HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026 launch event
Reinventing transformation in volatile times
About this event
We are at a pivot point. Volatility isn't a temporary disruption anymore; it's the new operating environment. And what we're seeing is fascinating: how leaders are fundamentally reinventing their approach to transformation in response.
Now into its seventh consecutive year, the HLB Survey of Business Leaders is an annual global piece of research, capturing insight into today’s most pressing business issues through conversations with senior executives from mid-market-sized companies. We surveyed over 1,100 C-suite executives from across the globe to understand the business challenges they face in 2026, and explored how organisations are driving top-level performance.
Join us as we will reveal the 2026 findings of our survey. HLB Global CEO Marco Donzelli and a panel of prominent business experts will engage in a panel discussion to answer your questions around business transformation in volatile times. Afterwards, the evening programme leaves room for networking with the panel speakers and other guests.
Date: 22 January 2026
Time: 17.00 – 22.00
Timetable:
17:00 doors open and welcome drinks
17:30 - 18:30 live panel discussion
18:30 - 22:00 networking drinks
Location: WeWork 8th Floor, 10 York Road, London,
SE1 7ND (Opposite Waterloo tube station)
Fee: free
Panelists
Marco Donzelli
HLB Global CEO
Marco has been CEO of HLB International since 2017 and drives the network’s mission to ensure HLB cements its position as a global player in the professional services sector. His international experience and curious, entrepreneurial personality make him a forward-thinking leader for the network.
Marco is a champion for diversity and inclusion in the workforce, as well as being an advocate for workplace flexibility, and drives HLB's purpose as well as its growth strategy. In addition to his role at HLB, Marco is a mentor for technology start-ups at Cambridge Judge Business School.
Jamie Simmonds
CEO at TheTin
Jamie Simmonds has led TheTin as CEO since its founding in 2001. He has overseen the agency's growth and the development of its cutting-edge brand and digital offering, establishing TheTin as a trusted partner for professional services and B2B clients.
As an agency founder, Jamie understands every part of the journey founders and leaders are on, whether it is building business, nurturing clients and colleagues, optimising teams, and defining service lines and propositions by finding gaps in the market. Under Jamie's leadership, TheTin has cultivated a culture of innovation to ensure clients stay ahead of the curve.
Jayne Heaford
Lecturer at King's College London Business School
Jayne Heaford is a Lecturer in Marketing (Education) at King's Business School, teaching Brand Management on the Marketing MSc programme since 2013. Prior to joining King’s, she worked with major corporates and global agencies to design and deliver large-scale programmes to develop the capabilities of their marketing, sales and leadership teams.
Jayne’s work in corporate training and education draws on decades of practitioner experience that covered international, industrial, B2B, B2C and services marketing. Within internal posts, and as an Agency Director leading strategy and creative teams, she has developed marketing, brand communications or capability solutions for more than fifty companies.
Colin Nelson
Chief Innovation Consultant at Hype Innovation
Colin has worked in corporate and community innovation for over 20 years, initially as an entrepreneur within the technology sector, and for the last 15 years as a consultant to the industry.
A thought leader in collaborative innovation, a social scientist at heart, Colin has been at the forefront of enabling organisations and communities to harness the collective intelligence of large or diverse groups to create real impact.
Colin has supported over 100 organisations throughout his career including the likes of Harley-Davidson, IBM, Linklaters, NASA, the NBA, Unilever, and the United Nations. Colin has supported teaching programmes at the London, Exeter, and Durham Business Schools.
Presenter
Lesley Hornung
HLB Global Chief Marketing Officer
HLB’s Chief Marketing Officer and programme lead for HLB’s Global Survey of Business Leaders. Lesley regularly speaks at HLB’s international and regional conferences to shape and deliver HLB’s global marketing strategy.
Lesley holds an MSc. in International Marketing from King’s College London, has a BA in Communications, and a Propaedeutic Diploma in Journalism. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
When and where
When:
Thursday 22 January 2026, 17:00 GMT
Where:
WeWork 8th Floor, 10 York Road
London SE1 7ND, UK
Located opposite Waterloo Tube station
Want to learn more?
Visit the HLB Survey of Business Leaders hub to see past research, and regional and sector cuts.
