Upcoming Seminar: International Strategy and Expansion in Emerging Markets

Leeds University Business School is hosting a free seminar and lunch on international strategy and expansion in emerging markets. The event will take place on Friday 22 January 2016 at No. 11 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN.

This is the first in a new seminar series called ‘Ideas in Practice’ which will bring together business directors, executives and academic researchers.

January’s seminar is for directors and managers with an interest in international retailing, international strategy, area development franchising, and emerging markets.

Dr Kathryn Watson, Research Impact Manager at Leeds University Business School and event organiser, comments: “We’re really excited about our first seminar in the new ‘Ideas in Practice’ series. This event is an opportunity to hear about research done in four Middle East countries highlighting the opportunities and challenges around international expansion.

“We are pleased to announce that as well as leading academics from Leeds University Business School, we have industry experts taking part in the panel discussion, including Duncan Tennent, Regional General Merchandise Sales Manager (MENA), Marks & Spencer plc, and Susan Samuel, International Franchise lawyer, Eversheds LLP.

“The day will be highly interactive with time for discussion of ideas and potential common interests.”

The agenda for the event is as follows:

9.00am - Registration and refreshments
9.30am - Welcome by Professor Timothy Devinney, Pro Dean for Research and Innovation at Leeds University Business School
9.40am - Presentation by Professor Mat Robson, Professor of Marketing at Leeds University Business School, and colleagues on research on franchising in the Middle East 
10.40am - Coffee break
11.00am - Panel discussion with international strategy experts from Marks & Spencer plc, Eversheds LLP and UK Trade & Investment - chaired by Professor Costas Katsikeas, Head of Marketing Division at Leeds University Business School
12.15pm - Networking lunch

The team from Leeds has recently written a report following research into how one large UK retailer used a sophisticated franchising model to expand in the Middle East over several decades and found that the model had been critical in enabling the company to grow while minimising risk and investment.

The report recommends that more British firms should use an Area Development Franchise model to expand overseas and includes a series of key pointers which large and small UK retailers should consider when looking at international growth. You can read about the report in our recent blog post.

Dr Watson adds: “Our research in the Middle East shows a vast number of unexploited opportunities that can help UK retailers and product manufacturers expand their businesses in thriving markets. Area development franchising provides a means for market expansion with minimal risk but drawing on the expertise of a major business partner with access to markets. We are looking forward to sharing some insights from our research at the seminar.”

To register your place for the seminar, please visit: http://business.leeds.ac.uk/about-us/article/ideas-in-practice-seminar-series/

If you have any queries, please email Kathryn Watson via research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk.