We are delighted to confirm the following plenary speakers for the BAM2025 Conference:
Wendy Bartlett, MBE
Wendy Bartlett is Founder of boutique contract caterer, BM Caterers (previously known as) Bartlett Mitchell. The philosophy is #fundamentally food (the fun is baked in) providing imaginative fabulous food and spot on service to create enduring relationships with customers, clients and the team.
Wendy and her business partner Ian Mitchell established bartlett mitchell in 2000 from the back bedroom of her house with just 2 phones and a desk. The formula worked, today the company operates at over 100 locations around the UK and has 1000+ staff and a turnover of nearly £65 million. Wendy is now semi-retired and in a more ambassadorial role in the business as there is an excellent team now running the company
In 2015 Wendy received an MBE for services to hospitality and was awarded a Foodservice Catey, the Oscars of the industry, for her dedication to food service.
Wendy loves eating, drinking and talking about food. And she is a complete aficionado on gin
Daniel Rubin
Daniel Rubin founded the fashion footwear and accessory brand Dune London in 1992.
With over three decades of experience in footwear; from shoe manufacturer to wholesaler and then retailer, he is a notable figurehead of the retail industry.
Daniel won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Professor Yvonne Benschop
Professor Yvonne Benschop is the Vice Dean of Research and Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Institute for Management Research at Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
She is the director of the interdisciplinary research group Gender and Power in Politics and Management. She has received multiple grants from Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, FP7, ESF-EQUAL, NWO-STW, several Ministries in the Netherlands and Flanders, and private organizations for her work on the responsibility of organizations for gender equality, diversity and inclusion that is inspired by feminist organization theories and critical management studies.
She has published widely on formal and informal organization processes that produce organizational inequalities, and on interventions to sustain organizational change to intersectional equality. Recent research interests are at the crossroads of postfeminism, technofeminism and environmental feminism. Publications in English have appeared in journals such as Organization, Organzization Studies, Journal of Management Studies, Organization Theory, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Gender, Work and Organization, and Human Relations.
She has served as co-editor in chief of Organization and sits on multiple editorial boards. She is the Chair of the Dutch Network of Female Professors, and received a royal distinction for her research performance (email: [email protected]
Professor Chidiebere (Chidi) Ogbonnaya
Professor Chidiebere (Chidi) Ogbonnaya is a Professor of Human Resource Management at King’s College London. His research explores key areas such as job quality, employment relations, business ethics, responsible leadership, well-being, and performance.
Recently, his work has focused on the employment experiences of disadvantaged workers in emerging economies, analyzing strategies and policies for sustainable development. This research agenda has attracted substantial funding from multiple sources, amounting to approximately £8.2 million over his career. Chidi's work is widely published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Management, Human Relations, Journal of Management Studies, Human Resource Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and the Human Resource Management Journal.
Additionally, his research has been featured in prominent practitioner and media outlets such as Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Forbes, Financial Times, and The Times. Chidi also brings extensive editorial expertise, having previously served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Business Research. He currently holds the same editorial role at Human Relations and the Journal of Management Studies.
Kali Hamerton-Stove
Kali Hamerton-Stove is co-founder of The Glasshouse project, a community interest company that harnesses horticulture and work to provide viable second chances for women in the justice system.
Established in 2020 in the disused greenhouses of HMP East Sutton Park, The Glasshouse works with women in the last years of their prison sentence, providing training and employment, working with leading corporate clients including C Hoare Bank, France’s Crick, Pearson and RenaissanceRe. With a 0% reoffending rate, compared to the national rate of 56%, The Glasshouse is an example of how productive and fulfilling employment can rebuild self belief and help women find a better way of life after custody.
Kali and The Glasshouss received the coveted RHS Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2024 for their exhibit conceived, designed and built by women in custody or recently released.
Professor Andre Spicer
Professor André Spicer is the Executive Dean of Bayes Business School. He is also Professor of Organisational Behaviour. He is an expert in the areas of Organisational Behaviour, Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Professor Spicer is originally from Aotearoa/New Zealand. He began his studies at the University of Otago and holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne in Australia. Prior to joining City, he was a Professor of Organization Studies at the University of Warwick. He has been a visiting professor at London Business School, the Kellogg School at Northwestern, McGill University, Lund University, University of St Gallen and the University of Sydney.
