Ulster University Inspires at the MLM Summit 2025: Leading the Charge in Sustainable Leadership

Northern Ireland’s business and public sector leaders gathered at Titanic Belfast on 28th February 2025 for the prestigious MLM Summit, an event renowned for sparking fresh perspectives and actionable strategies. Among the attendees was Ulster University, participating as part of its Sustainable Leadership Skills Programme – a dynamic initiative delivered in partnership with Podiem and funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE)

A Programme Designed for Impact
Following the success of its first cohort, Ulster University Business School has relaunched this transformative programme to equip leaders with the tools to drive sustainable change within their organisations. Running across five full-day sessions (Fridays in February and March 2025), the programme combines academic expertise from Ulster’s faculty with insights from sustainability practitioners and business leaders.

At its core, the course focuses on Project-Based Learning, challenging participants to tackle real-world sustainability issues through live consulting projects. By blending strategy, transformation management, and leadership development, the programme empowers leaders to turn theory into practice – all while fostering collaboration and innovation.

Dr. Judith Gillespie CBE, Guest Host of the MLM Summit and a pioneer for change, encapsulated the ethos of the programme: Leadership isn’t just about vision; it’s about the resilience to turn that vision into reality

Why the MLM Summit Matters
The MLM Summit has long been a cornerstone of leadership development in Northern Ireland, offering a rare opportunity for professionals to step back from daily demands and engage with “what’s important, not just urgent”.

This year’s event, held at the iconic Titanic Belfast, featured an exceptional lineup of speakers, including:

• Jim Gavin (Transformative Leader & COO, Irish Aviation Authority) on redefining leadership in high-pressure environments.
• Oonagh O’Hagan (Award-Winning Entrepreneur) on embedding wellbeing into organisational culture.
• Mark Pollock (Resilience Advocate) on harnessing collaboration and AI to overcome adversity.
• Leo Varadkar (Former Taoiseach of Ireland) on balancing public leadership with progressive change.

For Ulster University’s Sustainable Leadership cohort, the Summit was more than an event – it was a masterclass in applied learning. Attendees gained firsthand insights into topics directly aligned with their programme curriculum, from ethical decision-making to stakeholder engagement.

Bridging Theory and Practice
The synergy between Ulster University’s programme and the MLM Summit underscores a shared mission: to cultivate leaders who can navigate complexity with integrity and foresight. As participants heard from speakers like Mark Pollock – who shared his journey of resilience after paralysis – the connection between personal mindset and organisational transformation became vividly clear.

‘Sustainability isn’t a buzzword; it’s a blueprint for longevity’ noted Oonagh O’Hagan, whose emphasis on creating thriving workplace cultures resonated deeply with leaders aiming to future-proof their organisations.

Join the Next Cohort
With applications now closed for the Spring programme, Ulster University and Podiem are inviting forward-thinking leaders to join the waiting list for the next unique opportunity. Whether you’re in the private, public, or third sector, the programme offers:

• Live consulting projects to solve sustainability challenges.
• Expert-led sessions from academia and industry.
• Networking with peers and innovators.
• Access to premium events like the MLM Summit.

Join the waiting list by emailing Course Director, Marc Duffy, m.duffy4@ulster.ac.uk

Dr. Judith Gillespie put it simply

Change starts with courageous leadership. This programme is where that courage takes shape

Stay connected with Ulster University Business School and Podiem for updates on future events, insights, and opportunities to shape a sustainable future.