All aboard as Lumo supports businesses with free travel to Blue Earth Summit
North East and Scottish purpose led businesses will travel together to London for the Blue Earth Summit, where innovation meets investment to build a better future for people and the planet, thanks to Lumo partnership.
North East and Scottish businesses are set to make a low-carbon journey to London for this year’s Blue Earth Summit, with B Local North East securing free rail travel for delegates, supported by sustainable rail operator Lumo.
The initiative will bring together some of the region’s businesses that are part of a global movement working to benefit people and the planet for a unique business delegation travelling from Edinburgh, via Newcastle, to London King’s Cross, creating the UK’s first Blue Earth business rail delegation connecting Scotland, the North East and London.
Taking place from 14 to 16 October, Blue Earth Summit brings together some of the world’s most forward thinking and optimistic people, connecting innovators and investors, founders and business leaders, policymakers and campaigners who are working to build the future economy.
With B Lab UK as headline partner of the Summit, B Local North East and B Local Scotland - the regional communities for those working towards better business - have secured free rail travel for up to 50 delegates, alongside discounted admission and accommodation.
The delegation will include certified B Corps, businesses working towards B Corp certification and those committed to improving their impact across people, planet and profit.
Businesses from the B Local Scotland community will join the journey in Edinburgh before the train stops in Newcastle to pick up North East delegates, creating a moving hub for networking, knowledge-sharing and collaboration on the journey south.
Organisers will host a series of lightning talks and discussions about innovation, investment, responsible business and building the future economy onboard, giving delegates the opportunity to share ideas, make connections and explore how purpose-led businesses can create positive change.
B Local North East Co-Chair Suzi McCreedy said: “We know that travelling from the North to London can be a significant ask for smaller businesses, particularly with increasing pressure on time and costs. The support from Lumo, alongside the discounted access and accommodation secured through Blue Earth and B Lab UK, helps remove some of those barriers and makes it much more accessible for businesses from our region to be part of this global conversation.
“We also wanted the journey itself to be part of the experience. The dedicated area on the train will become a space for networking, lightning talks and conversations about how we can build a more sustainable world.”
The partnership with Lumo will also provide delegates with an opportunity to experience the open-access rail operator’s approach to sustainable business travel.
Lumo operates an all-electric fleet and has introduced a range of onboard sustainability initiatives, including paperless ticketing, replacing plastic bottles with more sustainable alternatives and offering a menu that is 50% plant-based.
Richard Salkeld, director of communications and partnerships at Lumo, said: “We want the B Local and Blue Earth delegation area to become a live demonstration of what sustainable business travel can look like.
“Too often, businesses in the North are excluded from opportunities in London because of the time, cost and environmental impact associated with travel. LUMO is keen to help change that and demonstrate that businesses can access major national and international events without needing to fly.
“We’re proud to support this delegation, bringing together purpose-led businesses from Scotland and the North East on one journey to London and demonstrating how sustainable rail travel can connect businesses, create opportunities and help build a more sustainable future.”
North East and Scottish businesses already confirmed to join the delegation include, Just Williams, Robson Laidler Accountants, UMi, Blu Sky Accountants, McBryde & Co, Heron Financial , Muckle Media, Zebra Growth, Anturas, 51 to Carbon Zero, Happy Porch, and Planner Be.
Any other purpose led businesses who would like to join the delegation can register their interest by emailing [email protected]
To learn more about the Blue Earth Summit and what’s on visit Blue Earth Summit
To find out more about B Corporations visit About B Lab UK - B Lab UK