Professor Spicer is an award winning teacher. He has worked with students at all levels - from first year under-graduates to top level executives in large organisations. He recently co-developed an award winning course on critical thinking for business students.
Professor Spicer is known for his research on wellbeing, organizational politics, organisational culture, employee identity, new organizational forms, work space and leadership. His work looks at a wide range of settings including knowledge intensive firms, financial institutions, government departments, seaports, universities, libraries, media organizations, and social movements.
Professor Elina Meliou
Elina Meliou is a Professor of Leadership at Southampton Business School. Her research examines the work experiences of women and minorities, particularly in contexts marked by uncertainty, and the strategies that foster inclusive leadership.
She has published her research in leading journals, including Journal of Management Studies, Human Relations, Organization Studies, Public Administration and Work Employment and Society, among others. She has received funding from the UK and European bodies.
Elina is an Associate Editor for Human Relations and a Fellow of the Higher Education (HEA) and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Her research has influenced organisational practice and is frequently featured in the media.
Paul Gurney
Paul Gurney is the Founder and CEO of BecomingX, a learning and development company he set up with Bear Grylls which aims to create a world where everyone can realise their potential.
He works with some of the world’s most inspiring and iconic people - Presidents, Olympic Gold Medallists, CEOs, Nobel Peace Prize winners, Oscar winning actors, astronauts etc - to demystify what it takes to succeed and to help people build the confidence and skills to succeed.
Dr Sophie Alkhaled
Sophie Alkhaled is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Lancaster University Management School, UK. She is the Director of the Academy for Gender Equality and Social Justice Research in Organisations, and the Founder and Director of the Gender Equality Observatory at the School.
Sophie’s research focuses on the intersectionality of gender, entrepreneurship, empowerment and poverty alleviation, and their collective impact as a catalyst for social change and sustainable development amongst refugee and marginalised communities, particularly in Middle Eastern contexts.
She has published her work in leading journals such as Journal of International Business Studies, Organization Studies and Gender, Work and Organization. She serves as Associate Editor at Gender, Work and Organization, and is a member of the Editorial Review Board for Organization Studies.
Professor Iain Wilkinson
His research involves him working across a range of fields that include sociological theory, the sociological of health and illness, the sociology of humanitarianism, the sociology of the body and emotions, the sociology of risk and anxiety, the sociology of mass media and the history of sociology. Professor Wilkinson’s work concerns a range of issues relating to problems of social suffering. He explores how individuals are socially disposed to interpret and respond to problems of human suffering. He attends to occasions where encounters with the problem of suffering are involved in changing people’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
He is also currently involved in developing the Kent’s civic mission to promote food justice, tackle food insecurity and become the world’s first Right to Food University.
Keynote Panels
Overcoming Borders through Refugee Entrepreneurship - Monday 1st September
Overcoming Borders through Refugee Entrepreneurship
Virtual Day
Monday 1 September 2025 I 12:00 - 13:00
Mobility in the form of displacement driven by war, civil war, natural disaster and climate change is an increasingly prevalent trend in the contemporary world.
The number of refugees across the world is growing and is currently estimated at over 60 million. While many refugees seek sanctuary in neighbouring countries, increasingly people are travelling further in search of refuge. A key question for receiving countries, is how can we support the integration of displaced people? Refugee entrepreneurship is often presented as the means by which this integration can take place.
The speakers on this keynote panel have in-depth engagement with and knowledge of the refugee experience. They will consider the challenges and opportunities of refugee entrepreneurship and the role it can play in helping people build new lives.
Chair:
Professor Iain Wilkinson
His research involves him working across a range of fields that include sociological theory, the sociological of health and illness, the sociology of humanitarianism, the sociology of the body and emotions, the sociology of risk and anxiety, the sociology of mass media and the history of sociology. Professor Wilkinson’s work concerns a range of issues relating to problems of social suffering. He explores how individuals are socially disposed to interpret and respond to problems of human suffering. He attends to occasions where encounters with the problem of suffering are involved in changing people’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
He is also currently involved in developing the Kent’s civic mission to promote food justice, tackle food insecurity and become the world’s first Right to Food University.
