In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Simon Athlan — Global Strategy Director at Ogilvy UK and former Senior Director of Brand Strategy at Jellyfish — shares how he helps global brands like Dove and TRESemmé find a clear path from business problem to cultural relevance. With experience across Allianz, Neutrogena, Chanel and more, Simon bridges classic brand strategy with the realities of social platforms, rapid trends and generative AI.
In this conversation, you’ll learn how he: ✅ Translates corporate business problems into sharp, human tensions that people actually care about ✅ Balances long-term brand consistency with the “lots of littles” content reality of social platforms ✅ Uses world-building and star stories to keep campaigns coherent while culture moves at speed ✅ Applies GenAI as a strategic tool (not a crutch), including treating agents as a new type of audience
🎧 For senior leaders rethinking how strategy, creativity and AI come together at scale, this episode offers practical lenses you can apply across any large organisation!
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Russell Longmuir — CEO at EFQM and former consulting leader at IBM, KPMG and PwC — shares a candid look at transforming an organisation while operating under real-world constraints. From shifting EFQM to a direct go-to-market, to digitising decades of assessment data, Russell explains how a small, distributed team scaled globally without external equity or debt.
In this conversation, you’ll learn how he:
✅ Defined four non-negotiable pillars (product quality, digitisation, brand control, extended customer relationships) and stuck to them amid daily firefighting
✅ Balanced surging demand with funding limits by sequencing bets and raising quality across a hybrid workforce operating in 25 languages
✅ Replaced partner-led distribution with customer proximity to drive growth (including major gains in the Middle East)
✅ Combines evidence-based benchmarking with emerging agentic AI while protecting human judgement and capability development
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Apoorva Kumar — Senior Director RGM Transformation at PepsiCo and former transformation leader at Haleon (GSK Consumer Healthcare) — shares hard-won lessons from two decades leading commercial change across FMCG and healthcare.
Having led large-scale change in revenue growth management and trade promotion, Apoorva unpacks how culture, clarity, and cadence turn high-level strategies into measurable outcomes across commercial transformations.
In this conversation, you’ll learn how he turns strategy into results and why sequencing change, ways of working and technology is critical in high-velocity FMCG.
He shared insights on:
Tune in for deeper insights that matter to senior leaders → [link]
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Mark Stone — award-winning Brand Consultant, University Lecturer, and founder of Strategy Stone — shares insights from over 20 years of building and advising brands across sectors from pharmaceuticals and finance to technology and consumer goods.Having led strategy for brands at agencies including Ogilvy, Wolff Olins, Mother, and BBDO, and worked directly with global brands such as DHL, Google, Nike, and KPMG, Mark brings a unique perspective on the intersection of brand and corporate strategy.We explore practical lessons on how senior leaders can integrate brand thinking into strategic planning, ensuring it drives measurable business value rather than sitting on the sidelines. In this conversation, you’ll learn how he:
✅ Aligns business and brand objectives using frameworks such as cascade goals ✅ Helps organisations overcome silos and build unified strategy execution ✅ Demonstrates the cultural impact of brand strategy on employees and customers ✅ Utilises brand valuation methods to identify areas of opportunity
In this episode of Unscripted, we sit down with Mark Servodidio, CEO of PGP Solutions, for an in-depth conversation about his dynamic career and the importance of aligning human capital with strategy execution. With a rich background spanning human resources and general management at industry giants like PepsiCo, Nabisco, and Avis Budget Group, Mark shares how leadership, culture, and operational excellence drive sustainable success.🎙 🚀Mark walks us through his journey of transforming organisations by focusing on people, strategy, and customer-centricity. From revitalising Avis Budget Group’s customer experience, significantly boosting its Net Promoter Scores across Europe, to launching his own venture, Mark discusses the critical role of engaging frontline employees and fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect. He also delves into the evolving landscape of business leadership, highlighting the unique challenges faced today in an increasingly fast-paced, complex, and AI-driven world.Key Insights from the Conversation:💡 Human capital is central to strategy execution. Leaders must ensure people are ready and capable to deliver the strategy, bridging gaps between the vision and the everyday tasks that drive success.💡 Spending time with frontline employees accelerates success. Mark emphasises the importance of understanding the challenges at the customer touchpoints and connecting those experiences to broader business objectives.💡 Leadership requires simplicity in communication. Breaking down complex challenges into manageable components and making them clear for employees is key to delivering results and gaining their discretionary effort.💡 Building culture and credibility is essential for driving change. Mark’s ability to influence culture—especially in a large, established organisation—helped transform Avis Budget Group’s customer service, drastically increasing Net Promoter Scores across Europe.💡 AI must be embraced for future success. Mark encourages businesses to lean into AI, using it to enhance existing processes and creating an opportunity for growth and innovation.Whether you’re leading a global organisation or looking to improve team alignment, Mark’s experiences offer valuable lessons on breaking down barriers to success and creating strategic, human-driven solutions.🎧Tune in to hear Mark’s strategic insights on leadership, human capital, and driving results in an ever-evolving business world.
