the

Innovation Festival
for Global working

— and–

Awards Ceremony 2023

 

 

  “I have loved today. The best thing has been connecting with others – I get a real buzz from that. My takeaway is Tony Antonelli’s message – follow your dreams and keep going.”

Claudine Hakim, Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support, International
School of London – Festival Attendee 2023

Breaking New Ground: Coverage From The Innovation Festival for Global Working 2023.

Designed to stimulate future-focused thinking around sustainable growth and innovation, the 2023 festival included inspirational speakers, interactive workshops and facilitated discussions with experts from across leadership, business, engineering and the space sector.

Please see coverage of the Festival including video, gallery and highlights from our speakers and hubs below.

Thank you to all our speakers, contributors and guests for making the event such an inspiring and engaging event. We look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues back next year!

 

“I have been to this event four times and I always leave feeling energized. Global mobility is evolving and it is about us all figuring out the journey together”

John Rason, Santa Fe

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Event Gallery 2023

 

MORNING Keynote: LESSONS From the INTERNATIONAL SPACE SECTOR

with
Astronaut
Tony Antonelli

 

Tony talked about how businesses can learn from the innovation,
disruptive approaches and success of
space exploration and science.

AFTERNOON: An EXPLORATION OF THE FUTURE OF WORK & GLOBAL MOBILITY WITH LEADING-EDGE THINKERS

Building on the success of the 2022 Festival & Awards, we had a conversation on innovation, the future of business, leadership, global mobility, HR, and education and celebrated the best in sector with our Relocate Global Awards 2023.

Jack Bryson of Synergy at the Innovation Festival 2023
Renata Lopes of Q apartment

A Celebration in kent’s Beautiful countryside 

The festival on June 8th was hosted in a unique venue is a glorious countryside setting with leaders, changemakers and the Think Global People Community

“A really enjoyable day in a fabulous location. Everyone was super friendly and I gained some interesting insights into my industry with people I don’t usually come into contact with.”

Vanessa Ganguin, Immigration Lawyer

Event Programme

Click below to the programme highlights.

The Innovation Festival  for Global Working

-The Morning Programme-

09:00-12:45

Taking innovation and leadership to the next level with astronaut Tony Antonelli

The Innovation Festival for Global Working

-The Afternoon Programme-

13:50 -18:30

Keynote Panel, Hub Streams, Workshop and  Award Ceremony

Awards ceremony background blue green purple medium

-The Awards Ceremony-

16:00-17:00

In 2023 there was even more of a Festival feel, with the opportunity to engage with more experts and sample different leadership techniques, meet authors and explore new research in the spacious gardens and grounds.

A highlight at the end of the stimulating day was the Relocate and Think Global People Awards Ceremony. We celebrated the achievements of our 2023 winners and toasted their success offering a further opportunity for networking and a chance to enjoy delicious refreshments and entertainment.

“Tony Antonelli was incredibly inspiring but the best thing about the day was seeing how many people from different sectors are invested in taking care of employees and their families in the world of global mobility”

Valerie Besanceney, Executive Director,
Safe Passage Across Networks (SAFE)

Why Attend




CONNECT & DISCOVER

The event gave the attendees the opportunity to meet the best thinkers in leadership, global mobility, HR and education, in a glorious countryside setting with a festival feel. Delegates were stimulated by thought leadership and challenged by changemakers.

 d


BE PART OF A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Leading experts from around the globe were in attendance. Delegates collaborated with peers from international companies and visionary leaders across diverse industry sectors. It’s was an incredible opportunity to meet the Think People Global Community.




Share Knowledge

Participants explored cutting edge solutions to workplace challenges. It was the chance to network in a vibrant environment, where ideas flow and knowledge was shared. Thought leadership discussions took place on the following key subjects:

Leadership, Future of Work and the Workplace
Future of Global Mobility & Education

Meet Our Award Winners

The festival also gave the opportunity to experience innovation first hand. Delegates met our experts and Think Global People & Relocate Award winners in person. Meet our 2023 Award Winners.

 

Rebecca Gonzaga of SITU at the Innovation Festival 2023
Sarah Rozenthuler leading a hub workshop at the Innovation Festival 2023

The speakers, panellists and contributors

Introducing our panel of experts appearing at the Innovation Festival for Global Working, who will share their insights and expertise with delegates at our unique event.

