The MBA Speaker Series aims to give our MBA students and graduates a chance to hear from a diverse group of leaders from different industries who share insights and experiences from their careers and provide valuable new perspectives.
The sessions will be in the form of industry specific panel discussions featuring MBA alumni in certain industries and senior alumni presentations. The MBA Speaker Series also aims to connect our current students with alumni, who once stood in their shoes, and create a strong MBA community for students and alumni to come together and share stories, exchange memories and further support each other.
Upcoming Speaker Series
13 March 2025 – Financial Services Panel
Head of Lincoln Office, RBC Brewin Dolphin
Edward Strange is the Head of the Lincoln Office at RBC Brewin Dolphin, where he has worked since 2000. With over thirty years of experience in wealth management, Edward began his career as a trainee in the City of London before joining Hill Osborne Stock Brokers in 1987. He became an equity partner at Hill Osborne in 1997, and following its merger with Brewin Dolphin in 2000, he continued to advance within the company. Edward holds an Executive MBA from the Cranfield School of Management and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments. Throughout his career, Edward has focused on managing investments for individuals, trusts, charities, and professional advisers. He and his team work closely with solicitors and accountants to offer comprehensive wealth management services. Edward’s approach remains grounded in the values of client care and bespoke service.
Pooja Sehgal (MBA 2016)
Senior Manager - Technology Risk at Santander UK
Pooja has extensive experience in the FinTech, regulatory, consulting, and technology sectors. As Senior Manager of Technology Risk at Santander UK, she is involved in maintaining client relationships, business development, market research, and managing end-to-end programme delivery. Pooja's leadership and team management skills have been honed through her work with C-suite stakeholders globally. She has held notable roles at Revolut, the Bank of England's Prudential Regulatory Authority, PwC, Adobe, McAfee, and Infosys. Pooja holds a BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and an MBA from Cranfield.
24 April 2025 – Senior Alumni Presentation
Kito De Boer has 40 years of leadership experience across the Netherlands, US, UK, Singapore, India, Dubai, and Jerusalem. Alongside his MBA from Cranfield, he holds an MSc in Management Sciences, along with an honorary doctorate, from Loughborough University of Science and Technology.
Kito's career is distinguished by his global influence, strategic leadership, and dedication to economic development and humanitarian causes. As a Strategic Advisor to the Private Sector and Government, he spent nearly 30 years at McKinsey, founding the India, Middle East, and Government practices. He was also in the committee that elected and evaluated Partners for more than 10 years, and was elected to the Shareholders Council which acts as the Board. Kito is currently an Angel Investor and Advisor to five start-ups. He has resided in Dubai for most of the past 25 years.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Kito held a diplomatic role as Head of Mission of the Office of the Quartet and Managing Director of the Initiative for the Palestinian Economy for three years. He is an Advisory Board member of the Lewa Trust in Kenya, dedicated to wildlife conservation, and Antara Foundation in North India, which identifies and supports vulnerable mothers and children in their first 1000 days. Kito also served as a Board Member and Chair of Europe for Mercy Corps, an NGO aiding vulnerable populations such as refugees.
Kito will share his observations and thoughts on leadership, drawing from his extensive experience across diverse regions and sectors.
