Board 2030: C-Suite Leaders Convene at Bristol Business School to Future Proof Their Organisations
On January 29th, leading executives and non-executives gathered for the first in a series of Board 2030 events, addressing the key challenges and opportunities facing their organisations over the next five years.
Co-hosted by Moon Executive Search and UWE Bristol Business School, the conference was chaired by Professor Sir Steve West CBE, DL and featured keynote speeches from: Amy Kington (Community of Purpose); Tunde Agoro (RPS Consulting); Professor Mark Hansen Ph.D. (UWE); Caroline Webb (The Royal Mint); and a soapbox presentation from Morgan Edmondson (Nesti) on his business.
Moon leveraged its network of thought leaders to strengthen the business community from the top down—bolstering leadership with actionable strategies for emerging challenges, fostering collaboration, and sharing insights.
UWE - Real World Ready
Vice Chancellor and CEO of UWE, Professor Sir Steve West CBE, DL, welcomed the opportunity for leaders to be inspired and to network, emphasising the integral role of the University, businesses, and their boards in the fabric of the City. He highlighted the importance of getting the best out of boards to maximise potential, before introducing the first speaker, UWE alumnus, co-founder and CEO of Nesti, Morgan Edmondson.
Professor Sir Steve West
Team Entrepreneurship
A success story of UWE’s Team Entrepreneurship Programme, which supports students to ‘learn business by doing business’, Morgan’s AI-powered marketing software business is now based in Future Space—UWE’s award-winning innovation centre for trailblazing tech businesses. He shared how the course equipped him for the business world and how Nesti is changing out-dated marketing practices, having raised £250,000 in pre-seed funding.
Morgan Edmondson
The Power of Purpose
"The purpose of a business is to profitably solve the problems of people and planet, not to profit from causing problems," (Colin Mayer CBE). Founder and CEO of Community of Purpose, Amy Kington emphasised how being led by purpose does not mean compromising on returns. Community of Purpose’s network of partners is aligned in its vision for Bristol—funding projects like Break Free, which targets holiday hunger. Purpose also inspires customer loyalty, and stimulates growth, demonstrating that businesses can no longer afford to overlook community investment.
Amy Kington
Sustainable Development is a Business Imperative
Tunde Agoro, ESG Director at RPS Consulting, explored how ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has shifted from a compliance requirement to a core business strategy. With 70% of global emissions coming from businesses, inaction carries both financial and reputational risks. However, leaders who embrace ESG can turn sustainability into a value-creation tool. Tunde challenged board members to think beyond how their business “impacts on an ill planet” to also prepare for how “an ill planet will impact on their business” through shifting regulations, market conditions, and climate-driven disruptions.
Tunde Agoro
AI & Machine Vision
Mark Hansen, UWE Professor of Machine Vision and Machine Learning, stepped back from the AI frenzy to present a broad landscape of productivity-boosting tools. While AI may feel new, its evolution spans decades, with technologies steadily advancing toward practical applications. He highlighted state-of-the-art developments, such as AI interpreting brain waves, and addressed fears of AI "taking over the world," underlining that its true potential lies in enhancing productivity and innovation. Drawing on research from UWE’s Bristol Robotics Lab, he shared case studies, practical tips for successful AI adoption, and cautionary tales of when implementation goes wrong.
Mark Hansen
Brand & Transformation
Founded in 886, The Royal Mint is the UK’s oldest company. Caroline Webb, CMO talked us through the business’s rich heritage to tell a new story, diversifying into six businesses—including commemorative coins, recycled precious metals, luxury jewellery, and bullion investments. Caroline emphasised the role of storytelling in successful transformation. By staying true to core values including trust, authenticity, and craft, The Royal Mint has built a brand that not only endures but grows stronger with each new venture.
Caroline Webb
“It’s fantastic to have kicked off this series of events. The energy in the room and the engagement from our network was great to see. Hearing from speakers representing organisations from 3- to 1,100-years-old highlighted how many key issues are relevant to a multitude of boards, and how important purpose is, whether social, environmental, technical, or transformational, in this changing world. The Q&A sparked insightful discussions, and it was a privilege to bring so many remarkable leaders together. We’re excited to build on this for the next one—watch this space.”
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