Designing The Future
Thank you Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei and the Accra Business School (now
University of Gold Coast) for the opportunity to address the Graduating Class of 2022 at the 13th Graduation Ceremony on Saturday.
The Chair of the University Council, Bishop Titi-Ofei, deserves to be
congratulated for his contribution to our educational space, and the
thought-leadership programmes he has been developing over the years.
MEET THE NYBS 2026 FACULTY & SPEAKERS
PROF. CEDRIC BELL
 Professor Cedric Bell is the esteemed Pro Vice-Chancellor (formerly President) of Accra Business School – now the University of Gold Coast in Ghana – a distinguished academic entrepreneur and seasoned educational leader. He served for a decade as Chief Executive of Holborn College in London before orchestrating its successful sale to the Washington Post Kaplan Group. With leadership roles across universities in Europe, Africa, and Asia, he also held titles as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor at a global institution. A triple law graduate from the University of Birmingham and a qualified barrister since 1996, he is the author of four textbooks and over twenty scholarly articles. He contributes to the Cambridge International Group, serves on the governing board of LD Training Ltd, sits on the International Board of Trustees of Apasen, and holds directorships in UK-based educational and training organizations.
PROF. STEPHEN ADEI
Former Rector, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) | National Transformation Advocate
Prof. Stephen Adei is one of Ghana’s most respected voices in leadership, governance, and public administration. As the transformational Rector of GIMPA, he turned the institution into a model of excellence, producing thousands of leaders for public and private sectors. With decades of experience in economics, policy reform, and executive leadership, Prof. Adei is a relentless champion of value-based leadership, ethics in governance, and enterprise as a driver of national prosperity. His influence extends across Africa through his consulting, teaching, and public policy advisory roles.
PROF. PIKAY RICHARDSON
International Management & Strategy Consultant | Visiting Professor, University of Manchester Prof. Pikay Richardson is an internationally acclaimed academic and management consultant with over three decades of teaching and advisory experience in Europe, Africa, and Asia. A Visiting Professor at the University of Manchester, UK, he has advised governments, multinational corporations, and international organisations on strategic thinking, competitiveness, and adaptive leadership. Known for his ability to translate complex strategic concepts into practical tools, Prof. Richardson brings a rare blend of academic rigour and real-world insight to leadership development.
DR. ELLEN HAGAN
CEO, L’AINE Services Ltd | Human Capital Development Leader
Dr. Ellen Hagan is a celebrated Ghanaian entrepreneur, human
resource expert, and leadership mentor. As CEO of L’AINE Services Ltd, one of Ghana’s leading HR firms, she has played a pivotal role in shaping workplace excellence, talent development, and employment policy. She is a sought-after speaker on organisational culture, high-trust teams, and the integration of spiritual intelligence into leadership. A multiple award-winning business leader, Dr. Hagan is passionate about unlocking human potential to create thriving organisations and societies.
BARONESS ARLENE FOSTER (ONLINE)
Former First Minister of Northern Ireland | Political & Economic Strategist
Baroness Arlene Foster is an influential political leader and former First Minister of Northern Ireland, with deep expertise in governance, negotiation, and economic revitalisation. She is
widely respected for her leadership during politically sensitive times, her work in peacebuilding, and her role in promoting Northern Ireland as a destination for investment. Today, she
speaks globally on resilient leadership, inclusive governance, and navigating political complexity in divided societies.
LORD TRIESMAN (ONLINE)
Former UK Foreign Office Minister | Diplomat & Negotiator
Lord David Triesman is a British parliamentarian, diplomat, and
business leader with decades of experience in international
a airs, sports governance, and corporate leadership. As a
former Minister for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, he
played a significant role in shaping UK foreign policy. Lord
Triesman’s expertise in international diplomacy, cross-border
negotiations, and soft power strategy has made him a trusted
adviser to governments and global organisations.
LORD ASHCROFT (ONLINE)
Global Investor & Philanthropist | Former UK Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party
Lord Michael Ashcroft is a billionaire entrepreneur, investor,
and philanthropist with business interests spanning over 100
companies worldwide. Known for his strategic investments,
political influence, and philanthropic contributions, Lord
Ashcroft has dedicated substantial resources to veteran
welfare, education, and environmental causes. His leadership
journey o ers a masterclass in risk-taking, wealth creation, and
values-based decision-making at the highest levels.
