North London Collegiate School welcomed students, alumnae, staff and industry leaders to our biennial Careers Convention, an evening dedicated to exploring Careers and Skills in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. The event brought together a remarkable community of experts who generously shared their knowledge, insight and optimism for the future.
We were delighted to welcome Brooke Connell, who spoke with clarity about degree apprenticeships, and Tanvi Gokhale, Managing Director of Retail Banking at NatWest Group, whose keynote encouraged students to think boldly about leadership, finance and the evolving nature of opportunity.
Our panel discussions, guided by Richard Kaufman, created space for thoughtful conversation and genuine challenge. The first panel—featuring Sejal Haria ONL, Kate Hofman ONL, Purav Shah and Ramneek Lamba, explored the expanding role of artificial intelligence across industries and what it means for the next generation entering the workforce.
The second panel welcomed the insight of Bradley Silver, Alisa Grafton and Douglas Li, who reflected on the human qualities that will shape the future of work. Their discussion highlighted the strengths that technology cannot replicate: empathy, resilience, adaptability and the confidence to ask difficult questions.
Throughout the evening, students from NLCS and our local partner schools met with volunteers from an impressive range of sectors. Experts in media, finance, law, politics, technology, design, life sciences, engineering, psychology and more offered generous conversation and grounded advice. The breadth of knowledge available created an environment alive with possibility, one where students could explore, question and imagine their own future paths.
Students also took part in an interactive workshop led by Nishi Shah, focusing on creativity, empathy and communication. In an era shaped by rapid technological change, these human skills remain not only relevant but essential.
We are deeply grateful to all speakers, volunteers and alumnae who invested their time and experience into supporting the next generation of leaders. Their contributions made the evening both energising and unforgettable.
