Marking the fourth anniversary of the war against Ukraine, the UCL School of Management hosted Purpose Through Resilience: Ukrainian Business Amid War, an evening dedicated to recognising the strength, value and resilience of the Ukrainian community.
Opening the event, Professor Davide Ravasi, Director of the UCL School of Management, welcomed attendees and acknowledged the profound displacement caused by the war. People have lost their homes, their careers and, in many cases, been separated from their families.
In 2023, the School responded by launching The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series, a programme designed to support the Ukrainian community in rebuilding their lives in a new country, restoring confidence and reclaiming a sense of identity.
Nataliia Hrytsiuk, Lecture Series Lead, shared the programme’s impact, “Since we established the Lecture Series, 128 participants have joined our alumni community; 49 have developed their own projects; 17 have become self-employed; 12 have registered private companies, and 70 jobs have been created in both the UK and Ukraine.” Her remarks demonstrated the resilience and determination sustained by the community, even in times of crisis.
The evening brought together Ukrainian guest speakers who continue to inspire and make significant societal contributions.
-
Yevgeniya Zhyryakova, Head of the Ukrainian Educational Hub in the UK, discussed how her organisation supports Ukrainians through education and professional integration.
-
Halyna Skvortsova, Refugee Integration and Employability Lead at Facework Group, highlighted the organisation’s impact on refugee integration and employment.
-
Danna Karayeva, UK–Ukraine ResearchBridge Manager at UCL Grand Challenges, spoke about future co-operation between the two countries within the framework of the 100-year co-operation agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, as well as the new UCL UK–Ukraine ResearchBridge initiative.
-
Svitlana Tsybak, CEO of Beykush Winery and Co-Owner of Ukrainian Wine Company UK, described how Ukrainian wine producers risk their lives to continue producing wine under flying drones and in mined fields.
-
Oksana Lytvynenko, Social Psychologist, Photographer and HR Professional, shared insights from her multidisciplinary work.
-
Viktor Kravchuk, Co-Founder of Frisor Barber Shop, spoke about the challenges of running a physical business.
-
Olga Reznikova, CEO of Talaris Ltd and Corporate AI Trainer, emphasised the importance of lifelong learning, investing in oneself, and embracing modern technologies to help businesses grow.
-
Diana Kocheva, Founder of the London Tech Community, shared how a professional network became a lifeline for hundreds of Ukrainian professionals in the UK, helping more than 1,000 people secure jobs in a new country.
Concluding the evening, attendees gathered for networking drinks and canapés, and enjoyed a musical performance by Dvi Doli Ukraine, a duo blending classical, folk and jazz influences with contemporary Ukrainian music.
Guests also viewed a photo exhibition titled “Ukrainian Women: Power & Resilience”, created by photographer Oksana Lytvynenko. The social documentary project explores the lives of Ukrainian women abroad, their emotions, challenges and enduring connection to their homeland. The photographs capture raw moments of pain, longing, joy and hope, revealing how war reshapes real lives.
