MEET THE SPEAKERS

  • Ann Pettifor

    Author

    Ann Pettifor serves as the Director of Policy Research in Macroeconomics (PRIME) and leads global discourse on sovereign debt and financial systems. Ann holds a degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and is based in London. She has been instrumental in advocating for economic justice and sustainability, particularly as a co-author of the original Green New Deal. In her work, she frequently notes that “the economy is a subset of the environment,” highlighting the urgent need to align global finance with the planet's physical boundaries.

  • Baroness Dido Harding

    Former Chair, NHS Improvement and NHS Test & Trace

    With a career spanning retail, telecommunications, and public health, Dido has extensive experience leading complex, high-profile organizations. Before joining The Jockey Club, she served as the Executive Chair of NHS Test and Trace and was the CEO of TalkTalk for seven years. Dido began her career at McKinsey & Company after graduating from the University of Oxford and has since held numerous non-executive and leadership roles across the UK’s public and private sectors. At The Jockey Club, Dido leads the strategic direction of the UK's largest commercial horseracing organization, driving growth and modernization across the sport.

  • Gareth Helm

    Interim C-Suite Executive & Career Coach, Former CMO, McDonald’s UK&I

    With over 30 years in marketing, Gareth has extensive experience managing both iconic global brands and high-growth digital businesses. Before his current executive and advisory roles, he served as the Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald’s UK and Ireland, and held leadership positions at ZPG (Zoopla Property Group) and MoneySuperMarket. Gareth began his career as a graduate trainee at Unilever after graduating from Bristol University and further honed his expertise in senior roles at Nestlé, Mars, and Innocent Drinks. Currently, as the Global CMO at HomeServe PLC and founder of Sideminds, Gareth leads strategic growth initiatives and executive development, driving brand reputation and innovation across international markets.

  • Chris Rash

    CEO, AIG UK

    With over 35 years in insurance and finance, Chris has extensive experience managing international operations and strategic financial restructuring. Before his current role as CEO of AIG UK, he served as the CEO of Talbot Underwriting and held the position of interim Group CEO at StarStone Group. Chris began his career at RSA Group after graduating from the University of Exeter and previously held senior leadership roles at MS Amlin and NHBC. At AIG UK, Chris leads the organization's strategic direction and growth within the London market, driving innovation and operational excellence across the insurance landscape.

  • Nicola Hodson

    Chair & Former CEO, IBM UK & Ireland

    With over 30 years in technology and engineering, Nicola has extensive experience leading complex digital transformations and global commercial operations. Before joining IBM, she served as the Vice President of Transformation for Microsoft’s global commercial business and was previously the UK Chief Operating Officer. Nicola began her career in the nuclear industry at BNFL after earning a PhD in Materials Engineering from the University of Liverpool and an MBA from Lancaster University. As the Chair of IBM UK and Ireland, Nicola leads strategic engagement and business development, having previously held senior management roles within the IT and business services division of Siemens.

  • Kevin Arnold

    Executive Vice Chair & Managing Director, UBS

    With over 30 years in investment banking and global markets, Kevin has extensive experience managing international distribution and cross-asset client relationships. Before his current role at UBS, he served as the Co-Head of Global Markets Distribution and held the position of Global Head of Senior Relationship Management within the bank's Investor Client Services division. Kevin has spent a significant portion of his career at UBS, previously leading the FX, Rates, and Credit business for the Americas. At UBS, Kevin serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Investment Bank, where he leads strategic engagement with global institutional clients and drives the group’s innovation in sustainable finance and climate-resilient investment products.

  • Harriet Lamb CBE

    CEO, Green Party of England & Wales

    With over 35 years in international development and climate action, Harriet has extensive experience leading high-profile global organizations and advocacy movements. Before joining the Green Party, she served as the CEO of WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and was previously the CEO of Ashden, where she focused on scaling global climate solutions. Harriet began her career in the NGO sector after graduating from the University of Cambridge and spent 15 years leading Fairtrade in the UK and globally, for which she was awarded a CBE. As the CEO of the Green Party, Harriet leads the organization’s strategic growth and operational delivery, driving the party’s mission for environmental and social justice during a pivotal era for Green politics.

  • David Soanes

    External member of the Prudential Regulation Committee, Bank of England

    With over 30 years in investment banking and capital markets, David has extensive experience in financial regulation and strategic advisory. Before joining the Bank of England, he spent his entire career at UBS (and its predecessors), where he served as the UK Country Head and Global Head of Financial Institutions. David began his career in debt capital markets after graduating from the University of Cambridge and played a pivotal role in advising the UK government on the stabilization of the banking system during the 2008 financial crisis. As an External Member of the Prudential Regulation Committee (PRC), David now contributes to the strategic oversight of the UK’s largest financial institutions, drawing on his deep expertise in global markets and institutional risk management.

  • Kamel Hothi OBE

    Chief Strategy Officer, GoldenPoint Global UK & India

    Kamel serves as an advisor to FTSE 100 firms and a non-executive director across the corporate and charitable sectors. Kamel holds an honorary doctorate from the World Sikh University and is based in London. She has been instrumental in driving organizational transformation and championing inclusive leadership throughout her 40-year career in banking. In a recent address, she noted that “identity is power,” highlighting her focus on how authenticity and empathy are the real markers of leadership excellence.

  • Tareq Islam

    Sales Specialist & Former Managing Director at Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs & UBS

    With over 30 years in fixed income and relationship management, Tareq has extensive experience managing high-level institutional partnerships across the sell-side. Before his recent advisory role, he served as a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and UBS. Tareq began his career in the early 1990s and has since become a specialist in navigating complex markets for asset managers, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds. He is recognised for driving strategic growth and distribution within global capital markets, focusing on long-term value for institutional clients.

  • George Roffey

    Chief Sustainability Officer at Centrus

    With over 20 years in corporate strategy and sustainability, George has extensive experience managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks within the financial sector. Before his current role at Centrus, he served as the Chief Sustainability Officer for a leading investment firm and held senior leadership positions at Cohen & Steers. George began his career after graduating from the University of Reading and has since become a specialist in aligning corporate finance with long-term social impact. At Centrus, George leads the group’s sustainability strategy, driving innovation in green finance and ensuring ESG integration across the firm’s advisory and investment activities

  • Greg Rahilly

    Route to Market Manager at Renewable Exchange; Former Associate Director at Grant Thornton, ESG & Sustainability Strategic Solutions

    With over 15 years in commercial strategy and sustainability, Greg has extensive experience in route-to-market optimization and ESG advisory. Before joining Renewable Exchange, he served as an Associate Director at Grant Thornton UK, where he focused on sustainability strategy and strategic solutions. Greg began his career in commercial management and holds an MBA from the University of Exeter and a degree from the University of Plymouth. At Renewable Exchange, Greg leads the Route to Market function, driving strategic growth and helping renewable energy generators navigate the complexities of the power market to optimize their assets.

  • Jordan Connell

    Senior Vice President, Research at AlphaSights

    With over 15 years of experience in knowledge services and fintech, Jordan has extensive experience leading research operations and building world-class customer experiences. Before returning to AlphaSights in 2021, he served as the Senior Operations Manager at Capital on Tap, reporting directly to the COO and championing customer-centric improvements. Jordan began his career as a Deloitte Scholarship Associate while studying at the University of York, where he earned a BA (Hons) in Business and Finance. As the Senior Vice President of Research at AlphaSights, Jordan leads the firm's fast-growing research team in London, driving strategic growth and excellence in the knowledge-on-demand landscape.