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Srulik Dvorsky — Co-founder & CEO of TailorMed — unpacks how a purpose-driven healthtech company tackles “financial toxicity” and improves access to care. Based in New York and originally from Israel, Srulik explains TailorMed’s journey from a focused affordability solution to a growing network across providers, pharmacies and pharma, supporting patients through complex medical journeys.In this conversation, you’ll learn how he:
✅ Starts small to de-risk, prove value, and earn expansion (from early pilots to enterprise roll-outs)
✅ Aligns vision, strategy, and execution using high-touch customer engagement and clear operating cadences
✅ Applies AI across engineering, services, and product (including a co-pilot for advocates) to increase throughput
✅ Uses horizon thinking to protect the core while extending into new barriers beyond affordabilityTune in for deeper insights!
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Rikki Douglas — Managing Director at Quorum Technologies and Industrial Advisory Board Member at Lancaster University School of Engineering — shares insights from more than 20 years of leadership across defence, nuclear, maritime, and now advanced manufacturing. At Quorum, she leads a global specialist business in sample preparation for electron microscopy, serving universities, OEMs, and high-tech industries worldwide.We explore practical lessons on leading strategy in both large corporates and SMEs, and how to sustain growth in volatile markets. In this conversation, you’ll learn how she:✅ Builds strategy and accountability in a fast-moving SME environment✅ Balances focus with agility to pursue new markets from cryo to batteries✅ Embeds a culture where teams feel empowered to execute and deliver✅ Manages global partnerships and distribution without diluting strategy🎧 For senior leaders navigating scale, market volatility, and strategic execution, this episode offers direct lessons in resilience and growth
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Andy Wilkins — Futurist, Programme Director at Imperial College Business School, Visiting Lecturer at UCL, and Founder of Future of Health — maps a practical path from product-centric thinking to systemic innovation. Drawing on leadership experience across BT, strategy consulting and health policy, Andy explains how senior leaders can move from value extraction to value exchange and align strategy, operations and partners around what customers are truly trying to achieve.In this conversation, you’ll learn how he:✅ Applies Jobs-to-Be-Done to define value and guide strategy beyond the product✅ Uses the Three Horizons to bridge today’s constraints to a bolder future state✅ Orchestrates cross-silo collaboration using “cells-to-cities” and life-course models (start well, live well, age well, die well)✅ Positions emerging tech (AI, data, platforms) to serve outcomes, not old incentives🎧 Tune in for deeper insights that matter to senior leaders — actionable methods to align complex organisations and ecosystems for measurable results.
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Mark Preston — Director of Technology Integration at Oxa, Motorsport Director at Lola Cars, former F1 Technical Director at McLaren, Super Aguri, and Arrows, and the most successful Team Principal in Formula E history.
Mark shares practical lessons on leading high-performance teams, balancing short-term delivery with long-term strategy, and applying motorsport discipline to complex industries. Drawing on an Oxford MBA and three decades at the frontier of racing and autonomy, he reframes leadership as an evidence-led operating system.
