Board culture for growth in economic uncertainty
This session brings together experienced leaders from diverse private and public organisations to explore how boards can create the conditions for sustainable growth, even when pressure is high, capital or resources are constrained, and decision-making is complex across multiple frontiers.
Through a fireside chat and panel discussion, we will examine how culture at board level shapes alignment, resilience, and the ability to move forward withclarity and confidence in any organisation.
Fireside Chat: Gillian Drakeford MBE in conversation with Sarah Clarke CDir
Gillian Drakeford is the former CEO of IKEA UK, where she led an organisation with over €2bn turnover, more than 10,000 employees and sales growth of 50%. Join us for a candid discussion on leading culture at scale, from delivering multi-billion-pound performance to embedding values that translate into everyday behaviours. Expect honest reflections on leadership, challenge, and navigating complexity at the top.
Panel Discussion: Marian Sudbury OBE, Gillian Drakeford MBE, Mike Wild, Ed Hussey, Patrick Obidyon
This cross-sector panel will explore how board culture influences:
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Alignment between executives, boards, and service-users, in both high-performing and high-pressure environments
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How to balance short-term performance, with tough decisions to create long-term, sustainable growth aligned to organisational values
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Why culture ultimately “wins the game” and creating space for challenge, trust, and healthy behavioural dynamics is the secret to success for any leader ordirector.
Join senior leaders, founders, and directors from across Manchester for a focused, high-value morning exploring one of the biggest risks to performance andtrust: the gap between stated culture and lived experience.
This interactive forum blends real-world insight with practical application. Alongside the fireside chat, our panel will share how organisations are turning rhetoric into reality — what works, what doesn’t, and where culture efforts often fall short. Expect honest perspectives, shared learning, and tangible takeaways you can apply in your own organisation. The morning includes breakfast networking, peer discussion, and space to challenge your thinking alongside leaders facing similar pressures.
You’ll leave with clearer insight into your own culture gap plus practical ways to close it.
Speakers
Ed Hussey, HR Director Menzies
Ed’s career has spanned senior HR and operational roles in aviation, product development, manufacturing, retail and financial services. Joining Menzies as HR Director in 2008, he went on to develop their HR consulting and outsourced services for clients. Today he combines leadership of the outsourced HR team with supporting growth businesses scale their leadership, culture and organisational capabilities.
Gillian Drakeford OBE
Gillian Drakeford is the former CEO of IKEA UK, where she led an organization with over €2bn turnover, more than 10,000 employees and sales growth of50%. Join us for a candid discussion on leading culture at scale, from delivering multi-billion-pound performance to embedding values that translate intoeveryday behaviours. Expect honest reflections on leadership, challenge, and navigating complexity at the top.
Mike Wild, Chief Executive of Manchester community central
Mike Wild is Chief Executive of Manchester Community Central, the local development organisation for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the city of Manchester. Since 2005, Mike has led the charity to expand on its original policy and campaigning work into areas such as capacity building support for local voluntary organisations, establishing Volunteer Centre Manchester, delivering grants programmes and undertaking sector research. Macc, as it is generally known, also hosts the Spirit of Manchester programme - an annual celebration of Manchester’s 3800+ charities and voluntary groups, the community work of faith groups and a rapidly growing number of social enterprises and purpose-led businesses.
Nick Shepherd
Nick Shepherd brings nearly a decade of experience in economic development, with a deep-rooted commitment to helping Greater Manchester thrive. His roles within The Growth Company have supported in stimulating the Greater Manchester economy by supporting the growth of local businesses, promoting the city-region on the international stage and increasing economic contribution. With a passion for support local businesses and cultivating vital relationships within the Greater Manchester ecosystem, Nick plays a pivotal role in the development of the city-region.
Patrick Obidoyin
Patrick Obidoyin is a Chartered Engineer and senior business leader with over 25 years’ experience in complex, regulated environments. He is the Founder and CEO of Digital InfraCo (UK) Limited and has held senior technical and
design roles within large national organisations, bringing strong expertise in strategic oversight, risk management and operational delivery, particularly in contexts requiring stability and improvement.
Alongside his professional career, Patrick has a strong commitment to public service and education. He currently serves as Chair, Northwest England at African Business Chamber with experience in stakeholder management, and
has held trustee roles within community and charitable organisations.
Sarah Clarke CDir
Sarah is a seasoned Business Psychologist and Chartered Director with over 20 years of leadership experience. A founder of Cortex Worx, Sarah is a highly sought-after culture consultant. A Trustee, aspiring NED and IoD Ambassador, Sarah’s unique blend of scientific rigor and practical leadership empowers cultural transformations. Renowned for her collaborative and compassionate approach, she drives high performance and delivers significant ROI. With numerous industry accolades, Sarah's expertise extends across diverse industries.
Sponsors
GM Business Growth Hub
Menzies LLP
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