Founder features: BBC, Vogue Business, PRI, Sourcing Journal, etc

SupplyESChange Founder Kate A Larsen is a regular keynote speaker and panellist at events and conferences as well as a guest commentator on broadcast news and in industry media.

Kate A Larsen speaks on forced labour in supply chains, decent work SDGs and Sustainability for ESG and Responsible Sourcing.

She has spoken on BBC World, VOGUE Business, PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) panels and workshops, in Sourcing Journal, at Drapers Sustainable Fashion, SupplyShift, Innovation Forum, Ethical Corporation, Assent compliance, and other conferences, on Australian radio, TRTWorld TV, and more.

Contact kate @ supplyESChange dot com to discuss her training your team or speaking at your event.

Features include (click to read, listen or watch):

On Moody’s on ESG on "Human and Social capital along corporate supply chains: Risks and opportunities", June 2021 alongside speakers from Blackrock, State Street, Calvert Investments, Moodys and others on:

"How human and social capital have become leading risk factors for corporations in recent times?",

"How do investors identify material ESG risks throughout supply chains with limited visibility, and where is the credible data source?",

"How are policies, regulations and procedures changing to protect human capital along supply chains? ", etc.

Facilitator of SupplyShift webinar on forced labor in cotton supply chains and Responsible Sourcing, April 2021

In Drapers on How responsible sourcing can save lives (Myanmar, China, etc) (link) March 2021 (magazine)

On Fashion Takes Action World Ethical Apparel Roundtable (WEAR) panel with Indian ngo, etc on supplychains forced labour.

On this BBC World Service report on forced labour in supply chains, and China, among other BBC radio & TV features.

PRI’s (UN Principles for Responsible Investment) Digital Forum, on HumanRights hidden challenges for Investors (day 1, 1B). The conference on all things #responsibleinvestment, Nov 2020

In “Drapers”on “Steps brands can take to stamp out China’s ‘slave’ cotton” (link) Dec 2020 (magazine)

On the Federated Hermes Investment podcast on ESG of Sustainability in Fashion (link) post COVID, 2020.

On the Brighttalk Investors ESG podcast on “ESG, Towards the SDGs: The Importance of Collaboration”(link), 2020.

At the Chartered Governance Institute for Directors conference on ESG and Governance beyond the pandemic, creating a Sustainable future, Nov 2020.

At the CONVERGE20 global Ethics & Compliance, on How business can help End Exploitation from Modern Slavery, 2020.

In VOGUE Business“Kate Larsen, Founder SupplyESChange highlighted the lack of mention of two key issues affecting climate change: water and the transport of people and goods.” Oct, 2020.

In VOGUE Business “When Europe’s largest online fashion platform Zalando moved to force all its brands to meet Sustainability targets, it marked a significant shift”; “it's one of the better standards, significantly better than very simple approaches that a lot of fashion companies use” said Larsen, May 2020.

In Apparel Insider, “Supply chain and human rights expert, Larsen, argues that by raising the bar beyond commercial audits via multi-stakeholder partnered initiatives, we might finally deliver scaled improvements of decent work and sustainability in supply chains.”

In OpenforVintage sustainable (circular economy) Luxury e-commerce fashion leader“Larsen reflects in Covid19 on the role Vintage can play in looking at Sustainability & Climate change”

In VOGUE Business“Organisations have cropped up to help fashion brands navigate Sustainability. Transparency is crucial to scale impact” April 2020.

In VOGUE Business“We need to think about the most vulnerable people” Larsen, founder social enterprise SupplyESChange, 2020.

In Cambridge Business human rights Journal blog on covid & pending business human rights law supply chain impacts, 2020.

In podcasts on Brighttalk on ESG with AllianceBernstein, H&M, ETI, etc 2019.

Delivered a workshop on Decent Work in global supply chains to 100s at the UEBT (Union for Ethical Bio-trade) Paris conference (sponsored and attended by UEBT members The BodyShop, LVMH, etc) 2019.

