Andrew has a rich history in environmentalism overlapping into optics. With an MSc in Ecology & Environmental Management, Andrew spent years as a multi-award-winning independent filmmaker working with government agencies, charities and communities addressing some of the most pressing issues at the crossroads of environment and society. Meanwhile, he was a part of his family’s business, Practice Building, delivering support to the independent optical sector in all manners of business and communications.

In 2023 Andrew co-founded the not-for-profit organisation Net Zero Eyecare with the mission of steering the optical industry towards meaningful sustainability, and has been delivering the Optician-Award-Winning Net Zero Optics programme to a wide range of businesses, from Practices to Suppliers and Manufacturers, ever since.

He’s a passionate environmentalist with a deep understanding of optics, and is asking you to do no more than your bit to save the world.

Xenia Glutz von Blotzheim is a sustainability leader driving brands toward becoming responsible corporate citizens with over two decades of experience in the retail industry, specialising in brand strategy & communication and sustainability transformation.

As CSR & Communications Director at MYKITA, she has shaped the company’s sustainability strategy and initiatives, positioning it at the forefront of environmental and social impact in the luxury eyewear industry. By redefining MYKITAs purpose and implementing strategies around recycled materials, innovation, fostering sustainable growth, and stakeholder engagement, the brand won the first ‘Responsible Company Prize’ at Silmo 2023.

A ‘B Leader’, Xenia supports businesses on their path to B Corp certification, ensuring that they meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Simone Petrolli is the Global Sustainability Manager at Safilo, one of the eyewear industry’s key players in the design, manufacturing and distribution of prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles and helmets. In his 10 years’ experience at Safilo, he covered different roles in Product Creation and Development Department in Italy and US, before being nominated as Global Sustainability Manager in 2022. He is now based in Padua, Italy. Simone holds his master’s degree in Materials Engineering as well as a bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering both obtained at the University of Trento - Italy, where he worked as a Research Assistant for 1 year after the graduation before moving to Safilo.

Johanna Skans runs Skans Eyewear and Skans Academy, a B Corp certified eyewear brand and an educational platform focused on raising awareness about sustainability in the optical industry and providing tools to help optical stores adopt a more sustainable approach. Skans Eyewear was recently awarded the SILMO 2024 CSR Prize for its commitment to responsible practices. Johanna has 20 years of international experience in the optical industry, is a trained optician with an MBA, and a former Nordic product manager. She has worked as Head of Engagement at B Corporation, a global certification body, and regularly writes for several optical magazines, where she explores this topic in depth.

Angela worked on her first sustainability project 23 years ago, synthesising key chemical ingredients from renewable resources. Since then, she has worked on dozens of sustainability projects, in various sectors and functions. Angela found that once she started to make sustainable changes to products, services or processes, she then saw more and more opportunities. They were often quick wins and ultimately commercially sensible choices.

When Angela first started working in the Optical industry, 7 years ago, she was laughed at by account managers for asking them to reduce the amount of tertiary packaging they used for samples and stock. Much has changed since then. Angela is delighted to see every supplier now being proud of the positive changes they’re making. Let’s use this conference to collaborate on ideas we can implement industry-wide that will add up to a huge net improvement.