The Power of Purpose

By Zahid Torres-Rahman, Founder and CEO, Business Fights Poverty

Over 300 people converged on Saïd Business School last week for Business Fights Poverty Oxford 2019 to explore how to embed purpose authentically into business. Business Fights Poverty’s Zahid Torres-Rahman reflects on the power of purpose – to help us become the brightest version of ourselves, and also to get us through the darkest times.

Over 300 people converged on Saïd Business School last week to explore how to embed purpose authentically into business.

Supported by GSK, Unilever and Visa, our annual event, Business Fights Poverty Oxford 2019, was our most ambitious to date: 85 expert speakers, 10 practical workshops, 6 deep-dive Knowledge Zones, 5 delegate-led Connection Lunches, 4 Keynote Speakers, 3 Personal Coaching Sessions, 2 Plenary Panels, and an Online Discussion that has so far drawn in over 1,000 participants!

In addition, WWF presented a special screening of the new film “Our Planet: Our Business“, inspired by the “Our Planet” Netflix Series. And to round it all off, our opening and closing performances were by Brit Award-nominated recording artist, George the Poet!

The event feedback has been our best yet: 94% of participants surveyed rated it “good” or “excellent”; 96% said they would recommend it to a colleague; 93% learnt something valuable; and 90% made a useful connection. This is a testament to the hard work of the team and our Content Partners: WWF, The Partnering Initiative, CARE, Oxfam, The League of Intrapreneurs, Mercy Corps, WBCSD and Be Inspired Films.

The event also saw the launch of our inaugural group of Business Fights Poverty Ambassadors – members of the Business Fights Poverty community who have stepped forward to take a more proactive role in helping us drive collective insights and connections, both at our flagship events and beyond, as well as to provide mutual support to each other. If you would be interested in learning more, please get in touch.

If you weren’t able to join us in Oxford, we’ll be sharing the videos from the plenary sessions over the coming days. You can also register your interest in attending Business Fights Poverty Oxford 2020, taking place at Saïd Business School on 16 July: https://snipbfp.org/BFPOXFORD2020 – and we’ll be in touch once registrations open.

For now, I’d like to share the video of the welcome and opening. This includes the great performance by George The Poet, as well my reflections on purpose. I talk about the power of purpose to help us become the brightest version of ourselves, and also to get us through the darkest times. I have also included the inspiring closing performance by George The Poet.

Opening Performance by George The Poet

My Opening Speech on the Power of Purpose

Closing Performance by George The Poet

Other videos we will share shortly include:

  • Keynote speeches on the power of purpose by Chris Barron, Vice President, for Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever; Sally Jackson, Senior Vice President, Global Communications and CEO Office, GSK; Monique Ntumngia, President, Green Girls Organisation and CEO, Monafrik Energy Ltd and Visa Everywhere Initiative: Social Impact Challenge Winner; and Andrew Hunt, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Aduna.
  • The opening plenary panel discussion on embedding purpose authentically into business, with Justine Harris, Former Group Head of Sustainable Business, Vodafone; Ben Kellard, Director of Business Strategy, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership; Marianne Mwaniki, Senior Vice President and Head of Social Impact, Visa; Danny Sriskandarajah, Chief Executive, Oxfam GB; and Amy Wilson, Sector co-lead: Consumer Goods and Retail, Hermes Investment Management. The panel was moderated by David Grayson, Professor Emeritus, Cranfield School of Management.
  • The closing plenary panel on speaking with purposes – business taking a stand, with Fanny Calder, Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs, WWF-UK; Daphne Jayasinghe, Chief Policy Advisor – Economic Programmes and Acting Head of Policy, International Rescue Committee; Joanna van Lynden, Senior Communications Manager, Global Food & Refreshment Division, Unilever; Anna Swaithes, Head of Responsible Business, Government Inclusive Economy Unit, DCMS; and Jo Webb, Global Ethical Trade Manager, The Body Shop. The panel was moderated by Gib Bulloch, Intrapreneur in Residence, Business Fights Poverty.

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