6th IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders

Registration for the 6th Annual IFSEA Conference is open – register to secure your place!

Our IFSEA 2025 keynote speaker is best-selling author, award-winning broadcaster and journalist, and international thought leader on leadership, growth mindset and high performance, Matthew Syed.

A former top-ranked table tennis player for England and a two-time Olympian, Matthew is celebrated for his insightful perspectives on mindset and cultural change. His bestselling books, including Bounce,  Black Box Thinking and Rebel Ideas, explore the critical role of mindset in achieving high performance and innovation. We are delighted to have Matthew join us at IFSEA 2025!

Download the Conference Programme here.

We are currently busy planning topics and speakers for the 2025 conference. Here is a sneak preview of some of the topics we are intending to explore on the day:

Monday 16 June 2025

18.00-20.30 – Welcome Evening Drinks Reception

Tuesday 17 June 2025

08.00-08.30 – Registration and Breakfast

08.30-09.20 – Opening Plenary Session:

The Investigator’s Dilemma: Balancing Complexity, Conflicts, and Human Drama in High-Stakes Cases

09.20-09.30 – Welcome address

09.30-10.30 – Plenary Session

Who Would Lead? Tackling Burnout, Risk and the Reluctance of Future Leaders in an Era of Disposable Leadership

10.30-11.15 – Breakout Sessions

Navigating Reverse Discrimination: Addressing Concerns of Those Who Feel Diversity Targets are Working Against Them

GC Focus: Too Close for Comfort? Balancing Pressures, Expectations, and Ethics for In-House Counsel

11.15-11.35 – Coffee Break

11.35-12.15 – Breakout Sessions

Breaking the Silence: “Everyone knew but no one did anything” – Tackling Workplace Harassment and Bullying, and Ineffective Regulations

Founder Fallouts: Navigating Board Firings and Crisis Management

12.20-13.00 – Breakout Sessions

Handling Scandals Across Borders: Navigating HR Challenges and Crisis Management

Reevaluating Retirement: The Case For and Against Mandatory Ages in Professional Partnerships

13.00-14.00 – Lunch Break

13.30-14.00 – Lunch & Learn Discussion

14.00-14.30 – Afternoon Plenary Session

PR and the Hidden Circles of Power and Influence

14.35-15.15 – Breakout Sessions

Shielding Your Team: Enhancing Safety and Security in the Modern Workplace: what more should you do to shield your people from physical violence and online harm, and how do you prepare for the potential aftermath?

Dad Shift: Global Trends in Parental Leave and Their Impact on Work and Family Life

15.15-15.55 – Breakout Sessions

Leading Through Strikes: Executive Strategies for Union Engagement

Private Equity in Professional Services: Strategic Insights for Firm Owners

16.00-16.45 – Afternoon Plenary Session

Keynote Speaker – Matthew Syed

Best-selling author, award-winning broadcaster and journalist, podcaster and international thought leader on leadership, growth mindset and high performance.

16.45–17.10 – Coffee & Drinks Break

17.10–17.55 – Closing Plenary Session

Ethical Leadership in Turbulent Times: Navigating Authoritarianism, Geopolitical Upheaval, and Economic Challenges (Samoan Circle Debate)

18.00-19.30

Closing Remarks

Evening Drinks Event

Please note: All timings and speakers are subject to change

Registration

IFSEA Conference Registration fees are as follows:

• Standard Registration Fee for Non-IFSEA Members: £395 plus VAT

• IFSEA Members & Speakers: £295 plus VAT

• In-house Counsel & HR Professionals: registration fee waived

Register your place online here or download the application form.

Confirmed Speakers so far (more to follow shortly!):
Merrill April, CM Murray LLP (UK)
Emma Bartlett, CM Murray LLP (UK)
Persephone Bridgman-Baker, Carter-Ruck (UK)
Terese Connolly, Barnes & Thornburg (Chicago, USA)
Claire Dawson, BDBF (UK)
Anne Davies, Fisher Broyles (UK)
Carol Davis KC, Littleton (UK)
Lori L. Deem, Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd (Chicago, USA)
Kelly Dermody, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein (California, USA)
Ming Evans, Smiths Plc (UK)
David Fisher, CM Murray LLP (UK)
Gavin Foggo, Fox Williams (UK)
Veena Gopalakrishnan, Trilegal (India)
Atul Gupta, Trilegal (India)
Beth Hale, CM Murray LLP (UK)
James Hockin, Withers (UK)
Joydeep Hor, People and Culture Strategies (Australia)
Mathilde Houet-Weil, Weil et Associes (France)
Harry Jones, Polsinelli (Texas, USA)
Danny Kaufer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Canada)
Emily Kaufer, Air Canada (Canada)
Wendi Lazar, C-Suite Strategies (New York, USA)
Nick Leale, CM Murray LLP (UK)
Natacha Lesellier, Flichy (Paris)
Brian MacDonough, Sherin & Lodgen (Boston, USA)
Camille Olsen, Seyfath Shaw (Chicago & California, USA)
Jennifer Platzkere Snyder, Dilworth Paxson (Philadelphia/NY, USA)
Kristen Prinz, The Prinz Law Firm (Chicago, USA)
Richard Reice, Sterlington (New York, USA)
Jessica Riggin, Rukin, Hyland & Riggin (San Francisco, USA)
Mark Risk, Mark Risk PC (New York, USA)
Andre Royer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Canada)
Gus Sellitto, Byfield Reputation Counsel (UK)
Amy Shulman, Outten & Golden (New York, USA)
Corinne Staves, CM Murray LLP (UK)
Jonathan Tuck, Baker McKenzie (UK)
Nick Vamos, Peters & Peters (UK)
Lindsey Wagner, Wagner Legal PC (California & Ohio, USA)
David Yewdall, Global Employer Services, BDO (UK)

Not an IFSEA member yet?

Come and join the discussion on all things Senior Executive and Founder related! 

To become a member of IFSEA and benefit from the significantly discounted conference registration fee, free attendance at IFSEA mid-year events, click here.

Membership is open to Senior Executives, Founders and their professional advisers from around the world and across disciplines. 

A look back at IFSEA Conference 2024:

View photos from the conference

View the full conference programme