We explore how to:
✅ Embed knowledge and standards so organisations stop “oscillating” and compound capability
✅ Balance exploration vs. exploitation with timeboxing, sprints, and clear release cadences
✅ Use clusters, marginal gains, and reliability systems to move KPIs on a positive gradient
✅ Apply scenario planning and Pareto thinking to allocate scarce resources under shifting rules
🎧 Senior leaders in complex, distributed businesses will find practical, transferable models for execution at scale — from premortems to post-race learning loops — and foresight on where AI, simulation, and autonomy reshape advantage.
Tune in for a rich conversation on how to navigate complexity, align global teams, and stay laser-focused on customer value in a world of constant change.#StrategyInAction #StrategyUnscripted #OXA #LolaCars
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Saasha Celestial-One, Co-Founder and COO of Olio, unpacks her journey from Stanford MBA and McKinsey consultant to leading a scale-up tackling food waste in 62 countries.
Before founding Olio, Saasha built her expertise in strategy and business development at Morgan Stanley, McKinsey, and American Express. Today she leads a fully remote team of 60, supported by 150,000 volunteers and 8.5 million users who have collectively shared 120 million meals.
We explore practical lessons for leaders managing complexity, building networks, and financing growth.
In this conversation, you’ll learn how she:
✅ Uses strategy frameworks and evidence-led decision making to prioritise at pace
✅ Builds volunteer-powered operations that scale without traditional overhead
✅ Aligns distributed teams through quarterly objectives and values-led governance
✅ Structures funding to milestones and reallocates resources in shifting markets
For senior executives balancing purpose with performance, this episode is a must listen!
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, we speak with Sarah Carroll, Head of Programs at William Jackson Food Group, about leading strategy, transformation, and change across a portfolio of heritage British food brands. Drawing on her broad experience from multiple industries, Sarah reveals how a clear, aligned mission—“good food proudly made”—drives collaboration and growth across diverse businesses.🎙 🚀Key Topics:🍞 Creating a ‘golden thread’ of strategy that connects senior leadership to frontline teams🤝 Balancing autonomy and alignment across multiple brands with distinct markets🌱 Embedding sustainability and B Corp certification as core business priorities🔄 Adopting an agile, ongoing approach to strategic planning and execution💡 Leveraging cross-industry insights to navigate change and build resilient organisationsSarah shares practical insights on cascading purpose throughout a large organisation, maintaining clarity amid complexity, and driving culture change to enable lasting transformation in a fast-moving food industry.🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, strategy, and innovation in food manufacturing and retail.#StrategyExecution #FoodIndustry #Transformation #Leadership #StrategyUnscripted
🎙 Strategic Vision and Unwavering Focus with Graham Brown, Executive Chairman @ MediaSense 🚀In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, we sit down with Graham Brown, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Media Sense, to explore the journey from corporate advertising to entrepreneurial leadership. Graham shares his insights on building a complementary management team, the critical importance of client service, and the creative strategies that have driven Media Sense’s growth and successful private equity exit.Key Topics:🤝 The power of client obsession and mutual respect in service businesses🎯 Crafting a clear, focused strategy to differentiate in a competitive market📊 Balancing agility and discipline while scaling across new services and geographies🔄 Navigating distractions and staying aligned with core business priorities🌍 The evolving marketing services landscape and future growth opportunities🎧 Tune in for practical wisdom on leading through change, fostering accountability, and sustaining growth in dynamic industries.#StrategyExecution #StrategyUnscripted #MediaSense
🎙 Strategic Innovation at Scale: Navigating Global Connectivity with Nir Shalom, CEO @ floLIVE 🚀
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, we sit down with Nir Shalom, CEO of floLIVE, to explore how strategy, innovation, and customer obsession come together in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech sectors. From his time at AT&T to leading a global connectivity disruptor, Nir shares how strategy must evolve dynamically to meet the demands of mission-critical infrastructure, global expansion, and continuous innovation.