Keynote Speakers:
Paul Gurney
Paul Gurney is the Founder and CEO of BecomingX, a learning and development company he set up with Bear Grylls which aims to create a world where everyone can realise their potential.
He works with some of the world’s most inspiring and iconic people - Presidents, Olympic Gold Medallists, CEOs, Nobel Peace Prize winners, Oscar winning actors, astronauts etc - to demystify what it takes to succeed and to help people build the confidence and skills to succeed.
Dr Sophie Alkhaled
Sophie Alkhaled is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Lancaster University Management School, UK. She is the Director of the Academy for Gender Equality and Social Justice Research in Organisations, and the Founder and Director of the Gender Equality Observatory at the School.
Sophie’s research focuses on the intersectionality of gender, entrepreneurship, empowerment and poverty alleviation, and their collective impact as a catalyst for social change and sustainable development amongst refugee and marginalised communities, particularly in Middle Eastern contexts.
She has published her work in leading journals such as Journal of International Business Studies, Organization Studies and Gender, Work and Organization. She serves as Associate Editor at Gender, Work and Organization, and is a member of the Editorial Review Board for Organization Studies.
Borders and Business - Wednesday 3rd September
Borders and Business
In-Person Conference Day 1
Wednesday 3rd September I 10:45 - 13:00
Globalisation, connectivity and mobility are central to the 21st century business experience and entail the crossing of borders as individuals, goods and services traverse domains in search of new markets and new opportunities. It is at borders that businesses reach out to the rest of the world.
With increasing levels of uncertainty connected to social and political disruption and unpredictable economic change, the challenge of traversing borders has become more complicated. Additionally, borders within organisations, where individuals interact across different parts of the business, give rise to communication and co-ordination challenges that require careful management.
The keynote speakers on this panel bring rich and diverse experience to the issue of borders and business, and will highlight the challenges organisations face as they navigate contemporary boundaries.
Chair:
Professor Elina Meliou
Elina Meliou is a Professor of Leadership at Southampton Business School. Her research examines the work experiences of women and minorities, particularly in contexts marked by uncertainty, and the strategies that foster inclusive leadership.
She has published her research in leading journals, including Journal of Management Studies, Human Relations, Organization Studies, Public Administration and Work Employment and Society, among others. She has received funding from the UK and European bodies.
Elina is an Associate Editor for Human Relations and a Fellow of the Higher Education (HEA) and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Her research has influenced organisational practice and is frequently featured in the media.
Keynote Speakers:
Daniel Rubin
Daniel Rubin founded the fashion footwear and accessory brand Dune London in 1992.
With over three decades of experience in footwear; from shoe manufacturer to wholesaler and then retailer, he is a notable figurehead of the retail industry.
Daniel won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Wendy Bartlett, MBE
Wendy Bartlett is Founder of boutique contract caterer, BM Caterers (previously known as) Bartlett Mitchell. The philosophy is #fundamentally food (the fun is baked in) providing imaginative fabulous food and spot on service to create enduring relationships with customers, clients and the team.
Wendy and her business partner Ian Mitchell established bartlett mitchell in 2000 from the back bedroom of her house with just 2 phones and a desk. The formula worked, today the company operates at over 100 locations around the UK and has 1000+ staff and a turnover of nearly £65 million. Wendy is now semi-retired and in a more ambassadorial role in the business as there is an excellent team now running the company
In 2015 Wendy received an MBE for services to hospitality and was awarded a Foodservice Catey, the Oscars of the industry, for her dedication to food service.
Wendy loves eating, drinking and talking about food. And she is a complete aficionado on gin
Professor Andre Spicer
Professor André Spicer is the Executive Dean of Bayes Business School. He is also Professor of Organisational Behaviour. He is an expert in the areas of Organisational Behaviour, Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Professor Spicer is originally from Aotearoa/New Zealand. He began his studies at the University of Otago and holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne in Australia. Prior to joining City, he was a Professor of Organization Studies at the University of Warwick. He has been a visiting professor at London Business School, the Kellogg School at Northwestern, McGill University, Lund University, University of St Gallen and the University of Sydney.
