Recognised as “the man who fixes businesses” Kevin Gaskell has an impressive track record in building and leading successful companies. As CEO of Porsche, Lamborghini, and BMW, Gaskell led hugely successful turnarounds that are pointed to as examples of how to successfully transform companies and position them for long-term success. His energy and leadership have helped companies to achieve world-class levels of customer service and financial performance, and he speaks with electricity about using inspired leadership to achieve incredible results.

Kate Ancketill is the brains and driving force behind GDR Creative Intelligence, a globally recognised consultancy focused on innovation and emerging trends in retail, leisure and hospitality around the world. World-renowned, dynamic and commercially successful, Ancketill won the Jennifer d’Abo Memorial Scholarship for female entrepreneurs in 2007 and was selected as one of the UK’s top 100 in the Courvoisier Future 500 in 2009.

Alicia is the entrepreneurial founder and President of Skimlinks, an innovative platform helping publishers such as Buzzfeed, Conde Nast, Gizmodo, and Aol monetize their commerce-related content. Alicia started the company in her living room in Sydney, Australia, and over 10 years as CEO of the business she grew it to a $50m/year business based in London with operations in San Francisco and New York. In 2018 she stepped down as CEO to focus on building new businesses, and speaking about culture, storytelling and innovation. Prior to founding Skimlinks, Alicia worked in product management and business development for both corporates such as IBM, Vodafone and Fairfax Media, as well as startups. She has a computer science degree from University of Technology, Sydney, where she graduated at the top of her class. Alicia is now on the Board of Trustees of the charity Young Enterprise, helping young people build their confidence and enterprising skills while starting their own businesses at school.

Bill has served as CEO at Wickes, Focus and Iceland. He has now produced The Grimsey Review, looking at what can be done to reinvigorate the high street. He argues that town centres should be reinvented as community hubs, with housing and public services at the centre. Bill talks about changing customer habits and the growth of ‘mall culture.’ These out-of-town arenas will become the showrooms of the future, in which we choose what to order online.

Annie Auerbach is a writer and consultant specialising in the new world of work and the future of the workplace. She is the co-founder of cultural trends and insights agency Starling, and the author of Flex – Reinventing Work for a Smarter, Happier Life. Her work and research has big implications and fascinating insights for anyone that employs people, sells things, or works for a living.