01 October 2019 
Karel Thomas, Executive Director
One of September's highlights was the Directors’ Development Day at Pinsents on 25th September. Organised by UHR but attended by Finance Directors as well as HR Directors, we were all treated to a great programme that included pensions, the future (in its widest sense) and personal resilience tips. Pinsents offered superb hospitality as well as some reflections on what HE clients are asking them. A big thank you to Helen, Naomi, Gill, all the presenters and Pinsents.
Greta Thunberg was not the only provocative speaker on a podium that week as KPMG’s Justine Andrew shared some thoughts on the future, and challenged delegates on their ability to face and respond to change. When concepts such as e-sports and Twitch, arrive in the mainstream and throw conventional wisdom aside, how should “the folk in charge” respond? I am presuming that many of you (but by no means all) have no idea what Twitch is and when you look it up and see the usage stats, you will be amazed but only slightly wiser. The vocabulary and references are alien and the chances are that your first reaction will be to put it all in the “not relevant to me” box. That, I think, would be a mistake if we want to lead sustainable organisations relevant to the fast-changing world around us. You can download all the slides from the BUFDG website (login required).
