London: A Lab for Innovation – Creativity, Experimentation, and the Future of Business
More than 80 students and alumni from around the world gathered for the annual MBA London Symposium, hosted by Bayes Business School, which this year explored the capital’s core strengths as a creative, tech, and entrepreneurial powerhouse.
Each year, the Symposium offers exclusive access to top companies in the city, with a programme packed full of keynote talks, business briefings, site visits and social events with valuable networking opportunities.
For the latest instalment, Bayes MBA students and alumni were joined by peers from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Canada and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in South Africa. The delegation represented a wide range of sectors from transport and logistics to healthcare.
The four-day programme explored dramatic shifts in customer expectations, the rise of service‑first finance, and the twin forces of artificial intelligence and sustainability. Sessions ranging from local and global market dynamics to the state of the M&A and real estate markets, showed how sectors like consulting, banking, hospitality and creative services are being reinvented in real time.
Experts wove diversity and inclusion perspectives through every strategic theme to share stories of launching bold start‑ups, overcoming setbacks, and demonstrating how resilience can transform obstacles into launchpads for breakthrough success.
The Symposium kicked off at Finsbury Square with an inspiring talk from Ben Saunders, just the third person in history to ski solo to the North and South poles, and a world-record holder for the longest ever polar journey on foot. Ben detailed his courageous journey and the resilience and determination that got him through the physical and mental challenge.
As the week progressed, students visited London offices of financial services giants, as well as the Bank of England, Somerset House and the Royal Institution for sessions with leading business practitioners and successful start-up entrepreneurs.
The 2025 Symposium was led by Elena Novelli, Professor of Strategy at Bayes. Professor Novelli said participants would leave with a greater understanding of London’s business ecosystem, and how leaders are taking advantage of its strengths as a global centre.
“London is home to bold ideas and creative thinking, and the city gives our students an extraordinary learning journey built on innovation and experimentation,” she said.
“This year’s MBA London Symposium explored how forward‑looking leaders are turning innovation into real‑world advantages in the face of shifting industry trends and global changes. We design the programme to immerse participants in this dynamic environment, and let them learn first‑hand from pioneers through open, fluid conversations.”
“It was wonderful to bring together current students and alumni from Bayes, alongside friends from Toronto and Johannesburg, for four days of stimulating discussion. I am deeply grateful to our alumni network, to the companies that welcomed us, and to the leaders who devoted their time and insight. Their generosity – combined with the energy and enthusiasm of our delegates – made this year’s Symposium an extraordinary learning experience.”
Philip Walsh, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU, joined the delegation and said his students would hold lasting memories of the Symposium.
“The Bayes MBA London Symposium has provided our graduate students with the opportunity to experience the City of London, and a variety of leading firms and people who make it a global business centre,” he said.
Evening receptions and a closing party allowed students and alumni to mix, forge friendships and share international experiences.
Bayes Business School’s MBA programmes allow students to learn from leading academics, policymakers, and business practitioners, alongside an exceptional international cohort.
The suite of courses allows for full-time or part-time study, in-person or online, and are transferrable to cater for changing circumstances and professional commitments.
