Mike is a leader in sustainable change. One of the pioneers of green business in the corporate world he helped to develop, launch and implement Marks and Spencer’s ground-breaking sustainability programme, Plan A (because there is no Plan B for the one world we have). In ten years, Plan A delivered £750m of net business benefit and over the years won 230 awards.

During his time at M&S he helped evolve Plan A to become a change management programme designed to make sustainability ‘how M&S did business’. The business achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status, moved to 100% renewable electricity and achieved carbon neutrality across its global estate of stores, offices and warehouses.

He helped the business engage in some of the world’s leading collaboration platforms for sustainability such as the World Economic Forum, the Consumer Goods Forum and Business in the Community. His external leadership ensured that Plan A leadership and learning was leveraged into wider change throughout the global economy, including:

• Inaugural winner of the Guardian Sustainable Business Innovator of the year in 2011 after a public vote;

• Co-chair of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainability Steering Group;

• Chair of the World Environment Centre;

• Member of Business in the Community’s Environmental Leadership team;

• Business Fellow at the Smith Centre Oxford University;

• Senior Associate Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership

• Ethical Corporation Honouree 2019

• Trustee at Blueprint for Better Business

Having worked at an international level of business, with charities, with think tanks, and with start-ups he has a broad array of experience. He has proven the necessity of dialogue, trust and the willingness to develop engagement into wide ranging mutually beneficial partnerships. This is vital for the interconnected world we live in.

During his career he has shown exceptional drive, integrity and personal resilience throughout periods of management change, takeover battles and challenging trading. He has developed excellent leadership skills and has demonstrated his ambition and passion to build a more sustainable future.

Upon leaving M&S he formed mikebarryeco ltd in order to support organisations across society and the economy to deliver sustainable change.

Maria is an economist and politician from Cape Verde. A leading expert in global development issues, she has worked in public service for over thirty years. Over the last decade, FAO has contributed to a new narrative, one where agriculture features more prominently in addressing increasingly complex emerging global issues– from climate change to conflict. By promoting a systematic integrated approach that takes a more inclusive view, Ms Semedo has fostered cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder exchanges, resulting in greater engagement and stronger strategic partnerships to better position FAO in its role to promote the transition towards sustainable food and agriculture systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Before taking up her current duties in 2013, Ms Semedo gained valuable experience and insight in Africa, first as FAO Representative in Niger (2003-2008), then as Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and Sub-regional Coordinator for West Africa (2008-2009) and Regional Representative for Africa (2009-2013). Prior to her international career, she worked as an economist for the Cabo Verde Ministry of Planning and Cooperation before becoming Secretary of State for Fisheries, then in 1993 Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Rural Affairs – the first-ever woman Minister in her country. After serving as Minister for Tourism, Transportation and Marine Affairs from 1995-1998, she became Member of Parliament, a position she held until 2003.

Honors and awards

November 2019:
• Receives the Crans Montana Forum Prix de la Fondation

December 2018:
• The Government of Brazil bestows the honorific Order of Rio Branco
• The Universidade Aberta in Lisbon confers the Honoris Causa doctorate for her work in global
sustainable development

March 2018:
• Named “Woman of the Year” at the commemoration of the 2018 Women Diplomats Day in
Portugal

May 2008:
• Receives the Order of Niger for her distinguished service to the field of agriculture.

H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, from Angola, was elected as the new commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. Mrs Sacko was the special adviser to the Minister of agriculture, assigned with the responsibility of advising on issues related to international cooperation both bilateral and multilateral.

Malachy is co-founder and Managing Director of Farrelly & Mitchell. He works with CEOs, executives and leaders from private enterprises and public sector institutions helping to grow their food sector companies and agribusinesses.

Having spent 30 years working in the European, Middle East and international food sectors in various senior management and consulting roles, Malachy knows what is required to strategically organise projects in largescale farming, consumer foods and agri-processing and logistics. His experience in supply chain optimisation across complex market geographies informs the company’s approach of working with clients from planning right through to execution and beyond.

As the Managing Director of Farrelly & Mitchell, he has developed and executed numerous domestic and international market entry, expansion and M&A transactions worldwide on behalf of corporate and government clients.

Prior to co-founding Farrelly & Mitchell, Malachy worked in various senior operational and policy roles in Ireland, UK and the Middle East in poultry meat, produce and dairy sectors for the Kerry Group, Fakieh Poultry, Carton Bros. Ltd and Irish Farmers’ Association.