Day 3 - Closing Keynotes

A powerful closing sequence of stories, keynote insights and a forward-looking panel exploring how the UK can build stronger, kinder and more connected communities – and how government, business and civil society must work together to deliver impact at scale.

Inspiring stories:
Christy Acton (CEO, Standing Tall) and Steve Jones (Head of Employability, ISS UK&I)
J Grange
Jon Knight (CEO, /together)

Panel: How can government and business deliver impact through radical collaboration?
Chair: Stephen Bediako OBE (Deloitte)
Jon Knight (/together)
David Drake (Natural England)
Sumi Rabindrakumar (Trussell Trust)
Agustín Dellagiovanna (Amazon)

Conference wrap-up:
Guy Battle (CEO, Social Value Portal)

The challenge
How do we move from well-intentioned but isolated efforts to genuine radical collaboration across sectors, across communities, and across the divides shaping modern society?

Across all sessions, speakers highlighted growing fragmentation, rising inequality and low trust – and the urgent need for joined-up action rooted in place, dignity and humanity.

Stats to remember
Trussell Trust distributed nearly 3 million food parcels last year.
Standing Tall reports 80% job retention one year after placing people experiencing homelessness into work and safe housing.
Together Coalition’s public polling shows only 2% of people agree with the most extreme divisive positions, revealing a “quiet majority” who want connection.

Key themes and insights
Lived experience: J Grange’s story of exclusion, crisis and empowerment reframed neurodiversity and youth mental health as structural issues, not personal failures.
Community as antidote to division: Jon Knight emphasised that the UK remains “one of the most diverse and open societies,” and that cohesion is “the bedrock upon which all peace and prosperity is built.”
Local power matters: Panellists stressed that hyperlocal leadership is essential for stability, trust and rapid response during crises.
Radical collaboration needs alignment: Amazon, Natural England, and Trussell Trust each highlighted the need for shared aims, transparent expectations and long-term partnership rather than short-term transactions.

“Your past does not define your future… Strength comes in difference and not in similarities.”
J Grange

Next steps from the experts
Shift from isolated initiatives to shared missions grounded in local needs.
Embed lived experience in policy, service design ,and investment decisions.
Create funding models that prioritise core capacity, not just programmes.
Treat business supply chains as levers for impact.
Scale proven innovations across regions.