More than 200 global leaders converge on INSEAD’s European campus to discuss the tools, networks and innovations that will be necessary to overcome challenges in today’s tumultuous marketplace
As global markets continue to waver, leaders are faced with new challenges and the old rules of business no longer apply. At its recent Leadership Summit Europe, INSEAD brought together leaders from business, government, media and academia to focus on how organisations can operate in the evolving economic environment. The panel sessions and expert presenters explored, with rigor and relevance, the tools and innovations leaders will need to emerge from the financial crisis and achieve sustainable growth.
‘INSEAD’s Leadership Summit has truly become a global epicentre for some of the top minds in business, government and academia to come together and discuss the most pressing issues facing organisations,’ said J. Frank Brown, Dean of INSEAD. ‘Effective and responsible leadership has always been instrumental in organisational success, but it has become even more critical during times of crisis. At INSEAD, we are deeply committed to developing leaders with a global mindset and strong sense of social responsibility.’
The main plenary sessions focused on several critical issues, including the effect of the new political landscape on organisations, the role emerging economies will play in the global business marketplace, and the implications of the financial crisis. Horst Teltschik, International Consultant and Former National Security Advisor to Chancellor Helmut Kohl, explored the impact of Russia and China on other countries and how the U.S. may need to increasingly rely on Europe as a partner. In a separate session, INSEAD Economics Professor Ilian Mihov presented a macroeconomic view of the financial crisis. By looking at today’s economic scenario in a historical context, Mihov was able to draw important parallels to the length and depth of the current crisis.
The topic of ‘shareholder value’ was debated during the panel sessions to explore whether the term still has relevance in today’s business environment. Panellists, including Sir Andrew Large, Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, discussed the importance of leadership and understanding of how public policy is made in order to regain trust in the financial system and bridge the gap between shareholder and stakeholder value.
Business leadership in a time of responsibility was also a key discussion point at the Summit. Along with a group of senior executives and Subramanian Rangan, INSEAD Professor of Strategy and Management, Nick Gowing of BBC World News focused on the essence of effective and inspiring leadership during a time of crisis. Panellists discussed how businesses can manage tensions of being self-centric versus society- centric and local versus global. The panel was in agreement that businesses need to take responsibility for their community and environment as boundaries between business and society have changed.
Sessions were led by more than 20 speakers and INSEAD faculty members. Hosted by INSEAD Dean J. Frank Brown, the Summit offered thought-provoking panel discussions facilitated by leaders such as Christopher Fawcett, Chief Executive Officer, Fauchier Partners; Patrick Snowball, Chairman, Towergate Financial and Non-Executive Director, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc; Daniel Labrecque, President and CEO, N M Rothschild & Sons Canada; Lindsay Levin, Founder and Managing Partner, Leaders’ Quest; Yossi Rosen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Oil Refineries Ltd; Nancy McKinstry, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Executive Board, Wolters Kluwer nv; Jim Hagemann Snabe, Member of the Executive Board, Business Solutions and Technology, SAP; Nik Gowing, Main Presenter, BBC World News; and Sandy Ogg, Chief Human Resources Officer, Unilever.
