Speaking at VARC: A Weekend of Inspiration, Momentum, and Shared Purpose

This past weekend, I had the honour of speaking on the main stage at the Vegan and Animal Rights Conference (VARC) in Manchester. It was an inspiring and energising event—an incredible gathering of advocates, campaigners, researchers, artists, and changemakers all working toward a shared vision of a more compassionate world.

I was invited to speak about undercover investigations—a field I’ve worked in for the past 37 years. From my earliest efforts filming inside UK factory farms in the 1980s, to leading over 300 investigations across 58 countries through Tracks Investigations, I’ve always believed that exposing cruelty is the first step toward meaningful change. My presentation explored how investigative work has helped drive legislative victories across Europe and beyond—banning live exports, shutting down fur farms, and tackling the illegal puppy trade.

It was particularly powerful to be in a room with so many brilliant minds, united not only by shared values but by smart, strategic thinking about how to create systemic change. Events like VARC remind me how much energy there is in our movement—and how vital collaboration is. I left feeling recharged, full of ideas, and more committed than ever to the work ahead.

A huge thank you to the organisers for the opportunity to contribute, and for giving undercover investigations the space they deserve on the main stage.

Let’s keep the momentum going.