Brasenose in Business

Join us for networking and an engaging panel discussion exploring the future of talent and the workforce, the role of business in shaping society, and a fundamental question: what is leadership ultimately for?

As AI, geopolitics, economic pressures and changing expectations reshape organisations, how should leaders balance commercial performance with their responsibilities to people and what role should they play in shaping the future?

Further details

Chaired by Professor Chris Timpson, Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Brasenose, Oxford. During drinks and refreshments, the evening will also present an opportunity to meet and welcome our new Principal, Alyson King OBE.

Panellists:

Elizabeth Padmore (PPE and Jurisprudence, 1974) – Previously a Strategy Partner at Accenture, where she founded and led its global strategic think tank, advising multinational companies and governments. She has chaired both the British Red Cross and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and served on the Councils of the RSA and Chatham House. She is an Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford, and a member of the Advisory Group to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women, Peace and Security.

Tom Kilroy (Metallurgy and Materials Science, 1988) – CEO of Keyloop, a UK-headquartered software company serving the global automotive retail industry, where he is leading its transformation through AI across both products and operations. Previously, he spent more than a decade at Misys/Finastra, rising to COO and serving as Interim CEO, during which he led the company’s $2bn sale to Vista Equity Partners.

Philippos Kassimatis (Engineering Economics & Management, 1992) – CEO of Maven Global, advising governments and corporates on capital markets, and Maven Synthesis, its fintech spin-off, which received the European Commission’s Seal of Excellence for financial innovation. He is also co-founder of Panthir Capital and was previously Managing Director and Global Head of FX Structuring at Barclays Capital.

Andrew Suckling (Modern History, 1990) – Partner and Founder of Verulam LLC, a hedge fund and consultancy, and serves on the board of directors of American Battery Materials, Inc. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of Cadence Minerals and Chair of its Remuneration Committee. Previously, Andrew served as a Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit Committee of Macarthur Minerals, as a Partner at Ospraie Management LLC, a multibillion fund management group, and as a commodities trader on the London Metal Exchange with MG Ltd.

Hosted by Dominic Barton (Economics, 1984)
Chair of Rio Tinto and LeapFrog Investments, Dominic Barton previously spent over 30 years at McKinsey & Company, including nine years as Global Managing Partner, leading the firm worldwide. He subsequently served as Canada’s Ambassador to China from 2019–21. A Rhodes Scholar, he studied Economics at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he is an Honorary Fellow.

“We are entering an age in which leaders have more powerful means at their disposal than perhaps any generation before them. But greater capability does not make judgment less important; it makes it more consequential. The enduring question of leadership is therefore not simply what we are capable of building, but what is worth building, for whom and to what end, recognising that with success comes a responsibility to contribute to society. That is why I am particularly pleased we are having this conversation and, as a Brasenose alumnus, especially pleased to welcome the College to Rio Tinto.”

Dominic Barton (Economics, 1984)

Please note that this is an in-person event only. The booking link above is for alumni and their guests only. If you would like to attend but are not an alumnus of the College, please get in touch with us.