May 12th 2014

Scaling Innovation

 

Combine a series of inspiring and engaging talks on innovation with the opportunity to taste an array of Mexican drinks and what you end up with is the recipe for a truly special event, which is what, we’re pleased to exclaim, the inaugural BritMex event turned out to be.

 

Our very first event brought together Chevening Awards, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, The Bulldog Trust, a charitable trust that gives financial and advisory assistance to charities, the Mexican Talent Network UK, Young Brits and many other partner organisations for an evening of inspiring and engaging talks as well as great networking opportunities with a Mexican twist. The event showcased VIP guests such as Diego Gomez Pickering, the Mexican Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Duncan Taylor, the British Ambassador to Mexico and Baroness Bonham-Carter, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Mexico.

 

After a welcome from the CEO & co-Founder of Britmex, Cynthia Vega and the two primary partners, David Crellin-Jones, Head of Scholarships at Chevening and Charles Hoare, Chairman of Bulldog Trust, it was time for the first speaker, the Director of Accelerate Cambridge from Judge Business School, Hanadi Jabado, who discussed what she perceived ‘scaling innovation’ to mean. We then heard from both Channel 4 Secret Millionaire Seema Sharma, CEO & Founder of The Sharma Foundation and Nicky Major, Head of Global Sustainability at Ernst & Young, who both delivered exceptional talks on Diversity in Leadership.

 

Seema talked from an individual entrepreneurial perspective, sharing her own story of success, whilst Nicky spoke more from a global perspective, discussing where diversity is present (or isn’t –  as she made clear!) within the world’s largest companies. Our Young Brits colleague Alex Mitchell then joined the speakers along with Mihkel Jaatma, CEO & founder of RealEyes to answer any questions that the audience had on innovation and diversity in leadership.

 

Questions came in thick and fast, so much so that even after 40 minutes there were still plenty of hands left in the air! Many people were keen to hear more from Nicky and her suggestions on how global leaders can make the changes needed to increase diversity in leadership.The event was then closed with a few words from both Diego Gómez Pickering, the Mexican Ambassador to the UK and Duncan Taylor, the British Ambassador to Mexico. Both thanked everyone for taking part in what was described as ‘an important and fascinating discussion.’

 

All the guests then filtered downstairs to engage in some networking with one another, which was made that little bit easy and more enjoyable thanks to some Mexican themed canapes and some Mescal tasting.

 

Narrative Source: Culture Group