Conflicts of Interest: A mere governance challenge or a moral maze?

Think Tank Series

Led by John Smart, Ernst & Young and John Mair, EBRD

Ethical lapses around the globe by leaders in business, government and professions coupled with the increasing demand for ethics and compliance creates a need to enhance the relevance of teaching of ethics. It is important that good academic support exists for establishing the required skill set for academics, corporates, practicing lawyers and civil servants. 

The Centre for Ethics and Law hosts Think Tanks to identify, share and enhance best practice ethical decision making by bringing business and academic leadership together around a current ethical issue. The issue will be presented for debate in the context of a case study from which insights and materials can then be further developed for distribution to wider business and student audiences to work with as part of their educational development. 

There is an aim to incorporate the output of the Think Tanks into the academic agenda for students of Ethics and Law courses. Whilst the UCL Centre will not form any part of a lobbying group, the debates and academic output may well inform discussions that corporate partners pursue as part of their own industry strategy. 


Think Tank Summary of Discussion