On June 10, 2025, the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg hosted an engaging and future-forward event under the banner of their newly founded subgroup: the BCC Emerging Leaders. Designed to foster dialogue between up-and-coming talent and seasoned professionals, the event focused on breaking down generational communication barriers and creating an environment where ambition is celebrated—not judged.
Communication Across Generations
In his opening address, BCC Chairman Andrew Notter set the tone for the evening by acknowledging a core issue: many young professionals feel they haven’t “earned the right” to approach senior leaders, while senior leaders sometimes feel out of touch with what drives the next generation. “This evening is all about communication,” he emphasized, encouraging attendees to ask the questions they never dared to ask.
Real Stories, Real Insights
– Yulia Kulakova (BDO) shared her journey of resilience, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and personal strength in career development.
– Nataliya Yaneva (European Parliament) spoke candidly about transitioning beyond institutional roles. Her message was clear: “There is life beyond the institution”—and networking plays a pivotal role in that life.
– Juan Gasca, Chair of the Emerging Leaders group (EY), offered an empowering reminder: “Leadership is not about age—it’s about initiative.” Having founded a startup before joining EY, Juan stressed the value of intergenerational support and expressed his vision to create “a space where ambition is celebrated, not judged.”
Building Bridges and Shared Learning
Virginia Anderson from the BCC People and Leadership Group facilitated the evening’s interactive workshop, based on the “Lands Work” systemic coaching technique. Through a visualisation exercise, participants reflected on their ideal working environments. Then, using props such as Lego, visual cards, pieces of string, and a lot of creativity, they built their ideal working environments, engaging in group discussions according to their experience levels: inexperienced, very inexperienced, and mid-level professionals. The exercise revealed strikingly different worldviews—but also an eagerness to learn from one another.
Academic Perspective and Generational Styles
Patrick Vanhoudt, Dean of the Luxembourg School of Business, brought an academic perspective to the conversation, highlighting how leadership styles differ across generations. While older generations often lead through compromise, younger professionals tend to prioritise clarity, purpose, and agility. His playful provocation—“AI or Ain’t I?”—challenged both groups to reconsider the value each brings to the workplace.
The Power of Mentorship and Networking
Kirsty Shearer from Agilité closed the discussion by affirming that “every voice was heard,” praising the courage of younger attendees to speak up. She underlined the importance of networking and mentorship, particularly cross-sector mentoring, as essential tools for career growth. “Invest in yourself,” she advised, “and find a mentor who challenges your perspective.”
A Shared Mission
As the event drew to a close, the atmosphere was one of optimism and mutual respect. Virginia Anderson reflected on the evening’s success, noting the wisdom and insight gained from all “the different worlds” present. Her closing sentiment captured the spirit of the evening: the learnings shared are not just for reflection, but for daily use in building better, more inclusive leadership.
Claudia Neumeister is Vice Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce, and the Founder of Luxdates.
