Fiona Pelham: The voice behind sustainable events

Fiona Pelham has been the CEO of Positive Impact Events for 18 years. The non-profit company provides education and facilitates collaboration on creating sustainable events, something that Fiona has pioneered for almost 20 years.

Global citizen, entrepreneur, and industry leader are only some of Fiona’s recognitions. Her continuing effort to create a sustainable events industry has been at the core of her career and is what drives her. This is reflected clearly in her employment and business ventures.

Fiona made her earliest significant contribution to the sustainable events industry as the first female Chair of the British Standards in 2010. This was just before the Olympic Games of 2012. She went on to contribute to the England 2018 World Cup Bid as the technical advisor for sustainability. At that time, she was also the youngest Chair of International Standards Organisation (ISO) 20121, a volunteer position she still holds. In this role, she coordinated input from more than 30 countries and over ten liaison bodies.

Fiona was the founder and Managing Director of Organise This Ltd, Sustainable Events Ltd, and the Global Sustainable Event Summit. In addition to these roles, Fiona became the first British person to Chair Meeting Professionals International in 2016, the world’s largest association for event professionals.

In 2019, Fiona decided to focus completely on the not-for-profit organisation, Positive Impact. This was to ensure that there were no conflicts of interest in conversations for the transformation of the global events sector, a charge led by Positive Impact. Fiona's influence extends beyond the boardroom, with collaboration projects and outreach initiatives that Positive Impact actively spearheaded. Positive Impact is one of 30 Race to Zero Accelerators and provides a pathway for the event supply chain to make credible carbon commitments. Since the mid-2010’s Positive Impact has submitted an Acceleration Action Report on how the global event sector could act to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2023, the company launched a Pavilion for People during COP28 to explore how everyone’s voice could be heard in the world’s most important conversations.

Fiona participates in various working groups, especially with the United Nations. She spoke at the climate change conference in Paris about the impacts of the events industry and its potential to make a difference. She was also a delegate for a UN conference that was aimed at creating solutions for the Syrian refugee crisis. On a daily basis, she works closely with bodies like UNICEF to create resources on how to consider human and child rights when planning an event.

Leeds Beckett University’s School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management has had a close association with Positive Impact Events under Fiona’s leadership. In 2019, 50 students from the school who are part of the UK Centre for Events Management participated in their global sustainability programme. The relationship with Leeds Beckett University began almost two decades ago and is driven by shared values and a mutual commitment to sustainable practices. Her influence and experience can be seen in the university’s academic sphere. The volunteering aspect of the events course provides students with hands-on experience. Positive Impact has been able to facilitate these opportunities. Ongoing research and grant discussions are a testament to the enduring partnership between Fiona and the university.

Fiona believes that events and the power of human collaboration are essential for making a world that works for everyone. She is actively working towards delivering campaigns to share event sustainability best practices and developing events strategies to leave a positive economic, environment, and social impact.

She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration in 2014 by Leeds Beckett University for her contribution to industry and commerce and to public voluntary service.

Fiona is now one of the most influential women in the events industry, particularly as a voice for sustainability.