Ideas, action and inspiration in a very warm rainforest.
Set in the unforgettable surroundings of the Eden Project, Anthropy 25 gathered an incredible 2,000 leaders from across business, non-profits, the public sector and beyond. Across three packed days, 200+ sessions tackled some of the UK’s biggest challenges – from inequality and education to tech, sustainability and the future of work.
And this year, we were proud to be there – invited by our friends and collaborators at Shakespeare Martineau, taking our joint She Rocks Business mission with us.
Why were we there?
At first glance, Anthropy might feel a world away from the professional services space. But actually, it was the perfect fit.
As a B Corp, we believe businesses have a responsibility to be a force for good. That means showing up in rooms where different perspectives are welcomed. Listening more. Collaborating better. And playing an active role in shaping a fairer future for the UK.
Anthropy’s guiding principle is that the future is a shared responsibility. That’s something we couldn’t agree with more.
She Rocks takes the stage
Together with Shakespeare Martineau, we hosted a She Rocks-inspired workshop that moved the dial from conversation to action.
Our goal? To get people reflecting on the workplace cultures they’re part of and the changes they want to see. Importantly we wanted people to consider the individual role they can play in making business leadership more inclusive and balanced.
Workshop attendees reflected on how we can all empower ourselves and others to call out behaviours that don’t belong in modern workplaces – and build cultures where everyone can thrive. Because when women thrive, we all thrive.
Some of the pledges from our group of participants, mainly women but also male allies, included:
- “Speak up and challenge in the moment”
- “Be braver and more ambitious”
- “Support others who may not have the confidence to speak up”
- “Be a role model for the change I want to see”
It was a powerful close to the three days – and a reminder that small, personal commitments can lead to big cultural shifts.
What else stood out?
We couldn’t attend every session (there were more than 200 to choose from), but here are a few that left a lasting impression:
What does it Mean to be a Man?
A timely discussion around masculinity and identity. It explored how we support young men in developing emotional awareness, confidence and a sense of belonging – particularly when statistics show 70% of school expulsions are male. The takeaway: if we want inclusive workplaces, we need to start early and create space for everyone’s development.
Joined up thinking – Transforming Lives & Communities
A strong call to break down silos – across government, business and community services – to address challenges like the cost-of-living crisis, mental health, and the climate emergency. The message was clear: these issues are deeply connected, and they disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in society. Collaboration is essential.
INSIGHTS INTO CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
A brilliant session featuring leaders who’ve driven innovation through inclusive, authentic leadership. They spoke about the value of challenge, humility and psychological safety in shaping successful teams – and why diverse thinking is essential, not optional.
The Role of Tech – In Conversation with Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE
The Salesforce UK & Ireland CEO shared her journey and insights on embedding sustainability and inclusivity into a fast-growing tech business. A standout stat: it took the internet 14 years to reach 100 million users. ChatGPT? Just two months. Tech is moving fast – and leaders need to shape its direction responsibly.
THE DEI DISCONNECT
Led by Charlotte Sweeney, Forbes author of ‘Why Most Companies DEI Initiatives Never Get anywhere’, this session examined why so many Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies stall. A key learning: don’t assume your teams understand why your business is committed to this work. Leadership must model the right behaviours, and organisations need to be consistent in both intent and action.
Why this matters
We left Anthropy feeling energised and optimistic – and even more convinced that businesses like ours need to be part of conversations like these.
Because if we want to see change, we have to be willing to challenge the status quo. And if we want a better future, we need to take responsibility for building it. If you believe in collaboration over competition, if you’re ready to act on your values, and if you want to be part of something bigger, then you should come along to our next She Rocks Business event HERE and think about joining Anthropy.
