Inspirational Innovation Festival for Global Working sets the agenda

The Innovation Festival for Global Working broke new ground yesterday with a tantalising blend of inspiring leadership dialogues, practical multidisciplinary sessions to boost learning and collaboration, and unprecedented cross-sectoral networking opportunities.

Guests at the Innovation Festival for Global Working in Lamberhurst Kent

Ruth Holmes

9 June 2023

Watch the video highlights from the Innovation Festival for Global Working

Set in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside, June 8’s Innovation Festival for Global Working was absolutely clear about its mission: to explore how to push the boundaries of innovation and leadership and inspire individuals and teams to greatness.

The evolution of what’s possible in global mobility continues

As delegates all agreed, the day-long festival absolutely achieved its short-term goals.Starting with a morning of interactive presentations centred on transferable leadership and management insights from space exploration with NASA astronaut Tony Antonelli, the afternoon kicked off with keynote panel discussions with Ann Ellis, co-founder of CEO of Mauve Group, Demetra Marcantonio, director, KPMG Global Mobility Services and Valérie Besanceney, executive director of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN).Two interactive, immersive Innovation Hub sessions on the Future of Global Mobillity & Education and Leadership: The Future of Work followed. Georgina Hawkes of HSBC was joined by fellow panellists including Claudine Hakim of International School of London, Agnieszka Leja of KPMG Global Mobility Services, Susan Stewart of Articulate Multilingual, leadership consultant Sarah Rozenthuler and executive coach Dr Susan Doering. These Hubs offered guests the opportunity to tease out and share learnings for their individual contexts and organisations.The Relocate and Think Global People Awards 2023 ceremony followed. These recognised the giant strides individuals, global teams and international organisations are taking to flourish in an ever-more competitive and uncertain business environment and put people and productivity at their centre.

Walking the journey together

The Innovation Festival for Global Working was exceptionally well-received by the 80 attendees who had made the journey by rail, car or public transport to the accessible countryside location and sampled what has been praised as “the best business lunch ever.”Katie Stedman, head of DSP UK, Santa Fe said it was “a really impressive day in a room full of likeminded people.”Kate Shand, founder, Enjoy Education, said: “It is so inspiring to be among like-minded people in a wonderful setting – it is lovely to get out of London.”Jessica Sharpe, global sales director, 3Sixty, said: “The setting is stunning. I drove for two hours get here but it was absolutely worth it. My favourite part of the day? The leadership hub, I took way some fantastic ideas."Demetra Marcantonio, director, KPMG mobility services, said agreed, adding: “The highlight for me was the hub discussions and meeting people face-to-face in an amazing venue.”For Renata Lopes Dias, director global accounts, Q Apartments, the Innovation Festival for Global Working was also “a powerful day with many takeaways for our professional and personal lives.”For John Rason, group head of consulting, Santa Fe, added “I have been to this event four times and I always leave feeling energized. Global mobility is evolving and it is about us all figuring out the journey together.”

Watch the Festival video highlights

Join The Think Global People Community

The energy and value of the Innovation Festival for Global Working will be sustained in the coming months and years through the Think Global People community.The first of its kind, the Think Global People collective brings together multidisciplinary experts and associates from across international management, leadership, global mobility and international education to meet opportunities in new markets and address global talent challenges.In harmony with Relocate Global’s editorial remit, it will enhance learning and organisational development towards the common goal of supporting businesses to grow and deploy globally minded leaders.Officially launching the Think Global People community, Fiona Murchie, Relocate Global’s founder and managing editor, said: "At Think Global People, the home of Relocate, we have been connecting, inspiring and supporting global businesses for over 20 years. We have earned a reputation for always being one step ahead and responding to the changes."Today is no exception. I am delighted to announce the launch of our new and exclusive membership network, Think Global People. This is a network for decision-makers, aspiring leaders, experts and thought leaders focused on global business and working."Through tiered membership and collaboration, it will help leaders who want to build their global network and profile, gain diverse insights and inspiration and find high-quality and solutions quicker than they could alone made possible by invitation to attend various bespoke networking opportunities throughout the year."By tapping into Think Global People's unrivalled global connections and thinking, you can gain early access to emerging trends and discover innovative business growth opportunities. We very much look forward to welcoming you."

Find out more about the Think Global People community.

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