Tony Antonelli Astronaut

Tony Antonelli, NASA Astronaut and Commander US Navy

Keynote Speaker Morning Session

About Tony Antonelli

Tony Antonelli is a true leader and innovator, with a wealth of experience in both military and civilian aerospace. As the Artemis II Mission Director for the Orion Program at Lockheed Martin Space, he’s responsible for shaping the path towards sustainable human missions to Mars through the integration of science objectives and human exploration goals.

Antonelli’s technical expertise in aeronautics and astronautics, along with his extensive experience as a NASA astronaut, makes him an exceptional individual. He’s a proven problem-solver, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex challenges and inspire others to achieve greatness.

What’s particularly impressive about Antonelli is his unwavering dedication to pushing boundaries and driving innovation. His focus on synergising human exploration strategy with science objectives showcases his commitment to advancing technology and driving progress forward.

Whether you’re a space enthusiast or simply interested in leadership and innovation, Tony Antonelli is a name that commands respect. His passion, drive, and vision make him a true trailblazer, and a source of inspiration for anyone looking to achieve greatness.

Open NASA Biographical Sheet in new tab

Chris Barber, founder and chief executive of International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET)

Chris Barber, Founder & Chief Executive, International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET)

Morning Session

About Chris Barber

Chris Barber, the Director and Founder of ISSET, will support the interactive presentations and Q&As.

Chris founded ISSET in 1998 with the aim of instilling the NASA ‘you can do it’ spirit. ISSET’s opening event was a live message from Cosmonauts on the Mir Space Station. Since those early days, Chris has worked with Space Centres, businesses, universities, schools and communities in the UK, USA, Norway, France, Netherlands, Spain, India, Mongolia, China, the Arctic and Australia.

Chris has talked with Think Global People in two highly successful, live stream presentations with ISSET one to promote STEM and space in schools and international schools, as part of their virtual International Education & Schools’ Fair. The second with Sarah Murray, retired NASA Leader and ISSET Head of Operations, in celebration of International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023.

Fiona Murchie Head shot 2023

Fiona Murchie, Founder & Managing Editor of Relocate Global/Think Global People

About Fiona Murchie

Fiona Murchie has over 25 years’ experience in management and HR publishing and global mobility. From this unique perspective, she combines understanding of the HR and global mobility market with knowledge of business drivers and an appreciation of management thinking and the wider influences on company and regional growth brought about by changing global markets, demographics, economics and geo-political factors.

She launched Relocate magazine in 2004, to promote creativity and best practice in mobility, explore new topics, and stimulate debate on relocation-related subjects. Relocate Global has become the leading multimedia for international managers, HR, global mobility and relocation professionals, with a growing international reputation for thought leadership, innovation and people support.

Jayne Constantinis Presenter

Jayne Constantinis, TV Presenter, Facilitator and Journalist

Festival Host

 

About Jayne Constantinis

Jayne Constantinis has been in the communications business for 25 years, as a live continuity announcer on BBC television; a business reporter/newsreader on BBC World; a financial services corporate presenter. She facilitates and speaks at live events (see her recent TEDx talk), moderates panels, and is a sought-after communication skills trainer for individuals and groups. 

Jayne will be introducing the day, hosting the afternoon Keynote Panel and the Global Mobility and Education Innovation Hub.

She will also host the Awards Ceremony at 4pm. 

Full Event Programme

08:30: WELCOME AND REFRESHMENTS

Arrive at the venue to be welcomed by the Relocate Global | Think Global People Team and our other guests before the day starts.

09:20: INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY

Our Host for the day, international television presenter and journalist, Jayne Constantinis, will signpost the highlights of the day and introduce our keynote morning session with insights from Managing Editor, Fiona Murchie.

09:30: MORNING KEYNOTE SESSION

Taking innovation and leadership to the next level with astronaut Tony Antonelli.

