Geopolitical Trends: Risks and Opportunities - Our Programmes

An MGA Exclusive Executive Education Programme

Geopolitical Trends: Risks and Opportunities

4 - 8 August 2025 | St Andrews, Scotland

An International Residential Course at the UK’s No.1 Ranked University

MyCo ID

202501012329

Programme ID

10001567101

This programme has been approved to be HRD Corp Claimable. To apply for the grant, please contact us for a copy of the approval letter from HRD Corp.

Dates

~~4 - 8 August 2025~~

This programme has been rescheduled to the Spring of 2026 to allow our clients more time for planning and budgetting. If you are interested in saving a spot on the programme, please email us at info@manafgardner.com

Venue

St Andrews, Scotland

Fee

RM 60,000

per participant

USD 14,500

per participant

Note: Fee includes all training activities and materials, lunches during training days, special dinners, social programme and accommodation (from 3-9 August 2025) based on single occupancy. It is not inclusive of any applicable taxes.

Manaf Gardner Associates (MGA) has co-created this highly relevant and in demand programme in partnership with the Faculty Team at the University of St Andrews led by world-renowned professors in the field and bringing together expertise from Business and Finance with top researchers and authors specialising in international politics.

The content is designed not simply to understand global risks of geopolitical actions but also to explore ways in which organisations can survive and thrive by seeking new opportunities for growth. The Geopolitical Trends: Risks and Opportunities course enables thought leading exchanges with fellow leaders to develop actionable strategies to implement back at the workplace.

About the university of st andrews

Founded in the early 15th Century, St Andrews is the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university was ranked No.1 in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2024. This guide assesses all 130 universities in the UK.

Executive Education at the University of St Andrews Business School is where tradition meets innovation with cutting-edge research and strong academic rigour and global perspective combine to inspire transformative thinking and leadership. This makes St Andrews Business School vitally important as organisations face worldwide unprecedented challenges that require innovative thinking and decisive leadership.

Course programmes and teachers at St Andrews are built around the combination of both leading researchers and accomplished business and industry practitioners.

For more information, visit: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/business-school/executive-education

KEY BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

Identifying both risks and opportunities from shifting geopolitical dynamics in key regions of the world
Providing practical frameworks for incorporating geopolitical analysis into corporate strategy and investment decisions
Equipping business leaders with knowledge and tools needed to navigate increasingly complex geopolitical events
Providing insight not only into risk mitigation but also strategic opportunity identification in order to give participants a competitive advantage in global markets

Programme at a Glance

Sunday - 3 August
Arrival of participants
Welcome Drinks
Reception & Introductions
Free Time
Monday - 4 August
Keynote Lecture
Navigating Geopolitics in a Fragmented World
Panel Discussion
The Impact of Geopolitical Shifts on Global Industries
Lunch
Workshop
Assessing Economic Opportunities and Risks in Geopolitical Trends
Evening Break
Welcome Dinner at Lower College Hall
Tuesday - 5 August
Seminar
The Influence of Geopolitics on Global Supply Chains and Trade
Case Study
Energy Security Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty
Lunch
Interactive Workshop
Investment Strategies Amidst Geopolitical Risks
Evening Break
Free Time
Wednesday - 6 August
Lecture
Managing and Leveraging Geopolitical Conflict
Policy Simulation Exercise
Navigating Ethnic and Regional Conflicts in Emerging Markets
Lunch
Site Visit
Lessons from the Ground with the St Andrews Links Trust - a session with PGA Teaching Professionals
Evening Break
Free Time
Thursday - 7 August
Seminar
Geopolitics of Sustainability and Green Finance
Interactive Workshop
Leadership in Times of Geopolitical Transformation
Lunch
Panel Discussion
Climate Change as a Geopolitical Force Multiplier
Evening Break
Farewell Dinner
Friday - 8 August
Seminar
Corporate Social Responsibility in Fragmented Geopolitical Landscapes
Expert Lecture
Agentic AI: Geopolitical Risks and Economic Opportunities
Lunch
Interactive Workshop
Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Geopolitical Transitions
Closing Session
Participant Presentations, Reflection and Facilitated Discussion
Evening Break
Free Time

Programme Summary

Geopolitical Framework and Analysis: Examining current global power dynamics, strategic flashpoints, and analytical frameworks for understanding complex geopolitical environments
Economic and Resource Security: Exploring how geopolitical shifts impact global supply chains, energy security, and investment strategies, with emphasis on identifying emerging opportunities
Conflict Management and Strategic Positioning: Understanding regional conflicts and their business implications while developing strategies to navigate and potentially leverage changing security landscapes
Sustainability and Technological Disruption: Analysing the intersection of geopolitics with sustainability challenges and technological developments, particularly Agentic AI, as sources of both risk and competitive advantage

Learning Methodology

The programme balances academic sessions with interactive workshops and rich cultural experiences, including tours of St Andrews’ historic sites, networking opportunities, and a special session at St Andrews Links. Participants will engage with faculty experts across multiple disciplines, gaining both theoretical insights and practical frameworks for application. The programme culminates with strategic planning sessions to ensure executives can translate insights into actionable strategies for their organisations.

