Global Business Leaders Conference

Welcome

The INSEAD Global Business Leaders Conference (GBLC) is a high-level academic and business conference, and the flagship event for the region, to discuss major issues affecting the world and its leaders. 

This year's GBLC will take place on Monday 23 October 2017 from 9am - 1pm, on the theme “The Future of Finance: New Technology and New Markets”, at the exclusive Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre located on Al Maryah Island in the heart of the UAE's capital city, Abu Dhabi. The delegation includes INSEAD Board members, Global Executive MBA participants, alumni, government representatives, senior business executives and media.

Both the venue and the timing of this year’s Global Business Leaders Conference is befitting of a world in flux. Economically, the world has experienced solid, if not spectacular growth; financial markets and real investment and economic activities are on the mend; and the long shadow of the Global Financial Crisis is finally receding. However, just as these seeds of positive change are sprouting, changes in global geopolitics threaten the revival.

This year’s Global Business Leader Conference will take a forward looking perspective, focusing on the financial markets. There are three main themes in this year’s event. First, we will discuss and debate the new world economic and political order – the new normal. Second, we will focus on the only certain way forward in a changing world: innovation and technological advance, with a focus on financial technology and how that is changing not only financial markets but also society. Finally, we will examine the human capital composition of the financial industry, focusing on diversity of the work force. Even though the conference focuses on the finance industry, more broadly it is a pair of lenses through which we examine the two dominant trends sweeping across the globe today – technological advances and diversity of work forces – both of which will shape the future economic frontier.

We look forward to a fruitful and engaging discussion with you.

Best regards,

MIGUEL SOUSA LOBO
Associate Professor of Decision Sciences
Director of the Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi
INSEAD

Programme

08:00 - 09:00	Registration and Coffee
09:00 - 09:10	Master of Ceremony Miguel Sousa Lobo, Associate Professor of Decision Sciences Director of the Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi INSEAD Welcome Andreas Jacobs MBA'90D Chairman of INSEAD Board Member of the Board, Jacobs Holding AG
09:10 - 09:25	Inaugural Remarks H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council Managing Director of Emirates Foundation Member of the Expo Dubai 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee
09:25 - 09:35	Keynote Speech Ludovic Pouille, Ambassador, French Embassy, UAE
09:35 - 09:45	Khalid Khalfan Al Suwaidi, Chief Operating Officer, Abu Dhabi Global Market
09:45 - 10:30	What is the New Normal? The world has been in flux both politically and economically. The rise of globalisation, immigration and technological changes has affected businesses and society in many different ways, both positive and negative. As we make sense of the emerging new world order, what does this mean for governments and businesses? What are the potential opportunities  and pitfalls which leaders should look out for? H.E. Khaleefa Salem Al Mansouri, Acting Undersecretary, Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi Lino Cattaruzzi IDP-C'16Oct, Managing Director MENA, Google Karen Fawcett MBA'88, Chief Executive Officer, Retail Banking and Group Head, Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank Kunal Kapoor MBA'08J, Founder, The Luxury Closet Manuel Kuehn, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Head of Executive Office,  Siemens LLC UAE Moderator:  Lily Hua Fang, Associate Professor of Finance, INSEAD
10:30 - 10:45	What is the New Normal in Business Education? Ilian Mihov, Dean, Professor of Economics,  The Rausing Chaired Professor of Economic and Business Transformation INSEAD
10:45 - 11:10	Coffee Break
11:10 - 11:55	Financial Innovation - Disruptive or Disrupting? Consumer expectations and technology have evolved and challenged the relevance of traditional banks people’s lives.   In its place, financial innovation and technology have taken the financial industry by storm. The accelerated pace of  technology is one of the most creative and disruptive forces in the financial ecosystem, as institutions grapple to adjust. What are the real world implications of financial innovation not just on markets, but also society? What is the future of Fintech? Anand Aiyer MBA'15D, Artificial Intelligence Researcher and Serial Entrepreneur Federico Gavazzoni, Assistant Professor of Finance, INSEAD Kamal Hassan MBA'93D, President, INSEAD Alumni Association of Canada, Founder, eVC and Global Director, Founder Institute Pekka Hietala, Professor of Finance, Chair, Finance Area, INSEAD May Nasrallah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer,  deNovo Corporte Advisors Todd Ruppert, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ruppert International  Moderator: Lily Hua Fang, Associate Professor of Finance, INSEAD
11:55 - 12:15	INSEAD the Digital Disruptor in Education  Peter Zemsky, Deputy Dean, Dean of Innovation Professor of Strategy, The Eli Lilly Chaired Professor of Strategy and Innovation, INSEAD
12:15 - 13:00	Diversity and Innovation in Finance Technological advance and diversity of work force are the two dominant trends sweeping across the globe today. Research has shown that diversity in leadership roles have a positive impact on a company’s ability to innovate, navigate disruption and improve its bottom line. However, this change isn’t being reflected in the boardroom. What are the issues, and what changes can be done?   David Hayward Evans MBA'00, Chief, Global Philanthropy, UNICEF Lily Hua Fang, Associate Professor of Finance, INSEAD Andreas Jacobs MBA'90D, Chairman of INSEAD Board Member of the Board, Jacobs Holding AG Sadia Khan MBA'95D, President, INSEAD Alumni Association (IAA), Chief Executive Officer, Selar Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd.  Moderator: Miguel Sousa Lobo, Associate Professor of Decision Sciences Director of the Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi INSEAD
13:00 - 13:10	Closing Remarks Miguel Sousa Lobo, Associate Professor of Decision Sciences Director of the Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi INSEAD

Speakers

Practical Information

Conference Venue and Location

The Global Business Leaders conference will take place at the Abu Dhabi Global Market, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. For Location map click here.

Transportation

Participants are asked to make their own travel arrangements. Getting around in UAE is easy and economical. UAE has an efficient public transportation network offering taxis.

Taxi Numbers
• Al Ghazal (2) 4447787
• National (2) 6223300 or 600543322
• Fast Limousine (2) 6220000
• Transad – 600535353

Emergency, safety and police services

For emergencies you may call the following toll-free numbers:
999 - Police (also +971 2 4461461)
998 - Ambulance services
997 - Fire
999 - Helicopter Service
 

Hotels

Hotel booking sites such as hotel.com and booking.com, offer great rates for hotels and due to high seasonal demand, it is recommended that you book your hotel early. 

Registration

Registration is from 8:00am. All sessions will start promptly as scheduled in the programme.

Security

You are required to wear a badge during the conference which will be provided at registration. Please ensure you keep your valuables with you at all times.

Dress code

The dress code for the conference is business attire.

Media, filming and photography

Please be aware that journalists and media executives have been invited to attend the Global Business Leaders Conference and that all sessions will be filmed. INSEAD will engage professional photographers for this conference. We reserve the right to use any film and/or photography from the conference in our print and digital marketing collateral. Delegates who do not wish to be filmed or recorded should advise the Events team prior to the conference.

Accommodation

The INSEAD Global Business Leaders Conference will take place at:

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Building
ADGM Square
Al Maryah Island
P.O Box 111999
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates

Due to the number of events occuring in the region at this period, we recommend that you make your reservation as soon as possible.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi is offering special rates for guests attending this event.  For room reservation at Four Seasons, please email Motaz Kanaan directly at [email protected] and specify the event promo code INSE231017 in your request. 

Contact Us

Zeina Sleiman
Tel.: +971 50 6403191
Email: [email protected]

Linda Furtado
Tel.: +971 2 6515309
Email: [email protected]

Past GBLC - Abu Dhabi

2016
2015
2014
2013