An international, cross-industry career that has moved from corporate management to extensive research, advisory and capability development services to public, private and third sector organisations. Tim has lived and worked in the UK, France (3 years) and United States (20 years), building an impressive research and entrepreneurial record, with demonstrated commitment to delivering social benefit.

As Founder and President, World Commerce & Contracting (formerly International Association for Contract & Commercial Management), Tim has built a 72,000 member worldwide non-profit association which increasingly influences commercial policies and contracting practices in major corporations and governments. In September 2019, he was presented with the Financial Times ‘Market Shaper of the Year’ Award.

Tim was until recently Professor and Chair, International Commercial & Contract Management, University of Leeds, School of Law, where he taught and led development of inter-disciplinary commercial programs.

Prior to founding World Commerce & Contracting, Tim was on the Chairman’s staff at IBM Corporation and led the development of worldwide commercial processes and skills. His early career included management roles in banking, automotive and aerospace industries, where he led negotiations up to $1.5 billion in value. He has served in advisory roles for government departments in various countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Ajay Agrawal is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Sirion. Ajay has been a securities lawyer and a product visionary in the strategic legal technology space for more than 20 years. Ajay founded and led UnitedLex Corporation in 2006 – a global leader in the legal process outsourcing and strategic legal technology space. Ajay also serves as an entrepreneur-in-residence at CodeX, the Center for Legal Informatics at Stanford University. He has received an LL.M. from Columbia University and holds an LL.B. from Trinity College, Cambridge and a B.A. in Semiotics from Brown University. 

My career has been shaped by bold ambition, determination, and a commitment to transformative leadership. For over a decade, I have worked in the commercial field, navigating
complex legal landscapes and high-stakes environments. At just 27, I became Head of Legal, Europe, for a $25 billion U.S. corporation. By 29, I stepped into a similar role at a Fortune 500 company, where I built a reputation for resolving complex commercial disputes.

After being recognised for my contributions to business by Baroness Sharmishta Chakrabarti, I was recruited by the UK Government to lead Brexit Assurance efforts, establish its first pan-government disputes practice, and lead and optimise multi-billion-pound commercial portfolios across central government on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I am a mother of three children, which has deepened my ability to balance competing demands and approach challenges with resilience and perspective. Whether navigating business or the challenges of motherhood, the principles of empathy, patience, and tenacity apply across all spheres of life.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with governments, multinationals, military organisations, and venture-backed startups. Colleagues often describe me as a very calm authority, with very outside-the-box thinking. My contributions have been featured in The Times and Forbes, and I was named one of the top five women in business by Management Today and Accenture.

Today, as CEO of Resolutiion, a global technology company, I am redefining how organizations manage conflicts and disputes, creating solutions that foster resilience, trust, and strengthen relationships. As both a leader and a mother, I’m passionate about building adaptable, resilient organisations that are ready to face the complexities of tomorrow with confidence.

I am honoured to have served as an official UN Women Delegate for a fourth consecutive year, advocating for global gender equality.
 

Kraig Conrad is the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), a position he has held since November 2018. With a wealth of experience in association leadership spanning over two decades, Mr. Conrad's commitment to advancing NCMA's mission is evident through the implementation of a bold and ambitious strategic plan aimed at expanding the reach and relevance of the association.

Under his leadership, NCMA has experienced significant growth and expansion, and the organization's role as a leader in the field of contract management has been solidified. Mr. Conrad's dedication to promoting the interests of professional associations and their members, coupled with his strong leadership skills, make him an invaluable asset to NCMA.
Prior to joining NCMA, he served as CEO of the Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA), where he implemented a long-range strategic plan successfully guiding the PRIMA Board of Directors and a global network of over 50,000 risk professionals.

Mr. Conrad held various positions at the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI), including Acting Co-Chief Executive Officer, Vice President for Programs and Development, and Vice President for Professional Development. During his tenure, he oversaw the development of content and logistics for seminars, webinars, and conferences with attendance of up to 1,300. He also played a key role in cultivating volunteers and staff members to enhance the value of special membership groups organized by industry and tenure.

Mr. Conrad also has served as Research Lead for Strategy Practice at Corporate Executive Board, Director of Corporate Finance and Risk Management and Director of Strategic Alliances at the Association for Financial Professionals, Senior Consultant for Braun Consulting, and Financial Analyst for Credit Suisse.

Currently, Mr. Conrad serves as a Board Member of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting Advisory Board at the George Mason University School of Business, where he provides valuable insights and expertise to shape the future of government contracting education and research. He is also a Member of the Committee on Education at the American National Standards Institute, supporting the development of education standards.

Mr. Conrad recently joined the Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA) as a Board Member in January 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a Certified Association Executive and member of the American Society of Association Executives, as well as a Certified Treasury Professional and member of the Association for Financial Professionals.