In 2026, the overarching theme for our Business Forum community to explore was ‘where commercial meets ethical: opportunities for ethical approaches in an unethical world‘. This included exploring explore whether food businesses that are wanting to be more ethical are being held back by genuine commercial realities, or by rules, incentives and assumptions that nobody has seriously challenged.
Our autumn Business Forum on Tuesday 6th October saw changemakers from agri-food businesses across the UK come together for a candid conversation under the Chatham House Rule, to explore the forces shaping the next decade of responsible business. Many people in companies want to do the right thing – pay fairly, protect nature, cut emissions and more – but too often the prevailing wind of short-term commercial pressures get in the way. We asked what it would take to flip that script.
Speakers were Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of ShareAction, and Ana Cuddeford, Director of Investor Engagement at Inside Track, coming hot on the heels of the publication of the Inside Track x Food Memo The Illusion of Resilience in a Degrading Supply Chain. Discussions were held under the Chatham House rule, meaning that points remain anonymous and quotes are unattributed. The summary report below captures some of the insights that were shared and discussed at the meeting.
Inspired to learn more about joining the Food Ethics Council Business Forum? If you work for a food or farming business and are interested in learning more, head here for further details of what’s involved.