A Future in Business

Business expert and University of Hull alumnus Maggie Sarfo was this month named one of the country’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s ‘f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100’ campaign. Recently, she was back on campus to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to tackle the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

How can the students of tomorrow prepare themselves for a rapidly changing world of work?

This was the question that alumni volunteer Maggie Sarfo (MBA, 2006) helped a group of sixth form students from across the country to answer, when she spoke at the ‘Future of Business’ event organised by Hull University Business School.

Maggie is a business growth strategist, mentor and leadership expert.

At the event in Middleton Hall, the students were given a taster of the innovative approach the Business School takes to teaching cutting-edge topics such as Artificial Intelligence. As a former Hull student herself, Maggie had been invited to share her own expertise and experience and inspire them to tackle the challenges ahead.

It was a busy day for the best-selling author, TEDx speaker and CEO of Meres Consult. After speaking at the Future of Business conference, Maggie also went on to lead a session with current students focused on inspiring international female entrepreneurs.

Maggie said: "Being invited back to campus was surreal. An opportunity to plant some seeds about AI, emotional intelligence and future careers proved very rewarding for our next gen audience. Judging from their keen questions, I think this will benefit them, the University and businesses in the near future."

Claire Carr, who organised the Future of Business event, was delighted Maggie shared her insights at the conference: “Maggie is an expert in Emotional Intelligence (EI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their impact on business and careers,” Claire said. “Her ability to distil complex themes into actionable career development steps made her an ideal keynote speaker for the conference.”

Indeed, Maggie has a wealth of experience and is a passionate and informed communicator. For over 20 years, she has been inspiring individuals, business leaders, entrepreneurs for growth and for the last ten years has been CEO of Meres Consult. She is a Regional Director for the Athena Network in London, where she has been a partner for over seven years. Last year she released a book called The Key to Happiness, and she has also given a Tedx Talk on the subject she discussed with the students at the Future of Business conference:

Watch her TedX Talk about Emotional Intelligence and AI here >>

The Future of Business conference offered prospective students the chance to experience a real-life conference setting, allowing them to design their own day by selecting from a range of engaging sessions. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what makes Hull University Business School distinctive while helping students explore the various options available to them at university.

The day featured inspiring workshops on topics such as business and society, future career paths, storytelling with data, problem-solving and strategy, innovation, marketing and finance, global business, and driving social impact. These workshops were delivered by a mix of academics, business partners, alumni, and Entrepreneurs in Residence, providing a dynamic, engaging, and insightful experience for attendees.

“Maggie Sarfo’s session was a masterclass in forward-thinking. Her ability to simplify complex, cutting edge themes while connecting with young people was extraordinary. She is a tremendous asset to the university and a true role model. We are so proud to have Maggie as part of our MBA alumni community,” said Claire.

The session’s success was evident in the high level of student engagement, as demonstrated by the number of questions asked during the Q&A session. Maggie’s keynote had a profound and positive impact on the attending students. Her insights into the integration of AI and EI in future careers encouraged students to rethink how they view technology, shifting their perspective to see AI as a complement to their skills rather than a replacement.

Feedback from students highlighted how much they appreciated Maggie’s relatable and inspiring delivery, with several commenting that her session was the highlight of their day. Her ability to connect with the audience and deliver actionable insights helped spark new ambitions and perspectives among attendees.

After the Future of Business event, Maggie hosted an inspiring session with aspiring female entrepreneurs.

The session was planned and hosted by Ifejesu Adewunmi and Ife Toyese, both MSc in Business Management students. Reflecting on the session Ifejesu said: “I really enjoyed learning from Maggie about entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges and the importance of continuous learning and self-development.” Ife highlighted one key takeaway: “Your business grows at the same rate you grow yourself.”

As Maggie said: “The more we can plant seeds in the minds and hearts of budding entrepreneurs, the greater their business success and impact will be.”

“It's always inspiring for students to hear from someone like Maggie,” said Dr Fannie Yeung, Associate Professor in Marketing. “Maggie was once in their shoes and has gone on to achieve so much. Her relatable advice and real-life experiences offered a genuine connection. It’s a great reminder of what’s possible for them after graduation.”