An international programme for senior executives in leadership roles in its 30th year
The Business & Sustainability Programme (BSP) offers senior leaders the chance to join a world-class, spectacular programme at the cutting edge of sustainability and what it means for business. Since 1994, the BSP has evolved and grown into a global series run in key locations around the world. The programme has become a global benchmark for sustainability leadership education, amassing a network of over 3,700 alumni.
The programme equips leaders with the knowledge, commitment and inspiration to turn sustainability trends into strategic business decisions.
3700 alumni from more than 1750 organisations in 100 countries.
The BSP gives leaders the knowledge and techniques to redefine and respond to their social, economic and environmental priorities and provides a safe space for sharing, innovation and collaboration.
Each residential seminar takes places across four days. The format encourages participation through a combination of lectures, case study presentations, group discussions and individual reflections, giving delegates concrete ideas to take back to their organisations.
Benefits of attending
The programme is designed for organisations and individual leaders who seek to better understand and explore the opportunity of sustainability.
For delegates
- Gain a critical understanding of the current forces shaping our global operating context today and the interconnections between climate, nature, society, governance, and economic development
- Peer to peer learning with senior leaders across different sectors from around the world in a safe space.
- Engage with the latest evidence, case studies and thought leadership from the University of Cambridge and influential experts across government, finance and industry.
- Become equipped with the leadership skills required to navigate ambiguity and uncertainity and shape the future we need.
- Leave inspired, with the knowledge and confidence to drive change for a resilient business and a plan of action to inspire and empower at scale.
- Join a valuable alumni network of international leaders from business, government and civil society
For their organisations
- Identify and prioritise strategic actions that address key market challenges.
- Access cross-sector innovation and insight to boost resilience and adaptability.
- Build leadership capacity to navigate change and drive transformation
- Create a culture of proactive change, embedding sustainability beyond silos and throughout the business.
- Drive innovation and long-term value creation by redefining business purpose and impact.
- Develop a mindset and team to design out tensions between short term demands vs long term opportunities and compete on sustainable outcomes
Participants are encouraged to review their current business models and set a vision for what success looks like in the future, leaving the course with the inspiration, understanding and confidence to define and respond to pressing social, economic and environmental priorities.
Programme participants go on to join the CISL Network of over 40,000 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.
Download the brochure for more details on programme themes.
Choose your global seminar
Each seminar of the Business & Sustainability Programme is structured around the same foundational topics of sustainability leadership; however, sustainability challenges and opportunities vary widely by region.
Our differentiated seminars allow the BSP to address both the global issues as well as the relevant regional contexts and complexities that challenge the day-to-day lives of our delegates.
The networking opportunities, peer-to-peer collaboration and cross-sector problem-solving is most rewarding for delegates attending the seminar located closest to them.
How the programme is delivered
Participants begin their engagement ahead of the seminar through tailored conversations, a sustainable business survey and preparatory readings.
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. Download the programme brochure to get a deeper understanding of the programme objectives and the academic rigour underpinning the content.
Who should attend?
Each seminar includes a mix of carefully selected senior executives from a range of geographies and industries, to enhance peer-learning and collaboration.
Leading corporate organisations as well as government agencies and development banks use the programme to provide strategic context and support the leadership development of senior staff. We encourage applications from limited sustainability experience or knowledge who are interested in leveraging their ambition and influence to affect meaningful change.
Business leaders operating at a strategic level
Business delegates include company directors and business unit leaders responsible for areas such as strategy, brand and marketing, operations, finance, external affairs, innovation and resources. A few places are also allocated to senior sustainability leaders.
Recent attendees have included decision makers from leading companies such as ABN AMRO, Anglo American, Bank of Communications (HK), Hammerson, Heathrow Airport, IKEA, JLL, Lloyds Banking Group plc, Nestlé SA, P&G, SABIC, Tata Group, and Tetra Pak. Attendees on the Programme hold executive level positions, typically c-suite or directly reporting in. This includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Director or Chief Advisor. The Programme is not designed for those who come from a mainstream sustainability background or are practitioners in the area.
"CISL provides access to a treasure trove of information, perspective and inspiration to energize the progress on sustainability that we critically need. The quality of content and teaching is outstanding."
Martin Riant, Group President, Procter & Gamble
Decision-makers from public sector, international agencies and civil society
The programme is also highly relevant for leaders from the public sector, city authorities and international agencies who benefit from interacting with peers from the private sector as well as from increasing their understanding of global issues and trends.
Recent attendees have included senior officials from Environment Protection Agencies, the Treasury and International departments, directors from the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank and various UN agencies, and senior leaders from environmental and humanitarian NGOs.
Read a list of previous delegates.
Please refer to the international seminar pages for participant profiles
"The CISL BSP programme is essential as a business leader. It gave me both the knowledge and courage needed to take tough business decisions. It has also been fundamental in helping me pivot my career to focus on driving business change towards a more sustainable economy. Rewiring companies is difficult, but the programme provides a brilliant foundation to build from and access to a network of incredible business leaders to collaborate with."
David Howe, CEO, Jordisk Consulting
The Global Steering Committee
The Global Steering Committee brings together a group of senior-level peers from across business, academia, policy and sustainability to share thoughts and discuss trends that are affecting senior decision-makers. The goal of the steering committee is to ensure that the core curriculum of the programme is cutting-edge and globally applicable. The steering committee includes the following people:
Sam Welch
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, HyveGeo; and Research Associate, Circular Economy Centre, CJBS
For more details on who delivers our programmes, download the brochure.
Read testimonials from our delegates.
How to apply
To apply for the seminar please complete the application form. 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.
If you have a colleague who you feel would be suitable and interested in attending The CISL Business & Sustainability Programme, please email us and we can share materials for you to pass on.
All nominations are subjected to a robust vetting procedure to ensure delegates build diverse, international networks and foster ideas that cross traditional boundaries.
Selection criteria
All applications to the Programme are independently screened to ensure those attending have the best possible learning experience. Delegates who are accepted to the Programme are typically able to demonstrate:
- Appropriate senior level position within their organisation, with over 15 years’ experience
- Significant institutional influence within their organisation to directly affect strategy/strategic decisions
- Demonstrated commitment to sustainability and ambition to transition their organisation beyond business as usual
- A high level of proficient in the English language (in order to derive maximum value from participation)
- Ability to pay the fees or to identify a sponsoring institution
