By Tunde Oso

Oxford became a focal point for international conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable brand development as the London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD) hosted the 2026 edition of its Skills Live Show at the University of Oxfords Saïd Business School.

The global gathering attracted more than 250 participants from over 45 countries, bringing together entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, business leaders, and development professionals for discussions centred on leadership, enterprise growth, innovation, and skills development in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Among the featured speakers at the event was Zahra Sbeih, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SVA Agency, Lebanon, who participated as a panellist during the programmes closing session titled From Corporate to Founder: Creating Brands that Matter.

During the discussion, Zahra Sbeih examined the realities surrounding the transition from corporate employment into entrepreneurship, particularly the operational and structural challenges many founders encounter while attempting to scale their businesses.

Drawing from her professional experience, she explained that while many emerging businesses focus heavily on visibility and marketing, long-term sustainability often depends on operational clarity, internal structure, and strategic systems capable of supporting growth.

According to her, successful brand development extends beyond creative presentation and requires deliberate attention to organisational processes, delegation systems, decision-making structures, and scalable operational models.

Her remarks reflected the philosophy behind SVA Agency, a business strategy and brand development firm established to support founders and growing enterprises through strategic positioning, operational organisation, and structured growth frameworks.

Zahra Sbeih noted that the agencys operational model incorporates a distributed network of virtual specialists, enabling businesses to access high-level strategic expertise without the financial and administrative burden associated with building large internal teams.

She further explained that the approach was shaped largely by her own transition from the corporate sector into independent business leadership, where she identified recurring structural weaknesses affecting many startups and founder-led ventures.
The panel session resonated strongly with entrepreneurs and professionals attending from different regions, particularly those navigating leadership transitions, scaling challenges, and evolving business environments.

Beyond her participation on the discussion panel, Zahra Sbeih also attended the events high-level networking engagements, inaugural parade, and the LOSD Excellence Awards 2026, where individuals and organisations were recognised for contributions across sectors including Business, Education, Health, Technology, Media, and Social Impact.
The event also featured activities organised by the LOSD Publishing House, including the launch of A Book of Happiness and the unveiling of promotional materials for 26 Game Changers of the Year 2026, scheduled for global presentation at Harvard University in August 2026.

Leading the event was Prof. Dr. Parin Somani, Chief Executive Officer of the London Organisation of Skills Development, alongside several civic leaders and public officials who participated in the international gathering. Attendees included the Worshipful Mayors of Oxford, Southwark, Harrow, and Elstree &Borehamwood, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford City.

Observers at the event noted that Zahra Sbeihs participation reflected a broader effort to increase Middle Eastern representation within global discussions on entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable business development.

Her contribution at Oxford also highlighted growing international interest in business models that combine strategic branding with operational efficiency, particularly at a time when entrepreneurs increasingly seek scalable and adaptable structures capable of supporting long-term growth in competitive global markets.