Every business leader negotiates. Whether it’s with customers, suppliers, investors, or employees, some conversations are straightforward, and others carry pressure, emotion, and high stakes.
This masterclass with Sue Williams QPM will explore what leaders can learn from the world of hostage and crisis negotiation, and how those principles apply to business conversations where trust, preparation, and judgement matter.
Sue is internationally recognised as one of the world’s most experienced hostage and kidnap negotiators. A former senior detective at Scotland Yard, she was Officer in Charge of both the Kidnap and Hostage Crisis Negotiation Units, and now advises governments, NGOs, and global organisations on crisis response and negotiation strategy. She is also a Senior Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
In this session, Sue will share insights from her career in some of the most complex negotiation environments before translating the lessons into practical guidance for you.
With many entrepreneurs facing longer sales cycles, slower decision-making, and more challenging conversations, the ability to negotiate well has never felt more important. But this will not be a conventional sales session. It is a rare opportunity to learn from someone whose work has involved ethical negotiation when the stakes could not be higher. Held under the Chatham House Rule, and with no recording, this masterclass will provide a private setting for an open and candid discussion you will need to be in the room to hear.
