On Saturday 31 May, UCL School of Management welcomed alumni from across our programmes back to Level 50 of One Canada Square for our annual Alumni Reunion. With a packed agenda, plenty of lively conversation and panoramic views of London, the day brought together friends old and new for a celebration of connection, community and lifelong learning.
Dozens of alumni now working in various industries around the globe joined members of our world-leading faculty and International Advisory Board for a full day of activities designed to spark connections and engage with some of the latest research on group dynamics, founder resilience and the future of work.
Welcoming alumni back to campus, UCL School of Management Director Professor Davide Ravasi reflected on the remarkable progress the School has made, from occupying just Level 38 of One Canada Square to the growing institution it is today. He shared important updates on our ambitious expanion plan, which offers significant opportunities for both the School and our global community. Teaching and Learning Manager Michelle Tinsley, a familar face to many, thanked attendees for their support of the UCL School of Management Student Hardship Fund.
Kicking off with a workshop titled Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups, Associate Professor Colin Fisher tasked attendees with the Spaghetti Marshmallow challenge wherein alumni were grouped together and challenged to build the tallest free-standing tower in 18 minutes using 20 sticks of spaghetti, tape, string and a marshmallow placed on top. Not only did the exercise bring a lot of laughter and healthy competition, it also encouraged teamwork and design thinking. Colin finished by linking the exercise to research from his new book The Collective Edge.
Next up, Associate Professor and Founder of Foundology Christina Richardson was joined by alumnus, Teaching Assistant and entrepreneur Jake Meadows for a fascinating fireside chat, What We Know About Founder Resilience and How to Fuel It. They explored the latest insights from the ground-breaking Founder Resilience Report and how founders can move from surviving to thriving.
Finally, in Leading the Jolted Workforce: Challenges, Opportunities and the Future of Work, Professor Anthony Klotz invited attendees to consider a singular thought-provoking question: “If you won the lottery, would you continue to work?” Drawing upon his research for a forthcoming book, he shared that, while many people would leave their roles, the majority would continue to work, with entrepreneurship being a common route.
In between sessions, attendees were also able to refresh their professional image with headshots provided by a professional photographer or join Careers Consultant Nikki Martin for a 1:1 Careers conversation.
The day closed with drinks and canapés on Level 50, as External Engagement Director Tim Ruthven raised a toast to the vibrant alumni network, before the group headed to a celebratory dinner at Gallio.
Alumni Relations Officer Julia Chapman said, “It was really rewarding to see so many alumni reconnecting, sharing memories, and building new connections. The energy throughout the day was incredible and reaffirmed just how vibrant the School of Management alumni community is. We are incredibly grateful to all the staff and Alumni Advisory Council members who helped to make the day run smoothly and look forward to many more inspiring gatherings in the future!”
We’d like to thank all of our fantastic alumni and friends at the School who joined us for the day, as well as the many staff members who helped it to become such a success.
Whether it’s been a few months or many years since your time at the School. we’re always glad to welcome you back.
Find out more about our alumni activity at UCL School of Management
