Brands worth £1.4 trillion in annual revenue gather at Kew as UK becomes ‘global hub’ for nature action

Corporate leaders representing more than £1.4 trillion in annual revenue – including half of the UK’s ten largest retailers - gathered at Kew Gardens this month to accelerate practical action on nature across global business and finance.

Hosted by leading British biodiversity consultancy Biodiversify in partnership with Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, the event brought together sustainability leaders from across 12 industries, including organisations such as Primark, The Co-op Group, BAM UK & Ireland, The Crown Estate, and The Gascoyne Estate.

More than 50 companies participated in the gathering, reflecting the rapid growth in demand for corporate nature expertise across UK business.

The event reflects a new reality facing corporates: dedicated in-house nature roles that barely existed two years ago are now critical positions that benefit from peer support, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving.

The day-long session, titled 'Accelerating Corporate Nature Positive Journeys', marks a shift in how UK businesses are approaching biodiversity – moving decisively from policy discussion and compliance frameworks towards practical implementation and coordinated action.

Operating under the Chatham House Rule to encourage candid discussion, the gathering functioned as a solutions-focused workshop where mid-to-senior-level practitioners tackled real-world challenges.

Discussions centred on integrating nature-positive strategies into commercial decision-making, risk planning, supply chain resilience, and building compelling business cases for nature investment within executive leadership.

Dr. Samuel Sinclair, Co-Founder and Director at Biodiversify, said: "The UK is emerging as a global hub for nature-positive business leadership, and this event was a manifestation of that.

“We're seeing the world's largest companies not just talking about nature but actively coordinating action and unlocking significant investment to transform their operations.

“The appetite for practical, action-oriented guidance has never been stronger. Companies are moving beyond disclosure requirements to ask how nature strategies can drive competitive advantage, secure supply chains, and unlock billions in sustainable investment.

“The UK is uniquely positioned to lead this transition, and gatherings of this calibre demonstrate we're converting that potential into tangible momentum.”

Philippa Jefferis, Lead Sustainability Controller at BAM UK & Ireland, said: “The event was invaluable for the opportunity to meet across industries, highlighting common themes and potential opportunities for collaboration.

“The focus on collective learning and peer-to-peer support was incredibly beneficial, and I look forward to seeing more events like this in the future.”

For more information: https://biodiversify.com/

About Biodiversify:

· Biodiversify is a conservation consultancy passionate about partnering with clients committed to nature. We educate and support clients in mitigating biodiversity loss throughout their operations and supply chains. Together, we create a transformative future where a sustainable economy values, protects, and restores nature for the benefit of people worldwide.

· The expert team specialises in using cutting-edge science to understand complex social and ecological systems to make informed decisions about how to protect and restore our planet’s natural resources.