One of Glasgow's “most important climate events since COP” to be hosted at The Social Hub

March 4, 2025 (Glasgow, Scotland) – Europe’s leading changemakers will gather in Glasgow for one of the city's biggest climate events since COP next month. 

The Better Society Academy (BSA) masterclass will take place between April 29 and May 2 at The Social Hub Glasgow. With the title of ‘Changemakers Leading the Way to Net Zero: Inspiring Stories of Collaboration and Impact’, up to 30 European leaders in the emerging new economy will gain the skills and mindset to develop or scale their social initiatives. 

The event is free for changemakers from across Europe to attend and will receive a complimentary four-night stay at The Social Hub Glasgow, group meals, and more importantly over 3.5 days to have the chance to learn from each other, as well as a roster of inspiring guest speakers. Applications can be made online until March 14. Additionally, local businesses are encouraged to join for networking and connections on the final day (May 2).

This marks the first time that BSA has come to Glasgow. The initiative was ideated and piloted by The Social Hub – a pioneering and award-winning “hybrid hospitality” community centric concept founded and led by Scottish entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor. Its hubs combine hotel rooms, student accommodations, coworking spaces, food & beverage outlets, a premium meeting & events spaces, ultimately bringing together diverse audiences to build local communities.

The BSA is powered by the Digital Society School, which is part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. After the first masterclass in Amsterdam in 2023 and second in Vienna last year, 2025’s UK premiere is designed to upskill mid-career professionals, spark meaningful connections and set the stage for collaborative discussions and new partnerships that have a lasting impact on their communities, countries and beyond through a series of inspiring talks and hands-on case study workshops.

Following the first two pilots by The Social Hub, this is the first edition of the masterclass since the inauguration of its TSH Talent Foundation in May 2024. It launched as a standalone nonprofit registered in The Netherlands dedicated to empowering changemakers. The foundation is funded by 1% of The Social Hub’s annual turnover, a first for the hospitality industry.

Last year The Social Hub was officially certified a B Corp after it earned approval from non-profit B Lab at the first attempt, achieving an overall score of 107.1 out of 200, well above the average of 94. 

The value of B Corp certification is one of the topics being discussed at the forthcoming event. Also on the agenda are sessions called ‘Radical Leadership in the New Economy’, looking at the storytelling aspect of leading, and inspiring people to join you in the road to impact; and ‘Pioneering Net Zero Solutions - A Values-Based approach for a Net Zero Future - Successful Businesses that Balance Profit & Purpose.’

The roster of prestigious speakers line up - which will continue to be added to in the lead-up to the event - includes Anna Campbell-Jones, founder of Habitus Interior Design and star of BBC’s Scotland’s Home of The Year; Ally Mitchell of Ocean Plastic Pots; and esteemed economist Mattia Romani.

The Social Hub’s Charlie MacGregor (Founder & CEO), Trix van der Vleuten (Chief Marketing Officer), and Amber Westerborg (Director of Sustainability & Impact), will also all take the stage. 

Additionally, attendees will have the chance to visit and learn from Dear Green, a B Corp Certified specialty coffee roastery based in Glasgow that integrates sustainable practices into every aspect of its operations.

The company’s founder Lisa Lawson said: “We are excited to be part of the UK’s first Better Society Academy, and are proud to serve as a case study, providing participants with the chance to see our practical and scalable approach to creating a more equitable and circular economy within the coffee industry.

“There was a real energy and drive behind the conversation about sustainability and ethics in business before, during and after COP, but that seems to be at risk of decline given the political climate. This has the chance to reignite the conversation and the urgency by galvanising the city’s changemakers. It could well be Glasgow’s most important climate event since COP.”

TSH Foundation Chairman & Advisor to The Social Hub’s Executive Board, Frank Uffen concluded: "We’re incredibly proud to welcome Europe’s leading voices in the emerging new economy to Glasgow for one of the city’s most significant sustainability leadership events. This gathering will bring together changemakers determined to tackle pressing global challenges. The masterclass will provide them with new skills, network and platform - an opportunity we are honoured to host and support at The Social Hub.

This latest edition of The Better Society Academy underscores the TSH Talent Foundation and The Social Hub’s central role in fostering collaboration, innovation and responsibility within Europe’s business, university and non-profit communities.

I am hopeful that this year’s event will generate new networks, insights and best practices as the participants bring what they’ve learned to their own communities to create long-lasting change as we continue to drive towards Net Zero.”