‍Private Dinner with 007 and 008 at Mosimann’s Club

The journey began with a grand dinner at the famous "Mosimann’s" Club in the upscale London neighborhood of Belgravia. Anton Mosimann, originally from Solothurn, Switzerland, moved to England at a young age and became the head chef of the Dorchester Hotel at just 28. For decades, he was one of the Royal Family's favorite chefs. His son Mark, who now runs the family business with his brother, welcomed us and shared fascinating entrepreneurial insights into the future of the hospitality industry, emphasizing the enduring importance of Mosimann’s Swiss roots.

Then came the hour of 007 – and in a double act. Two senior partners from the strategy consultancy "Hakluyt," founded by former MI6 agents and now advising both the Labour government and half of the FTSE-100 companies, took us on a fascinating tour of the global geopolitical shifts currently taking place. They sketched out what these changes could mean for multinational companies in the future: business is inevitably becoming more intertwined with (geo)politics. A truly exquisite evening, both gastronomically and intellectually.

Rethinking Security in Europe with General Sir Richard Barrons

The next morning, we met with General Sir Richard Barrons, a former Chief of the British Army and current advisor to the British government on strategic matters, responsible for shaping the UK's future defense doctrine.

While those with little knowledge often speak a lot, those with deep insight tend to stay quiet – but Richard Barrons is an exception. He spoke candidly and directly about the future dangers that autocratic regimes like Russia and China could pose to Western Europe, including Switzerland. He particularly pointed to two trends: sub-threshold conflicts and the development of autonomous, interconnected weapon systems.

Sir Richard left us with a friendly reminder: "Even neutral countries like Switzerland need friends."

A Visit to Tyler Brûlé's Niche Media Empire

Our next stop took us into a different reality, just a few kilometers away in London’s vast and diverse microcosm, proving once again Samuel Johnson’s famous quote: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

Sophie Grove, editor-in-chief of "Konfekt," explained why print journalism, once considered dying, is still alive and well in the digital age – an interesting bet against the zeitgeist that seems to be paying off. At "Monocle" headquarters, the combination of international lifestyle and global politics aimed at a young, urban, cosmopolitan audience continues to generate significant interest.

UK after Brexit: Implications for Switzerland and Europe with the Swiss Ambassador

In a less trendy but equally stylish and formal setting, we enjoyed lunch at the Swiss Embassy. Ambassador Markus Leitner gave a subtle diplomatic overview of the new political realities in the UK and what they could mean for Switzerland, particularly regarding our relationship with the EU.

London Startup Ecosystem – A Perspective

Next, we ventured into another corner of London, the Canary Wharf business district in the Docklands, an area once initiated by Margaret Thatcher as a competitor to the City of London.

The entrepreneurial spirit of Thatcher still lives on at "Level 39," a platform supporting startups. Amy French, head of "Level 39," and Roland Emmans, startup expert at HSBC, shared insights into the digital scene and revealed what truly matters when identifying the next unicorn. They emphasized the crucial interplay between technology and human psychology in creating successful digital business models.

From London to Oxford: Rain and Insights

The bus ride from London to Oxford (in predictably rainy weather) highlighted how much southern England has grown into a vast metropolitan region, much like Switzerland.

London vibrates with creative and commercial energy, attracting talent and capital from around the world – something sorely lacking in the north of England, where frustration and a lack of prospects have led to riots in many northern cities just the week before our visit.

Oxford University: Reflections on Science, Business, and Europe with Sarah Springman and Doris Leuthard

In Oxford, we were welcomed by Prof. Dame Sarah Springman, long-time rector of ETH Zurich and now head of St. Hilda’s College. Our visit revealed the complexities of Oxford University, where some colleges are wealthy while others struggle with constant budget concerns, with little interest in financial equalization within the university.

One advantage of the college system is that experts from different fields live under one roof, breaking down the barriers of academic silo thinking – a question that Swiss universities might ponder.

After an excellent dinner, Sarah Springman, Doris Leuthard, and prominent Oxford professors painted a "big picture" of Europe's economic and research landscape, particularly focusing on the future of energy – a topic that sparked lively debate.

Once again, the formula of "food and food for thought" proved successful.

Found. Fund. Scale with Jim Wilkinson

On the third and final day, we attended a session with Jim Wilkinson, CEO of "Oxford Science Enterprises," who operates at the intersection of university innovation and commercial application. His insights into the mechanics of new business ideas and the world of venture capital were invaluable.

When asked what the new British government should do to make the UK more competitive in technology, Wilkinson gave an interesting answer: "Best to do nothing."

Democracy and Technology with Prof. Philip Howard

The last session was a lively discussion following a lecture by Prof. Philip Howard, author of the book "Lie Machines." Howard, who works with the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE), tackled the pressing issue of how to prevent social media bubbles from distorting and damaging democratic debate.

He closed with a wager: before the end of this year, professionally created news will be replaced by AI-generated content in a major Western country. This, he predicted, will be a response to stricter regulation, as platforms like Facebook will opt to eliminate journalistic content rather than pay media organizations.

This look into the near future – disturbing but necessary – was indicative of everything we learned on this fascinating trip.

It was remarkable how many experts emphasized the importance of resilience and education in our European societies. We are currently navigating towards a "new normal" in an uncertain world, and speaking with key players helps us foresee how this "new normal" may impact the economy.

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