Networking & Activities

Networking with other participants, faculty and guest speakers is an important feature of this programme. There will be many opportunities for this including a Welcome Reception and Closing Dinner with a guest speaker. There will be also be a site visit to the world-famous St Andrews Links, which has one of the oldest golf courses in the world.

Upon completion of the Programme, participants will be part of the Executive Education Alumni of the University of St Andrews.

Programme Faculty

Professor Mark Brewer

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Dr Marcel Lukas

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Dr Michael Byrne

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Professor Carole Elliott

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Professor Kristen Harkness

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Professor Paul Hibbert

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Professor Phillips O’Brien

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Dr James Rae

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Programme Venue

Classes will be held at Fairmont St Andrews, a beautiful 5-star hotel set on a 520 acre estate on cliffs overlooking St Andrews Bay and features its own championship golf courses. It is located about 3.2 km outside the town of St. Andrews . Transportation will be provided for participants to and from the hotel to the accommodation venue provided for the Programme.

Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the programme fee and will be provided from 3 - 9 August 2025 based on single occupancy at SPACE, a new modern student living place located in the historic St Andrews city centre district and near to the University of St Andrews. Its location offers the convenience of being surrounded by restaurants, cultural venues, and green parks. All rooms have private modern bathrooms, a kitchenette, television and high speed wi-fi.

For more information: https://thestudent.space/
Welcome Dinner Venue
Lower College Hall is situated within St Salvator’s Quad, often seen as the heart of the University of St Andrews. The Hall offers impressive grand interiors and is used for high profile events. This will be the venue of the Welcome Dinner for participants of the programme.

GETTING TO ST ANDREWS

St Andrews town is located on the east coast of Scotland and is steeped in history, culture, and stunning landscapes. It is well known for its prestigious university and as the “Home of Golf”, and can be easily reached from a number of nearby cities using public transport, road and private transfers.

Travelling by Air - For international visitors, the nearest major airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 50km away). Glasgow International Airport (approximately 90km away) is another viable option. From either airport, you can reach St. Andrews by road, rail, or bus.
Travelling by Rail - St. Andrews does not have its own train station but the nearest major station in Leuchars is just a short distance away. Leuchars Station serves as a gateway to St. Andrews, with frequent train services from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. Onward travel from Leuchars Station to St. Andrews can be easily completed by bus or taxi and the journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

Private taxis or hire services are available from airports, train stations, and cities.

Join the MGA Associates Members Club

MGA seeks to attract the highest level of professional Associates with proven track records in their fields of expertise. Appreciating the substantial value of networking in the creation of innovative, leading-edge content development and training technologies, MGA has created its unique Associates Members Club. Membership of the MGA Associates Members Club will be limited in number with a view to establishing a select group whose blended skills and talents will add significant value to the firm’s client base in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.

MGA Associates will get to enjoy many membership privileges and benefits with an annual fee of RM12,000 per annum, which is due upon receiving an official appointment and approval by MGA’s Management. Applications to be an MGA Associate opens from 1st May 2025.

Qualified individuals interested in being an MGA Associate are invited to contact us

BENEFITS OF BEING AN MGA ASSOCIATE

Workspace & Facilities
Up to 8 days a month hot desk access at MGA’s centrally located office in Kuala Lumpur Sentral
Able to leverage on any special rates that MGA negotiates with its vendors and venue providers
Branding & Networking
Associate’s Profile to be included on MGA’s website
Associate’s Profile to be featured in MGA’s corporate brochure
Up to two (2) active training courses by an Associate to be included on MGA’s website
Personalised MGA Business Card with the “Associate Consultant” designation
Alumni membership and access to a wide and diverse network
Professional Development
Introduction to potential clients by MGA
Networking opportunities at MGA’s Open Days events
Opportunity to attend the HRD Corp Train-the-Trainer course fully sponsored by MGA
Personal Development
Special Club Rates to attend International Executive Education programmes offered by MGA
Remunerations & Financial Opportunities
Preferable fee sharing arrangements on courses delivered by Associates
Attractive commission opportunities on courses introduced by Associates and delivered by MGA
Priority application given to Associates for any MGA Preference Share Issue

