Vice-Chancellor Leadership Lecture Series launches with guests Andoni Iraola and Helen Bleazard
We are launching a new Leadership Lecture series, exploring the practice of leadership, and learning lessons from great leaders across a variety of sectors.
The first lecture takes place on Thursday 26 February and will look at leadership in sport, with special guests Andoni Iraola and Helen Bleazard, managers of AFC Bournemouth’s men’s and women’s teams. Please book your place via Eventbrite.
The Leadership Lecture series aims to provide insight, inspiration and advice to staff, students and the wider university community on the different modes and philosophies of leadership that leaders from a range of sectors utilise.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Honour will lead the series and said, “We want to create a culture of learning leadership – that will support your own learning and development in your leadership capabilities. I truly believe that we will always have something to learn no matter our stage of life or career, and I am looking forward to hearing from leaders, and exploring what leadership looks like in different sectors.”
The inaugural lecture features a Q&A with AFC Bournemouth managers Andoni Iraola and Helen Bleazard. Andoni and Helen both moved into management following successful playing careers.
About our speakers:
Andoni Iraola spent the majority of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao, representing his national side Spain on seven occasions. His first management role was at Cypriot club AEK Larnaca, before taking on roles at Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano in Spain. He joined AFC Bournemouth in 2023, taking the Cherries to their highest ever points tally in the Premier League during the 2023-24 season. He is internationally recognised for his leadership at the club.
Helen Bleazard retired from playing football in 2025, spending the last three seasons of her career at AFC Bournemouth’s women’s team. She represented Wales internationally on 43 occasions and played in the Women’s Super League for Bristol and Chelsea. Since retiring, Helen has stepped into the manager’s role for the AFC Bournemouth women’s team, extending their unbeaten run in the league to more than two years.
Professor Honour continued: “We are delighted to be joined by Andoni and Helen, and I look forward to exploring the topic of leadership with them, hearing about their different styles, strengths and challenges as they display their leadership week-after-week.
“We want to ensure our students are hearing from leaders they can aspire to in their future careers, to develop a love for lifelong learning in the art of leadership, and that BU may produce graduates who go on to lead in a variety of sectors around the world.”
BU is the official higher education partner of AFC Bournemouth, and principal partner of the women’s and girls’ teams, with the BU logo appearing on the front of the women’s shirts.
Future lectures will focus on subjects such as leadership in the arts, and international business leadership.
The lecture will take place in the Share Lecture Theatre, in the Fusion Building on Talbot Campus, starting promptly at 6.30pm. You will need to arrive and take your seats from 6.15pm.
To book your place on the first Vice-Chancellor Leadership Lecture Series, and hear from Andoni Iraola and Helen Bleazard, please visit Eventbrite.
