Events

On the 6th of March 2024, CEO Club London hosted a captivating conversation event featuring Volodymyr Popereshniuk, the owner of NOVA POSHTA as our guest; the talk was moderated by Anna Babych. The event was marked by an atmosphere of warmth and intellectual engagement as Mr Popereshniuk shared several valuable insights in his speech.

The necessity for businesses to maintain a state of constant "stress" in order for them to thrive was marked.

Mr. Popereshniuk also shared that despite the ongoing challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, NOVA POSHTA continues to invest in the country, having grown by 15-20% last year; the current workforce number is around 35,000 employees.

Highlighting the paramount importance of human capital, Mr. Popereshniuk reiterated that people are the most valuable resource.

The conversation also delved into NOVA POSHTA's strategic expansion plans. Mr. Popereshniuk mentioned that the ambition to enter the European market emerged in 2015, leading to the establishment of Nova Global. The crisis served as a catalyst for innovation, prompting the creation of new companies and reevaluation of the already existing processes.

Mr. Popereshniuk rejected the notion that at a certain level, an entrepreneur can delegate responsibilities entirely, asserting that the entrepreneurial role cannot be relinquished.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday! The event provided attendees with valuable insights into the mindset and strategies driving NOVA POSHTA's success.
 

On the 27th of February CEO Club London hosted an AI Conference that brought together experts and thought leaders who shared their knowledge about the present and future of AI.

The event featured two panel discussions. The conference commenced with a Keynote Address titled "AI: Our Present and What the Future Promises?». The speakers, Andrew Grill, Actionable Futurist and former IBM Global Managing Partner, and Dr Mark Kennedy from Imperial College London, shared their perspectives on the development of AI, its potential, pros and cons of it being a part of our everyday life. The second panel talk was business-themed and focused on "How to Increase Business Efficiency and Multiply Income with the Help of AI." The panellists, including Dan Bailey, Vice President and Senior Partner, CTO for Public Sector, Lawrence Turner, AI technology architect, and Dr Ana Armstrong, Fund manager, founder, and CEO of AIM Cube, shared their expertise and experiences in leveraging AI to enhance business operations and drive revenue growth. Both panels were moderated by Olyana Gordiyenko, Corporate Governance and Compliance Officer at ICU.

Guests in attendance included CEO Club members, business representatives, founders, and diplomats, all of whom actively participated in the enriching dialogue and networking opportunities provided by the conference. The CEO Club extends its gratitude to all participants, speakers, and members for their contributions to the success of the AI conference.
 

On February 20th, we hosted Dr Seth Alexander Thevoz who lifted the veil of myths that shroud private London Clubs. Dr. Thevoz told us how clubs evolved from exclusive gatherings of elites to more diverse institutions with varied purposes. Private clubs started playing a significant role in shaping social networks and cultural norms, providing spaces for networking, socializing, and intellectual exchange among members. The clubs used to serve as a place to secretly discuss and shape the foreign policy of the UK but nowadays you may rarely overhear a mere discussion of a foreign policy. Dr Thévoz also unveiled that women were allowed to be guests at the events at the private clubs as well as to form their own clubs. Women's private clubs differed from men's but were equally successful. Despite challenges and modernization private clubs continue to serve as important hubs for social interaction, professional networking, and community engagement, evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of their members.

CEO Club London held a meeting with Timothy Ash, associate fellow in the Eurasia programme at Chatham House and a senior sovereign strategist at RBC Bluebay Asset Management.

Timothy Ash is one of the most professional experts on Ukrainian issues with a particular focus on finance, economics and geopolitcs. We all had a very meaningful and fruitful discussion on topics that concern most of Ukrainians now. Among other things, this is the probability of negotiations, the involvement of russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine and the role of private capital.

Mr. Ash was honest with his thoughts and opinions and immersed us in the reality in which we find ourselves. We must admit that this reality is not very pleasant and not very easy for us to accept.
We are grateful to Timothy for sharing his thorough vision, thoughts on the future of Ukrainian reconstruction and the processes that we can start now so that Ukrainians want to return home.

The CEO Club London proudly assumed the role of sponsor and organiser for the Fundraising Reception for Ukrainian Students at the University of Oxford. This significant event transpired at the distinguished Oxford & Cambridge Club in London.

In alignment with our esteemed partner, The University of Oxford, CEO Club London took the initiative to propel the fundraising campaign, culminating in the successful fundraise of funds for Ukrainian students. The evening's gravity was further accentuated by the benevolent contributions of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Oleksandr Usyk, who graciously presented valuable items for the charity auction, thereby infusing the occasion with additional significance.

A sincere acknowledgment is extended to Professor Lionel Tarassenko CBE, Founder of the Ukrainian Scholarship Scheme, and President of Reuben College, Oxford. With an unwavering commitment to securing financial backing for the education of Ukrainian students at Oxford over the past two years, Professor Tarassenko exemplifies a steadfast dedication to advancing educational opportunities.

The event attracted notable figures, including Brooks Newmark, former Minister for Civil Society of the UK, Baroness Emma Nicholson, Alex Sobel (MP), and Jack Lopresti (MP), underscoring the communal support for educational initiatives that benefit Ukrainian students.

In summary, сontinuing to build bridges of opportunity, CEO Club London remains steadfast in its commitment to fortifying ties between Kyiv and London, forging strategic alliances within the UK, and cultivating relationships with pivotal institutions, notably the esteemed University of Oxford.




 

In London, a recent charity concert organized by CEO Club London brought together the musical heritage of the United Kingdom and Ukraine. Within the event, performers showcased works by Ukrainian composers such as Mykola Skorik, Valentin Silvestrov, Mykola Leontovych, and unveiled parallels between both cultures, illustrating how they depict events and stories in their compositions.

The main emphasis of the concert was not only on the music but also on its charitable aspect. All proceeds collected during the event went towards supporting the Stanislav Music School in the Kherson region of Ukraine. This school endured Russian occupation and lost its musical equipment when the occupiers retreated. The funds raised will help restore the school and continue the musical education of local children.

The concert featured remarkable performances by prominent Ukrainian artists like Bogdana Pivenko, Marina Bodnar, and Sasha Hrynyuk, leaving unforgettable impressions on the audience.

This event served as not just a celebration of the arts but also as a testament to the power of community and profound support. It marks the beginning of a systematic cultural project, with CEO Club London planning to hold such events on a regular basis.

Key points: 

— Conservatives prepare for an extremely difficult battle in the light of upcoming elections in the UK;

— Labour have reasonable chances of winning the election unless serious mistakes are going to be committed;

— If one wants to interact with the Government, it is important to do at all levels. Indeed, senior officials are ultimate decision makers but the questions are framed at the middle and junior levels; 

— The support of Ukraine will remain unaffected regardless of the outcome of the elections in the UK. Moreover, the fact that the Republicans are likely to win in the US, will not change the direction of the British Government;

— It is expected that the UK will support Ukraine in joining the EU and will provide support in all respective matters.

CEO Club London continues to strengthen Ukrainian-British relations and engage influential leaders from the British business community for this purpose. Recently, the club hosted a meeting with George Weston, who holds the seventh position in the Times Rich List 2023.