The Boardroom - meet the speakers 2025

Jez Groom (BSc Biochemistry) - Founder & International CEO of Cowry Consulting

Jez is a world-renowned behavioural science practitioner. With over 14 years of experience, he's pioneered real-world solutions to drive impactful behaviour change - from deterring crime with baby-faced murals, to improving hygiene in unexpected places.

As the author of Ripple: The Big Effects of Small Behaviour Changes in Business and an Honorary Research Fellow at City University London, Jez here shares invaluable insights on how behavioural science can revolutionise global consulting, and empower organisations to create meaningful change at scale.

Sarah Flude (BA Social Policy & MA Social Research) - Research and Development Manager at Sheffield Children's Teaching Hospital

An expert in leading complex clinical trials across a range of therapeutic areas, Sarah's career is built on delivering high-quality projects with diverse teams and rigorous standards, bringing a wealth of experience in research design, governance, and project management.

Now a Research and Development Manager at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sarah shares her passion for improving healthcare with practical lessons on planning, collaboration, and problem-solving. Not just for clinical researchers: these insights will help you tackle ambitious projects in any professional field.

Nikita Bansal (MA Sustainable Architecture) - Senior Sustainability Consultant at Hilson Moran

Nikita gives an insightful session on sustainable leadership, focusing on enhancing human health, well-being, and building performance. With a passion for creating sustainable, people-centered spaces, she shares how her technical expertise in the built environment illustrates broader leadership principles applicable to any field.

Learn the business case for sustainability, and gain practical advice on how new graduates can integrate responsible leadership into their careers from day one. Discover how you can contribute to a better future, no matter your profession!

Bella Abrams (BA History & Executive MBA) - Group Chief Technology Officer at Jisc

Bella here takes a deep dive into leadership within the technology landscape of the education and public sectors. Join her as she shares the unique challenges and rewarding opportunities of leading IT and data services in large-scale institutions, as well as the skills needed to drive meaningful digital transformation, foster resilience, and ensure operational excellence.

Explore how technology serves as a catalyst for national progress in education, research, and innovation.

Lucie Cave (BA English Literature) - Chief Creative Officer at Bauer Media, and Jason Spencer (BA Philosophy) - Business Development Director at ITV

Gain invaluable insights into leadership in media and marketing from two distinguished alumni: a Chief Creative Officer and a Business Development Director. This candid conversation bridges creative vision and commercial strategy, revealing key leadership qualities and adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.

Learn practical skills and mindsets essential for any graduating student aiming for success in today's fast-paced creative and commercial landscape.

Amanda Stevens (BA Geography with Economics & Social History) - Master of the King's Bench Division of the High Court

How can you contribute to a truly inclusive future? Amanda shares reflections from her own esteemed position on building Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) in the workplace, with exceptional insight into the challenges and triumphs of fostering diverse environments.

This session goes beyond theory into actively shaping workplaces where everyone belongs and can thrive, exploring values-based leadership and the importance of managing yourself and others on this vital journey.

*MASTERCLASS VIDEO COMING SOON*

Tendai Taruvinga (MArch Architecture) - Founder of Veafy

British entrepreneur, chef, and University of Sheffield graduate Tendai founded a plant-based food brand revolutionising African cuisine with technology. After a career pivot in 2019, he blended his passion for authentic cooking with digital innovation to deliver delicious, vegan-friendly African meals across the UK.

An award-winning food tech pioneer and recipient of Innovate UK's Young Innovators Award, Tendai champions sustainability and diversity in the food industry. Discover how he's making culturally rich, plant-based cuisine more accessible through tech-driven solutions.

Adeola Solanke (BA English Literature) - Founder and Writer/Producer at Spora Stories

Distinguished alumna, playwright, and lecturer Ade reveals how to shape your professional journey via the art of storytelling, drawing on her path from Sheffield to Hollywood. Explore your own career 'plot points' to craft compelling narratives that help define your direction, communicate your unique value, lead and inspire change, and forge meaningful connections.

Ade also shows how championing untold stories, like she does through Spora Stories, drives innovation and inclusion. Gain strategies to write your own script for success, and lead with purpose on your own path.

*MASTERCLASS VIDEO COMING SOON*

Danielle Clark (BA History and American Studies), Global Talent Leader at eBay

Danielle brings a wealth of experience across the entire talent lifecycle, delivers a dynamic session designed to help  you launch your career. With a drive to help people reach their full potential, her career spans recruitment, talent management consulting with leading firms, and heading in-house talent teams at Adobe, Fastly, and eBay.

An expert in connecting every aspect of the talent lifecycle to drive business performance, Danielle's insider knowledge covers how to stand out to recruiters in today's competitive landscape, and how AI is evolving our understanding of skills and work.