QCA City Debate

QCA City Debate

Free

On Wednesday 7th May 2025 the Quoted Companies Alliance (‘QCA’)  is running its first formal City Debate in association with the event host ICAEW. The Debate Motion outlined below will explore a very topical issue. Further details on the format and background to a very interactive and immersive session are set out in the Overview below.

THE DEBATE MOTION

““This House believes growing companies best thrive on public markets”.

Background to the Debate:                                                                                               

The Government and the City recognise the need for more economic growth and that means more growing companies. But where will they prosper best? On the public markets, with better governance and visibility, or backed by private capital? The QCA City Debate will explore both sides of the issue, offer insights into current thinking – and attempt to divine the way forward. 

Event Details

Date: 7 May, 2025

Start time: 18:00 GMT

End time: 20:30 GMT

Venue: London

SKU: QCD070525 Categories: ,

CREATING THE BOARDROOM DYNAMIC

In adopting the debate format to explore this topical issue we are recognising there may be a close parallel between a debate and a boardroom. In each situation, there must be careful listening, respect for the opposing view and an atmosphere of constructive challenge to allow insights to fully develop. A good decision will hopefully result through the examination of alternative approaches.

THE CHAIRMAN and DEBATERS

The Debate will be Chaired by Barry Gamble, an experienced board advisor and NED. He has chaired a number of formal Board and NED debates exploring an issue challenging boardrooms. The two Debate teams – one team of two to propose and second the Motion; and one team of two to oppose the Motion – will be announced shortly.

FORMAT

The formal debate style really has its place particularly when tackling difficult and contentious topics. The debaters will be speaking without ‘PowerPoint’ presentations or props of an kind. They will be relying on words alone to persuade, win over and sway the Floor.

The Debate will be a lively, interactive session with an indicative vote on the Motion at each end of the formal debating process. In the past votes have moved and been swayed by both the debaters and participants from the Floor – we therefore encourage YOU to attend and to get involved and make a difference from the Floor. Spaces are limited, and since past formal debates have been very well attended, we would encourage early booking.

TIMINGS

18:00 – 18:15 – Arrivals & Registration
18:30 – 20:00 – The Debate
20:00 onwards – Drinks & Networking

Please note that attendee name and organisation details will be shared between ICAEW, and QCA in order to process registrations for this event.

Proposing the motion: Filipe Morais, Henley Business School

Dr Filipe Morais, is a specialist in corporate governance and faculty member at Henley Business School (UK), and a visiting professor at Catolica-Lisbon School of Lisbon and Economcis. He is the program director of Henley’s MSc in Management for Future Leaders. He is the author of several books, chapters, articles, reports and case studies on corporate governance and ESG.  Filipe is member of the editorial board of California Management Review and of the advisory board of the Governance magazine.

Outside academia, Filipe is an independent Partner at AMROP (Lisbon office), and works privately as an advisor for family-owned and entrepreneurial businesses, as well as larger corporates.

Proposing the motion: Dorothy Burwell, FGS Global and Non Executive Director 

Dorothy is a Partner based out of London and leads board advisory services.

She has worked with clients at various stages of development to help expand their profile and enhance their reputations through focused and data-led campaigns.

Dorothy helps her clients connect with their stakeholders, understand and internalize their perspectives and respond to their concerns – whether that includes shareholders, employees or the general public. She began her career nearly 20 years ago in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has worked with numerous clients to successfully communicate complex M&A and IPO transactions as well as investment opportunities.

Opposing the motion: Jonathan Satchell, Learning Technologies

Jonathan Satchell has worked in the training industry since 1992. In 1997 he acquired EBC, which he transformed from a training video provider to a bespoke e-learning company. The company was sold to Futuremedia in 2006. He became interim MD of Epic in 2007 and the following year he acquired the Company with Andrew Brode. He oversaw the transformation of Epic from a custom content e-learning company to the global, fast growing, full service digital learning and talent management company that LTG has become.

Opposing the motion: Mervyn Metcalf, Dean Street Advisors

Mervyn has over 30 years of investment banking experience having commenced his career in the City of London in 1994. Since then, Mervyn has completed numerous transactions, many of which he originated, in all fields of investment banking advisory (M&A, equity and debt). Mervyn has executed transactions across most industry verticals within the U.K. markets.

In 2012, Mervyn co-founded Dean Street Advisers. With a passion for the advisory business, he cares about creating real and propriety situations for his client base of corporates and private equity alike, as well as providing clear and independent advice. Mervyn is actively involved in every Dean Street mandate.

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