ACCA, UEAPME and European Movement International organised a lively panel discussion in Brussels to discuss the main features of these new business models, the opportunities but also their limits, and how policymakers can support innovation while also protecting consumers, workers and communities.
On 16 October 2018, ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), UEAPME (European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and European Movement International organised a conference on Collaborative economy and new business models' challenges: from promoting innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship to protecting consumers and workers.
Alan Hatfield, ACCA's Executive Director, Strategy & Development, gave a welcome speech. The first panel "From niche to mainstream: New business models based on innovation, sustainable entrepreneurship, sharing and digital" was moderated by Jimmy Greer, head of sustainability, ACCA. It was comprised of Vesa Vanhanen, Deputy Head of unit, Digitalisation of the Single Market, DG GROW, European Commission, Isidro Laso-Ballesteros, lead of Start-upEurope, DGCONNECT, European Commission, Romain Trébuil, CEO Europe & co-founder, YOSS, Louise Janssens, Products account, Goods to give, and Federico Garcea, co-founder and CEO, Treedom.
This was followed by a key note speech by Prof. Dr. Nikolay Dentchev, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
The second panel focussed on supporting innovation while also protecting consumers, workers and communities: what role for policymakers. It was moderated by Luc Hendrickx, Director of Enterprise and External Relations, UEAPME, and comprised of David Bradbury, Head of the Tax Policy and Statistics Division, OECD, Alexis Hallemans, Partner, Nelissen Grade lawyers, Ann Branch, Head of Unit, Job creation, DG EMPL, European Commission, Willem Pieter de Groen, Research Fello and head of Unit, CEPS, and Ellen Thijs, TalentHive leader BHive Europe
Concluding remarks were delivered by Brando Benifei, MEP and Vice-President, European Movement International.
Watch the video and have a look at the final report