Alumni Matters
Cranfield Alumni
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The Cranfield University alumni podcast channel, Alumni Matters, covers a wide range of topics from Cranfield conferences, prominent alumni and our world-class faculty.
Available episodes
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Sep 27, 2021
Episode 8: Nigel Leishman
In this episode of Aviation alumni portraits, Maxime Debry interviews fellow Cranfield alumnus Nigel Leishman (MSc Air Transport 1992). Nigel is Executive Vice President & Global Head of Marketing based at LCI’s Singapore representative office, Singapore Commercial Leasing, where he is responsible for developing commercial opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. He joined LCI in April 2008 from aircraft leasing company AWAS where he was Vice President Sales based in Singapore. During his seven years with AWAS he concluded many transactions throughout Asia including China. Prior to joining AWAS, he was Customer Marketing Director for Airbus for six years, based in Toulouse and latterly Sydney. In this role he was instrumental in several new aircraft deals in Europe and Asia-Pacific region.
In the interview, Nigel discusses his career path, his Cranfield experience, the aviation industry's ability to rebounce from crises and difficulties.
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May 24, 2021
Episode 7: Arif Ghouse
In this episode of Aviation alumni portraits, Cranfield alumnus Maxime Debry interviews Arif Ghouse (MSc Air Transport 1990), Airport Director and Seattle Paine Field. Arif shares insights into his own career path – including how he discovered his passion for airport management and what he learned from time spent working in the maritime industry. He also discusses the value of mentoring, the importance of being able to learn from your mistakes and offers his advice to those starting a career in the industry in the midst of the current Covid-19 crisis.
Don’t forget to check out previous episodes in the series for insights from other Cranfield alumni working in a variety of roles across the aviation industry.
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Mar 29, 2021
Alumni Matters: How AI and data could personalise higher education in the future
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Mar 15, 2021
Episode 6: Marie-Pierre Dhers
In this episode of Aviation alumni portraits, Maxime Debry interviews fellow Cranfield alumna Marie-Pierre Dhers (MSc Air Transport 1990). Marie is CEO and Founder of MP&Partnairs – providing strategic and financial services to entrepreneurs and investors across industries including transportation and technology. Prior to this, she has held several senior executive positions at Air France KLM and has been a member of the advisory board at a US investment banking firm. She is also a strong supporter for women working in the STEM and finance industries and is a member of the International Aviation Women Association.
In the interview she discusses her career path and experiences of dealing with crises; the differences between European and US markets; innovations in electrification, urban air mobility and cross-industry collaboration; and shares her advice to women in the industry.
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Feb 8, 2021
Episode 5: Liz Savage, Non-Executive Director
Cranfield aviation alumnus Maxime Debry interviews Liz Savage (MSc Air Transport 1995). Liz is a Company Director in the travel and tourism industry, currently holding Non-Executive Director roles at organisations including Intrepid Travel, Auckland Airport and North Queensland Airports. In this episode, Liz shares insights into her career experiences - including taking up a role at EasyJet when it was a start-up - and discusses the role of mentors and women in aviation.
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Dec 19, 2020
Episode 4: Jochen Schnadt, Senior Aviation Executive
Cranfield aviation alumnus Maxime Debry interviews Jochen Schnadt (MSc Air Transport Management 2002), Senior Aviation Executive, discussing his career path, what led him to study for his MSc at Cranfield and providing insights into the aviation industry.
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Nov 23, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Charan Sekhon (MSc Energy Conservation and the Environment 1997)
Jenny Robinson interviews Charan Sekhon, Founder and Chair at SEVA Trust UK and local councillor, about his experiences of leadership and the work his charity has done to support Cranfield University students and the local Cranfield community during the Covid-19 crisis.
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Nov 3, 2020
Alumni Matters: The chemistry behind bonfire night and the gun powder plot
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Oct 28, 2020
Episode 3: Thomas Chatfield, CEO, Camber Aviation Management
Cranfield aviation alumni Maxime Debry and Tom Chatfield (Executive MSc Air Transport Management 2004), CEO at Camber Aviation Management, discuss Tom's career path, what makes him passionate about private aviation, the impact of Covid-19 on demand for corporate aviation and future innovations in the sector.
