Past Events

Tuesday 8 July 2025

Mishal Husain

Journalist, broadcaster and author

Broken Threads

We are delighted to welcome Mishal Husain, Editor-at-Large for Bloomberg Weekend, who will be speaking about her critically acclaimed book, Broken Threads: A Family From Empire to Independence.

Monday 7 July 2025

Japan’s new dynamism and new risks

A panel of experts visiting from Tokyo look at the prospects for the economy, for Japanese corporations and what the "run to Japan" phenomenon from China tells us about the future.

Thursday 3 July 2025

Ruchir Sharma

Chairman of Rockefeller International and Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Breakout Capital

What Went Wrong with Capitalism?

Capitalism didn’t fail, it was ruined… Ruchir says progressives are right, in part, to mock it as “socialism for the rich.” For a century, governments have ballooned in size —spending more, regulating more, bailing out more. The result? A distorted system propping up monopolies, zombie firms, and billionaires. Capitalism is no longer fair or efficient. Join us as Ruchir unpacks how the system broke — and why building a bigger state will only make it worse.

Wednesday 2 July 2025

Once Upon a Time in London

Saatchi Yates Gallery

Please join us – with partners/spouses – for summer drinks and a private viewing of the Saatchi Yates Gallery’s upcoming show, Once Upon a Time in London. The show features artist commissions from the gallery programme as well as secondary consignments drawing from the rich history, diversity and cultural scene of London, that has brought together remarkable modern and contemporary artists.

Thursday 26 June 2025

Mark Read CBE

The future of advertising: where technology meets creativity

Mark is CEO of WPP and has held multiple leadership positions at WPP since joining in 1989. As CEO of WPP Digital he was responsible for WPP’s first moves into technology. In 2015, he became Global CEO of Wunderman, which he transformed into one of the world’s leading agencies. Mark received a Fellowship in 2021 for outstanding services to the industry in the IPA’s New Year’s Honours. In 2023 he joined Involve’s Hall of Fame following multiple listings as an Empower Advocate (including #1) which recognises leaders who create diverse and inclusive business environments, alongside his five consecutive years as a Heroes champion of women in business. Mark was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the King’s New Year Honours 2024 list, for services to the creative industries. Mark is a Trustee of the Natural History Museum. He has an economics degree from Trinity College, Cambridge, was a Henry Fellow at Harvard University, and has an MBA from INSEAD.

Wednesday 25 June 2025

Melinda French Gates

Philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls

Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward

Melinda joins us to offer guidance on how to make the most of the time between an ending and a new beginning and how to move forward into the next day when the ground beneath you is shifting. Melinda will reflect on some of the most significant transitions in her own life, including becoming a parent, the death of a dear friend, and her departure from the Gates Foundation. Her stories illuminate universal lessons about loosening the bonds of perfectionism, helping friends navigate times of crisis, embracing uncertainty, and more.

In collaboration with How To Academy.

Tuesday 24 June 2025

Parmy Olson

Technology columnist and winner of the 2024 Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award

AI, social media, and the future of tech regulation

Join Parmy Olson, Bloomberg Opinion columnist and winner of the FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year 2024, as she explores the evolving landscape of AI, social media, and Big Tech regulation. From the power struggles shaping the future of AI to the growing calls for accountability, Parmy will offer sharp insights into what’s next in the digital age.

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Cartier

V&A South Kensington

Join us for a private curator led tour of the V&A’s new exhibition, Cartier. A major exhibition featuring more than 350 objects, including precious jewels, historic gemstones, iconic watches and clocks, that chart the evolution of Cartier’s legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.

Please note the timing of this event: 9-10am.

Tuesday 17 June 2025

Doug Gurr

The Natural History Museum: shaping the future of science and culture

Doug is Director of the Natural History Museum and Chair of the Alan Turing Institute. He also serves as the Interim Chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), appointed on 21st January 2025. Previously, Doug was Country Manager of Amazon UK and President of Amazon China. Earlier roles include the Civil Service, Partner at McKinsey and Company, Director at Asda-Walmart, Founder and CEO of internet start-up Blueheath, Chair of the British Heart Foundation and Chair of the Science Museum Group. He has degrees in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Computing from the University of Edinburgh, and previously taught mathematics and computing at the University of Aarhus in Denmark.

Tuesday 10 June 2025

Jeremy Hunt

Former Foreign Secretary and Former Chancellor of the Exchequer

Can Britain Be Great Again?

Is Britain a minor player, marginalised by our departure from the EU and dwarfed by the rise of new economies? Or is there a major role for us to play in a rapidly changing international order? With rising global tensions and superpower competition, the UK’s role matters. Jeremy Hunt, reflecting on his diplomatic career, explores whether Britain should retreat or champion freedom and democracy in an uncertain future.

In collaboration with How To Academy.