The MBA Speaker Series aims to give our MBA students and graduates a chance to hear from a diverse group of leaders from different industries who share insights and experiences from their careers and provide valuable new perspectives.
The sessions will be in the form of industry specific panel discussions featuring MBA alumni in certain industries and senior alumni presentations. The MBA Speaker Series also aims to connect our current students with alumni, who once stood in their shoes, and create a strong MBA community for students and alumni to come together and share stories, exchange memories and further support each other.
Upcoming Speaker Series
5 December 2024 – Management Consulting Panel
Associate Partner, Infosys Consulting (Services, Resources, Utilities and Energy) EMEA
As a trusted advisor with over two decades of experience, I specialize in driving business value and strategic transformation for Energy and Utility clients. My journey in management consulting has been shaped by successfully leading digital transformation initiatives across Energy Mobility, LNG Trading, Power Trading, and Grid Management. These experiences have enabled me to solve complex challenges and create growth opportunities in an ever-evolving energy landscape.
Currently serving as an Associate Partner at Infosys Consulting in the EMEA region, I focus on Services, Utilities, Resources, and Energy accounts. My role involves spearheading commercial growth within the Energy practice, with a particular emphasis on Mobility, Convenience, EV and emerging market opportunities in the Middle East and Europe. As a people leader, I am passionate about building high-performing teams and nurturing talent to shape the future of consulting especially focused on the energy industry, which is going through a profound transformation, driven by the global push for sustainability, digital innovation, and changing consumer expectations on one side and political decision making, regulatory changes and subsidy frameworks impacting as well.
I am excited to share insights on the evolving role of management consulting in driving innovation and operational excellence, offering perspectives that bridge strategic vision with practical execution.
Saurav Chaudhuri (MBA 1999)
Former Director at Deloitte and Head of Innovation, E.ON UK plc.
For the past 25 years, Saurav helped large companies across multiple sectors design and launch new propositions - new products, services, experiences and businesses - and build in-house innovation capability. That's involved working with senior executives, management and cross-functional teams to make the change happen. He has worked in different environments - large companies, start-ups, and small companies - to run strategy and transformation engagements, with innovation at its core to drive profitable growth. A Specialist-Generalist, Saurav has worked in Energy and Utilities, Banking, Financial Services, Telecoms, FMCG, Retail, Healthcare, and Consultancy.
Saurav is also a certified executive coach, working towards accreditation with the ICF and EMCC.
Director, Baringa Partners
Tibor is a seasoned management consultant with over 14 years of experience in leading complex trading transformation programs and finance initiatives within the Energy and Resources sector. Working with top-tier clients across Asia, Brazil, Europe, and the Middle East, he has successfully managed projects that drive operational efficiency, enhance financial reporting, and promote sustainability in trading.
Currently a Director at Baringa Partners, Tibor combines deep industry knowledge with a global outlook, delivering meaningful, measurable improvements to commodity trading organizations. He holds an MBA from ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant, reflecting his commitment to strategic, data-driven solutions and impactful leadership.
Head of Access Management and Data Security Services for North South Europe, Deloitte
Nibedita Nayak is a Senior Manager at Deloitte in the UK operating as the Head of Access Management and Data Security Services for North South Europe. With over 18 years in IT, she excels in IT advisory and assurance. Her expertise includes IT operational resilience, cyber security, risk management, and IT audit.
Nibedita holds an MBA from ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Utkal University, qualifications that underpin her strong foundation in business management and technical skills.
She joined Deloitte in 2020 to look after Identity & Access Management (I&AM) for Deloitte UK and Switzerland, and has grown to be part of the CISO leadership team and take up additional responsibilities (i.e. DLP) into wider regions in Europe. Previously, she was a Manager at Accenture in IT Advisory Cyber Security for Financial Services, advising clients on risk and cyber security management and delivering large-scale IT projects using Agile methodologies. Prior to that, she at PwC as a Senior Consultant in Technology Assurance - IT Risk for Banking and Capital Markets, conducting IT operational resilience and readiness assessments, and IT audits. Her career began at Cognizant Technology Solutions as a Java technical consultant, delivering products and projects for banking and financial services clients.
Nibedita holds certifications including CISM, CISMP, SCRUM Master, ITIL Foundation, highlighting her commitment to continuous learning. Her proven ability to manage complex projects with problem solving mindset makes her a respected leader in industry.
6 February 2025 – Senior Alumni Presentation
Senior British Diplomat
Catriona Laing’s career is marked by transformative leadership in the UK government and international organisations, exemplifying her exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision. Her presentation is titled ‘From Conflict Zones to the Cabinet Office: A Senior Diplomat’s Journey of Resilience and Leadership’.
Catriona began her career as a development economist with the UK government, specialising in global economic issues such as trade, investment, and energy. She served as the UK alternate director at the European Investment Bank, where she secured a significant change in the EIB’s overseas lending mandate.
As one of two deputies in Tony Blair’s Strategy Unit, she led strategy projects on energy, fisheries, sport, education, and innovation. Her most notable project, ‘Countries at Risk of Instability,’ resulted in the early warning system the UK government uses to identify and manage risk.
Catriona spent three years at the Ministry of Justice, establishing a new international unit and leading on international justice and human rights. In 2012, she transferred to the Foreign Office to lead the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, working alongside British and US military forces.
From 2014 to 2018, Catriona was the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe during the transition from President Mugabe. She then served as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria from 2018 to 2023, overseeing the merger between the FCO and DFID and managing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, she was a member of the FCDO’s investment and delivery committee, overseeing major decisions on the allocation of British aid.
After her tenure in Nigeria, Catriona took a leave of absence to run the United Nations Mission in Somalia, one of the UN’s most complex and largest missions, with 4,000 personnel. She is now back in the UK, leading a project for the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, focusing on harnessing the UK’s soft power assets to support its foreign policy objectives.
Catriona was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2012 New Year Honours for her distinguished service, particularly in her role as the Director of Human Rights and International at the Ministry of Justice from 2009 to 2012.
She describes herself as “an economically grounded diplomat whose strength is breadth and versatility.
13 March 2025 – Financial Services Panel
To be confirmed.
April 2025 – Senior Alumni Presentation
Kito De Boer has 40 years of leadership experience across the Netherlands, US, UK, Singapore, India, Dubai, and Jerusalem. Alongside his MBA from Cranfield, he holds an MSc in Management Sciences, along with an honorary doctorate, from Loughborough University of Science and Technology.
Kito's career is distinguished by his global influence, strategic leadership, and dedication to economic development and humanitarian causes. As a Strategic Advisor to the Private Sector and Government, he spent nearly 30 years at McKinsey, founding the India, Middle East, and Government practices. He was also in the committee that elected and evaluated Partners for more than 10 years, and was elected to the Shareholders Council which acts as the Board. Kito is currently an Angel Investor and Advisor to five start-ups. He has resided in Dubai for most of the past 25 years.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Kito held a diplomatic role as Head of Mission of the Office of the Quartet and Managing Director of the Initiative for the Palestinian Economy for three years. He is an Advisory Board member of the Lewa Trust in Kenya, dedicated to wildlife conservation, and Antara Foundation in North India, which identifies and supports vulnerable mothers and children in their first 1000 days. Kito also served as a Board Member and Chair of Europe for Mercy Corps, an NGO aiding vulnerable populations such as refugees.
Kito will share his observations and thoughts on leadership, drawing from his extensive experience across diverse regions and sectors.
