Against the stunning backdrop of the Science Museum’s Exploring Space Gallery, in London, guests at the Relocate Awards 2017 gala dinner and presentation ceremony will have the chance to network with Innovation Ambassadors from a range of disciplines, including space, education, international HR, engineering, removals, and the SME arena, to discover how their sectors are innovating and embracing change.This will be an enjoyable evening, with plenty of opportunities to explore new ideas and engage in lively conversations. We want guests to feel part of an exciting community that can make a difference in supporting growth, solving problems and filling skills gaps.So have fun, be inspired, and let your imagination take off …Our Innovation Ambassadors will include:

National Space Academy team

Professor Anu Ojha, OBE, director of Education and Space Communications at the National Space Academy, (pictured above) and his colleagues, Dr Kierann Shah, national project manager, and Amy Bradshaw, Gulf and special projects coordinator, will inspire guests to think about global careers of the future.The academy is a not-for-profit organisation that fires young people’s imaginations and enthusiasm for the sciences and mathematics through the context of space. It works with industry, academia, and secondary, further and higher education to provide pathways into space-sector careers.

Michelle McDowell, Principal and Chair of Civil and Structural Engineering, BDP

In 2010, Michelle was chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and received an MBE for services to the construction industry. In 2011, she was awarded a fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineering and was named Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year.Michelle was the ACE's Engineering Ambassador of the Year in 2012, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women in Construction Awards in 2014.

Michael F Dickmann, Professor, International HRM, Cranfield School of Management

 After completing a PhD in International Human Resource Management (IHRM), Michael became global head of HR at a Munich-based multinational corporation, then rejoined Cranfield to lead its work on national cultures, global mobility and IHRM. His research focuses on the HR strategies, structures and processes of multinational organisations, cross-cultural management, international mobility, global careers and change management.Michael is director of the Cranfield MSc in Management, which incorporates an internship with a leading-edge organisation, and author of the RES Forum’s annual report.

Mark Gilman, Professor, SME Growth and Development, Birmingham City Business School

After 18 years in engineering, Mark completed an economics degree followed by a master’s and a Phd. He now combines his industrial and academic experience to develop and deliver leadership and executive programmes and networks, coaching, facilitation, action learning and consultancy interventions with individuals and organisations of all types and sizes, including Boots, Barclays Bank and British Airways.Mark is director of the Centre for Enterprise, Innovation and Growth and co-founder and director of BIG Associates, a university spin-off.

Jesse van Sas, Secretary General, FIDI (global association of quality-certified moving companies)

Born in the Netherlands, Jesse started his career as an account coordinator at a payroll company in Belgium, then joined movers Arthur Pierre in a sales role. He later went to Ziegler, in Brussels, where he became general manager. His last role in operational moving and relocation was as Santa Fe Relocation’s (then Interdean) MD for Belgium.Before taking up his current position at FIDI, Jesse was a voluntary trainer for the FIDI Academy and president of the FIDI association in Belgium.

Charlotte Avery, President, Girls’ Schools Association (for heads of UK independent girls’ schools)

A graduate of St Anne’s College, Oxford, Charlotte holds an MA in Education Management and the National Professional Qualification for Headship. She has taught English and drama at state, independent, coeducational and single-sex schools, and is currently headmistress of St Mary’s, Cambridge, an independent girls’ day and boarding school.Charlotte is a governor of St Bede’s Inter-Church School, Cambridge, a Council member of the Association of School and College Leaders, and a former member of the MoD’s Research Ethics Committee.With conversations facilitated by Maggie Philbin, OBE, during the networking reception, guests will also meet a range of experts across industry sectors and global mobility professionals supporting talent on the move, including immigration, HR, relocation services and education.

Our aim is:

• To inspire guests to innovate and be creative in both their personal and work lives

• To imagine the workforce of the future and how different industry sectors will evolve to meet future challenges and developments

• To help connect employers with schools and the talent of the future

• To raise awareness of the importance of global mobility in supporting business growth and recruiting and retaining talent

We also looking to encourage the wider global mobility community (HR, global managers, suppliers and experts), to design some new initiatives, such as a corporate social responsibility project to help connect employers with schools, and other projects to support diversity and the development of talent of the future, ultimately filling skills gaps and supporting economic growth around the world.

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