Diplomacy, Identity and Global Influence
This Week at OTA Media
• Leadership Beyond Borders with Ambassador Anaïse Manuel
• A moment of global tension and the call for diplomatic restraint
• The launch of OTA Originals and our first documentary in development
• Sessions returns in April with limited curated access
• Sir Kenneth Olisa on stewardship in uncertain times
On this week’s Off The Agenda, hosted by Sir Charles Bowman and Brenda Emmanus OBE in partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group and HaysMac, we are joined by Anaïse Manuel, Haiti’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation.
From corporate strategy at EY to cultural storytelling and now diplomacy, Ambassador Manuel reflects on how human connection, education and strategic engagement are reshaping Haiti–UK relations.
She speaks candidly about security and opportunity, the role of small states in multilateral institutions, and the power of cultural diplomacy, from art to Haiti’s independence dish Soup Joumou, in reframing global narratives beyond crisis.
Reflecting on presenting her credentials to His Majesty King Charles III, she describes a moment that symbolised both history and possibility for the next generation.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Global Tensions and Leadership Responsibility
This weekend saw a significant escalation in hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, including coordinated military strikes and swift retaliation that have heightened geopolitical risk and prompted calls for de-escalation from global leaders. These developments, influencing markets, energy routes and diplomatic alignments, underscore the complexity of the environment in which today’s leaders must operate, balancing national interests with global stability and humanitarian responsibility.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the current conflicts in the Middle East. At moments like this, the world looks to steady judgement over escalation and to diplomacy over confrontation. Thoughtful leadership, cooler heads and a renewed commitment to dialogue and international law remain indispensable in navigating volatility and working toward a sustainable resolution.
OTA Originals: Our First Documentary Enters Development
This year, OTA Media takes its next step.
Following five years of interviews, live events and institutional partnerships, we are launching OTA Originals, a long-form documentary arm dedicated to exploring leadership, power and impact beyond the studio format.
Our first documentary is now in development.
Where Off The Agenda captures candid leadership conversations, OTA Originals will examine the deeper systems shaping influence through immersive storytelling, real-world environments and extended narrative formats.
Some stories require more than 45 minutes in a studio.
They require context.
They require history.
They require space.
Further details, including the subject and release timeline, will be announced in due course.
This marks a new chapter for OTA Media, moving from convening conversations to producing enduring work.
For partnership opportunities or to explore how your organisation can become involved in OTA Originals, please contact us directly.
Sessions: Returns in April are you Ready?
Sessions returns in April 2026.
Designed as a cultural extension of the leadership conversations taking place across Market Close and Off The Agenda, Sessions brings together founders, operators, investors and creatives for an evening built around conversation, music and shared experience.
Rather than traditional networking, Sessions is structured around intentional connection, creating space for ideas to move freely between sectors and disciplines. Each evening blends live performance, curated dining and off-record discussion.
The evening will feature a live performance from Jordan Thomas, whose sound blends soul, contemporary R&B and cinematic songwriting, with more acts to be announced.
Attendance is strictly limited to 48 guests in order to preserve the atmosphere and quality of conversation. A small number of tables are available for organisations seeking curated corporate participation.
Further details will be shared shortly.
Sir Kenneth Olisa on Crisis, Character and Collective Well-Being
In a period marked by geopolitical tension and economic fragility, we asked Sir Kenneth Olisa four questions about leadership today.
What does leadership require at this moment?
He points to stewardship. In uncertain times, leaders must prioritise the well-being of their citizens and communities and resist reactive decision-making in favour of long-term societal outcomes.
What is the hardest leadership decision you have made recently?
Sir Kenneth recalls guiding a board through the weekend following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, where every penny of company capital was held. Leadership in that moment required calm, collective judgement under extreme pressure.
What must the next generation of leaders understand?
Leadership is obligation. Sustainable success depends on balancing commercial outcomes with responsibility to employees, customers and shareholders. Short-term gain at the expense of trust ultimately erodes both.
Who is a leader the world should be paying attention to next?
He highlights President Xi, noting that understanding the world’s second largest economy requires engagement and comprehension rather than caricature.
Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE speaking during a week that included the BAFTAs.
The Common Thread
Across all four answers runs a consistent theme: leadership is about responsibility, to institutions, to communities, and to the long term.
In a period of volatility and noise, Sir Kenneth Olisa’s perspective returns to fundamentals:
- Calm under pressure
- Clarity of priorities
- Commitment to collective well-being
- The discipline to understand before reacting
Leadership, at its best, is neither loud nor reactive. It is steady.
Are you Linked-In? A Small Milestone, A Growing Community
This week, OTA Media’s LinkedIn business page passed 1,000 followers.
In isolation it is a modest milestone. In context, it represents a growing community of leaders, founders, operators and institutions choosing to engage with conversations around leadership, trust and long-term value.
If you are not yet part of the conversation, we welcome you to join us.
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