Join us from 6pm on Tuesday, 20th January at the London offices of Mills & Reeve LLP, for an insightful and thought-provoking evening with Lord Peter Hain and Bruce Whitfield, as they discuss their newly released books and explore the forces shaping politics, governance and business today.
Lord Peter Hain will discuss his powerful new book, Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail.

Drawing on more than five decades of activism and public service, Lord Hain explores a question that has shaped his life’s work: why do liberation and independence movements, founded on ideals of justice and equality, so often descend into corruption and poor governance once in power? Combining rigorous analysis with compelling real-world evidence, the book examines case studies from Africa, Latin America, Russia, China, India and beyond, offering urgent lessons for today’s political and business leaders.

A former UK Cabinet Minister, anti-apartheid activist and key international negotiator, Lord Hain brings unparalleled insight and personal experience to this discussion. From surviving a letter bomb as a teenage campaigning against apartheid, to chairing the UN Security Council and brokering international treaties, his journey lends rare credibility to this critical examination of power, accountability and leadership. Praised as “honest and credible” and “uncomfortable but important,” Liberation and Corruption challenges long-held assumptions and invites a deeper conversation about governance, integrity and the future of freedom movements worldwide.

Bruce Whitfield, co-author of It’s About Tyme: Banking Beyond Borders, will bring to life one of the most extraordinary fintech stories of our time. From a bold vision launched in South Africa – one of the world’s most challenging business environments – to becoming one of the fastest-growing digital banks globally, the book charts a remarkable journey of resilience, innovation and audacity. It explores how Tyme overcame cultural clashes, capital crises, global expansion challenges and the shock of Covid-19 to emerge as a global leader in inclusive, cross-border banking.

Drawing on real-world experience and sharp business insight, Bruce will unpack the strategic lessons behind Tyme’s success: building scalable banking models, harnessing global talent, embracing intelligent risk and fostering a culture where experimentation drives growth. Recognised by TIME magazine in 2025 as one of the world’s 100 most influential companies, Tyme’s story offers powerful insights for business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors navigating disruption, innovation and growth across borders.

The evening will include audience Q&A, networking, and the opportunity to enjoy a glass of South African wine at the offices of Mills & Reeve.

Places are limited, so early booking is strongly recommended.

Lord Peter Hain was the child of South African parents, jailed, banned and forced into exile during the freedom struggle. Aged 19, from 1969-70, Peter led anti-apartheid campaigns to stop all-white South African sports tours – and in retaliation was sent a letter bomb, framed for a bank theft he knew nothing about and nearly imprisoned.

MP for Neath from 1991-2015 and a Privy Councillor, he served in the UK Labour Government for 12 years, seven of these in the Cabinet.

He negotiated the 2007 settlement to end the conflict in Northern Ireland and was a Foreign Minister with successive responsibilities for Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He chaired the United Nations Security Council and negotiated international treaties. He was also Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Secretary of State for Wales, Leader of the House of Commons and Energy Minister.

Author of 28 books, his latest is Liberation and Corruption: why freedom movements fail. His concise readable biography Mandela His Essential Life was published in 2018, his memoirs Outside In in 2012, and his anti-corruption thrillers The Rhino Conspiracy (2020) and its sequels The Elephant Conspiracy (2022) and The Lion Conspiracy (2024); also Fallout (2025). His South African memoir, A Pretoria Boy was published in 2021.

Bruce Whitfield sees opportunity where others see chaos. He has spent his career proving that uncertainty isn’t the enemy but a strategic advantage. An award-winning business speaker and best-selling author, he helps executives and teams to make smarter decisions, act with confidence, and gain the edge in a world defined by volatility and noise.

Creator of the Chaos Advantage framework, winner of the 2025 UK Speaker Awards for Thought Leadership, with nearly three decades in journalism, Bruce has learned to decode the deeper forces shaping markets and leadership behavior.

Bruce hosts Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, a weekly global digest, and The Art of Deciding podcast. He is the author of four acclaimed books, The Upside of Down: How Chaos and Uncertainty Breed Opportunity, Genius: How to Thrive at the Edge of Chaos, The One Thing: Small Ideas, Big Outcomes, and It’s About Tyme: Banking Beyond Borders.

Bruce has been featured by leading business media and is a regular keynote speaker at global conferences. His global impact, combined with his dynamic and thought-provoking keynotes, has positioned him as one of the most sought-after voices on decision-making, leadership, and the power of clarity in chaos. Sometimes his talks spark laughter, other times, uncomfortable reflection. But they always leave people thinking differently.