Earlier this month we had a range of Welcome Week Activities to celebrate the arrival on campus of our newest cohort of students. Alumni were central to a really innovative programme that sought to welcome and inspire new students at the Hull University Business School (HUBS). Three ‘Good Morning HUBS’ sessions were centered around conversations with alumni tackling topics that will be important trends that shape the future of business.

Having alumni involved and speaking to students at this early stage in their academic careers was really important to the success of the events, and our three volunteers did a wonderful job of being inspiring, supportive and encouraging to the next generation of scholars. For those scholars, the informative and engaging conversations would have whetted their appetites for engaging in their chosen field of academic studies this year. Especially important, though, was the fact that they could hear these talks from people who had once been just like them: starting out as students at the University of Hull.

As well as being role models for our students, our alumni volunteers also gave an important message about what it means to be part of our University of Hull community: even though you may have graduated, you are still part of life on campus and have an important contribution to make in supporting the next generation of students who are looking to follow in your footsteps. Below, you can find out more about the alumni and the sessions they contributed to, but for now, we want to send a huge thank you to them for playing such an important role at such an important time in our student’s lives.

Session One: Digital Transformation and Innovation: The impact of AI
with AI Expert, Futurist and Media Speaker Dan Sodergren (Law and Sociology, 1997)

It can’t be denied that AI is posing some of the biggest questions of the moment not just for businesses, but for workers, government and society as a whole. Who better to talk to us about the impact of AI and the power of embracing this new technology than Dan Sodergren?

Dan was very positive about the role that AI could play in the lives of students and workers, and argued for embracing the new technology, just as we embraced the calculator many generations ago. As an inspiring and creative thinker and an engaging and funny speaker, Dan opened the academic year with a brilliant talk that challenged traditional ways of thinking and provoked us to step boldly into the future.

Session Two: Sustainability in Business: Corporate Responsibility or Future Survival?
with Sustainability Manager Libby Kerman (Geography, 2021)

It has never been more important to think about the role of businesses in addressing climate change and social issues. But how important and useful are sustainable business practices? What does ‘sustainability’ actually mean in practice? Libby Kerman, Sustainability Manager at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership gave students an insider’s insight into the subject.

With practical examples taken from real-life stories of her own experiences of working in Sustainability, Libby brought the issue to life and gave a relatable and personal account of a subject that can sometimes feel abstract or beyond our control. Libby gave an honest account that encouraged students to explore the impacts and limitations of sustainability as they pursue their own careers in business.

Entrepreneurship and Start-ups: Navigating the New Normal
with author, advisor, mentor, CEO and keynote speaker Maggie Sarfo (MBA, 2006)

The challenges and opportunities facing aspiring entrepreneurs and start-up founders have never seemed more daunting in a world that is quickly changing. But perhaps some of the fundamentals have never changed? We were treated to a wonderful conversation with graduate Maggie Sarfo answering the questions put to her by student entrepreneur Owen Clater, who is not only a new student, but is also CEO of Becks and Clates, a successful marketing company.

Maggie was supportive and patient, taking the time to answer as many questions as she could from the students. Her rapport with Owen was great to see as she spoke supportively and encouragingly as he spoke of the difficulties of getting others to buy into a creative, entrepreneurial vision and how he wanted to set up a community of like-minded entrepreneurs at the University of Hull. Later in the week, the two met at a business event in London – could this be the start of a new University of Hull entrepreneurial initiative?