Professor Mark Brewer

Head of School in the University of St Andrews Business School

Mark is Dean and Head of School in the University of St Andrews Business School. In his previous roles, he served as International Director at Heilbronn University Graduate School in Germany, inaugural rector of Lancaster University’s German campus, founding president of a new university in the Middle East, and other senior academic leadership positions in the UK. Prior to his career in higher education, he practiced law at three global law firms. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, a Juris Doctor from Cornell University, and a MLLP from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. He has been named a Truman Scholar, Rotary Scholar, and Bosch Fellow. His academic research focuses on the intersection of law, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability, with a particular focus on the fashion industry.

Dr Marcel Lukas

Programme Academic Lead

Marcel is the Vice Dean Executive Education and Senior Lecturer in Banking and Finance at the University of St Andrews. Marcel’s research explores consumer financial decision-making, financial technology, and financial education, with particular emphasis on behavioural aspects of spending and saving. A policy advisor to government bodies and financial regulators, Dr Lukas shapes financial education initiatives and serves as a Fellow at the Office for National Statistics.

He leads executive education programmes on AI applications in business and finance, bringing valuable industry experience from his previous roles at Volkswagen and IBM to his academic and advisory work.

Dr Michael Byrne

Climate scientist

Michael is a climate scientist at St Andrews where he leads the Climate Dynamics Lab. The overarching goal of his research is to advance fundamental physical knowledge of climate. Dr Byrne’s research has driven significant advances in understanding how extreme temperatures, the water cycle, and the atmospheric circulation respond to a warming climate. Dr Byrne was an author of the UN IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report and in 2025 was awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize for his contributions to climate dynamics. Dr Byrne’s research is supported by funding from the European Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Leverhulme Trust, and Carnegie Trust.

Professor Carole Elliott

Professor of Leadership Development

Carole is a Professor of Leadership Development with visiting professorships at Copenhagen Business School and Rennes School of Business. Her research, funded by prestigious institutions including the ESRC and The Leverhulme Trust, focuses on leadership learning and critical human resource development. She has co-edited several influential works, including "Gender, Media and Organization" (2016) and "Genderwashing in Leadership" (2024). Professor Elliott's contributions to the field have earned multiple accolades from the Academy of Human Resource Development, including the Outstanding HRD Scholar Award (2022). She currently co-Chairs the University Forum for Human Resource Development.

Professor Kristen Harkness

Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Strategy

Kristen is the Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Strategy and teaches in the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. From 2023-24, she served as the Thematic Research Lead for International Affairs and National Security with the UK Parliament where she worked extensively on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, Arctic security, AI and defense weaponry, and economic security. She is the author of When Soldiers Rebel (Cambridge UP, 2018) and her research has been published in journals such as International Affairs, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, the Journal of Peace Research, and the Journal of Strategic Studies.

Professor Paul Hibbert

Professor of Management at the University of St Andrews

Paul is Professor of Management at the University of St Andrews and an Honorary Professor at the University of Auckland. Paul’s research focuses on how reflexive practice can improve leading, organising and learning. His work has been published in leading journals, along with his books How to be a Reflexive Researcher and Leader Work. Paul is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Chartered Management Institute, the British Academy of Management, and the Academy of Social Sciences, and has received numerous research awards. He has extensive management and leadership experience in universities, industry and professional organisations.

Professor Phillips O’Brien

Head of School at the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews

Chair of Strategic Studies

Phil is Head of School at the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews and Chair of Strategic Studies. He has a particular interest in the interrelationship of politics and grand strategy, and how these help shape both peacetime and wartime strategic policy. Phil has spent much of his career looking at how individuals at the top of decision-making structures both try to make decisions and are at the same time influenced by the structures that they are trying to control. Though much of his earlier research has focused on grand strategy making in the Second World War, he has become increasingly interested in how these processes work for 21st century war. Within that, Professor O’Brien also has an interdisciplinary interest in how Strategic Studies and Management Studies discuss strategy, and what the disciplines can learn from each other.

Dr James Rae

Earth Scientist

James is an Earth Scientist, motivated by the major goal of advancing our understanding of the carbon cycle and climate. Much of his work investigates Earth's past climate history using geochemical measurements on archives including sediments, fossils, and ice cores. James works in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, where he has a state of the art isotope geochemistry lab. James also teaches classes in geochemistry, oceanography, and climate.