Professor Spicer is an award winning teacher. He has worked with students at all levels - from first year under-graduates to top level executives in large organisations. He recently co-developed an award winning course on critical thinking for business students.
Professor Spicer is known for his research on wellbeing, organizational politics, organisational culture, employee identity, new organizational forms, work space and leadership. His work looks at a wide range of settings including knowledge intensive firms, financial institutions, government departments, seaports, universities, libraries, media organizations, and social movements.
Borders in Everyday (Organisational) Life - Thursday 4th September
Borders in Everyday (Organisational) Life
In-Person Conference - Day 2
Thursday 4th September I 11:00 - 12:00
Borders don’t just occur at geographical points in space or only relate to movement between countries and regions. Individuals also experience borders in the bounded spaces of their lives, and can be understood as ‘daily border crossers’, traversing the boundary between their work and non-work lives on an everyday basis. Additionally, individuals are also ‘life event border crossers’ as they move between different parts of their lives across time, influenced by occasions, incidents, consequences and aftermaths.
Every day and life borders are the products of society with the experience of crossing them impacted by personal resources and social characteristics. Forms of difference such as gender, class or race can mean that the experience of crossing everyday and life borders varies, and is more challenging when differences fall outside the norm.
The keynote speakers on this panel bring extensive understanding and experience of social borders and will draw out the challenge of navigating non-neutral boundaries.
Chair:
Professor Chidiebere (Chidi) Ogbonnaya
Professor Chidiebere (Chidi) Ogbonnaya is a Professor of Human Resource Management at King’s College London. His research explores key areas such as job quality, employment relations, business ethics, responsible leadership, well-being, and performance.
Recently, his work has focused on the employment experiences of disadvantaged workers in emerging economies, analyzing strategies and policies for sustainable development. This research agenda has attracted substantial funding from multiple sources, amounting to approximately £8.2 million over his career. Chidi's work is widely published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Management, Human Relations, Journal of Management Studies, Human Resource Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and the Human Resource Management Journal.
Additionally, his research has been featured in prominent practitioner and media outlets such as Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Forbes, Financial Times, and The Times. Chidi also brings extensive editorial expertise, having previously served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Business Research. He currently holds the same editorial role at Human Relations and the Journal of Management Studies.
Keynote Speakers:
Professor Yvonne Benschop
Professor Yvonne Benschop is the Vice Dean of Research and Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Institute for Management Research at Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
She is the director of the interdisciplinary research group Gender and Power in Politics and Management. She has received multiple grants from Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, FP7, ESF-EQUAL, NWO-STW, several Ministries in the Netherlands and Flanders, and private organizations for her work on the responsibility of organizations for gender equality, diversity and inclusion that is inspired by feminist organization theories and critical management studies.
She has published widely on formal and informal organization processes that produce organizational inequalities, and on interventions to sustain organizational change to intersectional equality. Recent research interests are at the crossroads of postfeminism, technofeminism and environmental feminism. Publications in English have appeared in journals such as Organization, Organzization Studies, Journal of Management Studies, Organization Theory, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Gender, Work and Organization, and Human Relations.
She has served as co-editor in chief of Organization and sits on multiple editorial boards. She is the Chair of the Dutch Network of Female Professors, and received a royal distinction for her research performance (email: [email protected]
Kali Hamerton-Stove
Kali Hamerton-Stove is co-founder of The Glasshouse project, a community interest company that harnesses horticulture and work to provide viable second chances for women in the justice system.
Established in 2020 in the disused greenhouses of HMP East Sutton Park, The Glasshouse works with women in the last years of their prison sentence, providing training and employment, working with leading corporate clients including C Hoare Bank, France’s Crick, Pearson and RenaissanceRe. With a 0% reoffending rate, compared to the national rate of 56%, The Glasshouse is an example of how productive and fulfilling employment can rebuild self belief and help women find a better way of life after custody.
Kali and The Glasshouss received the coveted RHS Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2024 for their exhibit conceived, designed and built by women in custody or recently released.