University of Westminster Alumni Team host two more impactful events in the ‘What it Takes’ alumni speaker series

The first event on Thursday 4 March titled ‘What it Takes to be a Successful Leader’ led by Sue Liburd MBE, offered insight and advice on how to be a successful leader in the twenty-first century. She is an award-winning business woman, senior executive strategist and human innovation consultant. 

During the event, Sue spoke about her own research, lived experience as a senior leader and extensive work with leaders to present the truths and impact of mediocre leadership, highlight common mistakes leaders make which damage their brand and outline the essential strategies to be a successful leader. Over 200 students and recent graduates attended the event, who were able to ask questions in a Q&A session after the panel discussion.

Talking about the event, Sue Liburd MBE said: “It was an honour and privilege to spend an evening with students, graduates and other alumna. Thank you all for such positive and moving feedback.”

An anonymous attendee added: “I really enjoyed how personal and conversational the approach of the sessions was; it made me feel included and welcomed. It is so useful and inspiring to hear from professionals who have had experience in the workplace and is comforting to students who haven't had much experience. It has helped me to professionally develop from the advice given.”

To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, the Alumni Team and Creative Enterprise Centre hosted a second event titled ‘What it Takes to be a Successful Woman in Business’. The event featured a panel of alumnae business leaders from different industries, who shared how they discovered and carved out their career and entrepreneurial paths, with the goal of inspiring and offering tools of success for women in business.

The speakers discussed a range of topics, including how they started their careers, took ownership of their careers and developed confidence as female leaders in business, and provided practical tools, advice and useful resources to the student and graduate attendees. They also spoke about the role of mentorship and networking, the realities of gender diversity in the workplace and the barriers to career progression for women in business.#

This event was organised in partnership with the Creative Enterprise Centre, and was part of this year’s Inclusive Enterprise Festival, a series of events which aim to inspire, inform and empower a diverse and representative talent pipeline. It was widely attended by almost 200 guests, who were able to ask the panellists questions following their discussion.

Haydn Worley, Alumni Relations Officer and organiser of the ‘What it Takes’ series, commented: “It was such an inspirational event to celebrate International Women’s Day. Michelle Charles, Emily Eby and Marwa Thabet were so motivational and honest – a truly brilliant panel and an empowering event!”

Find out more about upcoming events in the What it Takes series.