What next? Leadership conversations for a better future

About What next? Leadership conversations for a better future

How do we rebuild confidence in the future - and in our collective ability to shape it? How do we reconnect economic growth with social progress, fairness, and stability? And how do we harness innovation without widening inequality or navigate political tensions without retreating from cooperation? Responses to these questions demands new thinking - ideas that challenge assumptions, acknowledge what isn’t working and offer credible paths forward for business, finance and government. That’s the focus of our new podcast series, hosted by CISL CEO Lindsay Hooper, and Investec Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer Marc Kahn. You’ll hear from leaders, innovators and critical thinkers who are grappling with the toughest challenges of our time - and bringing forward important new thinking and practical action. From industrial transformation and AI to philanthropy’s catalytic role, the voices of the next generation and the shifting geopolitics of power, we ask how today’s leaders can bridge divides, unlock innovation and steer economies toward long-term stability and opportunity.

Publisher

University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Nov 2025

Latest episode

22 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Jan 2026

   Bridging the trust gap: rebuilding legitimacy through place and community

   Guests Professor Mike Kenny, Head of Department at the Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge Jacinta Koolmatrie, Aboriginal heritage practitioner (Adnyamathanha and Ngarrindjeri) Episode overview Across many societies, trust between communities and institutions has fractured. People feel decisions are remote, economies no longer work for them, and institutions do not recognise their on-the-ground realities. In this episode, Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn explore how trust and legitimacy can be rebuilt through place-based, community-led approaches, and why listening only matters when institutions are prepared to change how power is exercised. Professor Mike Kenny examines how economic transition, geographical polarisation and centralised governance have weakened the relationship between citizens and the state, creating deep place-based grievances. Jacinta Koolmatrie provides a grounded perspective from Aboriginal communities, where trust in institutions often never existed in the first place, and explains why consultation fails when institutions are unwilling to relinquish control, slow down, and work with communities on their own terms. The conversation explores what actually works: community wealth building, experimental and deliberative policy approaches, Indigenous-led responses during COVID, and the role of time, iteration and tacit knowledge. It also examines the risks of “one-size-fits-all” engagement, and the power of narrative and nostalgia in rebuilding legitimacy without falling into populist politics. Key Takeaways Place matters in practice as well as sentiment: policy outcomes vary with local history, networks, capacity and constraints, so design and implementation cannot be separated. Community engagement improves decisions by revealing tacit, experience-based knowledge that is not captured in formal data or models. Experimental, test-and-learn approaches that allow priorities to be set locally and adjusted over time produce more workable and legitimate outcomes than fixed, top-down programmes. Selected quotes “The listening [by those inpower] is more of like a show to the world that they’re doing something, but they’re not actually doing something….They realise that they’re going to lose power if they do anything past the listening part.” Jacinta Koolmatrie “Unless you really have a deeper understanding of how people feel and think about particular issues, the solutions you may try and impose just may well not fly, they may well not work or indeed be counterproductive.” Professor Mike Kenny Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

2. 

   20 Jan 2026

   Making the Transition Investable: Policy Certainty, Capital, and Coordination with Marina Grossi, Sang-Hyup Kim & Helena

   Clean and green growth has moved from ambition to execution, but the challenge is one of pace. Investment conditions are key: predictable rules, credible pathways, and coordination across value chains, finance and government. Helena Norrman describes what this looks like inside one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise – steel - including the reality of upfront capital investment, permitting and policy risk, and the mismatch between industrial timelines and market expectations. Marina Grossi argues that confidence is rebuilt through delivery, evidence of real world outcomes, and coalitions and coordination to make progress investable. Sang-Hyup Kim explains why transition policy now sits at the centre of industrial strategy, competitiveness and geopolitics, and how “mini multilateralism” and practical platforms (including carbon markets and hydrogen) can unlock scale even when global cooperation is strained. Across steel, green growth policy and Brazil’s business-led coalitions, the episode sets out a practical playbook for leaders who want to move beyond isolated initiatives and accelerate delivery at scale. Guests Helena Norrman: Executive Vice President and Head of Group Communications, Global Steel Company, SSAB (Svenskt Stål AB) [Swedish Steel, Limited] Sang-Hyup Kim: Executive Director, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Marina Grossi: President, Conselho Empresarial Brasileiro para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (CEBDS) [Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development] Key takeaways 1. Make the transition investable: prioritise predictability and credible pathways that survive political cycles. 2. Treat transition policy as industrial strategy, because energy, infrastructure, finance and skills move together. 3. Build coalitions that align incentives across value chains and jurisdictions, because isolated action does not scale. 4. Rebuild confidence through delivery: scale proven projects and remove bottlenecks (permitting, infrastructure, standards). 5. Lead for execution: focus, be pragmatic and prioritise, act under uncertainty, and manage short-term results alongside long-term commitments. Selected Quotes “Leadership now needs super pragmatic business focus, operational excellence driven leadership -because that can actually generate strong enough results to allow for the transformation to happen - and then you need to stay the course and that take guts.” Helena Norrman “Markets don’t shift because one leader moves first. They shift when coalitions align incentives across value chains, sectors and jurisdictions.” Marina Grossi “If global multilateral corporation is not easy to achieve, then we can start with mini multilateralism by working with like-minded countries together” Sang-Hyup Kim Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

