Castle Forum x Clarasys: A Wellbeing Economy
The next Castle Forum event brings together leading thinkers for a panel discussion and audience dialogue on what an economy fit for the future could look like, one built around human and planetary thriving rather than growth for its own sake. The evening will move past the headlines to the harder questions: what a wellbeing economy means in practice, what has to change to build one, and who needs to shape it. Hosted with Clarasys in central London on Wednesday 8 July, the session continues the 2026 series and is open to anyone working on, or curious about, the future of the economy.
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This session explores the wellbeing economy through the lens of evidence, trade-offs and real-world change. Discussion will focus on whether prosperity can be measured by something other than growth, what it would take to redesign the economy around what people and the planet actually need, and where business, policy and finance can move first. As with every Castle Forum, the room is part of the conversation, with time for questions, discussion and connection.
Key questions
Can we protect the planet while the economy keeps growing, or does prosperity now mean consuming less?
If not GDP, then what should we measure, and who decides what a good economy looks like?
What would a wellbeing economy actually ask of business, and which levers move first?
Where is the line between a genuine shift and a rebrand of business as usual?
How does the sustainability movement bring more people with it, rather than preaching to the converted?
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Ben Kellard — Director of Business Strategy, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Sara Al-Mahdi — Degrowth Researcher and Lecturer, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Alex Willford — Purpose & Impact Lead, Clarasys
Chair
Micael Johnstone — Castle Forum Chair & Co Director
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Location: Clarasys, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, 7th Floor, London SE1 9HA
Format: Panel discussion and audience dialogue
Attendance: Free, held by prior registration
Schedule: Doors and arrival from 17:00; panel discussion and audience dialogue to follow; drinks and networking to close, 21:00