Negotiation Masterclass with Sue Williams QPM

Every business leader negotiates. Whether it’s with customers, suppliers, investors, or employees, some conversations are straightforward, and others carry pressure, emotion, and high stakes. 

This masterclass with Sue Williams QPM will explore what leaders can learn from the world of hostage and crisis negotiation, and how those principles apply to business conversations where trust, preparation, and judgement matter. 

Sue is internationally recognised as one of the world’s most experienced hostage and kidnap negotiators. A former senior detective at Scotland Yard, she was Officer in Charge of both the Kidnap and Hostage Crisis Negotiation Units, and now advises governments, NGOs, and global organisations on crisis response and negotiation strategy. She is also a Senior Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. 

In this session, Sue will share insights from her career in some of the most complex negotiation environments before translating the lessons into practical guidance for you. 

With many entrepreneurs facing longer sales cycles, slower decision-making, and more challenging conversations, the ability to negotiate well has never felt more important. But this will not be a conventional sales session. It is a rare opportunity to learn from someone whose work has involved ethical negotiation when the stakes could not be higher. Held under the Chatham House Rule, and with no recording, this masterclass will provide a private setting for an open and candid discussion you will need to be in the room to hear. 

The Conversation 

Drawing on her experience, Sue will share: 

What ethical negotiation looks like, and what happens when people get it wrong. 

How to prepare properly before entering a negotiation. 

Common negotiation pitfalls and mistakes leaders make under pressure. 

How to create the right first impression. 

The phases of negotiation, from relationship-building and communication to rapport, empathy, negotiation, and behavioural change. 

How culture can shape communication and influence outcomes. 

How to move conversations towards agreement and close effectively. 

Lessons from crisis and hostage negotiation that can be applied in business. 

What You’ll Take Away 

You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to perform in stressful environments and approach important conversations with more preparation, control, and confidence. This session will offer practical insight into building trust, reading situations more effectively, avoiding common mistakes, and moving negotiations towards a better outcome. 

Whether you are trying to close a sale, manage a difficult conversation, secure investment, or resolve a conflict, this masterclass will give you a rare perspective on what it takes to negotiate well when the pressure is on. 

The Small Print

Please note: This session will be held under the Chatham House Rule and will not be recorded.

Workshops are open to all members and partners of the Forum. Two guest places are available to ‘Ultimate’ and ‘Premium’ members.

Please note guests must be from your own company.  To ensure you have a great experience at our workshop, please let us know in advance if you have any dietary or accessibility requirements. In the event that you need to cancel or amend your booking please let us know as soon as possible.

If you are a ‘Core’ member and would like to upgrade your membership or to find out more, please email info@entrepreneursforum.net or call one of the team on 0191 500 7780.

Please be aware that your name, job title and company may be shared with our Forum partners and event attendees for event‑related purposes. Should you wish to remove yourself from any delegate lists please let us know.