BCI Board Nominee Spotlight: Kelly Blakeley MBCI
Full name: Kelly Blakeley
Membership grade: MBCI
Country of residence: United Arab Emirates
Professional role: Founder & managing director; Global Board Director
About the nominee
I am currently a Global Board Director of the BCI and the Founder of Flex Story, a UAE-based resilience and strategy consultancy working internationally to empower people in resilience through a human-centred approach. My background spans emergency response, government advisory, and capability development from individual to national government training programmes through roles at the government institutions, the UK Resilience Academy and Rabdan Academy (UAE).
I’m passionate about building a resilient society through a human-centred and future-focused approach - combining the resourcefulness of the public sector with the innovation of the private. Within the BCI community, I’ve served as an approved instructor, chapter committee member, training partner lead, and Global Board Director.
During my time on the Board, I’ve gained deep strategic governance experience and a clear understanding of how the Institute can create value for its members globally. What drives me is the belief that resilience is a shared responsibility - one that requires diverse voices, fresh thinking, and courage to tackle new challenges from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to climate and beyond.
I’m standing for re-election to help the BCI stay relevant, inclusive, and ambitious - a professional community where people feel seen, connected, and empowered to make a difference.
Any prior board governance experience?
I am a current BCI Board Director and in addition to this governance role, I serve as a member of the Board Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FARCOM) where I contribute to governance reform, strategic planning, and oversight of institutional finance and risk management.
I am a Full Member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and graduate of the IoD’s Role of the Board and Board Director programme. I am an UK expert representative on ISO and BSI committees on resilience standards, such as ISO 22316 for Organizational Resilience, providing technical and strategic input into global frameworks.
Previous governance experience through leadership roles at the UK Resilience Academy and advising senior leaders on resilience and governance frameworks during my time as a subject matter lead at the Rabdan Academy (UAE).
Why serve on the BCI Board?
Serving on the BCI Board has been both a privilege and a learning journey that has deepened my commitment to our profession. I’m standing for re-election to help the Institute maintain momentum toward a future-ready, inclusive, and globally engaged BCI.
In the next term, I want to amplify diverse voices, raise visibility in growth regions, challenge assumptions, and champion innovation through responsible use of technology and AI.
Drawing on experience across governance, strategy, government, business, and international collaboration, I’ll ensure the BCI remains credible, accessible, and future-focused - a place where members can see their own impact reflected in our direction.
I believe resilience is not only how we respond to crisis, but how we navigate uncertainty and turn it into opportunity. I want the BCI to be a louder, more confident voice of progress for our profession - uniting expertise and creativity at a time when the world needs both.
What skills and experience do you bring to the board?
My scientific background shaped a disciplined, evidence-based approach to analysis and critical challenge - skills I apply at the Board level to enable balanced, informed decisions and openness to science and technology.
I bring strategic leadership, governance literacy, and international visibility. As a founder and Board Director, I have hands-on experience in strategy execution, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. My background in government advisory and emergency response provides a practical understanding of policy, operational realities, and decision-making under pressure.
As a serving member of the BCI’s Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FARCOM), I contribute to financial governance and risk oversight that supports accountable, transparent decisions.
A Full Member of the Institute of Directors and active representative on ISO and BSI committees, I bring strong governance and standards insight to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and the Institute’s strategic credibility.
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