Voices - Conversations on Business and Human Rights from Around the World

A recent legal case involving Dyson and 24 migrant workers is being called a landmark moment for business and human rights—but why? After the UK Court of Appeal allowed the case to be heard in the UK, despite the alleged abuses taking place at a supplier factory in Malaysia, big questions are being raised about corporate accountability overseas. In this episode, IHRB's Salil Tripathi is joined by Anna Triponel, the founder of Human Level, and Oliver Holland, a partner at law firm Leigh Day unpack what this case means and why it matters.

In this episode of Voices, IHRB’s Haley St. Dennis brings you closer to the world of agroforestry in Brazil. Haley speaks to Isabel Britez of Belterra, a B Corp working with farmers to turn climate and deforestation risks into real opportunities for resilient business and thriving rural livelihoods.

IHRB’s new CEO Brandee Butler is joined by Michael Clements, the newly appointed CEO of the Business and Human Rights Centre, for a conversation about leadership, and the shifting landscape for business and human rights.

In this episode of Voices, IHRB’s Haley St Dennis and Ainara Fernandez discuss an emerging housing model in Catalonia, which is aligning decarbonisation efforts with solutions to address issues like affordability and extreme temperatures. Can Catalonia’s housing model be a blueprint for just transitions in other housing markets around the world?

Solar power is reshaping life for Gujarat’s salt farmers. Haley St. Dennis talks with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty about the partnerships and training behind this just transition—and how women like Manguben are moving from debt to becoming solar technicians and community leaders. This episode features an audio story from IHRB’s JUST Stories project.

How can the business and human rights agenda move forward amid the climate crisis, ongoing conflicts, and growing political divides? Join Brandee M. Butler, IHRB’s new CEO, and John Morrison, founding CEO, for a reflective and inspiring conversation about the future of business and human rights.

In a special two-part series , join IHRB’s new CEO, Brandee M. Butler, and outgoing CEO, John Morrison, for a reflective and illuminating conversation on their work to strengthen respect for human rights in the business world - and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

On World Maritime Day, join IHRB’s Francesca Fairbairn and Ben Bailey and Father Stephen Thanapaul from Mission to Seafarers for a discussion on seafarers' rights. What are the most pressing challenges facing seafarers? What protections do they need? What action is needed from the maritime industry? Are there examples of shipping companies getting it right?

Climate change has put a spotlight on our relationship with natural resources, especially water. In many parts of the world, the water scarcity crisis is being intensified by companies. Salil Tripathi from IHRB speaks to Peter Waldman, a senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, and to Ravi Mariwala, the Founder and Chief Executive of an Indian water management company called Smaart Water. Peter has been documenting growing global tensions around access to water, whilst Ravi’s company provides sustainable and safe water services for businesses, governments, and consumers. Together they discuss the impact of commodifying water; how small farmers and local communities are campaigning for greater access to water in Senegal, Australia and California; and what responsible and sustainable water management looks like in practice.

How did the business and human rights movement evolve? What important moments and historic cases have helped shape responsible business today? Anita Ramasastry, Professor of Law at the University of Washington and faculty member on IHRB’s Masters course in Business and Human Rights, joins IHRB’s Salil Tripathi to discuss the evolution of the business and human rights movement by exploring the pivotal moments that shaped it.

IHRB's Vicky Bowman speaks to Giles Bolton from membership body Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI); Natalie Grillon from Open Supply Hub; and Emily Casswell from clothing retailer Bestseller. Together, they explore the role of voluntary standards and reporting to strengthen transparency in global supply chains and how these link to evolving regulatory requirements.

Over 60 million people make a living catching, farming and processing seafood. What are the predominant challenges they face? IHRB’s Francesca Fairbairn explores human rights abuses in the global seafood industry with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ian Urbina, who has just released the second series of The Outlaw Ocean Podcast.

IHRB’s Haley St Dennis sits down with Darcy Gunning, the lead union organiser behind Collie’s transition negotiations, one of the world’s most successful examples of a just transition happening today. They talk about the high and lows so far, as well as insights for managers of transitions - whether working in a company, government department, union, or local community group - to replicate the most essential lessons offered by Collie’s story.

In this episode, IHRB’s CEO, John Morrison, and colleague Haley St Dennis, discuss the state of just transitions in 2025, and the urgent need to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges as one, systemic challenge. John shares ideas for how to apply this thinking in practice.

The international architecture that underpins universal human rights is under attack. What does this mean for responsible business? IHRB’s Salil Tripathi, speaks to Kenneth Roth, author, attorney and the former head of international organisation, Human Rights Watch. Ken and Salil discuss progress in corporate responsibility and accountability in recent decades, and what this might mean for the future of business and human rights.

Has the UK Modern Slavery Act introduced in 2015 been effective in eradicating modern slavery? IHRB’s Head of Migrant Workers Programme, Neill Wilkins, speaks to from Eleanor Lyons, the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. They discuss the effectiveness of the legislation; the importance of corporate accountability in the fight to end modern slavery; and the need for more robust measures to ensure greater transparency in supply chains.

IHRB Senior Advisor, Vicky Bowman, speaks to Karina Ufert from the European Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar. Against the backdrop of the EU's proposed ‘omnibus package’ of sustainability directives, Karina shares how her organisation is helping companies with their human rights due diligence on the ground. Vicky also speaks to IHRB colleague Sarah Mostafa-Kamel to discuss similar work being done by IHRB’s Gulf Sustain initiative, which is supporting responsible business practices and promoting worker welfare across the Arab Gulf States.

The adoption of the UNGPs in 2011 was a seminal moment and acknowledgement of the influence of business on people’s rights. In the years that have passed since then, what have we learned about whether and how companies can respect human rights while pursuing profits? To help answer this question IHRB’s CEO, John Morrison, speaks to Mike Posner, a human rights lawyer, former Assistant Secretary of State under Hilary Clinton, and founder of the Center for Business and Human Rights at New York University.