Oxford Israel Alumni Society Convenes Diplomats, Business and Academic Leaders

"Innovation Across Borders", co-hosted with Reichman University's Raphael Recanati International School on 22 October, draws more than 200 registrations

HERZLIYA, ISRAEL, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Oxford Israel Alumni Society and Reichman University's Raphael Recanati International School will co-host Innovation Across Borders: Diplomats, Academics and Business Leaders in Conversation on Thursday 22 October 2026 on the university's campus in Herzliya. The evening brings senior diplomats from the United Kingdom, Kenya, Singapore and Switzerland together with Israeli academics, investors and innovation leaders.

The event comes at a time when many of Israel's international relationships are being tested. Rather than step back from that conversation, the organisers built a forum around what continues to connect Israel with partners abroad: its strengths in research, technology and entrepreneurship. The response reflects that need, with more than 200 registrations, many of them senior executives from Israel's technology, investment and corporate sectors.

Since British Ambassador Simon Walters hosted its launch at his residence in March 2024, the society has positioned itself at the intersection of diplomacy, business and academia. Past speakers include former Israeli Ambassadors Mark Regev (United Kingdom) and Akiva Tor (South Korea); Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who served as Israel's Special Envoy for Innovation; and Microsoft Chief Scientist Tomer Simon.

The programme

The evening opens with welcome remarks from the society's co-chairs, Adv. Simon Kotlerman and Dr. Aviv Yehezkel, alongside Jonathan Davis, Vice President of Reichman University and Head of the Raphael Recanati International School, and Dr. Tamar Yogev, Head of the Entrepreneurship-Economics with Data Science Track at the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship.

A session on diplomatic perspectives follows, with:
- Helen Twist OBE, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy in Israel
- H.E. Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Albert Kendagor, Ambassador of Kenya to the State of Israel
- Nicholas Tan, Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
- David Biegeleisen, Innovation Advisor, Embassy of Switzerland in Israel

The closing panel, Business Leaders Going Global, is moderated by journalist and TV presenter Dror Globerman, and features:
- Prof. Yaron Wolfsthal, Partner, ICI Fund, a US venture fund backing Israeli deep-tech founders; founder of IBM's Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Israel
- Shlomi Kofman, VP and Head of International Collaborations, Israel Innovation Authority; a former diplomat with postings in Shanghai, Washington, New York and San Francisco
- Miriam Shtilman Lavsovski, Partner, Tal Ventures, where she leads deep-tech investment; Israel's representative to the European Quantum Flagship's Quantum Community Network
- Dean Shahar, Managing Director and Head of Israel, DTCP, a global investment firm with $3 billion under management; board member of Zenity and Anecdotes

The evening ends with networking among diplomats, academics, investors and executives.

What the co-chairs say

"Diplomacy is usually measured by what governments sign. But some of the strongest ties between countries are built by people who do business together, study together and solve problems together," said Adv. Simon Kotlerman, Co-Chair of the Oxford Israel Alumni Society. "In challenging geopolitical times, those connections matter even more, and so does a neutral space where diplomacy, business and academia can meet."

"Israeli innovation has never stopped at the border. Its customers, investors and research partners are spread across every continent," said Dr. Aviv Yehezkel, Co-Chair of the Oxford Israel Alumni Society. "Oxford taught many of us to argue hard and listen harder. That is the spirit we are bringing to Herzliya: candid conversation across countries and sectors, aimed at building things together."

Event details
Event: Innovation Across Borders: Diplomats, Academics and Business Leaders in Conversation
Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Time: 17:30–20:30
Venue: Reichman University, Herzliya

Media wishing to attend should contact the organisers.

Notes to editors
1. About the Oxford Israel Alumni Society. The society is the official, members-only network of University of Oxford alumni in Israel, and one of more than 150 regional Oxford alumni societies worldwide. Led by its co-chairs, Adv. Simon Kotlerman and Dr. Aviv Yehezkel, it convenes leaders at the intersection of diplomacy, business and academia. Since its launch in March 2024 at the British Ambassador's residence, it has grown to nearly 300 members, many of them senior figures in Israeli society.
2. About the Raphael Recanati International School at Reichman University. Reichman University (formerly IDC Herzliya) was founded in 1994 and is Israel's only private, non-profit university. Its Raphael Recanati International School is the largest international school of higher education in Israel, with all classes taught in English to students from around the world. The university is also home to the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship, founded in 2013.
3. The event is held in collaboration with the British Embassy in Israel, the Embassy of Switzerland in Israel, the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, and the Embassy of Kenya in Tel Aviv.
4. Interviews can be arranged on request.

Simon Kotlerman
Oxford Israel Alumni Society
hello@oxfordil.co.uk
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