Speakers

Gerard Bos is Director of the Global Business and Biodiversity Programme at the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He is passionate about driving Transformational Change through multi-sector collaborative platforms with the aim to challenge current and future business models of the corporate sector.

In order to get to a sustainable world that values and conserves nature, decision makers in business, civil and government need to systematically explore how to avoid or mitigate any negative impacts and optimize opportunities to scale up positive impacts for people and nature. This is at the heart of the Business Engagement Strategy at IUCN.

Gerard’s career started in the banking world with Barclays Bank, followed by many years in finance, procurement and supply chain roles in the building materials sector with Holcim. He has working experience on all continents, lived in many countries and speaks fluently five languages.  

Before joining IUCN in 2012, Gerard managed Holcim’s relationship with the World Business Council of Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), as well as with IUCN. In that period and through the participation in the Vision 2050 project, Gerard learned the importance of applying systems thinking to better understand complex issues and ensure the dots are connected to drive the needed changes. He believes valuing Natural Capital, and integrating this in corporate decision making, is one of the critical next big game changers for moving towards a more sustainable future.

He is a graduate of the European Business School.

@gerardbos2004