BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke and retail expert and broadcaster Mary Portas will join Bristol-based sustainable bank Triodos Bank UK for its Annual Meeting on Thursday 27th April at the Bristol Old Vic theatre.

The annual event, a highlight in the bank’s calendar, brings together high-profile advocates for responsible business, sustainability campaigners, Triodos customers and members of the public to exchange ideas on the power of personal finance in driving forward positive social and environmental change. It returns to being face to face for the first time since 2019, when the event was held at St George’s Bristol.

Triodos Bank UK has been based in Bristol for over 25 years and plays an active role in the region’s sustainable business community. The bank, which has its European head office in the Netherlands, only finances organisations creating positive social, cultural and environmental change.

The event will offer the opportunity to meet the Triodos team, understand how the bank is performing and hear first-hand from the impactful organisations it is funding. The bank’s chief economist, Hans Stegeman, will share the latest thinking for how to accelerate the transition to a just, sustainable and prosperous society.

Mary Portas will be speaking in her capacity as a Triodos Bank customer and co-chair of the Better Business Act, a campaign backed by Triodos that is calling on the government to amend Section 172 of the Companies Act to ensure businesses are legally responsible for benefitting workers, customers, communities and the environment while delivering profit.

Zoe Sear, director of marketing and communications at Triodos Bank UK, said: “For over 40 years, Triodos Bank has been a driving force in the move towards a vibrant world that provides a prosperous life for people on a thriving planet – all powered by our brilliant customers. We’re delighted to once again bring together the city’s passionate community and hear from a host of exciting changemakers delivering real impact.”

The event will also feature a range of stalls from some of Triodos’ partners including Babbasa, RSPB, Soil Association and Friends of the Earth, as well as networking opportunities. A ‘pop-up’ Triodos branch will offer the opportunity to talk about capital raising and business lending, how to stay safe from fraud and help getting online.

The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest working theatre in the UK, and a cornerstone of Bristol’s vibrant cultural scene. Nancy Medina, newly appointed artistic director of Bristol Old Vic, will speak at the event on the theatre’s vision and why the arts matter.

The event runs from 1pm until 7.30pm on Thursday 27 April. Tickets are free and open to those working in or interested in sustainability, alongside Triodos customers. The event will also be broadcast online for those that cannot attend in person.

For full details and to register to attend, please visit: www.triodos.co.uk/annualmeeting23.

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Notes to editors:

For further information please contact:

Ed Grattan

About Triodos Bank

Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.

Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of 67 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially.

Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.