The Wheeler Institute for Business and Development at London Business School was delighted to welcome Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, to London Business School for a conversation on what it means to lead in a moment of global transformation.
This event explored leadership in its broadest sense: leadership rooted in values, purpose, and the courage to make decisions that benefit people and our planet. President Tómasdóttir reflected on her own leadership journey, from business and entrepreneurship to national office, and on how leaders can shape the future through sustainability, gender inclusion, and a renewed sense of responsibility to society.
The event was also a unique opportunity to look and learn about the national context of Iceland. In recent times, Iceland has navigated economic turbulence, concentrated on renewable resources, and built a strong global reputation for gender equality, recently becoming one of the few countries where most of senior leadership positions in society are held by women.
As President, Halla Tómasdóttir has emphasised participative governance, long-term thinking and climate direction. Her agenda highlights leadership that both manages in the moment, and anticipates shifts, whether in gender dynamics, sustainability frameworks or global mobility. In this event, we considered how that ethos resonates with business and how we might all sharpen our capacity to lead boldly and wisely in an interconnected age.
The event opened with remarks from Gillian Ku, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Deputy Dean of London Business School, and was followed by a conversation with the President Tómasdóttir, moderated by Costas Markides, Robert P Bauman Chair in Strategic Leadership and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School.
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 18:00
Time: 18:00 to 19:15
Location: Sammy Ofer Centre, LT18 & 19, London and online via Zoom
About the speaker
Halla Tómasdóttir is the seventh President of Iceland, assuming office on 1 August 2024. Prior to becoming President, she built a distinguished career as a business leader, entrepreneur and global advocate for inclusive leadership and sustainability. She was the first female CEO of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce and co-founded Auður Capital during the financial crisis, leading the firm through the upheaval, and later served as CEO of The B Team from 2018 to 2024, a global nonprofit focused on values-driven business.
As President, Halla Tómasdóttir has emphasised unity, long-term thinking, gender equality, ecological responsibility and participatory governance. Her leadership champions empathy and inclusion as essential tools for tackling global challenges, while reinforcing Iceland’s reputation as a nation that leads by example on sustainability and equality.
About the moderator
Costas Markides is the Robert P. Bauman Chair in Strategic Leadership and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. A leading authority on leadership, strategy and innovation, his work examines how individuals and organisations can lead with vision, adapt to disruption and inspire purposeful change.
He has written extensively on strategic renewal and organisational transformation, and is the author of several influential books, including All the Right Moves, Fast Second, Game-Changing Strategies and Organizing for the New Normal. With a distinguished career at London Business School, Professor Markides has guided and inspired leaders from across the world to unite creativity with discipline, and to lead with authenticity, courage and integrity.