UCL Connect: How to futureproof your business

Event overview

In a world where industries are being reshaped at unprecedented speed, staying ahead isn’t just an advantage — it’s essential.

Join us at UCL for a thought-provoking double bill exploring two of the most powerful drivers of change today: finance and artificial intelligence. Our alumni panellists will share practical guidance, emerging trends, and key takeaways that all leaders need to build resilient, adaptable businesses that thrive in uncertainty.

Finance for the Future

Gain a broad understanding of the financial trends and considerations shaping the business landscape. Our finance expert will explore the key principles and approaches that can help organisations remain adaptable, manage uncertainty, and position themselves for long‑term success in an evolving economic environment.

AI as a Strategic Advantage

From automation to decision‑making, AI is redefining how companies operate. Our AI specialist will discuss how businesses of all sizes can harness intelligent technologies responsibly and effectively — and what leaders must understand today to remain competitive tomorrow.

What to Expect

• Actionable insights from experienced UCL alumni
• A deeper understanding of two critical future shaping domains
• Opportunities to expand your professional network

• Inspiration to help you chart your own path in a fast-evolving world

   

Connect With Your Community

Following the panel, you’ll have the chance to continue the conversation at a relaxed networking reception, where you can connect with fellow UCL alumni, exchange ideas, and build relationships with professionals across sectors.

Meet our speakers

Yasmin Greenaway

Founder and CEO of Novara AI

Yasmin Greenaway is the founder and CEO of Novara AI, a company building AI-powered computer-vision systems to make accurate medical diagnosis faster and globally accessible. After a career in finance at JPMorgan and Barclays — where she won the Barclays Internal Accelerator and received an employee award for her contributions to the bank — she left to tackle one of healthcare’s hardest problems, using AI as the vehicle to solve it.

A UCL alumna holding an MSc in Technology Entrepreneurship, Yasmin now gives back to the university as a commercial supervisor for UCL’s AI for Biomedicine and Healthcare programme. She has represented UK AI startups internationally through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, spoken to Members of Parliament on health technology innovation, and received formal recognition from the Mayor of London for her work.

Michael Spyrou

Founder of Axcelera

Michael Spyrou is the Founder of Axcelera, a UK-based firm that builds and runs complete finance functions for growing and established businesses.

Michael works with companies from early growth through to £100m+, helping them move from reactive finance to clear visibility, control, and confident decision-making.

Rather than just providing senior oversight, Axcelera delivers a joined-up finance function, from CFO through to Financial Controller and day-to-day finance support, tailored to each stage of a business’s growth.

Michael regularly advises founders and leadership teams on cashflow, reporting, and building finance functions that can scale with the business.

 He is also part of the UCL alumni community.