Business leaders, academics and sustainability partners gathered at Birmingham Botanical Gardens to mark the launch of Tipping Point, a major installation by internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, and to begin a wider conversation about the future relationship between business and nature.

Hosted in partnership with Middlemarch, sponsor of the installation, the stakeholder evening brought together voices from across the region to explore how organisations can better understand ecological boundaries and embed nature into business thinking, strategy and education.

The event formed part of a wider programme led by Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the University of Birmingham Business School focused on making ecological limits more visible, protecting and rebuilding nature, and creating space for reflection and collaboration.

At the centre of the evening was the idea that nature must no longer be viewed as a backdrop to economic activity but as critical infrastructure essential to resilience, wellbeing and long-term prosperity.

Sara Blair Manning, Chief Executive of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, highlighted the Gardens’ commitment to sustainability, inclusion and education.

With more than three decades of experience in heritage and cultural visitor attractions, she emphasised the role institutions such as the Gardens can play in convening business, research and community partners around environmental action.

Contributions from University of Birmingham Business School academics reinforced the importance of integrating nature into business education and practice.

Dr Caroline Chapain spoke about innovation and decolonisation in business thinking. Dr Emma Surman shared research exploring the sociology of consumption and the role of school gardens in reconnecting children with food systems.

Dr Fatos Ozkan Erciyas addressed consumer wellbeing and community-based initiatives that strengthen human relationships with the natural environment.

The evening also highlighted the development of a Strategic Nature Network, designed as a collective investment and governance approach to support local nature recovery priorities.

Linked to this is the concept of Nature Investment Zones, creating localised hubs capable of delivering large scale ecological impact while aligning environmental outcomes with economic growth.

Research shared during the event demonstrated growing evidence that connection with nature enhances wellbeing, supports sustainable consumption behaviours and strengthens organisational resilience.

Educational initiatives, including nature workshops for MBA and MSc students and collaborative projects exploring ecological art and composting practices, are already underway.

Participants were invited to take part in a guided reflection exercise, considering their own relationship with nature and how their organisations might respond differently to environmental challenges.

The session encouraged practical thinking about how businesses can move towards nature positive and regenerative models.

As environmental pressures intensify, the message was clear. Reconnecting business with nature is not a symbolic gesture. It is a strategic imperative for long term economic and social resilience.

“Our message is that it’s not just about doing more for nature, but doing it more coherently – joining up actions so they work with, rather than against, the living systems around us,” said Harry Barton, Executive Director at Middlemarch.