Wednesday 3rd September 2025 I 10:45 – 13:00 BST
Grand Conference Opening
Keynote Panel Summary
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.