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Oct 27, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Jennifer Cassar (MSc Forensic and Engineering Science 2004)
Phil Renshaw interviews Jennifer Cassar about her experiences of leadership in her role as Program Manager at the Canadian Department of National Defence and being a female leader in a male dominated environment.
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Sep 27, 2020
Episode 2: Nadeem Sultan, CEO, Cargo LogicAir UK
Aviation alumni Maxime Debry and Nadeem Sultan (MSc Air Transport Management 2002), CEO of Cargo LogicAir UK discuss Nadeem's career path and the impact of Covid-19 on the air cargo industry.
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Sep 10, 2020
Episode 1: Taking a leap and managing risks: the journey to becoming a solopreneur
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Sep 10, 2020
Episode 2: Entrepreneurship and nurturing growth
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Sep 10, 2020
Episode 3: Marketing in a crisis and the future of the digital marketing industry
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Jul 20, 2020
Leadership on-the-go - Sandra Krisberga (MSc Managing Organisational Performance 2015)
Jenny Robinson talks to Sandra Krisberga about how she uses her leadership skills to build and strengthen client relationships.
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Jul 19, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Gabriel Marty (MSc Environmental Management for Business 2009)
Phil Renshaw interviews Gabriel Marty on his experience in dealing with different cultures and nationalities while drawing on his experience as an energy and climate change analyst and working on the Paris Climate Agreement negotiations.
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Jun 11, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Jose Dhooma (MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2008)
Jenny Robinson interviews Jose Dhooma about his management and leadership style and his experience at complex events, such as the Rio Olympics, when dealing with different cultures and understandings.
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May 20, 2020
Episode 1: Julian Carr, Aviation Director, Manchester Airport.
Aviation alumni Maxime Debry and Julian Carr (MSc Air Transport Management 2002), Aviation Director, Manchester Airport, discuss Julian's career including his career decisions and ambitions. Julian also shares his advice for people interested in a career in aviation and the impact the coronavirus has had on Manchester Airport.
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May 18, 2020
Episode 3: Corporate sustainability and the coronavirus
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May 15, 2020
Episode 2: People and the coronavirus
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May 14, 2020
Episode 1: Boards and the coronavirus
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May 12, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Kim Lafferty (DBA)
Phil Renshaw interviews Kim Lafferty about her leadership experience and the difference between leadership and coaching.
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Apr 9, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Daphne de Jong (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 2015)
Jenny Robinson interviews Daphne de Jong about what it is like to be a woman and a leader in a tech industry and what she learned about leadership and people from summiting Mount Everest.
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Mar 10, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Dr Sarah Qureshi (PhD Aerospace 2016)
Dr Phil Renshaw interviews Dr Sarah Qureshi about how being an entrepreneur affects how you lead, manage and develop your own team, and creating adaptability in the team.
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Feb 10, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Etienne Borg Cardona (Residential Executive Development - Director As Strategic Leader 2013)
Phil Renshaw interviews Etienne Borg Cardona about his career, how his leadership style has changed due to his time at Cranfield, and his devotion to building trust and accountability to achieve success with his teams.
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Jan 6, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Mahendra Patel (MSc Industrial Engineering and Administration 1973)
Kassia Gardner interviews Mahendra Patel on his career, leading organisations and how the Indian philosophy has influenced his leadership style.
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Jan 6, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Mark Hagar (DBA)
Phil Renshaw interviews Mark Hagar about his unusual business and the importance of listening carefully.
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Jan 6, 2020
Leadership on-the-go: Sudi Bolourian (PhD Leadership and Management)
Jenny Robinson interviews Sudi Bolourian about her career, knowing how to talk to different people and relate to them, and how believing in yourself and having confidence is so important.
