On 12 July 2023, the first ever Bupa eco-Disruptive Live event at Old Billingsgate in London brought together entrepreneurs, start-ups, Bupa employees, business leaders and investors in a one-day celebration of human ingenuity, collaboration and sustainability innovation.
On arrival, guests were met with an immersive experience which brought to life Bupa's sustainability ambitions and reinforced the link between the health of the planet and the health of people. With three doorways to choose from, attendees could meet some of the inspiring start-ups that have participated in Bupa's eco-Disruptive programme and which align with one of Bupa's sustainability focus areas: Mission Zero, Mission Accelerate, and Mission Regenerate.
From 100% biodegradable bags that dissolve in hot water, exercise bikes that generate clean electricity, to smart recycling for anaesthetic gases, the event was a real opportunity to showcase pioneering businesses from Australia, Spain, the UK and Hong Kong, that could deliver a positive impact for people and planet. The venue was buzzing as people interacted with different solutions and began to discover what future opportunities to climate challenges could look like.
Part of the vision for the event involved putting the health of the planet at the heart of the event production – from the repurposed wood for the stands, reusable screws holding the event together, the onward journeys for hire items, and lanyards made from seed paper that could be planted. We also commissioned sustainable artworks from Dae Studio to feature within the venue – including a globe created from Upcycled Medical's blue scrubs made from recycled plastic and green Cassava Bags made from cassava root – all of which will find a new home in one of our Bupa offices or facilities.
Advocating for sustainability through collaboration and innovation
Throughout the day there was an agenda of insightful and engaging panel discussions and keynotes on the main Thrive stage. Hosted by National Geographic Explorer, TV presenter and wildlife filmmaker Malaika Vaz, the stage provided a space for guests to hear from a line-up of external speakers and Bupa leaders who advocated for collaboration and innovation, and showed attendees how bright ideas could become game-changing solutions.
The stage kicked off with support and enthusiasm from Bupa's Group CEO, Iñaki Ereño, who spoke about Bupa's eco-Disruptive programme which sees employees and start-ups collaborate to develop sustainability solutions. His welcoming address was followed by insights from Deborah Meaden, TV personality, entrepreneur and investor, who proactively supports a healthier planet. She shared her passion for investing in sustainability start-ups, her personal interest in the environment and addressing the climate crisis, and her enthusiasm for purpose-driven entrepreneurs who could make a real difference to sustainability issues – which she later reiterated in an interview with BBC News at the event.
We heard from business leaders, sustainability pioneers and healthcare professionals
Cassava Bags, Upcycled Medical, Earthrise Studio, and 2022 Earthshot Prize winner, NotPla, featured in the first panel of the day, sharing their experiences, learnings, and tips for scaling a sustainable innovation. Before wrapping up for a lunch break and more networking with the start-ups, guests were encouraged to sample NotPla's Ooho product, an edible bubble designed to replace single-use plastic packaging for liquids.
In the afternoon, Deborah Meaden led a Q&A alongside sustainability brands Earthrise Studio and Fussy who addressed queries from two start-ups, Doctomatic and Celsius, covering everything from securing investment to tips on marketing a sustainable business – before opening the session to questions from the audience. The session was followed by two keynote presentations from Forum for the Future and Futerra on the important role of businesses in catalysing change and accelerating sustainability agendas, with Bupa's Chief Sustainability Officer, Nigel Sullivan, delving into some of these themes in a fireside chat with both speakers.
After a short break, Malaika welcomed the final panel to the stage which was led by Dr Paula Franklin, Bupa's Chief Medical Officer, who set the scene for a discussion on achieving a sustainable healthcare future. UCL Partners, Health Care Without Harm, SageTech Medical and a Medical Futurist talked about some of the challenges (and opportunities) from a healthcare and clinical perspective, concluding that there is reason to be excited about sustainability in healthcare.
The power to create a better, sustainable future
Bupa's Chairman Roger Davis and Malaika Vaz delivered some final reflections and brought the day to a close. It was clear from all the discussions that there are urgent challenges today that need to be addressed. But there is also reason to feel optimistic.
Bupa eco-Disruptive Live reminded us all that when we work together, we have the power to create a better, sustainable future. A future in which people live longer, healthier, happier lives – and so does the planet.
