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Developing leadership capacity conference
University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB.
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The Empowering Leaders for Global Contemporary Business Conference (ELGCB), hosted by the Centre for Leadership and Empowerment at the University of Greater Manchester in partnership with Global and Sustainable Business Futures at the University of Bradford and the SHE Inspires Foundation, is a flagship international event dedicated to advancing leadership excellence in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Chaired by Professor Christian Harrison, alongside Dr Nirma Jayawardena and Dr Nuttawuth Muenjohn, the conference brought together a vibrant and diverse community of researchers, academics, practitioners, business leaders, and students from across the world. Over three enriching days, the conference provided a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas, fostering creativity, innovation, and impactful leadership practices within contemporary enterprises.
The programme featured a rich blend of keynote speeches, panel discussions, scholarly presentations, interactive workshops, and experiential activities, all designed to explore cutting-edge developments in leadership, sustainability, and global business transformation. Central to the conference was a strong emphasis on empowerment, equity, and future-oriented leadership, equipping participants with the insights needed to thrive in complex and uncertain environments.
A major highlight of ELGCB was its distinguished keynote speakers. Professor Mohammad Elahee delivered a compelling opening keynote, “Riding the Global Storm: Strategic Imperatives for Global Contemporary Businesses During the Trump 2.0 Era,” offering critical insights into navigating geopolitical and economic uncertainty. This was followed by Professor Mustafa Ozbilgin, whose powerful session on leadership and inclusion challenged participants to rethink leadership’s role in addressing inequality and driving systemic change. The conference also featured an inspiring keynote by Donna Fraser OBE, “Batting Beyond Boundaries: My Leadership Journey,” where she shared her lived experiences, offering a deeply personal and motivational perspective on resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers.
The conference panels further enriched the discourse. The first panel, “Developing the Next Generation of Global Leaders,” featured Dr Deborah Lawson, a multi-award-winning disability inclusion consultant and bestselling author; Dr Evgenia Pavlakou, Associate Dean and Head of Research at New York College, Greece; and Jack Farren, Co-Founder and CEO of Rural Inclusion. The second panel, “Leading Through Disruption: Building Resilient and Adaptive Global Businesses,” brought together Kirsty Sandwell, Head of Consulting at RSM UK; Jackie Hyde, Owner-Managing Director at Stanmore Insurance Brokers Ltd; Gulnaz Brennan, Head of the SheInspires Network; and Michelle Howard, Head of Michelle Howard Consulting. The third panel, “What’s, Whys and How’s of Sustainability in a Changing Industry Landscape,” featured Alwyn Hopkins, EY UK&I Industrials and Energy Sustainability Leader; Ayo Benson, Founder of Mastermind Business Edge and Professor John Connolly, Interim Pro Vice Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University.
A defining feature of the conference was its outstanding professional development workshops, delivered by leading experts across the globe. These included Dr Prakash Singh’s session on using AI tools to support academic career progression; a “Meet the Editors” session led by Professor Elizabeth Rose and Professor Christian Harrison; and Niyi Taiwo’s workshop on adaptive leadership and team building. Antoinette Essilfie delivered a timely session on ethical technology governance, while Sabrina Zavahir explored the power of voice inflection in leadership communication. Additional sessions included a systematic literature review workshop by Dr Jyoti Devi (Brinda) Mahadeo; a wellbeing and resilience conversation led by Alicia Allotey and Cheryl Crooks; a leadership mindset workshop by Ayo Benson Olarewaju; a session on digital video advertising and consumer visual memory by Dr Nirma Jayawardena; and a masterclass on leadership skills in the 21st century delivered by Professor Christian Harrison. Beyond the formal sessions, the conference offered engaging side events that enhanced networking and collaboration. Delegates enjoyed a tour of the Bolton Wanderers Stadium and participated in a Formula One race simulation within the university’s Engineering facilities, providing a unique blend of experiential learning and interaction.
The conference culminated in a prestigious gala dinner attended by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor David Chadwick, and the Mayoress, adding a celebratory and distinguished dimension to the event. A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Leadership Excellence Award to Dr Deborah Lawson, recognising her outstanding impact and advocacy in disability inclusion.
The conference also celebrated academic excellence through a series of awards. Best Abstract awards were presented across multiple tracks, including:
In essence, ELGCB is more than a conference, it is a powerful platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and transformative thinking. It not only inspires participants to rethink leadership in the context of global contemporary business but also lays a strong foundation for future partnerships and impactful research. The insights generated continue to resonate beyond the conference, shaping leadership practice and contributing to a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable global future.
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