The Sir Adrian Cadbury Lecture What Makes a Good Organisation Good?

“The Case of Ethical Leadership – Practical Wisdom and Good Governance in an Age of Crisis”

The annual Sir Adrian Cadbury Lecture, hosted by the Lunar Society in partnership with Aston University, once again tackled the biggest questions of governance and leadership — with members of the Cadbury family among a full audience in the Sir Adrian Cadbury Lecture Theatre on 10 November 2025.

Professor Osama Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), opened the evening with a welcome, connecting the discussion to the unique ambitions and student focus of Aston University.

Guest speaker, Otti Vogt - business philosopher, leadership reformer, and global thought leader - began by revisiting the Cadbury Report (1992), which transformed expectations of corporate stewardship. He then invited the audience on a profound journey to “reclaim the soul of leadership,” exploring the moral foundations of governance and the courage to act rightly even when unseen.

This was more than a lecture - it was a philosophical and practical exploration of:

• What justifies power?

• What is truth?

• What is good?

• How should we act?

Vogt’s central message was clear: true governance extends beyond the boundaries of any organisation to shape society for good. Leadership, he argued, is not a matter of personality but the collective creation of environments where people habitually act with integrity.

Deirdre LaBassiere hosted the evening and led an insightful and lively Q&A, probing the ethical challenges within global institutions and legal systems, and how leaders discern right from wrong when systems themselves are flawed.

Lunar Society Chair, Joe Gaytten invited guests to carry forward the Society’s legacy — to exchange ideas, debate, cultivate connections, and learn with practical purpose.

Our thanks go to the Cadbury family and Aston University for their active collaboration in the success of this annual event.