Artificial intelligence, workforce skills and business growth dominated discussion as senior business leaders from across Milton Keynes came together for the latest Executive Box at Stadium MK last month.

Hosted in the Directors Lounge at Stadium MK, The Executive Box is an invitation-only joint initiative from Yellowyoyo, EMW, TC Group, Barclays and MK Dons, designed to bring leaders from different sectors together to exchange ideas, share perspectives and build stronger connections.

The session opened with an economic briefing from Daniel Hunt, Director and Investment Advisor at Barclays Private Bank & Wealth Management, who shared his perspective on the global economic landscape. Drawing on international market trends, Daniel explored the impact of inflation, interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty, while highlighting the importance of taking a long-term view despite continued volatility.

Daniel Hunt and Trisha Merry at The Executive Box, Stadium MK
Daniel Hunt Director and Investment Advisor at Barclays Private Bank Wealth Management addresses guests at the latest Executive Box alongside Trisha Merry Corporate Banking Director at Barclays The invitation only event held at Stadium MK brought together business leaders to discuss the economic outlook AI skills and business growth

While the discussion began with the economic outlook, it quickly broadened into a wider conversation about how businesses can respond to a period of rapid technological and economic change.

Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the defining themes of the afternoon, with participants considering how businesses can embrace new technology to improve productivity while continuing to invest in people, creativity and customer relationships.

Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, those around the table agreed that businesses should see it as another tool to support growth, innovation and better decision-making. Several participants also stressed the importance of helping organisations, particularly SMEs, understand where the technology can add genuine value rather than feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change.

Mike Dancy and Lionel Naidoo at The Executive Box
From left Mike Dancy and Lionel Naidoo of Dragon Information Systems and Jenna Bruce Partner at EMW Law LLP Lionel led part of the discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping business with delegates exploring how organisations can embrace new technology while continuing to invest in people and skills

The conversation also turned to the future workforce, with attendees discussing whether education and skills provision are evolving quickly enough to meet the needs of modern employers. Apprenticeships, practical workplace experience and stronger collaboration between businesses and education providers were all highlighted as key to developing the talent local companies will need in the years ahead.

Despite acknowledging the pressures businesses continue to face, including rising employment costs and wider economic uncertainty, the overall mood remained optimistic. Discussion focused on the strengths that Milton Keynes already possesses, including its entrepreneurial culture, thriving business community and position within one of the UK’s leading innovation corridors.

Two adults sit at a dining table during a meeting, with bottles, glasses, and plates in front of them; a bald man in a blazer and large glasses speaks while a woman with glasses and a floral shirt listens.
Stephen Henson of TC Group highlighted the importance of supporting growing businesses while adapting to changing economic conditions and emerging technologies

Collaboration was another recurring theme throughout the lunch, with participants highlighting the value of bringing together business leaders from different sectors to share ideas, experiences and practical solutions to common challenges.

Closing the event, Bryan Wright, Director of Yellowyoyo, said creating those conversations was exactly why The Executive Box had been established.

Six adults stand side by side in an office lobby, smiling, with a circular logo on the wall behind them.
The partners behind The Executive Box From left Bryan Wright Yellowyoyo Jenna Bruce EMW Priya Magar EMW Amanda Wright Yellowyoyo Stephen Henson TC Group and Trisha Merry Barclays

“The whole reason we set these lunches up is to bring people together and encourage conversations like this,” he said. “When you get business leaders from different sectors around the same table, ideas emerge that can lead to real collaboration and benefit the wider Milton Keynes business community.”

The Executive Box is held quarterly at Stadium MK and brings together senior figures from across Milton Keynes to discuss the issues, opportunities and trends shaping business across the region.

Those in attendance were:

Amanda Wright, Founder & Creative Director, Yellowyoyo

Anthony Jessup, Group CFO, White Leopard Holdings

Ben Young, Partner, TC Group

Bryan Wright, Founder & Strategy & Legacy Director, Yellowyoyo

Dan Cole, Operations Director, Facilities Management Solutions

Daniel Hunt, Director, Barclays Wealth

Ed Martin, Managing Director, Oralieve UK Ltd

Jenna Bruce, Partner, EMW Law

Kerry Lewis-Stevenson, Managing Director, Business MK

Lionel Naidoo, Director, Dragon Information Systems

Liz Male MBE, Founder & Executive Chair, Liz Male Consulting

Mark Davies, Chief Comercial Officer, MK Dons

Mike Dancy, Sales Manager, Dragon Information Systems

Odette Mould, CEO, Harry’s Rainbow

Priya Magar, Partner, EMW Law

Shazna Muzammil, Group Leader and Councillor, Milton Keynes City Council

Simon Wilkinson, Deputy Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire, Wilkinson Partnership

Stephen Henson, Associate Director, TC Group

Trisha Merry, Relationship Director, Barclays Bank