In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Victor Riparbelli, co‑founder and CEO of Synthesia, to unpack the unconventional thinking that took him from a restless, "rebellious" childhood in Denmark to leading one of Europe’s most valuable generative‑AI companies.

He describes the pivotal moments that guided his trajectory—from a transformative semester at Stanford University to his discovery of the groundbreaking “Face‑to‑Face” research paper, which sparked the idea behind Synthesia.

Riparbelli also opens up about the company’s rocky beginnings, including more than 100 investor rejections before a cold email to American billionaire Mark Cuban led to a game‑changing $1 million investment.

The conversation explores the leadership lessons he’s learned scaling Synthesia to a multibillion‑dollar valuation, the importance of staying skeptical in fast‑moving industries and the high‑stakes decisions ahead as the company pushes into its next chapter.

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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.

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In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Dominik von Achten, CEO of Heidelberg Materials.

One of Dominik’s earliest decisions was to leave the “dry” world of legal practice for the fast-paced environment of Boston Consulting Group. Today, he steers one of the world’s largest building materials companies through a bold sustainability pivot,

Dominik reflects on the toughest choices of his career, including introducing decarbonization targets into executive compensation. He explains why exposing yourself to crossroads moments builds confidence in decision-making and why listening to younger voices is critical in an era of AI and rapid change.

Finally, Dominik reveals what motivates him today—and why shaping an industry for future generations remains his ultimate goal.

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In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo.

Raised in a humble home in Casablanca without running water or electricity, Ilham shares how her grandmother’s belief in education as a “third exit” out of poverty shaped her life.

From public schools in Morocco to earning a Ph.D. in macromolecular physical chemistry, her journey is a testament to curiosity and courage.

Ilham reflects on pivotal career decisions—from leaving academia for industry to working for global giants like Shell, Dow, and Solvay.

She opens up about the toughest choices, including balancing motherhood with leadership and spearheading the historic split of a 160-year-old company.

The discussion also explores why embracing discomfort fuels transformation and why leaders must know when to step aside.

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In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Andy Briggs, CEO of Phoenix Group, for a candid conversation about leadership and purpose.

Andy reflects on a career spanning nearly four decades in financial services, shaped by the values of hard work and authenticity instilled by his family. He shares how early decisions — from pursuing actuarial training to embracing diverse roles in sales and marketing — gave him the breadth of experience to lead the U.K.’s largest long-term savings and retirement business.

The discussion explores the toughest calls he’s faced as a consolidator, including the human impact of mergers and site closures, and why those moments remain the hardest part of his job. Andy also opens up about setbacks, such as missing out on the top role at Aviva, and how those experiences reinforced his commitment to purpose-driven leadership.

Throughout the episode, Andy emphasizes the importance of building inclusive teams, balancing professional ambition with family life and staying authentic as a leader.

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In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, for a compelling conversation about the life and leadership lessons sport can teach us.

Raised by elite athlete parents, Hugh’s career journey has been deeply rooted in sport. From transforming his family’s specialist sport shop into a nationwide retail chain to leading one of the world’s most iconic endurance events, his story is one of bold decisions and enduring values.

Hugh reflects on the toughest choices of his career, including letting go of a close colleague, and shares why leaning into hard decisions ultimately makes them easier. He emphasizes the importance of growth mindset, surrounding yourself with the right people and staying focused on where you want to go.

The discussion also explores the transformative power of sport in improving physical and mental health, the role of values in building world-class organizations and the impact of initiatives like the London Marathon Foundation in creating opportunities for underserved communities.

Finally, Hugh shares his vision for the future—and why fun, purpose and brilliant people remain at the heart of his plans.

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In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation and sustainability.

Estelle shares her remarkable career journey, shaped by the influence of her trailblazing mother and grandmother. Originally drawn to astrophysics, she ultimately chose ecological transformation, driven by curiosity and a passion for creating meaningful impact.

Throughout the discussion, Estelle underscores the value of trusting your instincts and taking decisive action, illustrating these principles with pivotal moments from her own career. She opens up about the challenges of balancing professional ambitions with personal life, and how initiatives like “Veolia Cares” reflect her commitment to progressive workplace policies.

The conversation also explores the urgent need for bold environmental solutions amid political complexities, and Estelle offers her perspective on the growing role of AI in shaping executive decisions.

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In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Andrea Rossi, CEO of global investment manager M&G.

Andrea shares how his multicultural upbringing—growing up in France with a Swedish mother and Italian father—shaped his adaptability and resilience as a leader.

He reflects on his academic journey from France to Rome and INSEAD, calling his MBA a truly formative experience.

Rossi reveals why joining GE was one of his best career decisions and how it sparked his passion for Six Sigma, a methodology he still champions today.

After two decades at AXA, his entrepreneurial drive led him to launch his own firm, only to face the challenges of COVID-19. He candidly discusses the lessons learned and why timing matters.

Now at the helm of M&G, Andrea outlines the company’s strategic priorities, his confidence in Europe’s growth potential and the importance of maintaining work-life balance in high-pressure roles.

Tune in for insights on leadership, resilience and navigating change from one of Europe’s top executives.

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