Slave-Free Alliance is gearing up to host ethica26 – their first ever Human Rights in Supply Chains leadership summit – in partnership with Exiger.
Slave-Free Alliance (SFA) is a social enterprise that was founded by Hope for Justice in 2018 to address modern slavery and labour exploitation in organisations and supply chains. SFA now works with over 110 organisations, including 17 of the FTSE 100 companies, with all profits reinvested into our anti-trafficking projects around the world.
The upcoming ethica26 event will be centred on the theme, ‘From Risk to Resilience: Future-Proofing Supply Chains’. It is designed to equip CEOs, supply chain experts, policy makers and professionals across procurement, legal, compliance, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainability, to respond to changing global regulations, increased stakeholder scrutiny, and complex human rights risks.
Representatives from Exiger, AstraZeneca, SSE plc and Novartis will deliver keynote speeches alongside Tim Nelson, CEO of Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance (SFA). There will also be keynote speeches from Dr Laura Murphy, Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery, and supply chain influencer Maria Villablanca. The agenda includes panel discussions, policy briefings, case studies, a leadership roundtable, and networking opportunities.
The summit will take place at the historic Grand Connaught Rooms, in Covent Garden, on Tuesday 17th March.
Marc Stanton, Slave-Free Alliance Director, said: “We have already had a brilliant response to ethica26. The team at Slave-Free Alliance is excited to be organising this event for the first time, creating a forum for leadership, shared learning and actionable strategies. We want to work together to build supply chains that are fair, transparent and resilient. If you are looking for ways to navigate upcoming legislation, strengthen governance and operationalise responsible sourcing, then this summit is designed for you. We believe that the conversations which will happen at ethica26 will help to shape how leading organisations approach human rights in the years to come. We look forward to welcoming you at the summit in March.”
Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance know that supply chains, which are vital to the functioning of business, are often where human rights risks, including modern slavery, forced labour, and exploitation, are rife. They are working with organisations to address the risks, safeguard workers, protect organisational reputation and build supply chains that are resilient and trustworthy. Increasingly, investors, customers and partners want to see evidence of responsible sourcing, so it is important for companies to be able to demonstrate ethical business practices. One of the key ways to achieve this is through transparency, which can build trust, strengthen reputation and create opportunities for partnership.
What to expect at the summit
ethica26 will provide executives with practical insights they can implement in their organisations. Participants will hear about the importance of human rights and how to embed this into corporate governance and culture as well as how to manage risks. There will also be a policy briefing to share legal updates on upcoming UK and EU regulations, exploring what this means in practice, and how organisations can prepare.
During the event we will also hear a real-world example of the damaging effects of inaction; this will look at what can happen when supply chain abuses go unchecked, including litigation, lost contracts and reputational damage. We will hear about the role of survivor voice in shaping responsible business decisions. We will also share stories of how ethical supply chains positively contribute to winning work, building investor trust and strengthening resilience. There will also be the chance to explore the latest technology for supply chain transparency.
Attendees will be equipped with practical tools and next steps which they can take back to their workplaces. These will support with responsible sourcing efforts, ensuring organisations are prepared to respond to regulatory changes, and strengthening supply chain strategies.
Keynote speakers and panellists
Tim Nelson – CEO, Hope for Justice & Slave-Free Alliance & Co-Chair
Dr Laura Murphy - Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery, Sheffield Hallam University & Co-Chair
Robert Williams - Senior Director, Sustainable Procurement, AstraZeneca
Kit Conklin - Senior Vice President of Risk & Compliance, Exiger
Maria Villablanca - Supply Chain Influencer, Maria Villablanca Consulting & Moderator
Caroline Haughey OBE KC – Criminal Barrister, Furnival Chambers
Peter Nestor – Global Head of Human Rights, Novartis
Professor Dame Sara Thornton DBE QPM – Professor of Modern Slavery Policy at the Rights Lab, University of Nottingham
Rachel Hartley – Consultancy Director, Slave-Free Alliance
Matt Crossman – Stewardship Director, Rathbones
Giles Bolton – Executive Director, Ethical Trading Initiative
Important details
Date: Tuesday 17th March 2026
Time: 8:30 – 17:30 GMT followed by networking drinks
Location: De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London, WC2B 5DA
To see the agenda and book your place, visit: Agenda | Human Rights in Supply Chains Leadership Summit, London — ethica26
