operational and safety challenges. This panel brings together event organisers and sustainability experts to explore practical climate adaptation strategies. Panelists will share insights on building site resilience, flexible contingency planning, and dynamic risk management, equipping attendees with practical steps and real-world examples to help protect live events and ensure long-term sustainability.
Andrew Lansley , Event Sustainability & Accessibility Consultant
Andrew Lansley
Event Sustainability & Accessibility Consultant
Andrew has worked for almost 30 years in cross sector roles including culture, events, politics and innovation and is now undertaking PhD research at Music Futures UK around environmental regulations and live events. Leading on research and project delivery within creative ecosystems, event sustainability & accessibility policy, he also works as a consultant in intersectional, regenerative projects around the UK and beyond.
His research specialisms are rooted in climate adaptation and climate justice and has recently written a chapter on how the UK can improve environmental regulations for outdoor events, and is working with the Canadian Live Music Association to deliver their Climate Contingency Roadmap. He is one of the project leads for the national Green Events Code of Practice project and has recently contributed to the third edition of TheShow Must Go On report. Andrew is also a trustee for Youth Music and Global Local and in his spare time plays double bass in Thrill Collins.
Suzanne Johnson , Senior Site Manager at LS Events Ltd
Suzanne Johnson
Senior Site Manager at LS Events Ltd
Suzanne has worked in the live events industry since 2003, beginning her career on the supplier side before moving into the promoter and organiser sector in 2013. As Senior Site Manager for LS Events Suzanne is responsible for delivering the globally recognised live music event American Express presents BST Hyde Park, leading sustainable innovation across the site including the introduction of green hydrogen to power the main stage and improving recycling rates by 32% in 2026.
With a career spanning multiple major music festivals including All Points East, V Festival and Glastonbury to name a few, as well as extensive touring work, she has developed a strong personal and professional commitment to sustainability, both in live event delivery and in everyday life, and sits on the Vision 2025 steering group. A lifelong live music fan, she has been attending concerts and festivals since 1985.
Pauline Bourdon brings a unique set of logistical expertise and unshakable commitment to climate and social justice. Over the years she has supported major festivals and events from Glastonbury Festival (Silver Hayes) and Boomtown Fair to FORWARDS Festival, Love Saves The Day and Simple Things Festival, first building her career in Artist Logistics and Accreditation Management.
Pauline’s values and creativity have always been at the heart of her life and career. Her time growing up in France nourished a profound love and respect for artists, cultural spaces and their ecosystem of creatives. In 2021, 7 years after moving to the UK, she took a bold leap and founded Soliphilia. A consultancy that would merge her passion for artist development and for a fairer, greener and kinder future for the music industry.
Claire O’Neill , CEO, A Greener Future
Claire O’Neill
CEO, A Greener Future
CEO & Co Founder of international not for profit A Greener Future and green energy specialists, Grid Faeries. Claire has dedicated herself to transforming the live sector for sustainability, as a vehicle for wider change. AGF was founded following Claire’s groundbreaking research in 2005, and she curates AGF’s flagship annual event, the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI). Trailblazing best practice, Claire co-developed the world’s first green festival standards through A Greener Festival, the Green Artist rider with The Team Agency, which led to the Greener Arena Certification. Grid Faeries x Ecotricity, powers main stages including the super low carbon show, Massive Attack’s Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator, with a mission to take diesel out of events. Claire was Sustainability Director for HM The Queens Jubilee Pageant, for UEFA Final fan zones throughout London, delivered the sustainability report for The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, and today leads the Sustainability Consultancy team for BST Hyde Park and other major festivals. Claire works with organisations such as AEG, UNFCCC, The O2, The RHS, The Royal Albert Hall, and ASM Global; is on the Board for charities In Place of War and Naam Festival. Previously Claire was New Media Manager for Media Records in the early 2000’s, and General Manager of the Association of Independent Festivals. Alongside, Claire was an aerialist performing from the 2012 Olympics as Mary Poppins, to Arcadia Spectacular’s iconic Spider shows at Glastonbury Festival and worldwide.
4:15 pm
16:15 – 16:35 The Showman’s Show Green Supplier and Innovation Award LIVE!
Presented by Vision for Sustainable Events
Three shortlisted suppliers present innovations to help events reduce environmental impacts from the supply chain. Hosted and Graham Brown (Vision for Sustainable Events). Judges and SES26 delegates cast their votes to decide the winner.
Graham Brown , Publicity & Supplier Relationships Manager, Vision for Sustainable Events
Graham Brown
Publicity & Supplier Relationships Manager, Vision for Sustainable Events
Graham supports Vision for Sustainable Events with PR and manages the Green Supplier Directory and Partnership Relations.
