James Bidwell — Commentator and Author
About James
James Bidwell is the owner and Chair of Springwise, the world’s largest source of global innovations. Committed to positive change, Springwise is essential reading for CEOs, innovators, investors, educators and corporates from all sectors. Both companies are members of 1% for the planet and certified B Corporations, part of a growing community of businesses committed to redefining the role of business in society as a force for good.
James specialises in leading positive and transformational change in business and has held many Board level and CEO roles. He outlines his philosophy in his Amazon-bestselling book, Disrupt! 100 Lessons in Business Innovation. He was listed in the Financial Times Creative Business Top 50, and named as one of London’s 1000 most influential by the London Evening Standard. During his time as Marketing Director at Selfridges, he was described as the “ring master extraordinaire” and “a theatrical agitator”.
James is also a high-profile speaker and commentator. He speaks regularly on navigating disruption, the rapid pace of change, the role of innovation in helping solve the climate crisis and how to achieve cultural shift. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Bristol and Cambridge Judge Business School, a participant in the London Business School Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme, and an active supporter of The Earthshot Prize, Change Now and Rewilding Britain.
Committed to protecting and securing the future of the natural world, James set up the UK Steering Committee for 1% for the Planet, an international organisation, whose members contribute at least one per cent of their annual sales to environmental causes.
He is also the co-founder of Re_Set, a leading next-generation strategy consultancy for innovation and sustainability whose mission is to ensure its clients thrive in a disrupted world. James is also a founding strategic partner in CapitalD a Private Equity fund investing in disruptive new businesses and an active impact investor.
Speaking & Moderating
Circular Economy: Reducing Plastics
MAY 2023 – James moderated this Change Now panel exploring innovation in the fight against plastic waste and the new technologies and solutions to drive change. Speakers were Olivier Cotinat, Co-founder & CEO, MoHo. Vincent Colard, Directeur R&D Matériaux, CITEO and Rebecca Percasky, Co-Founder & CEO, Better Packaging
Circular Economy: Reducing Plastics
MAY 2023 – Novoloop. James interviews Miranda on the secrets of her success, the obstacles to progress and the funding challenges for innovative new technologies solving the plastics crisis
Aligning Business With Planetary Boundaries
MAY 2023 – Board level panel with Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer, Kering. Alexandra Palt, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, L’Oréal and Chris Turner, Executive Director, Campaign Director, B Lab UK,Better Business Act
Aligning Business With Planetary Boundaries
MAY 2023 – Fireside chat with Hakan Burgulu, CEO Arcelik. A fascinating and unique insights into one of the leading CEOs driving positive change across all areas of his business. This interview brings to life the challenges and opportunities of a mission driven business, the power of an investor with shared values and touches on the human side of great leadership. Hakan speaks of the inspiration he has from his children and his amazing summiting of Everest.
Aligning Business With Planetary Boundaries
MAY 2023 – James was joined by Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President, The Club of Rome at ChangeNOW 2023 to discuss the activist approach taken by Sandrine and her fearless commitment to her agenda. Deep insights into the issues and solutions which we need to take urgently to solve the world’s most pressing problems
Corporate Transformation At Every Level
MAY 2023 – CEO & Board level panel with Anne Le Corre, Co-Founder, Printemps Ecologique. Pierre Louette, CEO, Groupe Les Echos Le Parisien. Ada di Marzo, Senior Partner & Managing Director France, Bain & Company and Helene Valade, Group Environment Development Director, LVMH
Corporate Transformation At Every Level
MAY 2023 – James in conversation with Antoinette Klatzky VP Programmes and Partnerships for the Eileen Fisher Foundation and Board member of the Presencing Institute. One of the highlights of Change Now 2023 this fireside chat explored the inspirational work Antoinette is undertaking to activate systemic social change. The session concluded with a 5 minute meditation for the 500 people in the audience
James Bidwell on changing the ‘business as usual’ mindset
MAY 2022 — To address the world’s pressing environmental and social issues, businesses can no longer continue to act as normal. But how can leaders change their mindset in order to change their company? This was the topic of conversation for a recent panel, hosted by Springwise Chair, James Bidwell
James Bidwell in conversation with ‘Doughnut’ economist, Kate Raworth
MAY 2022 – James Bidwell, was joined by economist Kate Raworth as he opened Day Two of ‘the world’s largest event for the planet’, in Paris this month
James Bidwell on designing sustainable and resilient cities
MAY 2022 – Springwise Chair, James Bidwell, has appeared in Paris to host a series of panel discussions exploring the role of urban planning in creating thriving, resilient and inclusive cities
edie — James Bidwell joins #SustyTalk panel on B Corp Month
1 April 2021 — edie’s #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive panel discussion, held in celebration of B-Corps Month.
Real Leaders Podcast — James Bidwell on Innovation That Matters
23 March 2021 — James explores the vital role of innovation in helping to solve the climate crisis along with how we can best navigate the seismic shifts that have impacted our world in the last 12 months.
Evolve Podcast — James Bidwell on How to Innovate in a Disrupted World
11 March 2021 — With 2020 having been a powerful wake-up call for all of us, James reveals how to innovate and thrive in a disrupted world.
Events
Springwise Sessions — In Conversation With Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK
23 June 2021 — James Bidwell, Chair of Springwise, sits down with Chris Turner, the Executive Director of B Lab UK. Chris and his team run B Corp accreditation and influence in the UK.
Springwise Sessions — Accelerating the Change
10 June 2021 — James Bidwell was joined by the founder of the ChangeNOW Summit, Santiago Lefebvre, and a group of innovators who have taken part in the largest annual gathering for the planet.
ChangeNOW 2021 — James Bidwell Moderates OneHealth Panel
1 June 2021 — Re_Set’s co-founder moderated the opening panel at ChangeNOW 2021, focused on how the health of our planet interacts with the health of humankind.
Disrupt! 100 lessons in business innovation
Compiled by Springwise, the global innovation discovery engine, Disrupt! explains and highlights the best, most disruptive and most useful ideas of the 21st Century, showing which themes underpin their success and which ideas can best be used to drive creativity in your workplace, office or industry.
From London to Buenos Aires, from Beijing to Chicago, learn from the world’s most forward-thinking businesses how to disrupt, innovate, collaborate, learn new skills and do business better and more sustainably.
We live in remarkable times. These 100 extraordinary and inspiring innovations will help you ask questions, think creatively and create a positive future.
How to Buy
Order From: Bookshop.org | Waterstones
Praise For Disrupt!
