Dr Karen Blakeley was previously Programme Leader for the Doctorate in Business Administration and the BA Business Management degrees at the University of Winchester Business School. She also led the Centre for Responsible Management at Winchester, hosting talks given by national and international business leaders on the subject of responsible leadership.  Prior to becoming an academic Karen had 20 years experience as a leadership development consultant, working for a range of corporations all over the world.

Karen has conducted research and produced academic and practitioner publications in the area of responsible leadership development, spirituality in leadership and the role of the business schools in society. Her most recent book, ‘Leading with Love’, was published in July 2021.  It is based on research which examined the practices of senior leaders who were nominated by their direct reports as leaders who led with love. The book argues that, now more than ever, it is important to develop emotional and spiritual maturity in leaders and also demonstrates how it is possible to do this.

Karen now works independently as an academic, leadership and life coach and runs courses in personal and spiritual development.