Mike Barry, Sustainability Expert and key note speaker at Water Matters 2025
I have spent decades leading sustainability initiatives, from integrating responsible practices at Marks & Spencer to advising businesses on embedding sustainability into their core operations.
For me, sustainability is about driving meaningful and actionable change.
At Waterscan’s Water Matters event in June, I will be highlighting the urgent crossroads we face in sustainability, particularly when it comes to water management. Sustainability is now seen in starkly contrasting ways by politicians, business leaders, and civil society. We are at a critical juncture. One path leads to denial and inaction, where leaders ignore climate realities despite mounting extreme weather events—devastating floods in Valencia, wildfires in California, record-breaking storms in Los Angeles. The other path embraces sustainability as an opportunity, unlocking benefits for businesses and society. This is not just about saving the planet in 50 years. It’s about economic resilience, security of resources, and immediate improvements to health, well-being, and business longevity.
This is not just about saving the planet in 50 years. It’s about economic resilience, security of resources, and immediate improvements to health, well-being, and business longevity.
Many businesses understand the need for sustainability but struggle with execution. I work with these businesses to ensure they can address some of these key questions:
- How do you embed sustainability into a business model?
- How do you stay agile and resilient in a constantly changing world?
At Waterscan’s Water Matters event, I will be sharing insights from my experience of guiding companies through this complex transition, helping them go beyond compliance and tick-box exercises to genuine, strategic transformation.
Some organisations are already making significant strides in water management. I’m looking forward to showcasing how companies are using water leadership to create tangible value—whether through supply chain efficiency, operational improvements, or consumer-facing innovations. These stories will illustrate how tackling water sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, but also for business success.
If there’s one thing, I’m hoping attendees will take away, it’s this: sustainability isn’t a burden—it’s an opportunity.
Businesses that take decisive action will not only reduce their negative impact on the planet but also unlock new business value. Water is an essential piece of this puzzle, and I’m looking forward to sharing practical insights that will empower you to act with purpose and impact.
Watch: Mike Barry’s ‘Call for Change’
