Hampshire: Big business names to speak at Blake Lapthorn 'Green Breakfasts'

International eco-fashion entrepreneurs Rob and Mart Drake-Knight head a list of top business speakers for the new, no-charge series of Blake Lapthorn’s Green Breakfasts. 

The brothers founded and own Rapanui, an eco-fashion company based on the Isle of Wight which manufactures organic, ethical clothing using renewable energy. The brand has won numerous awards for its work towards improving the sustainability of the clothing industry.

At the breakfast on Wednesday September 18, they will address a business audience of around 50 people, to tell their business story, explain their corporate ethos and talk about why they are so passionate about inspiring young people to create successful, sustainable businesses.

The Blake Lapthorn Green Breakfasts, which have been enormously successful in Oxford, have only recently launched in Hampshire. The schedule for the rest of the year is as follows:

• September 18: 'Eco-fashion for the green consumer'. Rob Drake-Knight and Mart Drake-Night, founders of eco-fashion manufacturers Rapanui.
• November 19: 'Making a splash with The Green Blue'. Jane Swan, project manager, and Alex Watkins, development manager, of environmental awareness programme Green Blue, a company which aims to promote the sustainable use of coastal and inland waters by boating and watersports participants.
• December 3: ,Sustainable building for a green future,. Chris Cousins, local government liaison manager of BRE Global, which assesses and certifies environmental products, ensuring that products and services protect people, property and the planet.

Julian Dobson of Blake Lapthorn’s climate change group, said: “Green issues are now at the heart of business – adopting an ethical approach has enormous commercial benefits and these businesses are pioneering innovative new ways to make major contributions to the fight against climate change.

“As a firm we have a specialism in businesses with a strong environmental focus and are proud to be able to support a host of innovative initiatives in this arena. This is a rare opportunity to hear first-hand from some of the UK’s leading business thinkers on green issues.”

The breakfasts are taking place in the auditorium at Black Lapthorn’s New Kings Court office in Chandler’s Ford. They are free and can be signed up to by emailing name, company, position, and contact details to events@bllaw.co.uk. Numbers are limited and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.