In November 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Imran Khan, leading Pakistani politician, prolific author and world-class cricketer. Imran is also Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, a leading political party within Pakistan. The event was sponsored by Barclay’s Wealth.
In October 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Rashad Hussain, President Obama’s Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the second largest inter-governmental organization in the world with over 50 member states. Mr. Hussain has also served as Deputy Associate Counsel to President Obama.
In September 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Jon Snow, presenter of Channel 4 News, former ITN Washington correspondent, ITN diplomatic editor and winner of several Royal Television Society awards. Guests included the Head of the Syrian opposition TV channel - Barada TV and Director of Syrian pro-democracy organisation - Movement for Justice and Development, the Head of Research for the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s North Africa and Arab Partnership Initiative, a senior CNN Producer, the Head of liability-driven investing for BlackRock and the Deputy Cultural Affairs Attache at the US Embassy, London. The event was sponsored by Lloyd’s Register Group.
In July 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Founder and CEO of Teshkeel Media Group. Dr Al-Mutawa is also the creator of the comic strip, THE 99, in which world acclaimed comic superheroes are born of an Islamic archetype. Forbes has described THE 99 as “One of the Top 20 Trends Sweeping the Globe” and President Obama has publicly commended the initiative. Dr Al-Mutawa was named one of ‘The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World’ by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center and has been awarded The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations “Marketplace of Ideas” Award and The Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Award.
In June 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Shailesh Vara MP, Assistant Government Whip and was previously Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. Shailesh spoke about the challenges of a coalition Government. Guests included the Chief Advisor to the BBC, Security Director to the African Development Bank, Head of Islamic Legal Services for Russell Jones and Walker LLP, a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young and a Managing Director at Credit Suisse.
In May 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Roger Cohen, columnist with the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Roger spoke about recent ‘Arab Spring’ and the its implication for policy makers. Guests included Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director for the MENA region, Director at Barclays Capital, Shadow Minister for Employment and CEO of State Street Bank. This event was sponsored by State Street Bank.
In April 2011, The Hikmah Club’s keynote speaker was Adrian Leppard, City of London Police Commissioner. Guests included Business Continuity Manager for the City of London Corporation, President of the National Association of Muslim Police, Security Manager for the African Development Bank, CEO of Brit Bangla, Head of Operations for the Department of UK Trade and Investment, a Vice President of Deutsche Bank and Legal Attache for the US Embassy in London. This event was sponsored by the City of London Police.
In March 2011, Hikmah’s keynote speaker was Cherie Blair QC. Cherie is leading Human Rights Barrister, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and a founder member of Matrix Chambers. She is also Honorary Vice President of Barnados, President of the Loomba Trust and Ambassador for London 2012. Cherie spoke about the emerging role of women in the Middle East. Guests included Partners from Clifford Chance, a Political Officer from the US Embassy, prominent blogger on Middle Eastern affairs and senior bankers from Credit Suisse, HSBC and Barclays. This event was sponsored by Clifford Chance LLP.
In February 2011, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Con Coughlin, Executive Foreign Editor of The Daily Telegraph’s with over 25 years’ experience of reporting on Middle Eastern, international terrorism, defence and security issues. Con spoke about the recent events in Tunisia and Egypt. Guests included senior HSBC global management, senior management from Barclays Wealth, Al Jazeera English and Clifford Chance, as well as the Head of Operations for UK Trade and a departmental Head of News Corporation. This event was sponsored by HSBC Plc.
In September 2010, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Professor Anthony Travers, Director of the Greater London Group and advisor to a number of House of Commons select committees. Professor Travers spoke about the future of London’s economy. Guests included a Director of the UK Border Agency, a senior advisor to HM Treasury, a Managing Director of Credit Suisse, a senior editor of AltMuslim, the Vice Chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum and a corporate professionals from Ernst & Young and Shell. The event was sponsored by Credit Suisse.
In August 2010, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Alistair Burt MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on UK foreign policy in the Middle East. Guests included a Senior Corporate Executives from Ernst & Young, Credit Suisse and State Street Bank, the Chair of the Conservative Middle East Council, The Executive Director of Brookings Doha Institute, the US Cultural Attaché in London and a senior advisor to the Department for Communities and Local Government.
In April 2010, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Rageh Omaar, the Middle East Correspondent for Al Jazeera English. Rageh spoke about his experiences as journalist working for the BBC, Al Jazeera and other international media outlets. Guests included an Editor from The Economist, an official from the UK Foreign Office and Partners from various corporate firms. The event was sponsored by the London Ismaili centre.
In March 2010, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Farah Pandith, Special Representative to Muslim Communities for the United States Department of State, on building bridges and shaping domestic and foreign policy. Guests included the Global Group General Manager for HSBC, Head of Middle East practice for KPMG, Head of Global Learning Ernst & Young and a Managing Director from Credit Suisse UK. The event was sponsored by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
In February 2010, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Peter Kellner, political commentator and President of YouGov, on the run-up to the 2010 elections. Guests included CEO of the Islam Channel, CEO of The Samosa Online magazine, Managing Director of the Muslim Directory and Vice-Chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum. The event was sponsored by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
In December 2009, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Minister for Digital Britain, on Britain’s role in the G20 summit. Guests included senior professionals from HSBC and Ernst & Young, representatives from the Lebanese and Unites States Embassies and senior officials from The London Development Agency and The Labour Party. The event was sponsored by the Radisson Edwardian Hotel Group.
In September 2009, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Charles Allen, Chairman of Global Radio, on engaging the Muslim community in the 2012 Olympics. The event was sponsored by KPMG. Other guests included: Partners from Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PwC, cultural attaché from the Embassy of the Unites States, US/UK Fulbright Commissioner, Editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, and Vice-President of Business in the Community.
In May 2009, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Rt Hon Tony McNulty MP on London’s governance structure. The event was sponsored by the Islam Channel. Other guests included: the CEO of the Islam Channel, MP and Head of UAE Parliamentary Finance Committee, a partner at PWC, Vice-Chair of The Liberal Democrats, and UK Labour Party Friends of Palestine representative.
In January 2009, Hikmah’s keynote address was delivered by Simon Hughes MP, President of the Liberal Democrat Party, on President Obama and ethnic minority participation in politics. The event was sponsored by The London Academy of Higher Education. Other guests included: Secretary of the Civil Service Islamic Society, Managing Director of the Global Peace and Unity Festival, CEO of IQRA Television and CEO of the Adab Trust UK.