Dashboard

What is this session about?

Preparing for new laws, growing risks, and evolving expectations.

The pace of change on modern slavery and human rights is accelerating. New regulations, investor requirements, and shifting client priorities mean organisations can’t afford to stand still.

As scrutiny increases and expectations grow, many organisations are still grappling with hidden risk in their supply chains, unclear accountability, and uncertainty about what stronger action should look like in practice. For many, the challenge is not just knowing this matters. It is knowing how to raise its priority internally, build momentum across the business, and turn concern into meaningful action.

This one-day, in person conference, delivered in partnership with CCLA Investment Management, brings together leading voices from industry, investment, policy, academia and survivor advocacy to explore what is changing, where businesses remain exposed, and how organisations can respond with confidence.

Across the day, attendees will hear expert insight on legislation, investor expectations, supply chain visibility, accountability, survivor-informed response, and the practical steps needed to make prevention part of business as usual. The aim is not just to raise awareness, but to help organisations strengthen the internal conversation, build traction, and move this issue higher up the agenda.

The day features expert speakers, interactive sessions, lunch and facilitated table discussions, with plenty of opportunity for Q&A, shared learning, and networking, ensuring every attendee leaves with renewed clarity and practical next steps.

View the agenda here.

Why Attend?

Attendees will:

• Gain a clearer understanding of changing UK and international legislation on modern slavery and due diligence
• Hear directly from investors, policy voices, clients and industry leaders on where scrutiny and accountability standards are increasing
• Better understand where major blind spots still exist, even in mature supply chains
• Learn from cross‑sector insights, case studies, and survivor leader perspectives, taking part in practical discussions on integrating prevention into business strategy and performance
• Explore how stronger action can support governance, accountability and resilience
• Leave better equipped to raise the issue internally and build momentum for action
• Make connections with peers and experts who are tackling the same challenges

Who Will I Hear From?

This conference brings together an exceptional speaker line up, combining expertise from across modern slavery, procurement, law, investment, academia, government and the built environment

• Amar Lal — Advocate and Child Rights and Human Rights Activist; Survivor Leader with lived experience.
• Dame Sara Thornton — Consultant in Modern Slavery, CCLA Investment Management; Chair, The Police Foundation (UK); Professor of Practice in Modern Slavery Policy, Rights Lab, University of Nottingham.
• Elaine Mitchel-Hill — Independent International Practitioner | Human Rights & Global Supply Chains | Construction Products & Materials | The Built Environment.
• Emily Pica — Of Counsel, Omnia Strategy.
• Emma-Jane Allen — Lead Consultant, Action Sustainability; Built Environment Against Slavery Lead, Supply Chain Sustainability School.
• Helen Carter — Group Procurement & Supply Chain Director, Costain.
• Jo Potts — Sustainability Director - Responsible Sourcing & Social Impact, Balfour Beatty; Built Environment Against Slavery Group Chair, Sustainability Supply Chain School.
• Jo Meehan — Director of Centre for Sustainable Business, University of Liverpool Management School; Professor of Responsible Procurement, University of Liverpool.
• Dr Laura Murphy — Fellow, Harvard Carr-Ryan Centre for Human Rights; Senior Associate, Centre for Strategic and International Studies; Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery, Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, Sheffield Hallam University.
• Kimberley Gibson — Responsible Sourcing Manager, Human Rights, Kier.
• Leo Lou — Policy Associate, Accountability Counsel.
• Lucy Healy — Head of Responsible Supply Chain and Governance, Balfour Beatty.
• Lucy Shearer — Head of Ethical Supply Chains, Great British Energy.
• María Fernández Cachafeiro — Head of Sustainability & Social Value, Multiplex.
• Dr Martin Buttle — Better Work Lead, CCLA Investment Management.
• Sally Taylor — Sustainable Procurement Specialist, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
• Sheila Stefani — Head of Stewardship, LGPS Central.
• Victor Riega Garcia — Responsible Business Manager, Rathbones Group Plc.

See our full speaker line up here.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is for medium to large businesses - not SMEs. 

It is particularly relevant to senior professionals across:

• procurement
• commercial
• sustainability
• supply chain
• risk
• ESG
• legal
• HR
• facilities management
• compliance
• assurance

If your role touches supply chain governance, organisational risk, client expectations or responsible business practice, this event is designed to help you better understand the issue and take more confident action.

Travel Information

For the most up-to-date travel information please visit thestudio's 'Get Directions' page.

By Train: There are three railway stations within walking distance of thestudio: Birmingham New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street. New Street Station is just two minutes walk from thestudio.

By Car: As a city centre venue there is no onsite parking, though would recommend Birmingham Snow Hill Station Car Park, postcode B3 2BJ and Birmingham New Street Station Car Park, postcode B2 4ND. Both car parks are around a 5 minute walk from thestudio.

• If you are arriving by electric car and wish to charge during your visit, we recommend Zap Maps to locate compatible chargers for your vehicle. The postcode for our Birmingham venue is B25EP.

By Foot: Walking from New Street Station and New Street Station Car Park – 2 minutes 

• Exit the North exit ‘Stephenson Street’ or ‘New Street entrance’ and head up Lower Temple street past Caffé Nero. Turn right at Starbucks and continue down New Street (Tesco on your left). Cannon Street is the second street on the left, thestudio is half way along Cannon Street on the right hand side. See below for our walking video.

Walking from Birmingham Snow Hill Car Park – 5 minutes

• Exit the car park down the entrance ramp and turn left onto Livery Street. Continue to Colmore Row. At Colmore Row walk through the Cathedral park to Temple Row.  With the CBRE building in front of you take Cherry Street to the left of the building. Just after McDonalds and Greggs turn right onto Cannon Street. You will find thestudio half way down the street on the left.

Dietary Requirements

Once registered, please let us know any dietary requirements as soon as possible by completing this short form: Dietary requirements form

Attendance Requirements

Please arrive promptly and stay for the duration. This means arriving no later than 10 minutes and attending the full session.  Please note, if you fail to meet the attendance requirements, unfortunately you will not be issued a CPD Certificate.