The Chief Executives’ Club at Queen’s, in association with Queen's Business School were delighted to welcome Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch, who gave the 2019 Annual Declan Kelly Leadership Lecture in association with Queen’s Management School on Wednesday 2 October, 2019.

 

Professor Emma Flynn, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, welcomed guests, before Declan Kelly, Honorary Professor of the Queen's Business School, introduced the keynote speaker. The audience at Riddel Hall listened avidly to Lord Davies' informed views on global business and political issues as he delivered a dynamic and engaging keynote address entitled 'Are Democracy and Capitalism under threat?'. Lord Davies also answered a number of probing questions from audience members around the current political and economic business environment.

 

Lord Davies is currently Partner and Chairman of Corsair Capital, a private equity firm specialising in financial services; the Senior Independent Director at Diageo; a Board member of World Rugby; and Chairman of fashion retailer, Jack Wills.

 

He was Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, and Infrastructure from January 2009 until May 2010.Prior to this appointment, Lord Davies was Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC from November 2006. He joined the Board of Standard Chartered plc in December 1997 and was Group Chief Executive from November 2001 until 2006.Lord Davies is Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Academy Trust, a Director of Glyndebourne Productions Ltd and Chair of the Trustees of the Garden Bridge Trust.

He was awarded a CBE for his services to the financial sector and the community in Hong Kong in June 2002, where he served as a member of the HK Exchange fund for seven years. Lord Davies is married with two children and is a fluent Welsh speaker.

The keynote address was recorded and is available below.