Keynote speaker Standard Chartered on investment Human Rights due diligence for banks (JPMorgan, HSBC, EBRD, etc), 2018

Speaker at the BRE modern slavery and decent work in construction supply chains conference, Aviva Investment, London, 2019.

At the Innovation Forum Modern Slavery and forced labour in supply chains conference, London, 2019

In ERM’s article on “A recipe for ESG Success, a survey by ERM demonstrates how ESG factors are used to create value”, 2019.

Speaker at Thun Banks Group meet UBS on OECD Guidelines for Finance and UNGPs for Business and Human Rights, 20

Quoted in sustainable fashion book “Fixing Fashion: Rethinking the Way We Make, Market and Buy Our Clothes” Michael Lavergne.

At sustainable (organic cotton) lingerie brand AmaElla launch on decent work in supply chains, Cambridge, 2018.

At the UN Global Compact business and civil society modern slavery workgroup, London 2017.

At Innovation Forum conference “Sustainable Apparel” conference: Ran a panel on Human Rights issues in fashion leather tanning supply chains Bangladesh, representing Human Rights Watch (HRW), March 2016 London

At Innovation Forum “Sustainable Cotton” conference opening panel: cotton supply chain human rights & environmental issues April 2015

On a panel at Thomson Reuters for “Tackling Exploitation in Global Supply Chains” London 2016 for WAM (Women Advancing Microfinance) UK Chapter, alongside Director Anti-Slavery Intl, co-founder Sisters for Change, Assoc Director Hermes Equity Ownership Services (EOS) on “What more can stakeholders do to tackle exploitation of labour in global supply chains?” .

ESG investing and supply chain labour standards, forced labour, decent work speaking

Speaker Morgan Stanley webinar to London-NYC-Asia fund managers on ESG in supply chains etc, London-NYC, 2015.

Key speaker for Morgan Stanley ESG workshop on “Labour Risks Asia Supply Chains” to pension fund managers, London 2014.

Key speaker on an SRI-Connect webinar on ESG and labour standards in Supply Chains, 2013

At Ethical Corporation Sustainable Supply Chain conference for MNCs, on “Worker Voice”
 in supply chains (helplines, hotlines, SMS technology, etc), London 2014.

Speaker at Lensational social enterprise event on “Fashion & Photography as Double Edged Swords for women’s empowerment”, LSE, London, April 2016 https://www.evensi.uk/fashion-amp-photography-as-double-edged-swords-saw-swee/174320635

Speaker Cambridge International Development conference on Development Agencies & CSR for supply chain worker & women’s rights, 2015

Speaker at University of Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation Social Impact Exchange Day Series with NetImpact on “Redefining responsibility: The role of business in societal progress” at Judge Business School, May 2015   

· Invite to speak Oxford Saïd Business School Social Impact conference on“Corporate Sustainability” 2016 (unable to attend due to travel)

· Invite by AllianceTrust Investment Corporate Governance to speak at ESG event KPMG on “Investing in the changing Apparel sector: focus on worker rights and water management in global supply chains” (event postponed) 2014;

· Invite to speak ILO Better Work Asia supply chain factory worker helplines (grievance mechanisms) event 2014 (couldn’t attend).

· Invite to attend, input ILO-OECD Human rights Due Diligence in Garment & Footwear Supply Chains conference 2014, 2015.

· Invite to speak at BSCI (Business for Social Compliance) German brands partnership conference on panel on supply chains factory “Capacity Building” (particularly re worker engagement for decent work) Brussels, late 2014 (could not attend).

· Keynote speaker The Body Shop annual Supplier Conference China, to suppliers: Why improve factory CSR (in Chinese), 2012.

Workshop Development, Curation, Facilitation, Delivery:

In 2015 developed, delivered, facilitated, and presented Workshops for The World Bank on furthering women’s empowerment /gender equity initiatives in garment supply chains, Bangladesh:

· In Dhaka, Bangladesh for 2 days: Presented, then arranged and facilitated panels of NGOs, the Minister of Labour and his representatives, brand CSR/ Ethical Trade/ Responsible Sourcing managers/leaders, donors, etc, July 2015;

· In London for half day: Presented then facilitated speakers from Trade Unions, Bangladesh government, Brand CSR Managers, The World Bank, etc, and breakouts, August 2015;

· In New York for a half-day presented then facilitated speakers from brands CSR, etc, September 2015.

