Mike Barry

Mike Barry is a sustainability strategist who transforms businesses to meet today's environmental and social challenges and anticipate what lies ahead in a rapidly changing world. As one of the key architects behind Marks and Spencer’s award-winning Plan initiative, Mike helped redefine how major businesses can create long-term value while contributing to a fairer, more sustainable world. Over more than two decades, Mike has worked at the forefront of sustainability, guiding leaders practically through the complex challenges posed by climate change, inequality and technological disruption. His experience spans multinational corporations, start-ups, think tanks and non-profits, giving him a unique understanding of how to align purpose with performance across all sectors. Plan A, under Mike’s leadership, became a blueprint for business transformation globally. The programme won over 200 awards in recognition of the delivery of 100 ambitious social and environmental targets through deep integration across its value chain. But crucially, it created significant business value for the company too. It generated £750 million in net business benefit, built resilience in its supply chains, helped modernise and make relevant its brand and motivated its people through significant transformative change. Beyond M&S, Mike has contributed to global sustainability initiatives through the World Economic Forum, the Consumer Goods Forum and Business in the Community. He now advises businesses of all sizes through his consultancy, helping them navigate the strategic, operational and cultural shifts required to become genuinely sustainable. His work focuses on leadership, transformation, innovation and collaboration, emphasising that sustainability must become embedded in every aspect of an organisation’s operations. Mike’s ability to translate complex environmental and social issues into clear, actionable business priorities makes him a compelling and insightful speaker. He brings both a practical understanding of implementation and a strategic lens for long-term systems change.