Key Topics:
🌍 Scaling global infrastructure in a complex, regulated environment
🔗 Customer-centric strategy: building with and for the user
⚙️ Balancing innovation with stability in mission-critical services
💡 The power of clarity, culture, and accountability in execution
📈 Nir’s strategic journey from corporate leadership to startup scale-up
🎧 Tune in for a rich conversation on how to navigate complexity, align global teams, and stay laser-focused on customer value in a world of constant change.
#StrategyExecution #GlobalGrowth #CustomerCentricity #StrategyUnscripted #Leadership
In this episode we cover;
0:15 Introduction
0:46 floLIVE context3:02 AT&T professional journey
8:33 Overcoming floLIVE's pains
23:56 Strategic choices - Where do we play?
28:18 Importance of clarity
34:38 Balancing needs with innovations
36:44 The future Nir's industry (5–10 years)
40:05 3AM staring at the ceiling problems
42:46 Closing thoughts
🎙 From Transformation to Innovation: Leading UK Manufacturing through Change and AI 🚀In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, we sit down with Halil Bedevi, the founder and CEO of Manufacturing IQ, to discuss how AI, robotics, and automation are reshaping the manufacturing landscape. With over 30 years of experience, Halil shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities facing UK manufacturing and offers strategies for staying competitive in an evolving global market.Key Topics:🤖 The role of AI and automation in modern manufacturing 🌍 Strategies for navigating geopolitical and economic challenges 🔄 The importance of dynamic and realistic strategy in the face of change♻️ The future of UK manufacturing and the race to Net Zero📈Halil’s journey and lessons learned from his career in manufacturing and financial services🎧 Tune in for a deep dive into how manufacturing leaders can adapt to the future of technology and sustainability.In this episode we cover;0:15 Introducing Halil Bedevi0:48 Halil's Leadership Journey1:44 Current Manufacturing Blame Culture3:06 Halil’s Previous Roles5:30 Strategy in Halil’s Work9:07 "Beyond Strategy" at Santander12:28 CEO Roadblocks: Halil’s Perspective14:58 Supporting Organisations' Goals17:42 AI in Manufacturing: Challenge or Opportunity19:48 Staying Ahead: Books, Podcasts, Insights21:19 Future of UK Manufacturing23:21 Final Thoughts
🎙 Executing Strategy with Precision – A Conversation with Will Casselton 🚀In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, we sit down with Will Casselton, CEO of McKinney Rogers, to explore the critical gap between strategy and execution. Will shares his insights on mission-driven leadership, aligning teams with strategic intent, and creating a culture of accountability. Drawing from his experience in helping organisations translate vision into action, he reveals the key challenges leaders face when driving execution at scale.💡 Key Takeaways:✅ Strategy is about choices—defining critical shifts for success✅ Empower teams by decentralising decision-making within a clear framework✅ Build adaptability into execution—plans will change, but clarity must remain🎧 Watch now for a deep dive into leadership, strategy, and scaling a mission-driven business!
#StrategyExecution #Leadership #MissionDriven #StrategyUnscripted
🎙 From Legacy to Leadership: Scaling Belazu with Purpose 🚀
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, we sit down with David, MD of Belazu, to explore his journey from food technologist to leading one of the UK’s most respected food brands. He shares how Belazu has evolved while staying true to its mission of inspiring and serving chefs in every kitchen.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ From M&S to Belazu – Lessons from a career in food and leadership
✅ Scaling with purpose – How Belazu balances tradition and innovation
✅ Food industry challenges – Navigating supply chains, exports, and AI-driven change
✅ Execution over strategy – The importance of bringing plans to life every day
✅ Empowering teams – Creating a culture of clarity, accountability, and ownership
David also shares his insights on networking, leadership, and the future of the food industry, as well as how Belazu is expanding into retail while staying true to its food service roots.
🎧 Watch now for a deep dive into leadership, strategy, and scaling a mission-driven business!
#Belazu #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #StrategyExecution #FoodIndustry #StrategyUnscripted
In this episode of Strategy Unscripted, Ben Davis engages with Cyrus Mewawalla, Head of Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData, for an insightful discussion on how CEOs and business leaders can navigate today’s complexities by harnessing data, AI, and thematic intelligence.