Graham has over two decades in events media and PR, supporting sustainable initiatives and creative event industry communications, through his consultancy Brown Fox Comms. He supports organisers and suppliers to strategically connect their brands with their clients, stakeholders and to build communities.
4:40 pm
16:40 – 17:20 Best of the Summer: Green Success Stories 2026
John Rostron, CEO of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), hosts a panel of UK outdoor festival organisers who have led the charge across the 2026 season. Discover real-world case studies, pioneering campaigns, and practical wins in reducing event environmental impacts—offering actionable insights and inspiration for the year ahead.
John Rostron (host) , CEO, Association of Independent Festivals
John Rostron (host)
CEO, Association of Independent Festivals
John Rostron is the Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, the UK’s leading festival representative body. AIF membership has now surpassed 100 of the leading independent music festivals in the UK. AIF leads on the campaign to reduce VAT on tickets to 5% for the next three years in order to support festivals and audiences. During 2023 John initiated the First Festival Campaign to present a new way for 18 year olds to access UK festivals. John formed a new All Party Parliamentary Group for Festivals which enables independent festivals to meet with MPs from across the UK to improve understanding of the festival sector. He also Chairs the LIVE Expert Group for festivals.
In 2023, John was appointed to the Board of Creative Wales – the Welsh Govt department for the Creative Industries. He advises on the Music Sector in Wales.
Bryonie Mathews , Sustainability Coordinator at Shambala Festival & Kendal Calling
Bryonie Mathews
Sustainability Coordinator at Shambala Festival & Kendal Calling
Bryonie’s work is grounded in the operational delivery of sustainability, aiming to bridge the gap between goals and action through practical strategies. Working as Sustainability Coordinator at Shambala festival & Kendal Calling festival, and as a Founding Partner at The Earthed Collective, she works to deliver change with teams on-the-ground informed by evidence and experience, with a keen focus on waste management and the power of collective vision. Bryonie’s key skill is making sustainability practical, accessible, and achievable at any level.”
Rowan Cannon , Artistic Director & CEO, Wild Rumpus CIC
Rowan Cannon
Artistic Director & CEO, Wild Rumpus CIC
Rowan is founder and director of Wild Rumpus, a social enterprise who produce Just So Festival, and formerly Timber Festival. Wild Rumpus are artists, curators and producers who explore nature connection and play through meaningful, joyful interventions. They deliberately blur lines in their creation process, and are experimental in their approach. The work they create fuels curiosity, playfulness and a boldness in their audiences, often families. Their programme of projects includes festivals, large-scale events, creative interventions, meaningful partnerships and sector development work. Wild Rumpus work internationally from their exploratory creation space in an English Woodland.
Emma Cree *(Emma Beat) , Founder, Festival Curator & Director The Beat Goes On…. Festival
Emma Cree *(Emma Beat)
Founder, Festival Curator & Director The Beat Goes On…. Festival
As the founder and director of The Beat Goes On… Micro-Festival (TBGO), launched in 2020, Emma Beat has spearheaded an annual independent event rooted in underground dance music, community, and radical sustainability.
Under her leadership, the festival operates on a strict Leave No Trace ethos utilising upcycled materials for infrastructure and decor, enforcing single use plastic reductions, providing free water refill stations, and partnering with ethical local vendors.
Supported by the AIF Micro-Festival mentoring scheme, Emma is taking TBGO’s environmental commitment further in 2027 by moving the event to a wind turbine powered farm location and joining forces with the Rubbish Portal to significantly reduce generator reliance and correctly measure & report on waste.
Beyond its environmental mission, Emma has established TBGO as a vital launchpad for emerging talent and a champion for grassroots festival culture. The multi stage event offers accessible pathways into the music industry while championing inclusivity and collaboration.
Emma’s hands-on leadership at TBGO, alongside her broader industry advocacy with organisations like the NTIA and PRS Foundation, reflects her commitment to building one of the UK’s leading underground micro-festivals creating a lasting, positive legacy for both the community and the live music sector.
Charlotte Jackson , Sustainability Lead, Team Love
Charlotte Jackson
Sustainability Lead, Team Love
Charlotte leads on sustainability for Team Love, driving climate action initiatives, partnerships and engagement across festivals such as Love Saves the Day, FORWARDS, and Love International.
Phoebe Close , Sustainability Manager, Festival Republic
Phoebe Close
Sustainability Manager, Festival Republic
Phoebe is Sustainability Manager at Festival Republic, working across shows including Reading and Leeds, Latitude and London concert series like Finsbury Park and Crystal Palace.
With a background in sustainability consultancy with a focus on innovation, sustainable food networks, and biodiversity, Phoebe has a particular interest in how live events can be opportunities to pilot and test wider solutions for sustainability.
5:20 pm
17:20-17:30 Closing remarks
Graham Brown rounds up the Summit and signposts delegates to next steps and action points
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