International Executive Speaker Series

This exciting new programme of guest speakers gives all LUBS students the chance to learn directly from senior executives who work at the highest and most strategic levels in business. All events are free of charge and also include networking and refreshments.

Enter the C-Suite...

For many students whose goal is to be successful in the world of business, landing a C-Suite position would be a dream come true. These individuals are the chiefs of industry who make decisions at the highest level and are the leaders in their sector.

Imagine how valuable it would be for someone at the start of their career to benefit from that depth of experience, skills and knowledge. Well, thanks to this new series of guest speaker sessions, you can have the opportunity to learn and interact with executives directly.

How do I attend?

All events are free of charge, and scheduled for evenings to avoid any timetable clashes with your teaching activities.

Each speaker event will be listed on this page and in the event listings on the Student Guide. Spaces will be limited for each session, so please sign up quickly to avoid dissapointment.

Please only sign up for sessions you are confident you can attend, so that other students do not miss out on the opportunity!

#3 Marketing Global Sports Brands & Teams

What it means in reality

Both our guests market global sports brands and teams around the world. By leading compelling and award winning marketing and communications strategies with boundary pushing initiatives to drive brands forwards Lucy and Joe are trailblazing marketeers.

Lucy has a career spanning grassroots sport, marketing for the FA cup, ICC Cricket World Cup and most recently the NFL. She delivered a record breaking UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, repositioned the FA Cup to grow brand and digital engagement and now leads the marketing for the worlds most coveted sport and brands by working as Marketing Director for the NFL

Joe’s career in cricket has seen him work with some of the world’s most lucrative partnerships, sponsorship deals and with global media rights holders. Heading up the marketing for ECB and The Hundred has seen him design, deliver and implement some groundbreaking and successful initiatives

#2 Managing the Unmanageable

Lessons learned from the business of football

About the speaker

Paul has more than 20 years’ experience of working at the sharp end of UK football at clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Glasgow Rangers and Aston Villa. Paul has occupied multiple senior Executive roles at the clubs including Chief Operating Officer, Director of Corporate Affairs and Director of Communications.

His influence, dealings and work is seen around the globe. Owner sales, Manager hiring and firings, supporter revolts, creating dedicated women’s football operations and coping with COVID have all filled his email inbox at one club or another - "Managing the unmanageable" is something he has had to do consistently!

He joined Villa in 2018 when the Midlands club were languishing in the Championship and now they are pushing for a Champions League place and are into the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.

Paul has also extensive experience in TV corporate and public relations having worked as Head of Press and Public Relations at ITV and Head of External Affairs at BBC North.

#1 Management for profit or purpose?

Leadership lessons from running a £400m business

The 2024 International Executive speaker series had an incredible start with Lynn Perry MBE - the CEO of one of Britain's biggest and well known charities, Barnardos.

Lynn shared lessons learned around leadership for profit and purpose, based on her experience leading Barnardos in the modern day economy. She outlined how business has much to gain by embracing the values, practices and expertise of charities. The lines between charity and business are becoming more blurred as both actors recognise the shared goal of creating a better society