From Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 July 2025, Kent Business School once again opened its doors – both in person and online – to welcome alumni for the third annual Alumni Summer School. Over the course of three dynamic days, more than 90 students, staff and graduates from around the world returned to Canterbury or joined virtually to take part in eight expert-led workshops, all designed to inspire, up-skill and reconnect.
This year’s programme kicked off with a workshop on fintechs with MBA alum Andrew Steadman, who graduated from Kent back in 1995. With a career in finance that has taken him round the world, Andrew has returned to the UK and is now Chief Product Officer at SBS (ex-Sopra Banking Software). His extensive knowledge took us through the rapidly evolving world of financial technology which is changing the way financial institutions provide – and customers and businesses use – financial services.
This was followed by other sessions on wellbeing co-creation, the digital transformation of healthcare, balancing net-zero ambitions with operational resilience, and using entrepreneurial change to drive social progress. One workshop explored the complex task of reconciling NHS policy and practice, while another encouraged participants to debate the future — asking what we can trust in a world of fake news, AI, big data and quantum computing.
Each was grounded in real-world application and delivered by a mix of academics, alumni and external experts – many of whom are established leaders in their fields, including Khawar Naveed Bhatti, Professor Tom Chen, Dr Virginia Spiegler, Dr Catherine Marchand and Dr Simon Fletcher (who have supported this event every year), and MBA alum, Caroline Knott, Clinical Safety Officer and Digital Transformation Lead at the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Among the many highlights was the return of MBA alum John Benfield, Business Development Manager at Horizonscan Ltd, who delivered a dynamic session on the use of artificial intelligence in risk management and business resilience. Reflecting on the event, he shared:
“The KBS Alumni Summer School is one of my favourite events because it’s a big knowledge swap: from small-business owners, NHS managers, students, seasoned directors, and public-sector employees. The mix of experiences and backgrounds, featuring alumni from all over the world, makes every session interesting and engaging.”
True to John’s words, the Summer School once again showcased the diversity and strength of our global alumni community – a network of professionals who share a passion for learning, impact, and connection.
On Thursday evening, attendees were treated to two truly inspirational fireside talks. First, Dr Kush Kanodia, MBA alum and honorary graduate, shared his journey from investment banking to becoming an award-winning social entrepreneur, successfully championing disability inclusion across the UK.
He was followed by Tione Taweni Chakhwantha, an MBA alum who travelled from Malawi to share her powerful work with Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) and women’s empowerment initiatives — illustrating how entrepreneurship can help marginalised communities overcome systemic barriers, achieve financial independence, and foster sustainable development.
The Summer School isn’t just about professional development – it’s about celebrating our shared Kent Business School identity. Whether joining us from Canterbury or Kuala Lumpur, alumni had the chance to reconnect with peers, engage with academic staff, and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the business landscape today.
“The Alumni Summer School is a brilliant expression of what Kent Business School is all about – lifelong learning, diverse perspectives and community impact. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our alumni come back each year, bringing their experience and curiosity into the room, and leaving energised with new ideas and connections.”
— Professor Tom Chen, MBA Director and Professor of Marketing
Whether joining for one session or the full programme, alumni told us how uplifting it was to be back in a learning environment, especially one rooted in community, purpose and professional growth.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us – as speakers, facilitators or participants – and helped make this year’s Summer School a success.
Missed this year’s event?
Stay connected for updates about the 2026 Alumni Summer School and future opportunities to get involved in the KBS alumni community.