 

09:30 – 10:20: TONY ANTONELLI

Session 1: From Earth to Space: Antonelli’s journey to becoming an Astronaut
Interactive presentations with Q&A

10:40 – 11:30: TONY ANTONELLI

Session 2: Innovation: Leading the way to Mars
Interactive presentations with Q&A

11:50 – 12:30: TONY ANTONELLI

Session 3: Mastering the art of international leadership
Interactive presentations with Q&A

12:45 – 13:45: LUNCH & NETWORKING

Enjoy local produce and network.

13:50 – 14:15: KEYNOTE PANEL

Our expert panel will share their thoughts and set the agenda for the day.

13:50 – 14:15: KEYNOTE PANEL

BAFTA-nominated TV presenter Jayne Constantinis will interview panel speakers, Ann Ellis, CEO, Mauve Group; Valérie Besanceney, International education and transitions consultant, author, Executive Director, SPAN and Demetra Marcantonio, Director, KPMG Global Mobility Services team, London to capture how the world of work has moved on from 2022.

A lively keynote panel discussion on the future of the workplace and the global trends affecting diverse industry sectors. 

Jayne Constantinis will tease out what is happening around the world and the biggest challenges and opportunities for international leaders and global talent. How are organisations responding to skills shortages? Where are the hotspots for growth and what is influencing supply chains today? What are the innovations that are helping organisations and international managers respond to change?

14:20 - 15:45 Innovation hubs

The afternoon will also feature two ‘innovation hubs’, where interactive workshops and facilitated discussions with experts from across leadership, business, global mobility and education will take place.  This is where business leaders will engage with their peers, to share ideas and explore how the ground-breaking, cutting-edge technology at the forefront of space science can be used to turbo-charge their own sectors, helping to boost growth and productivity and radically shape innovation.

16:00 – 17:00: AWARDS CEREMONY

Celebrate with us and find out who will be winning our awards this year.

Meet the winners, enjoy the video and share in their excitement

17:00 – 17:10: CLOSING REMARKS AND THE FUTURE

17:10 – 18:30: CELEBRATION DRINKS & TASTE OF KENT

Join us to wind down, congratulate our winners and enjoy the countryside with local wine and beers,  and taste of Kent produce. A truly festive finale.

Attendees having chat at the Innovation Festival 2023
Valérie Besanceney

Valérie Besanceney, author, international education and transition consultant and Executive Director of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN)

Afternoon Keynote Panel speaker & Innovation Hub

About Valérie Besanceney

Valérie Besanceney (MA, MEd) is an international education and transition consultant, passionate about helping families thrive through transitions. Author of two children’s books, B at Home: Emma Moves Again and My Moving Booklet and founder of Roots with Boots, she currently consults for families, schools, and organizations. She is Dutch by birth, Swiss by nationality, and well-versed in cross-cultural awareness. Having moved often as a child, Valérie understands the challenges and impact of early transitions on your sense of identity and belonging as an adult. Valérie has been an international educator for the past 18 years in international schools and organizations across four continents. Valérie serves as the Executive Director of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) and is the co-creator and co-facilitator of the SPAN certificate course on the Laws of Transitions. Together with her husband and their two daughters, she lives in Gryon, Switzerland.

Valérie Besanceney

Sarah Rozenthuler, chartered psychologist, leadership consultant and dialogue coach

Afternoon Hub Speaker & Leadership Workshop

About Sarah Rozenthuler

Sarah Rozenthuler is a chartered psychologist, leadership consultant and dialogue coach. She has over 15 years international experience consulting to organisations including BP, Discovery Inc. and Standard Chartered Bank. As the author of How to Have Meaningful Conversations and Powered by Purpose: Energise your People to do Great Work, Sarah’s work has been widely featured in the media including The Sunday Times, Psychologies Magazine and BBC Business online.Where you could find Sarah at the Festival:

Read Sarah Rozenthuler’s full bio to learn more

Susan Stewart

Demetra Marcantonio, Director in the KPMG Global Mobility Service team

Afternoon Keynote Panel speaker

About Demetra Marcantonio

Demetra is a Director in the KPMG  Global Mobility Services team in London. She has over 13 years of experience supporting organisations set up their Global Mobility programmes and improve their existing programmes, in alignment with broader business and talent priorities. Demetra has worked with numerous organisations across all industries, supporting with key areas like Global Mobility strategy, policy design, process and technology optimization, as well as training, communications and change management activities which go alongside any programme transformation/change.

