In this episode of 'Management Meets,'Steve and Katie are joined by Class of 2013 BSc Economics alumnus, Xiaoyu Zhang. Xiaoyu is Global Institutional Director and Head of China at AmplifyMe. Through simulations, AmplifyMe ‘gamifies’ financial roles, making the finance industry more accessible and engaging for students worldwide.

Throughout his career, Xiaoyu has been committed to helping students achieve their career goals and enhance their employability skills. Currently leading AmplifyMe’s expansion into Asia, Xiaoyu shares his insider knowledge on the variances in the graduate job market internationally, including the cultural differences between working in a corporate environment and a fast-growing entrepreneurial setting and how these factors can change what a company is looking for when recruiting.

Whether you’re aspiring to enter the finance world or a mentor seeking to enhance your support, tune in to find out more about the industry and top tips to get ahead.

In this episode of Management Meets, Steve and Katie sit down with Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching on MBA Programmes, Dr. Jane Ellis-Brush, to discuss her extensive career and impact on community inclusion in the South West. Jane completed her PhD in commercial relationships at the School of Management in 1999 and has held numerous leadership roles, formerly serving as Managing Director for Citibank.

We focus on Jane’s journey as co-founder of 1st Impressions, a community interest company empowering women through clothing and confidence. Jane discusses the challenges and successes of running a voluntary organisation, the importance of community inclusion, and her personal experiences leading in male-dominated industries. Listen for lessons on resilience, tenacity, and the transformative power of giving back to the community.

Find out more about 1st impressions on their webpage.

Further reading in this article from the School of Management - From wardrobe to workplace: helping women in need dress for interview success.

BSc Business alumnus and US General Manager at sustainable personal care company, Wild, Harry Symes-Thompson, discusses how his placement at HelloFresh led to becoming Wild’s first official employee, contributing to the company's rapid growth and leading their expansion into the US market.

Harry explains how Wild has maintained a strong company culture through hiring practices, positive leadership and employee engagement, even as the company scales. 

Listen and learn more about building and sustaining a thriving company culture, the importance of employee empowerment, and the future plans for Wild’s continued growth and innovation of sustainable products.

In this episode of Management Meets, hosts Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome Executive MBA alumnus Hugo Adams. As CEO of sustainable packaging startup, Kelpi, Hugo shares his stories from his extensive career scaling innovative startups, including roles at The Body Shop, Kraft Foods, Dyson and SuperDry - working closely with entrepreneurs such as Anita Roddick and James Dyson. 

Listen and explore Kelpi's ambitions to rid the world of plastic, not forgetting the importance of a leader’s passion, values-driven company culture and sustainable practices in driving business success in today’s world. Subscribe to follow the conversation.

Want more from your alumni network? Management Meets is back for series three. Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome more business leaders, change-makers and entrepreneurs from the School of Management’s vibrant alumni community.

In this series, we unpack themes such as company culture, business values and business in high-end fashion. Tune in, subscribe and get inspired as alumni generously share their tales of success and failure in the Management Meets podcast.

In this final episode of Management Meets' second season, Steve and Katie are joined by James Courtney, a 2017 BSc Business alumnus and current Bath Executive MBA student. As CEO and co-founder of Lux Rewards, James shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting up during his undergraduate placement to recent acquisition. James looks back on LUX Rewards’ pivotal moments, including the impact of the pandemic, meeting his co-founders, and what led to its acquisition.

In this episode of Management Meets, host Katie Calvert Jones explores the theme of resilience with Grace Marshall, class of 2002 BSc International Management with Modern Languages alumna, award-winning author, speaker, and coach. Grace shares her experience and philosophy on failure, struggle and resilience, providing practical advice on how to build resilient teams and environments within organisations. With insights into how language, honesty, and culture impact resilience; listen and learn how to cultivate this vital skill, in both personal and professional settings.

In this episode of Management Meets, Katie and Steve are joined by BSc International Management graduate Yesim Nicholson, founder of Yes Career Coaching and Executive MBA graduate Gary Keogh, former Global Brand Director and founder of GK Executive Coaching. The discussion explores career pivots, looking at the motivating factors for significant career changes and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Professor Otilia Obodaru shares her insights into the Japanese concept of Ikigai and its relevance to career decisions.

Yesim is also the author of Ready to Quit Your Job? The Ultimate Guide to Making the Big Career Leap, which you can find here.

In this episode of Management Meets, Steve and Katie are joined by 1984 BSc Business alumnus and CEO of software development company Cirata, Stephen Kelly. We explore the disruptive and revolutionary potential of generative AI, dubbed as what could be the 'fifth industrial revolution’.

Dr. Lukasz Piwek discusses the evolution and impact of AI, highlighting the potential and pitfalls of generative AI and the importance of responsible usage.

Please note all information is up to date with the time of recording (18 December 2024).

Katie and Steve talk leadership with Chair of the FA, Debbie Hewitt MBE. Debbie shares honest insights from her career journey, how she turned challenges into opportunities and the pivotal role her Bath MBA played in shaping her leadership approach.

 Dr. Juani Swart discusses the evolution of leadership and the importance of leaders re-engaging with the joy of their roles, to enhance well-being and performance in their teams.