Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick

Episódios

• Be Willing to Stand Alone: Euronext CEO Stéphane Boujnah 26.05.2026 29min

  Why Euronext CEO Stéphane Boujnah fought a $30 billion deal — and how it defined his career
• Don’t Stop Trying Things: Reed CEO James Reed 12.05.2026 37min

  James Reed reflects on the decision that defined his career — taking the risk of joining the family business. The Reed CEO discusses failure, purpose and why standing still is the worst decision of all.
• Stop Trying to Fit In: Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein 28.04.2026 32min

  How Lloyd Blankfein stopped trying to fit in — and learned to lead as himself
• If It’s Not Right, Leave: Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc 14.04.2026 39min

  Know when to walk away: The decision that shaped Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc
• Own the Role You Have: Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan 03.03.2026 33min

  Novartis CEO: Commit fully now — and your career may thank you later
• Decide, Then Deliver: Schneider Electric CEO Olivier Blum 24.02.2026 32min

  Why Olivier Blum hesitated before taking the Schneider Electric CEO job
• Use the Five‑Year Test: Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson 17.02.2026 34min

  How Jenny Johnson beat family‑name bias to lead $1.5 trillion Franklin Templeton
• Lead Through Discomfort: Philips CEO Roy Jakobs 10.02.2026 37min

  Philips CEO Roy Jakobs on why discomfort prepared him for leadership
• Protect the User: Pinterest CEO Bill Ready 03.02.2026 40min

  Why Pinterest CEO Bill Ready’s Boldest Bet Was Shaped Far From Silicon Valley
• Think for Yourself: Synthesia CEO Victor Riparbelli 13.01.2026 41min

  A rebellious Danish coder turned entrepreneur, Synthesia CEO Victor Riparbelli reveals how curiosity, risk‑taking and a breakthrough in AI research propelled him from teenage tinkerer to leading a multi‑billion‑dollar tech company.
• Learn the Lesson: Canary Wharf Chairman Nigel Wilson 06.01.2026 41min

  In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Sir Nigel Wilson, chairman of Canary Wharf Group, to explore the curiosity-driven career that took him from a council estate in northeast England to the top of U.K. business.  Wilson shares how intellectual curiosity—nurtured by family and teachers—shaped his path from a scholarship at MIT to roles at McKinsey, Dixons and ultimately CEO of Legal & General.  He reflects on leadership lessons, including his grandmother’s advice to lead with kindness and optimism and why encouragement beats shouting in management.  The conversation spans his current work at Canary Wharf and Cambridge Innovation Capital, his passion for growth and innovation and even his personal goals in athletics and family life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
• Learn to Decide: Heidelberg Materials CEO Dominik von Achten 30.12.2025 27min

  Heidelberg Materials CEO Dominik von Achten reflects on his path from law to leadership, why listening to younger voices is vital when navigating rapid change, and how turning a carbon challenge into an opportunity became the defining decision of his career.
• Know When to Leave: Syensqo CEO Ilham Kadri 23.12.2025 44min

  Syensqo CEO Ilham Kadri shares how her humble beginnings in Casablanca and a passion for science shaped her journey to the C-suite. She reflects on the tough choices behind a global career, why embracing discomfort fuels transformation, and how she navigates leadership’s loneliest moments.
• Be Yourself: Phoenix Group CEO Andy Briggs 16.12.2025 32min

  Phoenix Group CEO Andy Briggs reflects on how his family values shaped his four-decade career, why purpose-driven leadership matters when making tough decisions and how staying true to yourself is key to building long-term success.
• Do the Hard Thing: London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher 09.12.2025 39min

  London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher shares how his family’s sporting legacy shaped his career, why embracing tough decisions builds resilience, and how focusing on where you want to go—rather than the obstacles—is key to leadership and growth.
• Build, Don’t Complain: Veolia CEO Estelle Brachlianoff 02.12.2025 37min

  Veolia’s CEO reflects on how the ground-breaking women in her family unlocked her career ambitions, why she wishes she had trusted her instincts earlier, and why reframing our mindset is key to tackling global sustainability challenges.
• Know When to Stop: M&G CEO Andrea Rossi 25.11.2025 43min

  In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Andrea Rossi, CEO of global investment manager M&G.
• Trust Your Gut: IIF CEO Tim Adams 18.11.2025 36min

  In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick speaks with Tim Adams, President and CEO of the Institute of International Finance and one of the most influential voices warning about the global debt crisis.
• Own the Decision: Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch 11.11.2025 42min

  In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick speaks with Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy, about the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership. From an early love of languages and math to a formative stint in a psychiatric hospital during Germany’s public service program, Christian shares how empathy and curiosity became cornerstones of his approach to business. He reflects on bold career moves—including relocating his family to the U.S.—and the freedom to take risks that prepared him for the top job. Christian opens up about the toughest chapter of his career: Siemens Energy’s 2023 existential crisis, triggered by massive losses and plunging share prices. He reveals the sleepless nights, the lessons learned and why resilience and adaptability matter more than ever. Finally, Christian talks candidly about his struggle with work-life balance and his passion for driving the energy transition. Listen now for insights on leadership under pressure, personal growth and the future of energy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
• Be Decisive, Stay Humble: London Stock Exchange CEO Julia Hoggett 11.11.2025 36min

  In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick speaks with Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange and a trailblazer in British finance. Raised in a family of pioneering lawyers and judges—including her mother, Baroness Hale—Julia chose a different path, studying sociology at Cambridge and launching a career in the City. She shares how her upbringing shaped her values, and how watching her mother break barriers inspired her to challenge the status quo. Julia reflects on her decision to come out as gay early in her career, a move that was both courageous and transformative. She discusses the impact of inclusive leadership, the importance of empathy in the workplace, and why making tough—and sometimes unpopular—decisions is part of the job. From playing golf to find balance, to steering one of the world’s most influential financial institutions, Julia offers powerful insights on authenticity, resilience, and the future of capital markets. Listen now to hear Julia Hoggett’s remarkable journey and her vision for the London Stock Exchange. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.