Susan Stewart

Ann Ellis, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mauve Group

Afternoon Keynote Panel speaker

About Ann Ellis

Ann Ellis is the CEO and co-founder of multi-national organisation Mauve Group; a leading provider of global HR, employment and expansion services.

Hailing from a remote Welsh farming community, Ann established Mauve Group in 1996 from a tiny cupboard-sized office in Northern Italy. Ann was Mauve’s first and initially only “back-office” employee, supporting workers on overseas telecommunications projects with local payroll, visas, contracts and more.

As globalisation and remote work became the norm in business, demand for Mauve’s unique solutions snowballed. Today, the organisation supports 70+ industry sectors through an operational network of more than 150 countries worldwide, and 70 of its own entities.

 With 27 years at the helm of an international business, Ann’s incomparable global expertise have featured on the BBC and in the Times. Ann frequently travels the world to deliver talks at events such as the Millennials Engagement Congress, Think Women and Centuro Global’s Expansion Conference.

 

Claudine Hakim

Claudine Hakim, Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support at the International School of London (ISL)

Innovation Hub speaker

About Claudine Hakim

Claudine Hakim is Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support at the International School of London (ISL) and was one of the founding Head Teachers at ISL Surrey and is the leader of the award winning ISL Crossroads Transitions programme. Having lived in three continents, Claudine is passionate about fostering well-balanced and inclusive international communities. Claudine is a member of the ECIS Admissions Special Interest Committee and is a Board member of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) as Director of Partnerships. Claudine holds a Masters degree from the University College of London, Institute of Education in Educational Leadership and Management and a BA in Psychology and Counselling from Richmond International University.
Michelle Berners Price

Agnieszka Leja, Senior Manager in the KPMG Global Mobility team

Innovation Hub speaker

About Agnieszka Leja

Agnieszka is a Senior Manager in the KPMG Global Mobility Services team in London. She has 12 years of experience supporting organisations in the design and delivery of their Global Mobility programmes. Agnieszka’s experience includes working with FTSE100 companies, start-ups and individual senior executives, within industries ranging from Media and Technology, through to Energy and Manufacturing.

Susan Stewart

Susan Stewart, Director at Articulate Multilingual

Innovation Hub speaker

About Susan Stewart

Susan Stewart is Director at Articulate Multilingual Ltd. With a foot in both local UK communities as well as global expatriate communities, Articulate Multilingual supports and advises multilingual families as they make choices about schooling and home language use.Susan has lived and worked in Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Belgium, Oman, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Susan, who has raised two bilingual global-nomad children, speaks (to varying degrees) English, French, German, Afrikaans, Swedish and Arabic.  Susan has a particular interest in the area of language policy as a driving force in promoting multilingualism within families, communities, organisations, and schools. With a background in international education, Susan’s work centres around building an understanding of diverse multilingual families and children and how these can be nurtured and developed. She delivers regular parent workshops around the questions of raising multilingual children, locally and internationally. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and French from the University of South Africa and an MA in Applied Linguistics and Communications from Birkbeck College, University of London.

Georgina Hawkes, Head of Global Mobility, Performance & Reward, HSBC Group Management Services

Georgina Hawkes, Head of Global Mobility, Performance & Reward, HSBC Group Management Services

Global Mobility Hub Speaker

About Georgina Hawkes

Dr Susan Doering

Dr Susan Doering, International Career and Leadership Consultant

Leadership Hub Speaker

See Dr Susan's Think Women’s 40 Outstanding Global Women Profile

About Dr Susan Doering

What people say about the festival

Relocate Festival - post event quote Gael Panhelleux

Relocate Festival - post event quote Rebecca Gonzaga

Relocate Festival - post event quote Claudine Hakim

 

Think Women Inspiring Global Women for Growth event

“The highlight for me was the hub discussions and meeting people face-to-face in an amazing venue.”

“A powerful day with many takeaways for our professional and personal lives.”

innovation festival english countryside venue

Event Sponsors

With many thanks to our 2023 festival sponsors:

Think Global People Relocate Awards 2023
Think Global People Relocate Awards 2023

Event Supporters

We are grateful to our festival supporters

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