Cyrus shares his expert perspectives on identifying emerging opportunities, mitigating critical threats, and leveraging predictive insights to drive smarter, more impactful decision-making. The conversation also dives into the transformative potential of small language models and how they’re reshaping industries.
Tune in now for actionable strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape!
This episode is essential for business leaders focused on scaling effectively and executing strategy with precision. Oliver Phoenix, Managing Director (EMEA) @ The Barton Partnership, shares his expert approach to leadership and strategy execution, refined over two decades in the industry.
✅ Align your leadership team around clear strategic priorities that drive success
✅ Build a resilient business strategy that adapts to global challenges
✅ Leverage top talent to fuel growth and sustain long-term success
Gain actionable insights that will help you turn your strategic vision into measurable results.
#Leadership #StrategicExecution #TalentManagement #GlobalGrowth #BusinessStrategy #SiA #StrategyUnscripted
In this episode, we cover;
0:00 Intro
0:30 Meet the speaker
2:35 Role before The Barton Partnership
3:38 Where is The Barton Partnership today (offices and numbers)
5:15 Challenges and excitement of leading teams
6:39 "Inch wide, mile deep" core proposition
7:56 Building and executing strategy as a leader
10:50 Managing challenges in strategy execution
12:30 Engaging the team in the strategy
14:34 Methods for tracking success or failure
15:27 Key challenges driving the organisation
17:24 Finding and nurturing talent for success
19:54 Trends: Opportunities or threats in the industry
21:21 Lessons from the past: What I wish I knew 10 years ago
23:13 Key characteristics when hiring talent
24:41 Recommended resources for upscaling
26:14 Building and retaining client relationships
29:22 A typical day as Managing Director
30:20 Wrap up
In our latest Strategy Unscripted episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Julien Decot, Director @ Intuit, to discuss the art and science of strategic transformation. 💡
Julien shares his journey from leading strategy at companies like Amazon, Skype, and Meta to his current role, offering invaluable insights on what truly defines effective strategy. His take on how to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and why execution alone isn't enough to succeed, is a must-watch for business leaders navigating complex strategic landscapes.
Tune in now to discover:
✅ What strategy really is (and isn't)
✅ How to sustain long-term success
✅ The importance of aligning execution with strategic direction
This is one conversation you don't want to miss!
Step into the world of luxury fashion and retail as we uncover the complex strategies behind sustainability and innovation in this episode of Strategy Unscripted. Hosted by Ben Davis, we had the privilege of speaking with Neri Karra Sillaman, a renowned expert with deep insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in this sector. Neri has a wealth of experience in luxury fashion, including her leadership roles and academic contributions, offering invaluable perspectives on: - Resilience Through Education and Determination - Sustainability and Ethical Responsibility - Quality and Craftsmanship as Competitive Advantages - Purpose-Driven Leadership - Adaptation to Cultural and Industry Changes - Building a Legacy Through Family and Succession - Strategic Collaboration and Reciprocal Relationships - Ethnic and Immigrant Entrepreneurship For business leaders in luxury fashion and retail, this episode is essential viewing. Tune in now to discover strategies that will drive both sustainability and profitability in your business! #strategy #unscripted #NariKarra #thinkers50 #podcast In this episode, we cover; 0:00 Highlights 1:10 Introduction 2:12 Meet the Speaker 9:17 Neri Karra Brand Foundation Story 17:33 Product Quality Statement 20:54 Foundation of N.K. Craftsmanship 22:33 Importance of Brand Longevity 23:48 Opinion on Industry Shifts (Fashion Pollution) 28:17 Motivation Behind "Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Global Fashion Business" 29:55 Hypothesis on Creating Iconic Fashion Brands 34:22 Challenges in Communicating Strategy Across the Brand 39:24 Strategy Execution Journey 44:40 Balancing Multiple Roles 47:11 What's Next? 48:58 Wrap-Up