Building Resilience to Thrive in the Modern Working World

It’s tough out there. And Resilience is the skill that can help you handle the tough times, and keep you motivated and focused as you make your way in the working world.

Karen Blackett OBE, Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, hosts a free two-hour session packed with resilience-building tips from successful business people – who weren’t always successful, but learned how to bounce back.

‘Soft Skills for Hard Times’ is taking place from 3 to 5.30pm on Wednesday 26 February in the University’s Eldon Building.

The event will feature talks and a panel discussion from some of the UK’s leading business people:

Speakers include:

Tim Campbell MBE, Founder & Chair of Bright Ideas Trust

Winner of The Apprentice (series one), Tim worked for Lord Alan Sugar for two years before leaving to start his own business The Bright Ideas Trust – a charity helping thousands of young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to start and run their own business and understand how business works. In February 2012, Tim was awarded the MBE for his efforts supporting enterprise and sits on the City of London’s Education Board.

Judi James, Author and Communications & Body Language Expert

A leading UK expert in body language and behaviour, Judi is also the author of 26 published books. Judi works for several leading UK businesses, speaking at conferences, coaching business pitches and running workshops in subjects like Business Charisma, Confidence and Assertiveness, Empathy, Networking Skills and Body Language.

She is also well known from TV and radio, having had her own Ch5 series Naked Celebrity, having a regular slot as a body language/behaviour analyst on Big Brother, X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing and making regular appearances on Sky News.

Suki Thompson, Business Founder and Executive Director Centaur Marketing

Suki Thompson is an entrepreneur and transformational business leader. She is CEO and co-founder of Oystercatchers and part of the Centaur management team where she is helping lead Centaur Media, the UK’s leading B2B media publisher, through a journey of transformation anchored in the ability to advise, inform and connect. Suki is also passionate about capability and learning.

A panel discussion will also take place with:

David Wilding, Director of Planning at Twitter UK

As Director of Planning at Twitter UK, David spends his time helping brands, users and organisations to get the most out of the most exciting, weird and wonderful communications tool in the world. He is co-chair of the Advertising Association's Media Business Course and an external governor of the University of Portsmouth.

Sarah Jenkins, Managing Director Saatchi & Saatchi London

Sarah joined Saatchi & Saatchi in December 2019 to shape the strategic direction of the agency and drive the day-to-day business. Sarah has worked in both global network agencies and start ups and across organisations as diverse as Mars, GSK, P&G and the Home Office. A staunch believer in the need for greater diversity of talent at all levels across advertising, Sarah has been a driving force behind the industry wide Advertising Diversity Task Force, which brings together the most progressive agencies across the communications industry to use their combined energy, expertise and skills to shift the diversity dial.

Danni Mohammed, Global Business & Innovation Leader at GREY

Danni is a senior multi-disciplinary strategy consultant with over 15 years experience in the creative and innovation industry, spanning brand, product, digital & communications. She has lived in the UK, USA & Germany working at some of the world's most famous companies including Adidas, Saatchi & Saatchi, Wieden+Kennedy and WPP.

Venue: Eldon building, University of Portsmouth, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth PO1 2DJ

Programme:

14:30 Tea and coffee on arrival

15:00-15:10 Introduction from Karen Blackett OBE, University of Portsmouth Chancellor

15:10-15:55 Presentation from Suki Thompson “Let’s reset”

15:55-16:15 Judi James Talk and Presentation on Body Language

16:15-16:30 Break

16:30-17:00 Panel discussion with David Wilding, Sarah Jenkins and Danni Mohammed on the theme “Minor Set-back, Major Come-back”

17:00-17:20 Keynote Speaker Tim Campbell MBE

17:20-17:30 Closing Remarks from Karen Blackett OBE