IMF Head joins Business School students to celebrate the life of former Chancellor Event

The event was held on Monday 17 September 2018. You can watch the lecture below.

The prestigious event, which the University organised in partnership with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Economist and UBM, took place in the heart of the City of London and was attended by leading figures from business and the media, all keen to share their memories of one of the most successful and respected women in the business world.

Ms Lagarde, a long term friend of Dame Helen, was the special guest and her theme for the inaugural Helen Alexander Memorial Lecture was “the case for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals”. She explained how her choice of subject was influenced by Helen’s enthusiasm for tracking the most urgent issues facing the world and because implementing the goals would require the character traits that defined Helen: “practicality and determination twinned with decency and humanity.”

Five students, studying a diverse range of degree subjects at the University of Southampton Business School, were privileged to have front row seats and remembering Helen’s affection for the University, Ms Lagarde made sure they played a prominent role in the proceedings. After her speech she invited questions from the students in front of the audience before bringing them on to the stage for further discussions about the case she had presented.

Helen became Chancellor of the University in 2011 during an illustrious career in which she served as Chief Executive of the Economist Group and became the first woman to lead the CBI in 2009. She held positions on the boards of some of the UK’s largest organisations and was considered a trailblazer for women in senior boardroom roles.

During her talk to the packed room in the offices of Bloomberg, Ms Lagarde recalled how Helen had relished her role as Chancellor, especially meeting excited graduates as she handed them their degrees. Ms Lagarde also reflected on how proud Helen was of the University’s Cancer Immunology Centre, which attracted a huge amount of support and interest thanks to her enthusiasm.

This was a fitting occasion to remember one of the most talented and pioneering business leaders and the University is proud to have played such a prominent role in making sure our former Chancellor’s legacy will be remembered by future generations of students and leaders.

Watch the Dame Helen Alexander Memorial Lecture