Industry Speaking, Workshops development, delivery, Facilitation:

· From late 2013-July 2015 Chaired Worker Empowerment workgroup of Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety.

· Led, facilitated conference calls and discussions with USA and other corporate executives toward realising delivery of an NGO (Phulki, ClearVoice,GoodWorldSolutions) run worker helpline “Amader Khotha” (Our Voice) grievance mechanism reaching over 500,000 workers on fire and building safety, etc http://www.bangladeshworkersafety.org/what-we-do/worker-helpline

· Representative for the Alliance in London meet with Accord on fire and building safety, Ethical Trading Initiative, ILO, brands.

·  Delivered Workshops and Trainings to groups of 10-100 Suppliers and employees as Burberry Sr Manager Corporate Responsibility Asia, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China, Italy, etc.

· Leadership roles in Supply Chain worker rights / decent work delivery apparel/retail industry workgroups 2006-2012:

·  Delivered Workshops and Trainings to groups of 10-100 Suppliers as global Director Responsible Sourcing for The Children’s Place, in China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, USA, etc;

· Facilitated with BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) apparel supply chain Mills & Sundries Workgroup events Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, China, etc with GAP, M&S, Levis,Walmart, etc;

· Setup and led Workgroup on foreign contract worker rights (anti-slavery) with Nike, Disney, PVH, Columbia, etc, hosting events in China and Tokyo, of 10-100 attendees, speaker.

· Keynote speaker in Chinese to corporate client guests for ERM (Environmental Resources Management) consulting (as Senior Consultant), in Beijing’s Diaoyutai state guest house banquet hall, Beijing, China, December 2004.

Some Asia and related Sustainability - CSR speaking:

· SOAS (School of Oriental & African Studies) University of London alumni event, Sustainability careers, 2014.

· GreenDrinks on China supply chain wastewater issues, London, circa 2015.

· Panel facilitator & speaker Ethical Corporation Supply Chain CSR conference 2006, Hong Kong (re-invited for 2008)

· ADB Conference: Revitalizing CSR in Asia (supply chain labour standards) Tokyo, Japan 2006

·  EU-China CSR Roundtable on supply chain factory labor standards, Beijing, China 2005

·  Seminar for China environmental NGOs on CSR and environmental programs, Beijing, circa 2005.

·  At Peking University on “What is CSR”, circa 2005 for AIESEC in China

·  As non-profit AIESEC China Extension Manager 1999 and 2000 ran workshops and presented constantly in China, across Asia, the USA, and at AIESEC International Congress, Scotland.

Supply Chain worker rights related & human rights & charity involvement:

· Appointed Fellow, advisor to Fashion Revolution on/off (as appropriate) since 2016 http://www.fashionrevolution.org/

· Fellow to UK anti-slavery charity UNSEEN since 2016 https://www.unseenuk.org/

· Trustee/Board member UK charity “The Rights Practise” for China, Asia human rights since 2015 https://www.rights-practice.org

·  On steps to prevent Climate Change at a social enterprise event at The Old Vic, London, 2018. · 

·  Founding Advisor to “INNO Handshake” social enterprise for worker helplines and migrant worker “left-behind” children, engaging China and Asia supply chain factories for leading international brands and social impact https://www.innointernational.org/;

·  Advisor to social enterprise Lensational on women’s empowerment through photography Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, etc;

·  Founder SuavEco eco-fashion social enterprise helping marginalised women in Cambodia with HIV (now closed)

·  Rotary Hong Kong member then Secretary (Wanchai) supporting SaveTheChildren and other China charities, circa 2009-11.   

·  MC for Hong Kong’s largest Rotary Charity fundraising ball, 2 years (circa 2010, 2011)