John Gummer Keynote Speaker

The Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben is one of Britain’s most influential voices on climate policy and responsible business. Described by Friends of the Earth as “the best environment secretary we’ve ever had” and by BBC Wildlife as “the environment secretary against which all others are judged,” he combines policy authority with a practical, pro-enterprise approach. He chaired the UK’s Independent Committee on Climate Change (2012–2023), helping secure the cross-party consensus that made the UK the first major economy to legislate for net zero by 2050.

As Secretary of State for the Environment (1993–1997) and earlier as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Lord Deben helped shape modern environmental governance. He led the passage of the 1995 Environment Act—creating the Environment Agency—and introduced the UK’s first environmental tax via the Landfill Tax. His sixteen years in ministerial office also included roles as Minister for London, Employment Minister and Paymaster General in HM Treasury, bringing rare breadth across economic, social and environmental policy. An MP for Suffolk Coastal (1979–2010), he served as Chairman of the Conservative Party and wrote speeches for Margaret Thatcher.

In business, Lord Deben is the founder and Chairman of Sancroft International, advising companies and investors on Sustainability and ESG. He champions the meeting of sustainability and business sense—helping boards turn principles into performance, compliance into competitiveness, and targets into delivery. An engaging, independent and humorous keynote speaker, he draws on decades at the intersection of science, politics and enterprise. Away from the lectern he is an organic farmer, and his family owns a village pub in Suffolk.