Upgrade Masterclass: The Art of Negotiation

All of us use negotiation skills in our daily lives. Sometimes we need to really test these negotiation skills in situations where it is important to get the best outcome for us, our businesses and careers, and for the benefit of our family and friends.

Join us to hear from fellow alumni with wide ranging experiences and expertise who will share their approaches to negotiations, including failures and successes. We'll explore how you can identify negotiation situations, reflect on additional skills required like communication, emotional intelligence and active listening, as well as understanding your value to help you achieve your best outcomes. 

Meet the panel

Sahar Mansoori Zangir leads the Business Engagement Team at Kingston University, working with business, government, charities and community groups to grow innovation and knowledge exchange with Kingston University. Sahar also focuses on the development of strategic partnerships between external organisations and academics with research and enterprise interests from the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. 

Karishma Navsaria (BA Economics 1999) began her career in finance at J.P. Morgan Private Bank working in both London and Switzerland. She transitioned to lead Corporate Partnerships at London based start-up WealthiHer. In her current position as Philanthropy Manager at Smart Works, she designs donor engagement strategies and spearheads growth initiatives. An enthusiastic mentor and coach, Karishma actively supports organisations like Founders for Schools, The Hunger Project, Women of the Future & 100Women in Finance, fostering social mobility and breaking down barriers to opportunity.

Warren Saunders has held a series of senior commercial roles over the last 25 years at organisations across consumer technology and market insight including Sony, Samsung, Infosys and GfK where he was part of the Executive Leadership Team from 2021 to 2024. This year he joined WGSN – the world's leading consumer trend forecaster – as Chief Revenue Officer.

Cory Smith graduated from Kingston University in Business Economics BA (2002). After a successful career in property sales and management, alongside his entrepreneurial interests, he is now the Director of Conscious Living Management, providing high performance consulting, training and people development solutions. Kru Cory also operates MSA Hammersmith Muay Thai martial arts academy, with a mission to improve wellbeing and quality of life, by teaching self-mastery and being a champion in life.