Sustainability in Tech Summit and Awards: Q&A with the advisory board
As the event draws nearer, CRN speaks with some of its advisory board members to hear their key takeaways
CRN’s Sustainability in Tech Summit & Awards is just around the corner.
Ahead of the event, set to take place on 11 February at The National Gallery, London, CRN sits down with five members of the advisory board from CAE Technology Services, Lenovo, Nebula Global Services, Targus, and QBS Software to get their take on the invaluable experiences and connections gained through past Sustainability in Tech events.
Read on to find out what attendees at the channel’s foremost sustainability event can expect this year.
And to register to attend, click here.
Richard Behan, entrepreneur & former co-owner of CAE Technology Services
What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the Sustainability in Tech advisory board?
Having been on the board from the start, it is fantastic to see how channel organisations of all shapes and sizes are becoming more and more invested and engaged with the topic of sustainability.
Using business and the channel as a force for good continues to evolve.
Why Sustainability in Tech? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
There is little competition when it comes to recognising sustainability in the channel and it is important that CRN continues to keep this topic in the spotlight.
Progress in the channel, along with informing customers continues, but there is still so much more impact our sector can achieve over the next five to ten years.
What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of a Sustainability in Tech conference?
The more you engage and participate in the conference, the more you will get out of it!
Every year the conference grows in value and influence, with a lot more useful informational available for participants to take away so that these learnings can be passed on and utilised in their own organisations.
I still believe it can be an uphill struggle to convince business to embrace and invest in the best practices of sustainability, so if you are not sure of something, just ask an advisor on the day.
What has been your best memory from Sustainability in Tech so far?
The first awards ceremony was one to remember because the uptake showed how important the topic of sustainability was and is for the channel.
Nothing to this scale had been done before, and seeing the channel come together as a force for good is just brilliant.
Virginie Le Barbu, global sustainability director – international market, Lenovo
What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the Xchange advisory board?
The most rewarding part is being able to share experiences while learning from others who genuinely care about driving sustainability in tech—there’s a real sense of purpose and community.
Why Sustainability in Tech? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
I love Sustainability in Tech because the networking feels authentic and energising, and you get to hear a wide range of voices sharing practical best practices—very different from typical channel events that focus mainly on products and sales cycles.
What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of a Sustainability in Tech conference?
My advice for a first-time attendee is to disconnect from daily work as much as possible, arrive with an open mind, and make the effort to network, network, network—you’ll get far more out of it than you expect.
What has been your best memory from Sustainability in Tech so far?
My best memory so far has been seeing people from very different companies come together and collaborate openly on sustainability challenges that truly matter, which you don’t see often in this industry.
Richard Eglon, chief marketing officer, Nebula Global Services
What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the Sustainability in Tech advisory board?
The most rewarding aspect of being a member of the Sustainability in Tech advisory board is the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of forward-thinking business leaders who are genuinely committed to driving meaningful, long-term change across the technology channel.
Being at the table with leaders who share a vision for a more resilient, transparent, and sustainable sector reinforces the belief that when businesses collaborate with purpose, the industry can innovate in ways that benefit both people and the planet.
Why Sustainability in Tech? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
Unlike many channel conferences where competitive dynamics often shape the room, these events create an environment where traditional competitors are willing to lower their guard, share best practices, and work together for the greater good of the industry.
There’s a genuine sense of collective responsibility, leaders recognise that sustainability is bigger than any single organisation, and the only way to accelerate meaningful progress is through openness, shared learning, and unified action.
What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of a Sustainability in Tech conference?
Network, then network some more.
The CRN Sustainability in Tech conference brings together some of the most innovative, passionate, and genuinely approachable sustainability leaders in the industry.
It’s a rare opportunity to be in a room full of people who are not only open to sharing their best practices, but also eager to hear fresh perspectives, new ideas, and real-world experiences.
What has been your best memory from Sustainability in Tech so far?
The CRN Sustainability in Tech Awards that sit at the heart of the event.
There’s something incredibly inspiring about seeing individuals and organisations being recognised for their ingenuity, passion, and relentless drive to create positive change- whether through climate-focused initiatives, social value programmes, or groundbreaking technological innovation.
Marcus Harvey, regional director EMEA, Targus
What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the Sustainability Tech advisory board?
The most rewarding part for me is helping make sustainability practical and commercially viable.
From a B2B perspective at Targus, I see customers/partners want to act sustainably, but only if it works at scale.
The advisory board lets me bring that real-world lens and help turn good intentions into deliverable outcomes for the channel.
Why Sustainability in Tech? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
I don’t attend any other channel specific event dedicated on sustainability full stop… Sustainability in Tech matters because technology has a real, measurable impact on the environment — not just in how products are made, but in how long they’re used and what happens at end of life.
From a B2B perspective, this is where practical decisions can drive meaningful change at scale.
What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of a Sustainability in Tech conference?
Know that you are making a difference just by being interested and present.
The real value of a Sustainability in Tech conference comes from the conversations between sessions, so be curious, challenge assumptions, and think about how the ideas shared can be applied pragmatically within your own organisation and the wider channel.
What has been your best memory from Sustainability in Tech so far?
Being part of a community that is there to support each other.
No matter how big or small your business is there is always some valuable learnings and a chance to expand your own network.
Seeing vendors, resellers, and customers openly share challenges around materials, product lifecycles, and customer expectations creates a level of trust you don’t often get at traditional events.
Dave Stevinson, CEO, QBS Software
What is the most rewarding part of your role as a member of the Sustainability in Tech advisory board?
Contributing to the future direction of sustainability on behalf of the industry.
Why Sustainability in Tech? How do these events differ, in your opinion, from other channel conferences?
With a complete focus on sustainability the Sustainability in Tech ensures that Sustainability IS the narrative not just part of it.
What advice would you give to a first-time attendee to make the most of a Sustainability in Tech conference?
Participation is critical – all of us are there to share best practice and steadily improve our mutual position.
What has been your best memory from Sustainability in Tech so far?
Twice winning the Sustainable Distributor of the Year and once winning B Corp of the Year.