The way organisations attract, assess and develop early career talent is under pressure. Hybrid work, global competition, AI driven automation and shifting student expectations are fundamentally reshaping employer engagement. In this episode of Gaule’s Question Time, Andrew Gaule is joined by Blayne Cooper, Head of Employer Engagement at Henley Business School, to explore how universities and employers must evolve together to keep pace with this change. More details below.

You can listen to this interview as a podcast on Gaule's Question Time on Apple, Spotify, Google and many other podcast channels. https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/gaulesqt
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See this and other video content at Aimava Purpose to Performance Channel https://www.youtube.com/@P2PfromAimava

Drawing on Henley’s scale and experience across undergraduate and pre experience postgraduate programmes, Blayne explains how placements, internships and strategic projects are becoming critical bridges between education and employment. He shares why real world experience dramatically improves student outcomes, how competition for placements is intensifying, and why businesses that engage early gain access to fresh thinking, digital fluency and diverse perspectives.

The conversation also tackles the growing role of AI in hiring and work itself. From automated graduate roles to the rise of virtual internships, Andrew and Blayne explore how organisations can blend AI capability with human judgement, creativity and adaptability. The discussion highlights new low risk models for employers, including funded master’s internships, and why employer engagement is no longer just a recruitment activity, but a strategic investment in future capability.

Questions and Answers

1. How is employer engagement changing today
   Blayne explains that employers are no longer just hiring for technical skills, but for adaptability, emotional intelligence and work ethic. Hybrid and virtual models have forced universities and employers to rethink how experience is delivered and assessed.
   
   
2. How big is Henley’s student population and engagement activity
   Blayne outlines Henley’s scale, with around 800 undergraduates per year group and more than 1,000 pre experience postgraduates, supported through placements, internships, projects and study abroad options.
   
   
3. Why are placements so important for students
   Blayne highlights that over 95 percent of students who complete a placement year achieve a two one or first class degree, with significant long term employability benefits.
   
   
4. What value do students bring to employers
   Students bring fresh knowledge, digital capability, diversity and new perspectives, often delivering project based work that rivals traditional consulting at a fraction of the cost.
   
   
5. What is the master’s internship scheme
   Henley funds six week paid internships for master’s students, covering national living wage costs, reducing risk for employers while preserving proper recruitment standards.
   
   
6. How is AI changing early career roles
   AI is automating some graduate level tasks, but Blayne stresses that organisations succeeding with AI are those that embed it while retaining human interaction, feedback and judgement.
   
   

This interview brings together two long-time observers of China’s technological transformation, Andrew Gaule ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gaule-aimava? ) and Dr Edward Tse ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-tse-8a951916? ), to explore how China has rapidly moved from a manufacturing base to a global centre of AI, robotics, digital payments and supply-chain innovation.

Discussing "China in the New World: Why global companies must put China at the core of their global plans" Edward's new book available on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/2c4UNn0

See more information below....

You join an AI Academy program see Aimava Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/aimava-global-advisory-firm-11938296163
To book a meeting to discuss entrepreneurship, AI and other business change with Andrew - https://calendly.com/andrew-gaule/30min?

You can listen to this interview as a podcast on Gaule's Question Time on Apple, Spotify, Google and many other podcast channels. https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/gaulesqt
Subscribe for future interviews.
See this and other video content at Aimava Purpose to Performance Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9o-htFNIk9Yt7jp2XcdWw

Reflecting on more than three decades of advising multinational and Chinese companies, Edward explains the ideas behind his new book China in the New World, which outlines China’s resilience, its evolving economic model and why global CEOs must now put China at the core of their strategy. China’s innovation is no longer limited to foundational technologies, but increasingly driven by AI applications across manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consumer devices and mobility. Andrew adds perspective from his own experience building products in China, noting the unmatched speed, flexibility and scale of its supply chain ecosystems. Together they discuss why Western companies must shift from trying to replicate China’s scale to forming new forms of partnership as Chinese manufacturers and digital ecosystems globalise. They also explore the next wave of digital finance, including stablecoins, central bank digital currencies and real world asset structures, and how these may reshape global supply chains. This conversation provides critical insight for global executives navigating the next era of technology driven competition and collaboration.

In this episode of Gaule's Question Time, Andrew Gaule welcomes Barbry McGann, SVP and Managing Director of Workday Ventures, for a deep dive into the strategic investment arm of enterprise SaaS giant, Workday. Barbry provides an insightful overview of how the $500M fund operates—not as a traditional VC but as an innovation accelerator, aligning startups with Workday’s core mission in HR and finance applications.

See more information below....

You join an AI Academy program see Aimava Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/aimava-global-advisory-firm-11938296163
To book a meeting to discuss entrepreneurship, AI and other business change with Andrew - https://calendly.com/andrew-gaule/30min?

You can listen to this interview as a podcast on Gaule's Question Time on Apple, Spotify, Google and many other podcast channels. https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/ga...
Subscribe for future interviews.
See this and other video content at Aimava Purpose to Performance Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9o-htFNIk9Yt7jp2XcdWw

Barbry explains the Ventures team’s approach to investing in AI-driven, enterprise-focused SaaS companies that complement Workday's product suite. She breaks down the rigorous investment process, from due diligence to integration support, and highlights the unique value offered through access to Workday’s partner ecosystem.

The conversation explores how AI is transforming enterprise software and venture capital itself—from changing job roles to redefining investment strategies and performance metrics. Barbry also reflects on how Workday Ventures is adapting to shifting startup dynamics, including the disappearance of traditional Series A rounds due to rapid acquisitions.

With a background in product leadership and strategic alignment, Barbry shares her optimistic yet grounded perspective on how AI augments human capability, reshaping the future of work. This interview offers a compelling look at corporate venturing done right, with strategic alignment, partnership, and long-term vision at its core.

To book a meeting to discuss entrepreneurship, AI and other business change with Andrew - https://calendly.com/andrew-gaule/30min?