Global Business Summit connects students and leaders
The University of St Andrews Business School will host the St Andrews Global Business Summit on Friday 27 March 2026, bringing together students, alumni and senior industry leaders for a day of discussion, networking and career development.
Organised in collaboration with the University of St Andrews Careers Centre and student representatives, the summit at Space St Andrews Student Accommodation will connect students with practitioners across finance, consulting and entrepreneurship. Through keynote talks, panels, workshops and a student stock pitch competition, participants will explore how careers develop in global business and how students can prepare for recruitment in competitive sectors.
Confirmed speakers include leaders from finance, consulting and industry:
- Kathleen Pierce, Global President, Dyson
- Alexander Walsh, Private Equity Partner, Blackstone
- Elizabeth Madigan Jost, Chief Operating Officer, Firm Risk Management, Morgan Stanley
- Hamish Taylor, former Chief Executive Officer, Sainsbury’s Bank and adviser on customer-led transformation
- Mike Bessell, Managing Director, Invesco Real Estate
- Garry Tetley, Tax Partner, Deloitte
- Friedrich Vossfaenger, Managing Director, Aerospace and Defence, Rothschild and Co
- Beverley Noye, Head of Operations, TP ICAP
- Beth Forrester, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy, GNEISS Energy
- Peter Kristensson, Founder, Impact Empower
- Lorraine Orr, Talent Acquisition Manager, Deloitte
Sessions will examine themes relevant to students preparing for professional careers. A panel on women in business will explore entrepreneurship and career adaptability. Later, an executive fireside chat will examine leadership and strategic decision-making from the perspectives of investors and senior executives. Other discussions will focus on recruitment in finance and consulting, offering insight into how firms identify and develop talent.
Interactive elements form a central part of the summit. Students will be able to take part in workshops on presentation and networking skills, attend recruitment sessions led by industry partners and participate in a stock pitch competition judged by practitioners. Breakout sessions will also offer the chance to hear directly from graduates and recruiters about the transition from university to professional roles.
Professor Carole Elliott, Professor of Leadership Development at the University of St Andrews Business School and academic lead for the summit, said:
“This summit is designed to help students learn directly from people working across different industries and to build connections that can support their future careers. Being able to bring together students, recruiters and senior professionals in one place creates a really valuable learning opportunity.”
Students and alumni interested in attending can find out more about the programme and sign up for free here.
“This summit brings students and industry leaders together in a way that encourages genuine dialogue about careers, leadership and professional development. By creating space for these conversations, we hope students gain insight into how different sectors operate and how they can begin shaping their own paths.”
Sebastien Chessé, a fourth-year MA (Honours) Management and Economics student and student representative involved in organising the event, added:
“This summit is designed to help students learn directly from people working across different industries and to build connections that can support their future careers. Being able to bring together students, recruiters and senior professionals in one place creates a really valuable learning opportunity.”
Students and alumni interested in attending can find out more about the programme and sign up for free here.