The MBA Speaker Series aims to give our MBA students and graduates a chance to hear from a diverse group of leaders from different industries who share insights and experiences from their careers and provide valuable new perspectives.
The sessions will be in the form of industry specific panel discussions featuring MBA alumni in certain industries and senior alumni presentations. The MBA Speaker Series also aims to connect our current students with alumni, who once stood in their shoes, and create a strong MBA community for students and alumni to come together and share stories, exchange memories and further support each other.
Upcoming Speaker Series
22 October 2026 6:00pm - AI & Digital Tech Panel - Stafford Cripps Lecture Theatre 2
Barun Moitra (MBA 2008)
Head of Data and AI Architecture, Carlsberg Group
Barun Moitra is Head of Data and AI Architecture at Carlsberg Group, where he leads the organisation’s data and artificial intelligence architecture strategy. With more than 20 years of experience spanning technology leadership, product management and digital transformation, he has built a career at the intersection of data, AI, cloud technologies and business innovation. Prior to joining Carlsberg in 2025, Barun spent over 13 years at bp, where he held a series of senior leadership roles and was a member of the company’s prestigious Future Leaders Programme.
Throughout his career, Barun has led multidisciplinary teams delivering impactful solutions in areas including IoT, computer vision, data science, digital payments and site automation. His work has focused on using emerging technologies to improve operational performance, customer experience and business outcomes at scale.
Bridget Bowers (Exec MBA 2021)
Head of Product, Gousto
Bridget Bowers is Head of Product at Gousto, where she leads product strategy and development for one of the UK’s leading recipe box businesses. With extensive experience in product leadership across technology, operations and data-driven organisations, she has built a career focused on translating complex systems and emerging technologies into practical solutions that deliver customer and business value.
Before joining Gousto in 2026, Bridget held senior product leadership roles at Ocado Technology, overseeing portfolios of AI-powered software and automation products supporting highly automated fulfilment operations. Earlier in her career at Inmarsat, she contributed to the development and launch of global satellite connectivity services across maritime and aviation sectors, progressing from billing systems and business analysis roles into senior product management.
Andrew O'Brien (Exec MBA 2021)
European Transformation Lead, Fujitsu
Andrew is European Transformation Lead at Fujitsu, where he works with senior leaders across the UK and Europe to shape and deliver transformation initiatives that drive organisational change, technology adoption and operational improvement.
With more than a decade of experience spanning aviation, government and private sector organisations, he has developed a strong track record in leading complex programmes, securing major strategic contracts and delivering large-scale business transformation. In addition to his Cranfield MBA, Andrew holds Chartered Manager status.
Prior to his current role, Andrew served as Delivery Director for Fujitsu’s Aviation business, leading digital and infrastructure programmes for major airports and airlines across the UK and Europe. He has also held a range of senior business development and bid leadership positions, playing a key role in winning and growing major outsourcing contracts, work that combined commercial strategy with an understanding of the operational realities of service delivery.
Upcoming Speaker Series
5 November 2026 6:00pm - Senior Alumni Presentation - Stafford Cripps Lecture Theatre 2
Robert Samuelson (MBA 1990)
Co-founder and COO, Zegona
Robert Samuelson is co-founder and worked together at Virgin Media, with the objective to ‘Buy/Fix/Sell’ European telecoms businesses with improvement potential. Their most recent transaction was the acquisition of Vodafone’s Spanish business in 2024 for €5bn. Substantial changes have been made to the business and its management since then, resulting in a return to customer and revenue growth and much increased cash generation. Zegona shareholders have been rewarded through more than 10x share price appreciation since the business was acquired.
Prior to setting up Zegona, Robert was Strategy Director at Virgin Media, where he was closely involved in the sale of the business to Liberty Global. Before this he worked for Virgin Group, where he benefitted from direct exposure to Richard Branson’s entrepreneurial spirit. His role included setting up and overseeing Virgin Mobile in multiple new countries. His first role after leaving Cranfield in 1990 was as a management consultant with Arthur D Little, becoming a director of its European Corporate Finance practice.
Robert has a broad role within the small Zegona team, leveraging his experience in strategic analysis, major transaction negotiations and driving operational improvements. Zegona has a highly entrepreneurial and action-oriented focus, which is differentiated from most corporate structures, enabling it to deliver rapid and substantial change to the businesses it has acquired.
In his session, Robert will illustrate how his post-Cranfield career and network have contributed to notable business successes. It is a story of challenge, determination and some good fortune, and illustrates just how important personal resilience is alongside business acumen and strategy.
