Congress of Business (COB26) returns on 12 May 2026 during Glasgow Climate Week, showcasing meaningful climate action delivered since the city took the world stage at COP26. Building on the Glasgow Climate Pacts, COB turns sustainable ambition into tangible results by highlighting real stories of change from speakers by demonstrating what climate leadership looks like in practice.
Bringing together major UK businesses and leading academics, the event underscores that cities and industry are not just participants but drivers of climate transformation. Through standout initiatives and peer‑to‑peer learning, COB positions businesses as climate leaders committed to accelerating progress and resilience.
COB amplifies collective action by uniting businesses across the British Chambers of Commerce global network, fostering partnerships that deliver both global connections and local impact. SMEs are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools needed to contribute confidently to the climate transition at every level.
Acting as the key convening moment between COP summits, COB maintains strong executive level engagement, ensuring climate action stays at the top of the agenda. With Glasgow as a living case study through the ongoing work of Climate Chamber initiatives, COB keeps momentum alive and supports a business community ready to lead the path to a sustainable economy.
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Professor Greg Clark CBE FAcSS |
Host, COB26
We are delighted to welcome back renowned urbanist and leading innovator, Greg Clark, to moderate and host COB26. Greg is chair of Connected Places Catapult and 3Ci (Cities Commission for Climate Investment) and a non-executive director for Transport for London.
He is an Honorary Professor at UCL STEaPP, a visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde, a senior fellow at the Urban Land Institute and a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.
Dr Nicola Millard |
Principal Innovation Partner, BT Group
Once described as “human caffeine” on social media, Dr Nicola Millard injects a people-centred expresso shot to innovation and future strategy. Half social scientist, half technologist, all academic, she uses techniques from disciplines such as design thinking, psychology, anthropology, computing, and business consulting to generate data, provocations, and stories to engage and create conversations from the board room, to the front line. No frothy coffee; just solid research.
In her long and varied career Nicola has done many jobs, including futurology, research, usability, customer service, marketing, and business consulting. She was involved with some BT firsts, including the application of artificial intelligence into BT’s call centres, BT’s experiments with home working, and helping to develop BT’s “net easy” customer score.
Meric S Gertler |
Professor in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, Distinguished Scholar in Residence in the School of Cities, and Professor of Geography & Planning, University of Toronto
Meric recently completed a 12-year term as President of the University of Toronto, where he championed the university’s role as a city-building institution and leader in sustainability, for which it was recognized as the number one university in the world by QS World University Rankings: Sustainability in both 2024 and 2025. An expert on urban economies, local and national innovation policy, and the role of institutions in economic development, he has advised governments in Canada, the US and Singapore, as well as the OECD and European Union.
A graduate of McMaster University, the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Academy of Social Sciences (UK), and a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2015.
Victoria Hollywood |
Director of Sustainability, Edrington
Edrington is the Glasgow-based producer of exceptional single malt Scotch Whisky brands including The Macallan, Highland Park and The Glenrothes, as well as Brugal Dominican rum. With more than 25 years’ experience across the company's international supply chain, Victoria was appointed to lead Edrington's sustainability strategy in 2024.
Victoria and her team work closely with colleagues across the business to deliver Edrington’s sustainability strategy, with a remit to deliver progress on the key focus area of carbon, as well as biodiversity, water, wood and the circular economy. Strongly committed to supporting the long‑term sustainability of the spirits sector, Victoria is passionate about ensuring that this historic industry - so central to Scotland’s heritage and economy - operates in a responsible and progressive way that recognises our dependency on the environment.
Professor Kirstine Dale |
Chief AI Officer (CAIO) and Principal Fellow for Data Science, The MET Office
As CAIO, Kristine is charged with embedding AI in the Office’s core business: initially focusing on the use of AI in weather forecasting through leadership of the ‘AI for numerical weather prediction’ (AI4NWP) programme.
As Principal Fellow, she plays a leading role in shaping the future of Data Science (including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) in the Met Office.
Vijay Tank |
Chief Commercial Officer, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions UK
Vijay leads efforts to deliver local, affordable, and low-carbon energy solutions. He is helping cities, businesses, and communities in the UK to lower carbon emissions, reduce costs, and create local jobs through heat networks, decentralised energy, and smart infrastructure.
With a career at E.ON spanning over two decades, Vijay has held various leadership roles across Residential, Operations, Digital, Supply, and Finance sectors, including international experience in the Nordics. His prior positions at Scottish & Newcastle (now Heineken) and KPMG have further shaped his commitment to developing sustainable and affordable energy systems.
Professor Andy Schofield |
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
Prior to joining the University of Glasgow, Professor Schofield served as Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University from May 2020. His earlier career includes senior leadership roles at the University of Birmingham, where he was Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
His academic interest focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics. Professor Schofield specialises in correlated quantum systems, including non-Fermi liquids, quantum criticality, and high-temperature superconductivity. He studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, where he also completed his PhD.
Professor Schofield contributes to national research and policy through several key roles. He is the Senior Independent Member of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Chair of the USS Employers Pensions Forum, and a Board Member of the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA). He is also a strong advocate for international collaboration through the UK International Campus Alliance Network (UK-ICAN).
Building on the Glasgow Climate Pact from COP26, COB turns sustainable strategies into real results - uniting business leaders, academics, and policymakers to drive climate leadership and economic transformation.
Hear from Stuart Patrick CBE, Andy Haldane OBE and Martha Lane Fox CBE, as well as our other COB25 speakers.
VIEW OUR COB25 CONVERSATIONS
Congress of Business 2026
is held in partnership with
British Chambers of Commerce
Scottish Chambers of Commerce
University of Glasgow
E.ON
This in-person event will take place in Glasgow:
SWG3
100 Eastvale Place
Glasgow
G3 8QG
COB Inspires is a career‑focused sustainability event specifically designed for students, recent graduates, and early‑career professionals who are interested in exploring sustainability-focused jobs.
Through open discussions, interactive panels, and highly engaged networking spaces, COB Inspires is intentionally designed to spark curiosity, ambition, and commitment to sustainability, attracting individuals who are actively seeking roles with purpose and impact.
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COB Futures is designed to inspire and empower the next generation to take an active role in shaping a sustainable future.
Aiming to connect young people with the opportunities emerging from the green job agenda and the transition to a low-carbon economy, pupils in S3 will engage with leading voices in sustainability who will share insights into the skills and careers driving the green transition.
Want to get involved? Find out more
