An impactful trio of flagship Alumni Receptions kicked off on 14 November at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall, Athens for a reception kindly supported by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. Bayes and City St George’s alumni gathered for an evening of networking and insightful discussion.
The event began with a welcome from George Politis (MSc Shipping, Trade Finance, 1997), President of the newly elected Greece Alumni Board, followed by opening addresses and updates from Professor Juliet John, Vice-President (Education) of City St George’s, and Professor André Spicer, Executive Dean of Bayes Business School.
Updates were followed by a fireside chat between Harry Vafias (BSc Management and Systems, 1999), CEO of Vafias Group and judge on Dragons’ Den Greece, and Professor Costas Andriopoulos, Associate Dean, MBA Programmes, Bayes Business School. Their discussions, along with questions from the audience, covered such areas as Harry’s early days in shipping, how the industry creates business opportunities in times of uncertainty, and the impact of technological change.
View the photo album and the film from the Athens Alumni Reception.
Next stop was Kuala Lumpur on 15 November, which began with a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bayes Business School’s Faculty of Actuarial Science and Insurance hosted by Dr Russell Gerrard, Head Faculty of Actuarial Science & Insurance.
This was followed by the City St George’s Alumni Reception hosted by Dr Sionade Robinson, Vice-President (Enterprise, Engagement & Employability, City St George’s), and Professor Richard Ashcroft, Executive Dean of The City Law School. Bringing together alumni, regional partners, staff and guests, the event featured a keynote speech by Dato’ Mary Lim Thiam Suan, Director of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), and formerly Federal Court Judge of Malaysia. Titled “Change or Be Changed”, her speech explored how the legal profession is adapting to technological developments in today’s post-pandemic world. Read more .
View the photo album from the Kuala Lumpur Alumni Reception.
The third and final stop on the month’s Alumni Reception international tour was Singapore, on 19 November. The centrepiece of the event was an alumni panel discussion chaired by Professor André Spicer, Executive Dean of Bayes Business School, on the theme of “Developing leaders and new talent in Singapore in a changing world”.
Featured on the panel were: Natalie Huang (MSc Quantitative Finance, 2013), Head of Treasury at Maribank, Dr Samintharaj Kumar (Executive MBA, 2013), CEO of Nuffield Holdings, and Samantha Shuttleworth (Executive MBA, 2013), Head of Strategy at Construct Digital. The panel discussion was followed by a buffet and time for attendees to network and catch up with peers.
View the photo album from the Singapore Alumni Reception.
Attracting a combined total of over 300 alumni, prospective students, regional partners, staff and faculty, all three receptions once again illustrated the enormous value of our global City St George’s alumni community to come together, for an opportunity to reconnect, participate in thought-provoking conversation, and make new contacts and friends.
Karen Lippoldt, Head of Alumni & Supporter Relations, reflected: “we live in an ever more inter-connected world where technology enables us to keep in touch, share news and opportunities. However, nothing competes with the joy and impact created by face-to-face conversation, experiencing the buzz of networking and the tangible bond that connects our alumni to the University and each other. I’m proud to be associated with our outstanding City St George’s alumni, the difference they make to society around the world, and the helping hand so many of them lend to current and future generations of City St George’s students.”
International alumni receptions will continue apace in the first half of 2025, with events already confirmed for the month of April in New York, Istanbul, Mumbai, New Delhi and Dubai.
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