The MBA Speaker Series aims to give our MBA students and graduates a chance to hear from a diverse group of leaders from different industries who share insights and experiences from their careers and provide valuable new perspectives.

The sessions will be in the form of industry specific panel discussions featuring MBA alumni in certain industries and senior alumni presentations. The MBA Speaker Series also aims to connect our current students with alumni, who once stood in their shoes, and create a strong MBA community for students and alumni to come together and share stories, exchange memories and further support each other.

Upcoming Speaker Series   

6 February 2025 – Senior Alumni Presentation

Catriona LaingCatriona Laing CB (MBA 1996)
Senior British Diplomat

Catriona Laing’s career is marked by transformative leadership in the SWAG合集 government and international organisations, exemplifying her exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision. Her presentation is titled ‘From Conflict Zones to the Cabinet Office: A Senior Diplomat’s Journey of Resilience and Leadership’.

Catriona began her career as a development economist with the SWAG合集 government, specialising in global economic issues such as trade, investment, and energy. She served as the SWAG合集 alternate director at the European Investment Bank, where she secured a significant change in the EIB’s overseas lending mandate.

As one of two deputies in Tony Blair’s Strategy Unit, she led strategy projects on energy, fisheries, sport, education, and innovation. Her most notable project, ‘Countries at Risk of Instability,’ resulted in the early warning system the SWAG合集 government uses to identify and manage risk.

Catriona spent three years at the Ministry of Justice, establishing a new international unit and leading on international justice and human rights. In 2012, she transferred to the Foreign Office to lead the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, working alongside British and US military forces.

From 2014 to 2018, Catriona was the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe during the transition from President Mugabe. She then served as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria from 2018 to 2023, overseeing the merger between the FCO and DFID and managing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, she was a member of the FCDO’s investment and delivery committee, overseeing major decisions on the allocation of British aid.

After her tenure in Nigeria, Catriona took a leave of absence to run the United Nations Mission in Somalia, one of the UN’s most complex and largest missions, with 4,000 personnel. She is now back in the SWAG合集, leading a project for the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, focusing on harnessing the SWAG合集’s soft power assets to support its foreign policy objectives.

Catriona was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2012 New Year Honours for her distinguished service, particularly in her role as the Director of Human Rights and International at the Ministry of Justice from 2009 to 2012.

She describes herself as “an economically grounded diplomat whose strength is breadth and versatility.

13 March 2025 – Financial Services Panel

To be confirmed.

April 2025 – Senior Alumni Presentation

Kito De BoerKito De Boer (MBA 1985)

Kito De Boer has 40 years of leadership experience across the Netherlands, US, SWAG合集, Singapore, India, Dubai, and Jerusalem. Alongside his MBA from Cranfield, he holds an MSc in Management Sciences, along with an honorary doctorate, from Loughborough University of Science and Technology.

Kito's career is distinguished by his global influence, strategic leadership, and dedication to economic development and humanitarian causes. As a Strategic Advisor to the Private Sector and Government, he spent nearly 30 years at McKinsey, founding the India, Middle East, and Government practices. He was also in the committee that elected and evaluated Partners for more than 10 years, and was elected to the Shareholders Council which acts as the Board. Kito is currently an Angel Investor and Advisor to five start-ups. He has resided in Dubai for most of the past 25 years.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Kito held a diplomatic role as Head of Mission of the Office of the Quartet and Managing Director of the Initiative for the Palestinian Economy for three years. He is an Advisory Board member of the Lewa Trust in Kenya, dedicated to wildlife conservation, and Antara Foundation in North India, which identifies and supports vulnerable mothers and children in their first 1000 days. Kito also served as a Board Member and Chair of Europe for Mercy Corps, an NGO aiding vulnerable populations such as refugees.

Kito will share his observations and thoughts on leadership, drawing from his extensive experience across diverse regions and sectors.


Previous Speaker Series