I was delighted to be invited to Nelson College London’s Employability and Entrepreneurship Forum which was combined with their Learning Teaching Engagement and Enhancement Conference, as their keynote speaker on Sustainability and Employability.

The audience consisted of 300 people including industry employers, entrepreneurs and staff and students from Nelson College London. The keynote looked specifically at sustainability in business and the principles of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and its impact on education and employment.

Looking at climate change, business malpractice and greenwashing examples the importance of working for organisations with sustainable business practices being evident was stressed. This included a holistic approach to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and ethical governance. Good practice examples were looked at such as Naked Sprout, the UK’s most sustainable toilet roll company. Tips were given on how to ensure organisations chosen were the best organisations to work for, from looking at industry surveys through to their website, social media and checking that the organisations mission and values aligns with the potential employees. In conclusion it was shown that by embracing sustainability, businesses can unlock new opportunities for innovation, growth and competitive advantage while simultaneously fostering a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

After the keynote the students had time to meet with the employers and entrepreneurs and discuss career opportunities. I was delighted to also have a table and sign copies of my ‘Star Quality Talent’ book which were given to students in attendance that wanted to learn about the ‘HOSPITALITY’ skills every employer looks for when recruiting.