Purposefest 2024: A celebration of businesses working for people, profit and planet

Bristol played host to Purposefest 2024, a gathering that brought together purpose-driven individuals, entrepreneurs and change-makers.

Held at the Bristol Beacon, the event was a celebration of those leading businesses with purpose, fostering a community of purpose and striving for sustainability beyond accreditation.

Purposefest welcomed a diverse audience, including communicators, founders, agency professionals and decision-makers. Whether someone is a seasoned campaigner in the B Corp movement or simply curious about using business as a force for good, the event provided a platform for learning, sharing and networking.

Speaking to Bristol24/7 on the significance of Purposefest, attendee Katherine Piper, director of partnerships and sustainability at Future Leap, said: “In general, I feel that the B Corp movement is hugely important, holding organisations to accountant, and really looking at that wider sustainability angles.

“So, we’re not just thinking about carbon and the environment, which of course is very important, but we’re also thinking about the people and how can our businesses be sustainable.

“I feel like that holistic way of looking at sustainability is so important.”

On the skepticism of some businesses regarding the accreditation process, she added: “I think that it’s necessary because, unfortunately, we can’t rely on businesses to do what they’re purporting to be doing. We need to have some form of credible accreditation to verify. So, it’s a challenging accreditation to get but I think that’s so important. We need to hold businesses to accounts and that’s a really effective way of doing it.”

Throughout the day, panel discussions explored critical topics, including biodiversity, to B or not to B? Mental health and wellbeing, money matters, inclusivity and more.

Dale Vince, the owner of Ecotricity, and singer John Robb shared their vision for a sustainable future.

Between sessions, attendees had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas for the future ahead. Purposefest fostered connections among like-minded individuals who are committed to shaping a better world.

After the session with Vince, attendees had the opportunity to meet and greet the green entrepreneur who was promoting his latest book, Manifesto: The Battle for Green Britain.

Speaking to Bristol24/7, Vince said: “There’s a better way to do everything that is more sustainable than the way it’s done now. It’s not just about environment, it’s about the economy. The only sustainable economy we can have is a green economy.”

Also speaking to Bristol24/7 was Rin Hamburgh, founder and director of Rin Hamburgh and Co., the award-winning B Corp copywriting and consulting service.

She said: “I think last time we came to Purposefest, we weren’t quite a B Corp yet. I think we were on our journey towards it and now it’s like a year since we’ve become a B Corp.

“So it’s just really exciting to look around and to see how many more people there are here. How many more people are engaging in that conversation about what business can look like. I’ve always believed that business can be a force for good.

“When you’re a single lone business or a single lone, business owner, it can feel very isolated and isolating. So to have a community like this where we can share ideas, share our experiences, be encouraged and learn new techniques. I think that is just fantastic. And I’m so glad that an event like this exists.”

“I’ve always believed that business can be a force for good” – Rin Hamburgh

Helene Hills co-founder of TrueStart Coffee, served as the morning MC, while Ayan Said, founder of Voicing Voices, guided the afternoon sessions.

A lively rendition of Be a B by the Purposefest founder Andy Hawkins, an alternative take on the Beatles’ hit Let It Be brought the day’s proceedings to a conclusion with participation from the audience.

On Purposefest 2024, Hawkins, said: “PurposeFest is a brilliant showcase to show just how many B Corps there in Bristol and Bath and what it feel like to spend a whole day with each other.

“We hope that the next year will have plenty more collaboration and growing our collective impact. It’s about being the best for the world rather than just focussing on being the best in the world!”

The event featured a series of talks, covering pressing topics

Some 450 people, representing the breadth of the city attended the event, which will return on March 5, 2025.

Main photo: Milan Perera

Read next:

• Bristol-based period product company becomes B Corp
• Cyber security specialist becomes B Corp
• Specialist recruitment company gains B Corp status
• To B Corp or not to B Corp: Reading the signs in a changing business landscape