PROF. JACKIE McCOY (ONLINE)
Dean, Ulster University Business School | Ethical Leadership & International Business Expert
Prof. Jackie McCoy is an award-winning academic leader and
a specialist in international business, corporate governance,
and ethical leadership. As Dean of the Ulster University
Business School in Northern Ireland, she has been at the
forefront of developing executive education programs that
merge business performance with corporate responsibility.
Prof. McCoy brings a global lens on ethics, sustainability, and
cross-cultural leadership to the NYBS faculty.
INTRODUCING NYBS:
The Point Where Leaders Begin Their Year
The New Year Business School (NYBS), hosted by the University of Gold Coast, is not a conference.
It’s not a seminar.
It is an elite design studio for the future — where visionaries, disruptors, and policy shapers gather every February to craft strategies that will define industries, economies, and societies.
In an age of geopolitical shifts, technological revolutions, and market volatility, leadership is no longer about managing the present — it’s about designing the future.
Over five immersive days in Accra, NYBS becomes:
- A boardroom without borders
- A think tank without walls
- A leadership lab without limits
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
NYBS is designed for leaders who shape economies, industries, and communities:
- CEOs & C-Suite Executives
- Entrepreneurs with global ambitions
- Senior Government & Policy Leaders
- Social Impact & Faith-Based Leaders managing economic ventures
- Investors & Philanthropists
WHY NYBS IS DIFFRENT :
In Ghana, business schools are many.
In Africa, leadership programmes are plenty.
But NYBS is singular.
It’s a place where:
- World-class faculty from influential business, policy, and innovation arenas share their hard-earned insights.
- Real-time simulations put you in high-stakes decision-making scenarios.
- A peer network with global reach opens doors long after the event ends.
- You leave with an Action-Ready Future Blueprint — not just notes.
THE 5 CORE MODULES
MODULE 1: Strategic Vision Casting & Foresight
From Guessing the Future to Designing It
Equip yourself to anticipate change, design long-term strategies, and communicate them with influence.
MODULE 2: Business Model Innovation for the African & Global Market
Turning African Ingenuity into Scalable Global Impact
Redesign business models for cross-border competitiveness without losing cultural authenticity.
MODULE 3: Leading Digital Transformation
From digital adoption to digital leadership
Lead technology integration as a CEO-level strategy, not an IT project.
MODULE 4: Financing Growth and Capital Access
Where Vision Meets the Money
Learn to navigate funding options, negotiate terms, and structure capital for long-term success.
MODULE 5: Personal and Organizational Alignment
Leading Without Losing Your Soul
Align your personal mission with organisational purpose for sustainable leadership.
PROGRAM EXPERIENCE:
FIVE IMMERSIVE DAYS IN ACCRA
A high-intensity, face-to-face experience where each day sharpens your vision, strengthens your strategy, and stretches your leadership capacity. Expect keynote dialogues, design sprints, boardroom simulations, and exclusive networking.
FOUR WEEKS OF ONLINE REINFORCEMENT
Guided sessions to help you translate insights into measurable business, policy, or organisational results.
FOUR GLOBAL MASTERCLASSES
Live, interactive sessions with Baroness Arlene Foster, Lord Triesman, Lord Ashcroft, and Prof. Jackie McCoy, bringing cutting-edge perspectives from the global stage.
REGISTRATION AND FEES :
Investment in Your Leadership Future:
EARLY BIRD
- Full access to the 5-day in-person programme
- Four weeks of guided online sessions
- Two global live masterclasses
- All programme materials and toolkits
- Access to NYBS alumni network
STANDARD
- Full access to the 5-day in-person programme
- Four weeks of guided online sessions
- Two global live masterclasses
- All programme materials and toolkits
- Access to NYBS alumni network
VIP
- Full access to the 5-day in-person programme
- Four weeks of guided online sessions
- Two global live masterclasses
- All programme materials and toolkits
- Access to NYBS alumni network