MBA alumni reunited for a ‘5 Minute Mic' event, covering topics such as creatology, wellbeing and forecasting

Posted Tuesday 20 August 2019

Kingston Business School hosted its ‘5 Minute Mic' event for MBA alumni at the Brand Exchange in central London on Thursday 18th July 2019. 

The event, celebrated the diversity of knowledge, experience and expertise amongst our MBA alumni community. The session gave the opportunity for alumni to speak for five minutes on a topic affecting their business/industry or career to an audience of current students and fellow alumni.

The event was hosted by the Head of Kingston Business School, Ian Roberts, who also delivered a 5 Minute Mic on ‘The future of the MBA'. A wide range alumni attended the event, as well as current MBA students from both the Kingston and Moscow programme, (delivered with our partner institution, RANEPA) who were visiting Kingston as part of International Fortnight for their MBA electives. 

Read more about the speakers and view photos from the event below. 

The 5 Minute Mic Speakers

Stephen Aldridge (MBA 1995), Managing Director, Numeritas Ltd
'Forecasting and why we are so bad at it'

Having spent more than 20 years building financial forecasting models for businesses, my lifelong learning has recently focused on the impact of psychological biases in my field. I will share some of my learning, which is relevant to all who make decisions.

Vivian Theodoropoulou (MBA 2012), Managing Consultant and exec Coach, Renault-Nissan Consulting
'Achieving personal excellence through coaching'

Transformational coaching and personal excellence for business results.

Declan Burke (MBA 2016), Senior Business Operations & Technology Manager, MS Amlin
'CREATOLOGY - Creativity in a high technology environment'

In the insurance sector, business and IT leaders are competing to leverage digital technologies such as Blockchain, artificial intelligence, infonomics and robotics in order to disrupt the markets over the next 5-10 years.  One thing's for sure, building a culture and environment supportive of creativity and innovation is essential in driving a sustainable competitive advantage. Creativity and innovation is not a department, it's a culture, and it starts from the top. How are you building a culture and environment supportive of creativity and innovation?

Tom  Morrell (MBA 2004), Well Being Coach

'Wellbeing and resilience in organisations'

The Thriving at Work report supported by Deloitte highlighted the significant challenges that many organisations have around wellbeing - staff absence, attrition, and financial loss. I will describe one solution to promote resilience in the workplace.

Andrew Lydon, (MBA 1992), Retired, Former Project Manager at KBR

‘Reflections on the MBA'

Taking an MBA is hard work. Time management skills are essential to maintain a sensible work/life balance. When the pressure is on, challenges can be overcome, help is at hand and in the end it's worth it. My talk focused on why I took up the course, issues along the way and the effect on my career.  Hopefully this will inspire current participants to focus on their long-term career goals on completion of the course.

Carlos Gomez (MBA 2006), Author, Co-Founder and Director at BmitaGroup

'Being Comfortable With Uncertainty'

My journey on how developing the virtue of equanimity and being comfortable in uncertain times opened up infinite possibilities in my personal and professional life.

Andy Crossey (MBA lecturer), Management Consultant, Ex Global Talent Director, Capgemini Group
'What Makes a Good Leader?'

Having had five years of responsibility for Leadership Development in the 180,000 strong Capgemini Group, shared some personal learnings on what makes a good leader.

To find out more about the Kingston MBA or Kingston Business School alumni events contact the team

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