Press Releases

University Lecture Series really is the business!

Release Date : 31 October 2007

This winter, experts on international business will be sharing their wealth of experience by giving a series of free fascinating lectures at the Unversity of Reading.

Audiences will learn of the current and contentious issues in the world of commerce, both from the perspective of multinational companies and policy environment, from speakers of the highest calibre drawn from a variety of disciplines and occupations.

Organised by the University's renowned Centre for International Business and Strategy (CIBS), these talks form part of the MSc course 'contemporary issues in international business'.

On Friday 9 November, Ms Shilpa Patel, a senior manager from Trimsum/Marakon Associates, will present the first lecture, 'Drivers for Changing Business Models in Developing and Developed Markets'.

The second lecture on Wednesday 21 November will be given by Mr Peter Erskine, Chairman and Chief Executive of the mobile services provider O2. Peter's talk will look at 'The Real World of Strategic Planning: a view from Telefónica O2 Europe plc'.

"The opening two lectures promise to be extremely interesting and informative," said Professor Rajneesh Narula, Director of CIBS. "Both speakers have extensive and highly successful backgrounds in the world of international business, so these talks are wonderful opportunities for both students and the public to understand some of the major challenges faced by industries worldwide."

Details of the remaining lectures in the series are to be confirmed soon.

All lectures in the series are free and open to the public but places at this event are limited, so,it is advisable to register first, . To register or to get further information please contact Professor Rajneesh Narula, email CIBS@reading.ac.uk

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Notes for Editors:

CIBS Public Lecture – Drivers for Changing Business Models in Developing and Developed Markets - Ms Shilpa Patel

Friday 9 November, 2.00-4.00pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Chemistry Building, Whiteknights Campus

Since joining Marakon in 2000, Shilpa has worked in both Europe and Asia. Most recently, she led the large scale R&D reorganization work at Roche Pharmaceuticals. Shilpa was also extensively involved in working with a world-renowned gem mining and trading company and their government partners to define the company's "Purpose, Vision and Values." Her other previous experience includes working with Roche to define the role and structure of the center, inorganic growth plans for a major financial services firm and product strategies for an asset management firm. Shilpa has an MBA from INSEAD and a MEng in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College.

CIBS Public Lecture - The Real World of Strategic Planning: a view from Telefónica O2 Europe plc - Mr Peter Erskine

Wednesday 21 November, 4.00-6.00pm, Lecture Theatre 109, Palmer Building, Whiteknights

Peter Erskine, became CEO of mmO2 plc (the predecessor of O2 plc) at its creation in November 2001. On its acquisition by Telefónica S.A. on 23 January 2006, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of O2 plc (now Telefónica O2 Europe plc) and joined the Telefónica S.A. Board as an Executive Director, in which role he is responsible for all of the group's European operations outside Spain.

For University of Reading media enquiries, please contact James Barr, Press Assistant, on 0118 3787115 or email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk