Sir Alexander Stone Commercial Law Annual Lecture
This lecture examines how boards translate corporate purpose into long-term decision-making and sustainable value creation under conditions of uncertainty.
Social Sciences Hub
Date: Thursday 08 October 2026
Time: 17:00 - 19:30
Venue: Senate Room, The Gilbert Scott Building University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ
Category: Public lectures, Social events, Academic events, Student events, Alumni events
Speaker: Professor Irene-marie Esser
The inaugural lecture will be delivered by Professor Irene-marie Esser, with a response given by Lord Braid. Professor Irene-marie Esser was appointed to the Sir Alexander Stone Chair in Commercial Law in 2025 and will be hosting an annual lecture.
Drawing on empirical research from collaborative projects with the Institute of Directors and the FTSE Women Leaders Review, and academic work on corporate purpose and stakeholder governance, she argues that purpose only becomes meaningful when boards possess the behavioural and institutional capacity to embed it within governance, strategy and collective judgement.
This event is open to anyone interested.