How to future-proof your business and build long-term resilience

Diesel is up 104%. Petrol is up 37%. Freight costs are surging. And even if the Middle East conflict ended today, costs won't normalise for a year or more. For many businesses, this isn't a future risk - it's already hitting margins, cash flow, and day-to-day operations.

But here's what the data is also showing: businesses that have already invested in energy efficiency, local supply chains, and reducing fossil fuel dependence are weathering this better than those that haven't. The actions that protect you now are the same ones that future-proof your business for the next disruption.

Join us on Wednesday 24th June, 12-1pm, for a practical session on how to future-proof your business - reducing cost exposure now while building long-term resilience for whatever comes next. We'll set the scene on what's happening across NZ businesses, share case studies of what's working, then focus on what you can do in the next 30-90 days.

What you'll get from this session

• Why businesses already investing in sustainability are proving more resilient right now - and what that means for you

• Real case studies from businesses that have reduced cost exposure through energy efficiency, logistics optimisation, and reducing reliance on liquid fuels

• Practical steps your business can take in the next 30-90 days

• A clearer sense of how local supply chains and renewable energy reduce your exposure to future disruptions

Who this is for

Business owners and leaders who are:

• Already feeling the impact of rising fuel, freight, and operating costs

• Ready to take practical steps — not just wait and see

• Wanting to build a business that's less exposed to the next disruption, whatever it is

Tickets

This session is offered on a koha/donations basis. It's up to you how much you pay, but if you would like a suggestion, a donation of $40 would be welcomed.

Speakers

Jay Crangle - Director of Programmes, Sustainable Business Council (SBC)

www.sbc.org.nz

Jay Crangle is a purpose-driven sustainability leader with a strong foundation in relationship management, communications, and ESG strategy. Currently serving as Head of ESG at the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Jay works alongside the CEO to lead cross-sector collaborations, engage the Executive community, and grow strategic partnerships. She leads SBC’s social sustainability work programme, guiding businesses through the evolving landscape of disclosure and championing best-practice approaches that embed equity into business strategy. 

Jay’s career spans impactful roles in the UK and Aotearoa, many with a focus on social equality, including programme leadership at Cancer Research UK, strategic partnerships at the Council for Disabled Children, and communications at youth justice charity Catch-22. Jay has also contributed to global initiatives such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Global Network Initiative, the Inner Development Goals movement and as a contributing writer for Letters to the Earth, a global writing campaign focused on the climate crisis

Rachel Brown, ONZM – Founder & CEO, Sustainable Business Network 

www.sustainable.org.nz

The founder and CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), Rachel has played a critical role in advancing sustainability for more than 20 years. She is a regular presenter, collaborator and driver of action within NZ business. She provides strategic sustainability advice to countless businesses, ranging from large corporates to small enterprises, as well as government agencies. She sits on the Board of Mindful Money.  In 2018 she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for years of service to sustainable business.

Christopher Burman - Network Engagement Manager & Electrification Lead, Sustainable Business Network (SBN)

www.sustainable.org.nz

Christopher leads SBN’s Electrify Business initiative, a project dedicated to helping New Zealand organisations switch to clean electricity. With over two decades of experience in the energy and environmental sectors, including an extensive background in the solar industry with SolarZero, Christopher brings technical and commercial insight into how businesses can transition to resilient, low-carbon power.

A dual citizen of Canada and Luxembourg, Christopher’s international perspective is grounded in a 2012 sailing expedition to the Arctic Circle, which solidified his commitment to practical climate action. Today, he helps SMEs and large enterprises implement electrification and solar strategies that protect margins, improve cash flow and build long-term operational resilience.

Caroline Thalund

www.s360.solutions

Caroline Thalund is a business sustainability expert with over 25 years’ experience helping organisations turn strategy into practical action. As the founder and CEO of Sustainability 360, she focuses on helping businesses prioritise what to do next - including where sustainability can support cost reduction, risk management, and long-term resilience.

Through her work across sectors, including finance, tech, aviation, tourism, construction, and manufacturing, Caroline has seen firsthand how businesses respond under pressure and where practical changes can make a measurable difference quickly. She has also developed AI assistants and tools to help organisations navigate evolving ESG and B Corp requirements, making it easier to move from complexity to clear, actionable steps. Her platform, S360, helps organisations turn goals into practical actions, track progress, streamline reporting, get the whole organisation engaged and embed sustainability into day-to-day decision-making.