Better Business Summit South: Local Action, Lasting Impact
This content was written by the Projects team, and you can read the blog on their website here
It’s been a month since the Better Business Summit South at Projects. Hosted in partnership with The Better Business Network, the summit brought together purpose-led leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives to explore what it really takes to make business better for people and planet – not just in theory, but in action.
From thought-provoking talks by Lauren Rosegreen, Chrissy Levett and Bud Johnston, to hands-on workshops with Molly Gould, Abb-d Taiyo, and B Lab as well as inspiring talks with Mike Turner from Bird & Blend and Emily King from Hubbub, every session gave us something real to take away.
The Day in Nature, which was delivered in partnership Locate Productions, also saw attendees take a trip to the rewilding project at Wilderlands, an ancient natural woodland in Sussex, providing the perfect way to plant literal and metaphorical seeds of change.
Photos by Beth Wild
One of the most powerful parts of the two days were the conversations that happened throughout, something that was especially highlighted during our closing reflections. The Projects team asked everyone:
If you could solve one local issue in the next year, what would it be - and what’s the first small step?
The responses revealed a mix of practical optimism and place-based impact. A few big themes stood out:
Rewilding & reclaiming neglected spaces
From overgrown verges to butterfly habitats, attendees want to bring nature back into their communities – and make it visible.
"I want to plant trees so people can’t park on grass verges – the grass will grow back, and it’ll be beautiful again."
"Rewilding natural spaces to stem butterfly species decline. This could be by planting wildflowers, avoiding using pesticides completely, and discouraging others from allowing their cars to idle while waiting in community spaces."
Inclusion in the creative industries
Attendees also shared a clear desire to create space for underrepresented voices – especially in local networks.
"There are creatives of colour in my community. I want to start conversations with event organisers to make sure they’re included."
"Bring more diversity into the comms and PR industry. Small step = reach out to communities to see what support they need or how I can help."
Civic action and local policy change
From procurement reform to public space improvement, many focused on local systems change.
"Get local weighting added to procurement processes completed by every council to increase local purchasing and increase local economic growth. Continue conversations with Surrey Council to get them to consider making the change."
"Making Nature Guardianship a “positive project” - pilot. First step, check out Biodiversity Net Gain funding and approach the local community and council with proposal."
The takeaway? People want to act – and they’re starting where they are.
Photos by Beth Wild
What’s one action you’ll take in your work or life as a result of today?
This wasn’t a ‘sit back and listen’ event. People left with clear, personal next steps.
Change financial behaviour
Multiple attendees committed to making a move towards sustainable financial planning and in particular chatting to Sebastian Elwell from Switchfoot about how they can do this.
"Change my mortgage provider to something more sustainable. And consult Ethical Consumer magazine before buying ANYTHING!"
"Talk to Seb about my pension."
Share stories
Feeling inspired by Abb-d's workshop focussed on Authentic Storytelling, people were committing to continuing their exploration into what defines their spheres of action and creating a strategy to communicate this across 12 months.
"I’m passing on the storytelling framework."
"Doing the homework from storytelling session."
"Be a good story teller."
Photos by Beth Wild
What’s one idea, quote or insight you want to remember from today?
The day was packed with wisdom, but a few quotes really stuck:
"DEI should be embedded into the DNA of your business. It’s not a project."
"We’re never going to know enough – do it & keep on doing it."
"Call in, instead of call out."
"A person’s true wealth is the good they do in the world."
Whether it was courage, humility, or accountability, people left reminded that change is a mindset, not a milestone.
Reflecting, a month on
We’re so proud to have hosted this incredible day - and even more excited to see the ripple effects already starting to show.
What stood out wasn’t just the big ideas, but the collective willingness to begin with small, purposeful steps. To stay accountable. To build bridges across difference. And to root change in place, not just in theory.
Now, we’d love to hear from you. We're asking: What’s one local issue you care about and what’s your first small step toward change?
Head over to our Linkedin post here and share it with us in the comments, or tag Projects and The Better Business Network in your own post. Let’s keep showing that better business isn’t just possible – it’s already happening.