Trinnovo Group returns to the Royal Institute for the 2026 London Symposium, partnering with Bayes Business School to contribute to the ideas shaping the future of business.
Cities aren’t just places where business happens. They are magnetic ecosystems where capital, talent, culture and technology collide. Global cities compete for capital, talent and technological edge, and London is at a crossroads. It remains one of the top financial centres on earth, anchoring investment banks, private capital and trading floors while navigating pressure from rivals like Dubai, New York and Singapore.[1]
At the same time, its cultural sectors, hospitality brands and high-street economy face seismic shifts in consumer behaviour, labour dynamics and post-pandemic recovery.[2] London’s global standing is reinforced by rankings that place it among the world’s most magnetic cities, and yet, other locations known for quality of life (like Zurich and Milan) continue to attract highly skilled professionals for different reasons.
This year’s theme, Visionaries at work: Rethinking leadership in an unpredictable world, explores how leaders and firms are reinventing strategy, talent and innovation in an era shaped by rapid technological change, global mobility and cultural flux. London, with its unique mix of global finance, AI adoption, creative industries and international diversity, will be our primary laboratory for this inquiry.
Introducing Our Speaker, Viki Dowthwaite
Viki Dowthwaite, our Group Commercial Director at Trinnovo Group, joins the 2026 London Symposium to host a talk on how AI is reshaping leadership, workforce strategy and organisational design. Drawing on real-world case studies from global businesses, Viki will examine why AI doesn’t replace leaders, it exposes weak decision-making, outdated structures and poor workforce planning.
Her session will challenge MBA students and business leaders to rethink how organisations balance technology with human judgement, adaptability and culture in an era defined by uncertainty. From AI adoption and talent strategy to flexible workforce models and leadership under pressure, Viki will share practical insight into what separates resilient organisations from those struggling to keep pace with change.
Building the Future of Business
The London Symposium elective pushes MBA students beyond cases and into live strategic debate about what makes cities thrive in the 21st century.
Students will work in teams to tackle strategic challenges faced by senior executives, investors, tech innovators, cultural brands and entrepreneurs: What gives a city like London its magnetic pull? How should global firms balance AI-driven efficiency with human judgement and creativity? Can culture and hospitality be core strategic levers rather than peripheral perks? Why should founders, investors and talent choose London as the centre of their ambitions? Teams will deliver proposals grounded in data, realistic constraints and measurable impact.
Trinnovo Group is proud to attend alongside global innovators and thought leaders from investment banking, private equity, AI, cultural institutions, hospitality brands and entrepreneurial ventures, and organise field visits to leading companies across London to see how top organisations are navigating the priorities shaping global leadership in 2026, from integrating AI into growth strategies to rethinking talent, culture and innovation.
