Invited speakers

Gianvito Lanzolla (Cass Business School)

Gianvito Lanzolla is Professor of Strategic Leadership at Cass Business School, City, University of London. From January 2016, he serves as the Head of the Faculty of Management. Professor Lanzolla is the Founder and Director of the Cass’s Digital Leadership Research Centre (DLRC). Professor Lanzolla’s research revolves around competitive strategies and competitive dynamics vis-à-vis rapid technological change; his articles have appeared in leading outlets including.  Professor Lanzolla’s research has won several academic prizes and has been widely featured in the business media – e.g. Financial Times, the Economist, CNBC, CCTV, Wall Street Journal – and in policy papers. Professor Lanzolla has directed and delivered several executive development programmes and has contributed as an advisor and key-note speaker to more than 100 companies and organizations around the World. Professor Lanzolla teaches “Strategic Leadership”, “Diversification & Growth Strategy”, “Corporate Organisation” and “Leading Digital Transformation” to Executive and Full Time MBA students, both in Cass’s London and Dubai campuses.

Paul Nightingale (University of Sussex, SPRU)

Prof. Paul Nightingale is  Deputy Director of the Science Policy Research Unit and Professor of  Strategy at Sussex. He is on the Economic and Social Science (ESRC)  Research Committee in the UK, and is one of the UK Editors of Research Policy. He trained as a chemist and worked in  industry for a number of years before undertaking a PhD in Technology  Policy. He has researched widely on biopharmaceutical innovation,  financial services, R&D management and technology strategy. He is currently working on a collaboration with the  Infrastructure and Projects Authority to improve research engagement  with academics working on project delivery.

Manlio Ciralli (Adecco)

Executive MBA at MIP, Polytechnic of Milan,  he has a business olistic approach driven by a customer-centric view. He has gained significant experience in the services industry (Infostrada and Adecco) and in the luxury-Accessories (Luxottica, Richemont – Panerai, Marchon, Kering) with rising international roles in sales, brand management and marketing. He tracks in his records the launch of the Ray-Ban and Vogue brands in the China and India and the affirmation and strengthening the Oakley brand in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He also led the implementation and digital transformation of Officine Panerai brand watches, redefining the marketing mix and consumer experience in the boutiques network. For Marchon, international firm controlled by VSP, one of the largest US eyecare Insurance, he was  in charge of licensing, Marketing and Product Design and Development. From July 2016 he is the Chief Brand and Innovation Officer of The Adecco Group (the largest HR Solution Provider in the world) for the region Italy, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. His core duties today are related digital business transformation, business re-modelling, brand portfolio management and the candidate journey experience.