Surrey Business School hosts AIB-UKI Conference

With over 250 participants, this year’s conference theme is highly topical and centred around firm strategies amidst ongoing global political shifts, digital transformation, and sustainability challenges. SBS's Dr Abderaouf Bouguerra is the chair of conference.

Over the last 50 years, the AIB-UKI has evolved from a small group of pioneers in international business to a large, dynamic, and impactful scholarly community, providing rigorous research and practical solutions to scholars, businesses and policy-makers, in the UK and beyond. The annual conference has become a leading international conference in the field of international business attracting participants from around the world. The AIB-UKI has significantly contributed to enhancing research and scholarly environment associated with the international business field. 

Within our AIB-UKI Surrey 2025 conference, and in-line with our School’s vision and mission, we are committed to providing an intellectually stimulating, valuable, and memorable experience.

The conference provides a platform for participants to engage with and hear from world-renowned and distinguished keynote speakers, bringing together multiple key stakeholders, including Lord O'Neill of Gatley (former Conservative UK and Government Minister and former Commercial Secretary to the Treasury), Professor Shaker A Zahra (Robert E Buuck Chair of Entrepreneurship, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, University of Minnesota, USA), and Mr Marcus Thompson (Senior Managing Director, Strategic Advisory, Evercore, UK). Additionally, it connects the University of Surrey and Guildford – represented by Councillor Sallie Barker, Mayor of Guildford, and Professor Tim Dunne, Provost and Senior Vice-President – with the international business community. 

In addition, throughout the various planned panel sessions, professional and methods workshops, as well as competitive and interactive sessions, participants will have the opportunity to present and discuss their ideas to upgrade research and teaching quality while increasing publication prospects in leading international business journals. 

The conference also features sessions that facilitate connections between leading IB scholars and business practitioners, fostering conversations and bridging the gap between academic realm and real-world business developments.

Finally, with dedicated networking sessions and a gala dinner held at the historical Farnham Castle, the conference offers substantial opportunities for networking and relationship-building among participants. 

If you would like to find out more, please refer to our conference website here.