International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde will deliver the inaugural Dame Helen Alexander Memorial Lecture in London on Monday 17 September.
The annual address is devoted to the memory of Dame Helen Alexander, a much-loved and pioneering figure in British business who also served as Chancellor of the University of Southampton from 2011 until her untimely death in 2017. As Chancellor, Dame Helen played a leading ambassadorial role on behalf of the University, presiding over degree ceremonies at graduation.
The Lecture, to be hosted by Bloomberg, is supported by Helen’s family and by four organisations with which she was closely associated: The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), The Economist, the University of Southampton and UBM. The Lecture’s overarching theme is ‘Women on Business’ as each year, the speaker will be a prominent woman talking about an important aspect of business to an audience of business leaders. Christine Lagarde is expected to focus on the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals, which encompass the idea that economic growth must be accompanied by social inclusions and environmental sustainability.
Amongst the audience at this year’s Lecture, will be a group of students and recent graduates from the University of Southampton Business School, selected to attend after competing for the opportunity.
Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, our President and Vice-Chancellor, said:
“As Chancellor, Dame Helen was very popular across the University, and we especially miss her personal warmth and enthusiasm which she shared with our staff, students and alumni. This Memorial Lecture is a fitting tribute to Helen’s outstanding contributions as a leader and businesswoman, whose capabilities and achievements serve as an inspiration to us all.”
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The Dame Helen Alexander Memorial Lecture will be recorded and made available via the University of Southampton website after Monday 17 September.
