At The Next Economy, we are excited to team up with Erinch Sahan for his Australian tour to share ideas, provocations, and proof of what is possible in the world of business and investment.
Businesses and investment matter in Australia. They have a significant role in shaping economic, ecological, and social outcomes – for good, and sometimes for ill. So how can business and investment ensure that their activities and ways of working contribute to an Australia that future generations will be proud of?
Erinch is a globally renowned thought leader with expertise in business design and investment. Join us to hear from Erinch and widen the discussion about the critical role of business and investment in building the economy we could have.
Who is Erinch Sahan?
Growing up in Sydney in the 1980s and 1990s to Turkish immigrant parents, he began his professional life in the corporate sector, and from there, has increasingly focused on making businesses a positive force in the world.
His experience is varied: he has been CEO of the World Fair Trade Organization, a senior associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and recently the Business and Enterprise Lead at Doughnut Economics Action Lab. He is currently leading the investment portfolio at the UK’s Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), driving its move to mission-related investing.
TNE’s Economic Change Program Director, Dr Katherine Trebeck, has worked with Erinch over the years and is constantly inspired by his ability to question what business can do and how it needs to change to enhance its positive impact. She describes him as “not just one of the boldest thinkers in business design, but someone who shares incredible case studies and stories of innovative business leaders delivering tangible impact”.
Find out more about Erinch:
👂Listen to Erinch’s episode on the BBC’s Bottom Line – Decisions That Made Me: https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/p0l7c12y
👀 Watch Erinch’s latest TEDxPrague:
Get involved!
These are the public facing events in the works. We will be updating this as we get closer to the dates so subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and follow our LinkedIn and Instagram so you don’t miss out!
Melbourne:
Transforming Business and Investment into a force for good. Erinch Sahan, with special guests from Regen Melbourne and Social Traders.
Join Erinch in conversation with special guests Tara Anderson, CEO of Social Traders, and Josh Devine, Collaboration and Investment lead at Regen Melbourne.
Together they will explore how Melbourne can become a place where purpose-led business is not the exception, but the new business as usual.
📅Date: Tuesday 6 of October 2026
🕰️ Time: Arrive at 5.45pm for 6pm –7.45pm
📍 Location: For Purpose Hub, Level 4/454 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000
🌍 Hosted by: The Next Economy and Greater Melbourne Foundation with special guests from Regen Melbourne and Social Traders
🎟 Tickets: RSVP here.
Webinar hosted by The Next Economy:
Global lessons, regional opportunities: A special conversation with international thought-leader Erinch Sahan and The Next Economy’s Economic Program Director Katherine Trebeck and Land Program Director Jacqui Bell.
📅 Date: Thursday 8 October 2026, 10-11am, AEDT (9-10am AEST),
📍 Location: Online webinar
🎟 Tickets: Register here
🎤Speakers: Erinch Sahan in conversation with Dr Katherine Trebeck and Jacqui Bell
Canberra:
Redesigning business and finance to unlock economic transformations: Australian National University Saving the World Webinar.
📅 Date: Thursday 8th of October, 12.30pm-1.30pm
📍 Location: Online webinar
🎟 Tickets: Register here.
Sydney:
What would business look like if it worked for everyone?
Global thought leader Erinch Sahan will share ideas, provocations and real proof of what’s possible – followed by a panel discussion with Melina Morrison, CEO of Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, Dr Belinda Russon, CEO of Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd, and Nathan Robertson-Ball, Founder of Finding Nature.
📅 Date: Wednesday 14 October, 2026
🕰️ Time: 6–8pm
📍 Location: Blue Gum Hall, Yirranma Place, 262 Liverpool St Darlinghurst
🌍 Hosted by: The Next Economy and Paul Ramsay Foundation
🎟 Tickets: RSVP here
This trip is generously supported by WWF, Paul Ramsay Foundation, and Greater Melbourne Foundation.
If you would like to support this trip or find out more about events, please email j.foster@nexteconomy.com.au