How Can Leaders Decarbonise the Automotive Sector?
Sustainability LIVE: The London Summit is returning to London for a two-day event on 8-9 September 2026.
It brings together senior sustainability executives leading climate action and ESG transformation across sectors.
A highlight of the schedule is The Future of Net Zero Automotive panel, which is set to feature insights on strategies to decarbonise the industry.
About the event
Sustainability LIVE: The London Summit is co-located with Procurement LIVE and Supply Chain LIVE, offering a unique opportunity for cross-functional collaboration and discussions.
With more than 1,000 attendees, it is set to provide the insights, connections and solutions needed to accelerate progress toward net zero and stay ahead in a changing business and regulatory landscape.
The event programme features more than 50 expert speakers, 10 core content themes and four interactive workshops, combining practical guidance with strategic perspective.
Sessions will cover climate disclosure, circular economy models, innovation and stakeholder engagement to help leaders embed sustainability across their organisation.
Join peers at Sustainability LIVE: The London Summit to align climate action with procurement, sourcing and supply chain strategies and leave with the tools to deliver measurable impact.
What is the Automotive panel?
The Future of Net Zero Automotive panel discussion will take place at 10:45-11:30 (BST) on 8 September on the Sustainability Stage.
The session will explore how the automotive sector is accelerating towards net zero.
Discussions from senior executives will focus on decarbonising manufacturing and supply chains, scaling electrification and sustainable fuels and navigating regulatory, technological and market challenges to deliver long-term environmental impact.
Panellists will share expertise on the rise in popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and how the automotive industry can adapt to these changes.
This includes a stronger focus on battery manufacturing, as well as implementation of EV charging infrastructure across cities and businesses.
Meet the speakers
Andrew Leyland, Group President/CEO, HellermannTyton Global
Andrew has headed up HellermannTyton for more than five years.
HellermannTyton is the leading global brand for cable management solutions, operating in more than 40 countries worldwide with manufacturing operations in every key region.
The company serves the needs of customers across a very broad range of industries including aerospace, railway, infrastructure and automotive manufacturers.
A key part of HellermannTyton’s strategy is its drive to position itself as the sustainability leader and partner of choice in the industry.
Before taking on his current position, Andrew held several strategic and operational roles during his 20-year tenure at the company.
Prior to joining HellermannTyton, Andrew has had various roles including as an engineer in both the oil and gas and automotive industries.
Andrew says: “Manufacturers are all too often labelled as the significant contributors and causes of sustainability challenges faced by society.
“However, with the right mindset we are perhaps most uniquely able to contribute to achieving the challenging goals set by consumers and society as a whole, often in ways that might not be entirely obvious at first glance.
“Rather than shirk away from the discussion, I believe that only by participating in debate about the future of our industry can we make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future and I look forward to an exchange of views on the topic.”
Leon van der Merwe, Vice President, Energy Business, Toyota Motor Europe
Leon’s career has taken him across multiple countries, starting as a Managing Director for KwikFit in his home country of South Africa.
He then moved to KwikFit in the UK as a Group Product and Services Director.
Leon joined Toyota Motor Europe in 2015 as Vice President Value Chain.
He has also worked across the supply chain and the circular economy at the company.
Leon said on LinkedIn: “As battery electric vehicle drivers’ expectations for seamless, intelligent and customer-centric charging experience at home, at work and on the road pick up pace, we are accelerating our electrification journey with the rollout of a comprehensive EV charging ecosystem in several European markets.”
Daniel Quelch, Group Head ESG, Constellation Automotive Group
Daniel joined Constellation Automotive Group in 2024 after building his career at companies such as Epson and Capgemini Invest.
He has more than 10 years of experience integrating sustainability into business strategy, governance and financial performance.
His work focuses on driving measurable results in mitigating climate risk, reporting on environmental progress and facilitating stakeholder engagement.
Daniel writes on LinkedIn: “Transitioning to more sustainable modes of transportation is a big way we can all help the climate crisis.”
Executives
Andrew Leyland
Group President / CEO
Daniel Quelch
Group Head ESG
Leon van der Merwe
Vice President at Toyota Motor Europe