With average C-suite tenure now just 4.5 years, pressure for quick results often overshadows longer-term risks. Today’s environment is volatile: tariffs are disrupting global supply chains, inflation is squeezing margins, and headlines declare the “retreat of ESG” and report that sustainability has dropped down the agenda (2025 State of Fashion Report)
However, the reality is more nuanced. Harvard Business Review found that while some companies are scaling back, most are simply pursuing sustainability more quietly. Climate action remains core to risk management- supply disruptions, resource scarcity, and falling productivity are already here. Strong leaders recognise this investment: the returns may not appear next quarter, but they will determine whether the business endures the next decade.
We’ll hear from C-suite leaders on:
- What are the top priorities in 2026, and where does climate fit when budgets are under pressure?
- What risks are we systematically missing in current assessments, and what’s the cost of being unprepared?
- The structural and governance changes needed to move from quarterly survival to long-term resilience – KPIs, talent search, board structure
- How can we reframe sustainability as essential business investment for all C-suites
What to expect from this type of session...
Hear from expert speakers on these mainstage panel discussions as we address the critical sustainability challenges and opportunities within the industry.