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Dec 17, 2018
Q&A with Andy Maguire, HSBC’s Group Chief Operating Officer
Andy Maguire is HSBC’s Group Chief Operating Officer leading operations, technology and corporate services for the bank. Andy also leads HSBC’s chief operating officers who are responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of the bank’s operations. In this session, Andy answered questions from conference attendees on the subject of inclusive talent management.
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Dec 17, 2018
Ethnicity on boards
Learning about what works in sustaining proportional representation of women on boards opens conversations about other types of diversity in leadership positions. Last year, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the British Academy of Management produced Delivering Diversity, focusing on BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) representation in the management pipeline, urging business to ‘break the silence’ about ethnicity at work. The Parker Review published its final recommendations in 2017, urging FTSE 100 boards to ‘go beyond one by 2021’ with regards to BAME directors. Dr Adedoyin Atewologun (PhD in the School of Management 2011, MRes Management Research 2008), Monica Chadha (Residential Executive Development Programme 2013), Vice Chair of Queen Mary University of London’s governing body, Ann Francke, CEO of the CMI, and David Tyler, Chair, J Sainsbury Plc and CO-Chair of the Parker Committee discussed if we have sufficiently broken the silence on ethnicity and co…
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Dec 17, 2018
Embracing the next generation of talent
The hype surrounding the younger generation – or Millennials – is almost overwhelming, with countless reports detailing their characteristics, preferences, and most notably, their differences to previous generations. This session discussed the rhetoric surrounding the younger generation and considered how employers might create a workplace that is attractive and motivating to this group. Professor Emma Parry considered the actual evidence for how, if at all, younger workers differ from older cohorts in the workplace and asked: is generational cohort a valid way to segment the workforce? Then, Alex Goat and Hannah Owens discussed the importance of organisational purpose, diversity and inclusion and how to ready your organisation to reap the rewards of a new generation of change agents.
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Dec 17, 2018
Talent: too scarce to waste
An ever-increasing skills gap and the need to retain experienced staff means that employers need to take action to support employees with disabilities and working carers. If they don't, then the employees’ physical and mental health can decline, and the pressure to reduce their hours, and quit their jobs increases.
There is a wealth of talent in our organisations waiting to be unlocked with the right support from their employer. In this session Professor David Grayson CBE, Alice Maynard CBE (DBA 2007), Director, Future Inclusion, Geoff McDonald, Former Global VP HR Unilever, International Advocate, Campaigner and Consultant for Mental Health in the Workplace and Co-Founder of Minds@Work, and Madeleine Starr MBE,Director of Business Development and Innovation, Carers UK discussed the benefits for employers in supporting employees with disabilities, mental ill-health and working carers; and how a positive impact can be made by organisations immediately.
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Dec 17, 2018
Engaging men as allies
There are many ambitious, talented women who do not need ‘fixing’ but who do need organisational change and support in order to realise their contribution and potential. This means that all managers in the organisation - the men and the women - need to be on board with the talent agenda. We need men as allies to change leadership stereotypes, make better conscious decisions in the employment life cycle, and to call out micro-inequities and cultural inequalities. However, to make these come alive we need to find out how senior leaders, who really do want to champion inclusive talent management, actually do these in practice.
Based in the brewing industry, outsiders might think Adnams is not the most obvious company to look for excellence in identifying, developing and promoting female talent to the most senior levels. Yet Adnams have a track record of doing exactly this. Andy Wood (DBA 2007), Chief Executive, Adnams Plc, and Professor Kim Turnbull James explore how Adnams has chang…
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Dec 17, 2018
HSBC case study
In this session, Professor Susan Vinnicombe CBE reviewed the progress made by women onto FTSE boards over the past 20 years, marking the time that Cranfield has been involved in this research project. The major issue is the lack of women in the executive pipeline. Cranfield has been working in partnership with the executive of HSBC HOST to address this issue over the past two years. Professor Kim Turnbull James discusses this challenging and innovative project and how it has really underlined the critical importance of embedding women’s leadership programmes in the organisation.
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