SBS Blog > Scottish MBA Conference 2025: Shaping the Future of Business Leadership by Naresh Kumar Subramanian

Scottish MBA Conference 2025: Shaping the Future of Business Leadership

By Naresh Kumar Subramanian - Posted on 6 March 2025

Strathclyde Business School hosted the Scottish MBA conference 2025 MBA recently in TIC. Here, Naresh Kumar Subramanian shares his thoughts on the day.

On February 21, 2025, Scotland’s premier MBA event - the Scottish MBA Conference 2025 - brought together a dynamic mix of students, industry leaders, and distinguished alumni at the Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow. Hosted in collaboration with Strathclyde Business School, the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS), and the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School, the event underscored the power of collective learning and industry engagement.

This year’s conference revolved around a critical theme - employability - offering MBA students a unique platform to enhance their career prospects, expand professional networks, and gain deep industry insights. With keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions, the event provided attendees with a comprehensive view of market expectations, career transitions, and leadership evolution in an era of rapid change.

A Day of Insight, Inspiration, and Impact

The conference began with an inspiring keynote address by Professor Lena C. Wilson, whose vast experience across public and private sectors brought valuable perspectives on leadership, career adaptability, and the significance of networking. Her message was clear - embrace change, pursue your passions, and explore new opportunities with confidence.

Attendees then delved into industry-focused panel discussions, covering emerging trends like AI, Sustainability, Consulting, technology-driven transformations, and evolving business landscapes. I found the AI & Technology panel to be particularly insightful.

A networking lunch provided a relaxed setting for students, recruiters, and industry leaders to engage in meaningful career conversations, fostering potential collaborations and mentorship opportunities.

Post-lunch, the Sustainability session took centre stage, featuring experts from whisky, aviation, power transmission, and online retail industries. These leaders shared first-hand experiences of navigating sustainability challenges, emphasizing the need for responsible leadership that balances profitability with environmental and social impact. A key takeaway? Sustainability is no longer optional - it is an imperative.

The Talent Acquisition Panel, featuring HR leaders from top firms, provided a compelling deep dive into recruitment trends, personal branding, and strategic career positioning. For international students, this session was particularly eye-opening, offering insider insights on the UK job market, AI-driven hiring processes, and ways to stand out in a competitive landscape.

The conference concluded with a drinks and networking reception, a relaxed yet impactful gathering where attendees engaged in conversations on industry trends, leadership pathways, and future collaborations.

Reflections on a Transformative Experience

The Scottish MBA Conference 2025 was more than just an event - it was a launchpad for future leaders. The synergy between Scotland’s top business schools highlighted the strength of collaboration over competition, inspiring attendees to adopt a collective mindset in their professional and personal growth.

As the event wrapped up, one thing became clear - this conference sets a new standard for MBA events in Scotland. It was a day of learning, networking, and, above all, empowerment. Armed with new perspectives and connections, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.

The future of leadership is here and it starts with moments like these.