Dominique Austin Bruno

Head of Learning and Development at MHA (3k+ employees)

Prior to succumbing to the call of Accountancy, Dominique had earned his MSc. in Archaeology and spent numerous years digging big holes with the University of Cambridge’s Archaeological Unit. It was through Archaeology that he became particularly fascinated with the mechanisms of cultural change and how these can be applied to the current world on both micro and macro levels. Years later, qualifying as an ACA with PwC, he quickly refocused his career into the Accountancy L&D sectors, where he has spent the past 18 years striving to create engaging environments for professional skills development at all levels. In doing so, he continuously draws on his previous interests as he attempts to make sense of the shifts in trends he sees around him, and how they can be used to positively impact the people within his organisation. Dominique has spent the past 10 years as Head of Learning and Development of MHA (part of the Baker Tilley International Network), and has quite possibly never been happier.

11:30 - 12:00 pm

Tuesday 21 October 2025

"Crafting Culture - Ideas on Reframing Culture to Craft a Better L&D Environment"

Managing one’s organisational culture can be a powerful tool in helping your people learn and develop, particularly in times of transition and change. However, it is also a tool that is often taken for granted. As it can be all too easy to assume it is either something we have little control over, or more dangerously, assume that it is already set the way we want it to be. Going back to his Anthropological / Archaeological roots, Dominique will first be revisiting what we mean by culture and examining some ideas regarding the mechanisms by which cultures operate. From this, we will be exploring a practical framework that L&D (and other) teams can use to better understand, and even shape, the cultural environment around them. Allowing us a chance to proactively wield culture as a tool for the change and growth we want, rather than treating it as a passive environment that just reacts to our intentions.