National Cricket Centre, Sophia Gardens
Main Conference - Afternoon
The afternoon will be dedicated to breakout sessions, covering a wide-range of topics. Delegates will be allocated to two sessions.
The first session will run 14:00 - 15:00 and the second session will run 15:30 - 16:30, with a tea and coffee break in-between.
Breakout Session 1: Collaboration in Innovation: Brokerage Session
14:00 - 15:00
Amber Room
Innovate UK Business Growth will be hosting a brokerage session aimed at fostering knowledge transfer connections between UK based organisations and international partners including opportunities for collaboration between regions involved in the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). Academics and third sector representatives are invited to attend and share their areas of interest so that brokerage matches can be facilitated. The session will be supplemented with information on the various businesses support packages available to facilitate international innovation collaborative opportunities. Please note, supplementary information will be sourced from participants prior to this event to support appropriate brokerage / matching opportunities, this will include use of B2Match.
Breakout Session 2: Encouraging Circular Behaviours in Wales and Across the Globe
14:00 - 15:00
15:30 - 16:30
Pyramid Room
This session will deliver a deep dive into the insights that shaped Be Mighty. Recycle campaign strategy, exploring the activities that inspired audiences in Wales and revealing the impact on both food waste prevention and recycling behaviours. We’ll also showcase food waste prevention campaigns we’ve delivered, in partnership with countries across the globe, demonstrating how tailoring approaches to cultural and audience nuances maximises impact.
Speakers include:
Breakout Session 3: Impact of Academia: Research, Skills, and Innovation
14:00 - 15:00
15:30 - 16:30
Executive Boxes Room
This session will feature a panel discussion with an emphasis on audience interaction and questions. Academics will share how their research is impacting the transition to a circular economy in Wales and beyond and will be discussing how students are developing the skills needed to further the circular economy.
Speakers include:
- Professor Jas Pal Badyal, Chief Scientific Advisor for Wales
- Dr Katie Beverley, Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Professor Gavin Bunting, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University
- Professor Sandra Esteves, University of South Wales
- Max Green, Research and Innovation Fellow, Swansea University
- Dr Kersty Hobson, Cardiff University
- Dr. Nadine Leder, Cardiff University
- Professor Cameron Pleydell-Pearce, Swansea University
Breakout Session 4: Circular Economy in Action: Pathways to Sustainable Development
14:00 - 15:00
15:30 - 16:30
Museum Room
This experiential and immersive workshop will be delivered by CEIC team (Cardiff Met and Swansea Universities) and will explain how they have supported organisations to develop innovation and Circular Economy (CE) capabilities and reduce their carbon footprint and increase productivity. CEIC has supported over 120 organisations business and third sector organisations to develop a Clean Growth plan and a Carbon Reduction Plan by helping them understand circular economy (CE) principles and develop the innovation skills to implement new processes and practices within their organisation.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Gary Walpole, Director of CEIC, Cardiff Met University
- Jill Davies, Programme Manager - CEIC, Cardiff Met University
Breakout Session 5: Driving Circularity in the Public Sector
15:30 - 16:30
Amber Room
During this interactive workshop you will learn how Government policy and practice align, and how the Welsh public procurement influences customers to adopt these principles across the procurement cycle to drive responsible consumption. You can expect to be challenged and to reflect on the actions that you could take to make a difference.
Speakers include:
- Paul Griffiths, Head of Commercial Delivery, Welsh Government
- Aled Guy, Head of Sustainability & Net Zero Carbon Management, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
- Heulwen Hudson, Circular Economy Manager, Welsh Government
- Pauline Vella, Delivery Manager - Technical Support, WRAP Cymru
Breakout Session 6: From Linear to Circular - Repair and Reuse Across the Value Chain
15:30 - 16:30
The View Room
This session will focus on how reuse and repair can work for citizens and consumers. Using Wales’ repair and reuse route map: Towards a Universal Culture of Repair and Reuse in Wales, the panel will represent views to examine how reuse and repair can be expanded.
Speakers include:
- Claire Downey, Policy and Research Director, The Rediscovery Centre
- Bettina Gilbert, Head of Circular Economy, WRAP
- Alun Harries, Charity Manager, Wastesavers
- Jon Howes, Workshop Coordinator, Cardiff Cycle Workshop
Breakout Session 7: Circular Innovation in Business: Case Studies
14:00 - 15:00
15:30 - 16:30
Lewis Lounge Room
This session will feature innovative case studies from businesses investing in driving the circular economy through innovation and partnership. Each session will feature businesses from Wales and further afield sharing their story, sharing learnings, and detailing the successes they’ve had in embedding circular principles in their everyday practices.
Speakers include:
- Jon Anderson, Chief Technology Officer, Polytag
- Dr Geraldine Brennan, Head of Circular Economy, Irish Manufacturing Research
- Adam Crowe, Head of Product Circularity Standards, WRAP
- Simon Fleet, W. Howard Group
- Rosalie McMillan, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Smile Plastics
- Andrew Martin, Head of Food, Drink and Agri-Tech, AMRC Cymru
Breakout Session 8: Wales’ Recycling Successes
14:00 - 15:00
The View Room
This session will explore the success Wales has had in becoming one of the top recycling nations and the progressive approach that the Welsh Government and local authorities have taken to enable these achievements. Panellists will cover topics such as the Welsh Government’s collection blueprint, the recently enacted workplace recycling regulations, and Wales’ ambitions to become the best recycling nation in the world.
Speakers include:
- Sarah Edwards, Chief Officer of Environmental Services, Pembrokeshire County Council
- Tim Gent, General Manager, Recresco
- Tim Peppin, Corporate Director, Welsh Local Government Association
- Dr Andy Rees OBE, Head of Waste Strategy, Welsh Government
- Simon Rutledge – Group Sustainability and External Affairs Manager, Biffa