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In September 2020 we delivered the inaugural virtual Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme with outstanding feedback. In order to deliver an effective remote programme and recognising the practical limitations of screen-based engagement, the event was extended across five days with delegates involved in rich discussion, analytical exercises and interactive debate. We intend to recommence in person delivery in 2021, subject to guidance from the UK government and the University of Cambridge. The next residential course is scheduled to take place in Cambridge from Sunday 25 April-Wednesday 28 April 2021. We are also running a second virtual seminar 7-11 June 2021. |
Dates25-28 April 2021 7-11 June 2021 (virtual seminar) 7-10 November 2021 Duration and format
Three and half day residential seminar/five-day part-time virtual seminar LocationThe next residential seminar will take place at the Møller Centre, Cambridge. |
Fee
Selection criteria
How to applySubmit your application or get in touch to nominate a colleague via email who meets the above criteria and we will share materials with you to forward on. |
The Business & Sustainability Programme, Cambridge
The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme is an international leadership programme for senior executives in leadership roles. With a 26-year history, it has over 3,200 alumni from more than 1,500 organisations.
The programme equips leaders with the knowledge, commitment and inspiration to turn sustainability trends into strategic business decisions.
It gives leaders the knowledge and techniques to redefine and respond to their social, economic and environmental priorities by providing a safe space for sharing, innovation and collaboration.
Programme benefits
The programme is designed for organisations and individual leaders who seek to better understand and explore the opportunity of sustainability.
Participants in the programme can:
- gain a critical understanding of the key social, economic, environmental and market trends and identify implications for the business and priorities for action
- learn with leaders across different sectors from around the world in a safe space for sharing, innovation and collaboration
- engage with the latest research and thought leadership from the University of Cambridge and influential experts
- strengthen leadership skills for a changing context aligned with a sustainable economy
- leave inspired, with the knowledge and confidence to drive change for sustainable business
- join a valuable network of international leaders from business, government and civil society.
Programme participants go on to join the CISL Network of nearly 9,000 senior leaders and leading practitioners from around the world. Members enjoy access to alumni events including keynote lectures and gala dinners, they are invited to join our private LinkedIn group, and receive regular updates on international sustainability developments, with the opportunity to contribute to innovative research.
How the programme is delivered
This year, due to restrictions on travel and health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Business and Sustainability Programme is moving online over five half-days, with approximately 35 senior executives attending.
Participants begin their engagement ahead of the seminar through tailored conversations, a sustainable business survey and a two-hour, self-paced online introductory course, Sustainability Essentials.
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, case-study presentations, group discussions, individual reflections and networking opportunities. Small-group conversations help participants reflect on their leadership journey, test their assumptions, share challenges , learn from peers and co-create responses.
Key themes
The need for effective business leadership |
In the context of global trends such as food, water and energy security, social equity, consumption and the circular economy, supply chain resilience, sustainable finance and investment and climate change |
The framework for sustainable outcomes |
Including the Sustainable Development Goals, the wider regulatory market, and technological shifts and disruptions and the business risks and opportunities they create |
The case for a sustainable business approach |
Touching the organisational purpose, its role in working with customers, investors, and policymakers, and the commercial case for sustainability |
The way to ‘operationalise’ sustainability |
Setting strategies, exploring new business models, and building capacity to create shared value |
The role of individual leadership |
Framing a vision for a sustainable business, the priorities for change and bringing others on board |
World-class faculty and contributors from business, policy and academia
Each programme is facilitated by an expert faculty of business and policy leaders, academics and influential thinkers, which have previously included:
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 Will DayFor the last 10 years, Will has been Sustainability Advisor to PwC UK. In this role he works regularly with senior staff at Board and Executive team level of global and large national companies, and governments around the world. He is a CISL Fellow. |
 Bob ScholesBob is a systems ecologist and a Distinguished Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He has led several major national and global science assessments, including parts of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. |
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 Anna EastonAnna is Global Head of Social Impact at Dentsu Aegis Network and a senior associate at the CISL. Anna works at the intersect of strategy, communications and sustainability helping organisations embed purpose at the heart of everything they do. |
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Enos Ned Banda
Louise Ellison
Tony Juniper
Munish Datta
How do we deal with participants from the same industry?
The seminars provide a safe space for delegates to share and co-explore challenges and ideas relating to their personal and professional context. All discussions are treated as confidential and are conducted under the Chatham House Rule. For some of the more sensitive conversations, attendees from competing organisations are allocated to different syndicate groups, however, there is nothing to prevent these individuals engaging in active debate and sharing of ideas – in our experience, delegates appreciate the opportunity to interact with their peers on a shared sustainability agenda.
How to apply
Approximately 35 delegates are selected to attend each seminar. All nominations are subject to a robust vetting procedure to achieve the right balance on each seminar between industry sectors and between business, government and NGOs.
Submit your application or get in touch to nominate a colleague via email who meets the above criteria and we will share materials with you to forward on.
Please note that you will need to complete the online application form in one sitting, so please ensure that you have all required information with you.
Fees, bursaries, terms and conditions
The residential programme fee is £4,500 (VAT-exempt), which includes tuition, learning materials, accommodation, activities, meals and membership of our alumni Network.
Our long history of running professional development courses has shown that there is an increased value to your organisation when you send multiple employees. To facilitate this, we offer organisations a reduced rate when sending four or more delegates to an individual seminar or across multiple seminars or years. Please contact a member of the team to discuss in more detail.
A limited number of bursaries are also available to support the participation of delegates from civil society and government organisations who would otherwise be unable to participate. To apply for a bursary or for more information regarding group discounts please email us.
