What B Corp Really Takes : Beyond The Buzzwords – 14th July 2025

Join Women in the Food Industry & Extract Coffee Roasters for an inspiring panel discussion (with light refreshments) on “Beyond The Buzzwords : What B Corp Takes”.

In a world where consumers and investors are increasingly demanding authenticity and accountability, achieving B Corp Certification isn’t just a badge—it’s a comprehensive, company-wide commitment to doing business better.

In this candid and practical event, you’ll hear from a powerhouse panel of women founders, leaders, marketing experts, coaches and chefs who have successfully steered their food and drink companies through the B Corp certification process or are following B Corp principles. From sourcing ethical ingredients to transforming internal policies and reshaping supply chains, they’ll share the real, behind-the-scenes decisions that defined their journeys—what was difficult, what was worth it, and what they might do differently.

Beyond the mission statements and marketing gloss, this panel dives deep into the grit, strategy, and transformation required to turn sustainability from a talking point into a core business practice.

Whether you’re looking to build a responsible brand or hospitality business from the ground up or a business leader ready to take the leap toward certification, this event will provide insight, inspiration, and a realistic roadmap.

Come ready to move past the buzzwords and hear what it truly means to walk the talk of sustainable, purpose-led business in the food and drink space.

Our What B Corp Takes panel includes :

Ruth Carpenter is Head of Marketing for Pizza Pilgrims and has had the pleasure to work with brands such as Dishoom, KERB and D&D London. Ruth’s role is to drive Pizza Pilgrims brand forward with two ultimate goals – build brand love & continue to grow covers and brand success. Pizza Pilgrims first secured B Corp certification in 2024 and Ruth works with them to achieve their ultimate mission – to make people happier, one pizza at a time!

Ceri Gott is a Culture & Leadership Coach. Ceri joined her brother, Hawksmoor Co-Founder Huw Gott, expecting to stay six months to help with “people and growth”. She surprised herself by staying 13 years! Drawing on her background as a government economist, and leading on People and Planning, she was at the heart of growing the brand from a small London operation to an award-winning international restaurant group with 1,250 people across 13 restaurants—and the first UK restaurant to become a B Corp.

Throughout all 13 years, Hawksmoor was named a Top 100 Best Company to Work For and awarded three stars by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. Ceri is proud to have shown that hospitality can be both profitable and a force for good. With a passion for people and culture, she loves supporting others on their journey of personal and professional growth.

Emily Warburton Adams is the co-founder and Head of Sustainability at Pow Food, the UK’s first female-founded B Corp catering company, launched in 2017. A certified health coach and dedicated nutrition student, Emily brings a deep passion for the power of food to support wellbeing, alongside a strong commitment to ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. She leads Pow Food’s sustainability strategy, pioneering waste management initiatives, low-impact packaging, and carbon mitigation practices that set new standards for the catering industry.

Under her leadership, Pow Food became B Corp certified in 2023 and continues to champion a stronger ethical supply chain through mindful sourcing. The company partners with City Harvest and The Marylebone Project to donate surplus food and run A Meal For A Meal scheme, aligning with their mission to reduce waste and create social impact. A passionate advocate for food systems change, Emily spearheads Pow Food’s commitment to highlighting the true cost of food—encouraging businesses to consider the environmental, social, and nutritional value behind every meal.

Vanessa Marx – Executive Chef of Riverhouse Restaurant, Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond. Under her leadership, Riverhouse Restaurant was awarded Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 Marie Claire Sustainability Awards, and in September 2024, Bingham Riverhouse became a Certified B Corporation, setting a benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality industry.

Vanessa’s culinary journey began in Cape Town, where she co-founded Dear Me Food World, a renowned three-level dining destination. Her exceptional talent earned her the Eat Out Rising Star Award and opportunities for television appearances, including guest judging on Celebrity MasterChef South Africa.

Passionate about sustainability, Vanessa embraces a zero-waste ethos, featuring wild ingredients and garden-grown botanicals in her menus. Innovative low-waste items, such as coffee-grown oyster mushrooms from the urban Rooftop Farm in Wimbledon, exemplify her commitment to sustainability.

Vanessa’s influence extends beyond the restaurant to the wider industry, particularly in empowering women in hospitality. Her commitment is exemplified by her inclusion as one of 70 leading female hospitality professionals who signed an open letter addressing sexism in the industry.

Katharine O’Dwyer is the Sustainability and Compliance Lead at Extract Coffee Roasters. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Bristol and has built a career in sustainability across a range of industries, including the built environment and travel. At Extract Coffee Roasters, Katharine leads initiatives in certification, supplier sustainability and environmental management systems, driving the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable practices..

The event is chaired by :

Mex Ibrahim is co-founder of Women in the Food Industry. After almost 8 years as Head of Social Media & Marketing of the UK’s fastest growing food website, Great British Chefs, Mex has delivered a variety of award-winning digital marketing campaigns & now runs her own freelance social media, content creation & digital strategy business. Passionate about women’s equality & female empowerment, she co-founded Women in the Food Industry in April 2019 which became a Community Interest Company in July 2023. Mex is also a trustee of the charity School Food Matters and is volunteer for social media & marketing at Kew Village Community Market.

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