8:00 – 8:45 – Registration and welcome breakfast

8:45 – 9:00 – Welcome remarks from Global Mobility Lawyer

9:00 – 9:30 – The diplomat’s take: how to overcome geopolitical headwinds

From geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation to technological acceleration and demographic change, the factors influencing corporate global mobility programmes have never been more complex, intertwined, or more unpredictable. A former UK Ambassador to Finland and Vodafone External Affairs Director, Matthew Kirk joins GML for a special fireside chat to explore how current geopolitical headwinds are reshaping immigration policy, and what that means for multinational employers seeking to attract, move, and retain talent across borders. With extensive diplomatic and corporate experience, the discussion will consider how businesses can adapt their mobility strategies to balance opportunity and risk in an increasingly uncertain world.

Moderator:
John van der Luit-Drummond, Editor-in-Chief, Global Mobility Lawyer (United Kingdom)

Panellist: 
Matthew Kirk, Former UK Ambassador to Finland (United Kingdom)

9:30 – 10:30 – Session 1: Backlash at the border: how nationalism is stifling talent mobility

Amid growing nationalist sentiment and increasing political pressure to protect local jobs, governments around the world are tightening immigration rules and rethinking their approach to foreign labour. These shifts pose major challenges for global mobility leaders seeking to manage cross-border talent effectively. This expert panel will provide a practical understanding of how global mobility programmes are being disrupted, strategies for compliance, workforce agility, and reputational protection, and a global perspective on balancing local labour needs with international talent demands.

Moderator:
Annabel Mace, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs (United Kingdom)

Panellists:
Grace Shie, Partner, Mayer Brown (Washington DC, United States)
Marina Brizar, Chief Solutions Officer, Talent Beyond Boundaries (United Kingdom)
Rajiv Naik, Partner, Fragomen (United Kingdom)

10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee break

11:00 – 12:00 – Session 2: How AI is shifting the needle for global mobility programmes

As the global workforce becomes more agile and borderless, organisations are turning to new technology to streamline and enhance their global mobility programmes. From automated immigration workflows to predictive relocation analytics, digital tools are transforming how companies move, manage, and support their international talent. This session will explore how leading employers are leveraging new technologies – including AI-driven platforms – to reduce compliance risk, personalise employee experiences, and optimise programme efficiency. The panel will also address the legal, ethical, and operational challenges of adopting such technologies across jurisdictions.

Moderator:
Ceri Koski, Partner, WR Immigration (Colorado, United States)

Panellists:
Alice Duffy, Partner, Matheson (Ireland)
Benjamin Oghene, Founder and CEO, The Cozm (United Kingdom)
Shelley Crofts, Head of Global and Domestic Mobility Services, BAE Systems (United Kingdom)

12:00 – 1:30 – Networking lunch

1:30 – 2:30 – Session 3: Taxing times: strategies to minimise compliance and financial exposure

From dual tax residency and permanent establishment risks to social security contributions and tax equalisation, managing the tax implications of expatriate employment is a minefield that requires careful planning and coordination. Drawing on practical examples across key jurisdictions, this expert panel will provide a clear understanding of the core tax risks in expatriate employment. The discussion will cover the strategic, legal, and operational tax considerations for sending and hosting expats, including updates on global trends, common pitfalls, and best practices in tax compliance.

Moderator:
Amy Nevins, Partner & Head of Global Mobility, Lewis Silkin (United Kingdom)

Panellists:
David Yewdall, Partner, BDO UK (United Kingdom)
Martina Schlamp, Partner, Littler (Germany)
Mori Jenkins, Director Global Mobility, Astellas
Richard Johnson, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (United Kingdom)

2:30 – 3:30 – Session 4: Work without borders? The risks and rewards of digital nomadism

The rise of remote work has made it increasingly tempting to allow top talent to work from anywhere. Enter the digital nomad: an employee who works remotely while moving between countries, often without a fixed location. But while digital nomadism offers greater employee flexibility and companies access to a wider talent pool, it also raises a complex web of legal, tax, immigration, data protection, and compliance risks. This expert panel will explore the pros and cons of supporting digital nomadism, how to build a sustainable and legally sound nomad policy, and which jurisdictions are best (or worst) suited to hosting these globally mobile workers.

Moderator:
Claire Nilson, Counsel, Faegre Drinker (United Kingdom)

Panellists:
Dilkash Iqbal, Global Mobility and Immigration Lead, Sahaj Software (United Kingdom)
Katie Good, Senior Associate, Travers Smith (United Kingdom)
Kim Timony, Senior Immigration Manager - UK Global Mobility, Zensar Technologies (United Kingdom)
Naomi Pollock, Senior Associate, DLA Piper (Ireland)

3:30 – 4:00 – Coffee break

4:00 – 5:00 – Session 5: On the move: navigating new rules in global business travel

In the post-covid era, business travel has become more complex than ever. From stricter immigration controls and digital travel authorisation requirements to potential tax and social security exposure from even short visits, recent changes are reshaping how companies do business on the move. This expert panel will unpack the latest regulatory shifts, including updates on visa-free regimes, electronic travel authorisations, work permit thresholds, and post-Brexit impacts, as well as how ESG concerns may influence corporate travel behaviour and reporting.

Moderator:
Shannon Donnelly, Partner, Morgan Lewis (Washington DC, United States)

Panellists:
Adekunle Obebe, Partner, Bloomfield (Nigeria)
Elisabeth Ferreira, International HR Manager, Fred. Olsen Cruises (Norway)
Kathryn Melrose, Managing Director, DavidsonKempner (United Kingdom)
Michał Kacprzyk, Partner, RACZKOWSKI (Poland)

5:00 onwards – Closing remarks and networking drinks reception