Example Keynote - Future-Fit by Design: Systems-Level Biomimicry for Thriving Organisations
What if your business could function like a forest—purifying resources, fostering diversity, adapting to change, and creating conditions for others to thrive?
Nature has spent 3.8 billion years perfecting solutions to the challenges faced by complex systems, and biomimicry offers a proven framework for applying these principles to business.
Dr Deborah Benham, biomimicry educator and co-lead of Transition Network International, guides organisations through the shift from extractive to regenerative models.
Drawing on real-world examples—from Janine Benyus's "Factory Like a Forest" concept to circular economy innovations—Deborah demonstrates how Life's Principles (nature's operating instructions) can transform your organisation's approach to resource efficiency, innovation, resilience, and stakeholder engagement.
Participants will leave with practical frameworks for embedding regenerative thinking into strategy, culture, and operations—creating businesses that are not just sustainable, but actively contributing to thriving ecosystems and communities.
Great for
- Businesses who sense the future must be designed within 'the rules of planet earth' - or there is no future at all.
- Organisations embedding deeper levels of sustainability, regeneration and 'net positive' approaches into their teams, strategy and operations.
- B Corporations and Social Enterprises looking to offer more benefits to their customers, shareholders, suppliers, partners, local communities and ecosystems.
- Innovative business consultancies looking to develop their future-fit toolkit.
Key Takeaways
- Apply Life's 26 Principles as a design lens for innovation and operations.
- Build resilience through diversity, decentralization, and adaptive systems.
- Transition from linear extraction to circular, regenerative business models.
- Create competitive advantage while becoming a positive force for ecological and social wellbeing.
Details
- Duration: 1-2 hour talk and / or half to full day workshop.
- Price: From £500, sliding scale based on turnover and/or size of organisation or event.
- Available in person for businesses in the UK and Europe on request. Online internationally.
- Please complete the contact form below or book a 30 minute call for an initial discussion.
About Dr Deborah Benham
Deborah is a marine biologist, biomimicry educator, Gaia Education trainer, and co-lead of Transition Network International. With a PhD in marine conservation and 28 years of experience across wildlife guiding, sustainability education, and community resilience, she has worked with organisations from grassroots groups to international networks across 40+ countries. Deborah combines rigorous ecological science with deeply experiential practices, weaving together biomimicry, bioregioning, nature connection, and regenerative design. She lives in Bridport's co-housing community and is currently leading the Living Systems Alliance, a collaboration between Transition Network, the Permaculture Association, Global Ecovillage Network, and the Biomimicry Institute to support nature-centric bioregional regeneration worldwide.
Speaking Style: Warm, story-rich, participatory, and grounded in lived experience. Deborah creates psychologically safe spaces where vulnerability and wisdom coexist, inspiring audiences through personal narrative, rigorous science, and genuine hope. She regularly incorporates interactive elements, breakout discussions, and practical frameworks that audiences can immediately apply.
CONTACT ME
For any questions, or to express interest in a workshop or course drop me a message using the contact form.
CHAT WITH ME
If you'd like a free 30 minute chat to explore how we might work together, or to see if any of the offerings mentioned on this site are a good fit for you.
Book a time using the button below.