From Purpose to Exit: Building a Business That Matters

What does it really take to start, grow and build a business that matters?

Join us for an evening with Duncan Parker, a purpose-driven chief executive, investor and non-executive board adviser with more than 25 years of experience building organisations that deliver both commercial success and meaningful social impact.

Duncan will share his own journey – including the successes, failures and turning points along the way – and the lessons he has learned from starting, scaling and selling ventures.

He’ll also explore the changing role of business in society and why purpose is becoming increasingly important to customers, employees and investors.

What we’ll explore

During the evening, Duncan will share his experience and insights into:

• The lessons learned from starting, scaling and selling businesses
• How purpose can become a commercial advantage
• Why consumers, investors and employees are changing
• The shift from shareholder value to stakeholder value
• What creates long-term value – from community and relationships to authenticity, impact and innovation
• The opportunities this creates for creative entrepreneurs

There will also be an opportunity to reflect on the change you want your own work to create, before opening the conversation up for an audience Q&A.

We’ll finish with time to continue the conversation, meet other people and build new connections within the Barbican community.

Whether you’re starting something new, growing an established business or simply interested in building a business with greater purpose, we’d love you to join us.