3. 

   15 Jan 2026

   Reclaiming the Future from the Algorithm

   Guest: Vilas Dhar – President, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation; philanthropist, technologist and advocate for human-centred AI What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future explores how leaders can help build future-fit economies, bringing fresh perspectives, provocative questions and conversations with leaders shaping the future of markets, business and society. Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, societies and power structures — yet much of the conversation has swung between uncritical optimism and existential fear. In this episode of What Next? Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn explore how leaders can reclaim agency over the future of AI, ensuring it serves human progress rather than narrow commercial or political interests. Vilas Dhar argues that the real challenge is not whether AI will become uncontrollable (this is the realm of Sci-Fi), but whether societies can adapt quickly enough to its social, economic and cultural impacts. He makes the case for shifting the focus away from hype and dominance towards participation, institutional imagination and moral courage — and for designing AI systems that restore human agency and democratic participation, while supporting inclusion and long-term resilience. Key Takeaways 1. The greatest risk of AI is social disruption, loss of human agency and participation. 2. AI must be shaped as a societal project, not left to markets or geopolitics alone. 3. Civil society, government and business all have roles as co-architects of the future – but civil society has not yet stepped up. 4. Leadership today requires moral courage, humility and long-term thinking. 5. A better AI future is possible — but only if participation replaces passivity. Selected Quotes “I’m not worried about an AI system 100 years from now that decides that humans are bad. I’m worried about 10 years from now, whether we have the capacity to deal with what happens when millions of people feel not just displaced, but fully kicked out of a social contract that hasn’t really worked for them for decades.” — Vilas Dhar “Inertia does not equal inevitability. Because we’re on that path doesn’t mean that we can’t do better.” — Vilas Dhar “The question becomes who will hold the moral courage to say that whatever it is that we create has to work for everyone.” — Vilas Dhar Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

4. 

   13 Jan 2026

   Changing Minds, Changing Markets

   Guests: Michael Liebreich – Managing Partner, EcoPragma Capital & CEO, Liebreich Associates Rory Sutherland – Vice Chairman, Ogilvy UK; behavioural science commentator What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future explores how leaders can help build future-fit economies, bringing fresh perspectives, provocative questions and conversations with leaders shaping the future of markets, business and society. As the climate and energy transition enters a more contested phase, public confidence and political support are becoming harder to sustain. In this episode of What Next?, Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn explore why changing markets now requires changing minds. Michael Liebreich and Rory Sutherland bring together energy systems thinking and behavioural science to unpack why backlash has emerged, how misinformation and poor incentives undermine progress, and why leadership must shift from moral persuasion to practical delivery. They argue that loss of trust has been driven not only by political polarisation, but also by unrealistic narratives, absolutist thinking and the promotion of costly or ineffective solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of affordability, credibility and human behaviour in building momentum for the transition - and why pragmatic, market-shaping solutions matter more than ever. Key Takeaways: 1. Changing markets depends on changing minds as much as changing technologies. 2. Climate action succeeds when it is affordable, practical and trusted. 3. Transitions work by scaling the new before shutting down the old. 4. Behavioural insight is as important as engineering in designing solutions. 5. Leaders must focus on credible delivery, not performative signals. Quotes “The transition isn’t dead — it’s slow, uneven and exactly how real transitions have always worked.” Michael Liebreich “If you present people with a deal where they are only a loser, don’t be surprised when they reject it.” Rory Sutherland Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL and Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

5. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Backing the Future: Can Philanthropy Drive Systemic Change? with Peter Bennett & Leslie Johnston

   In this episode our hosts explore the role of philanthropy in shaping cleaner, fairer and more resilient economies. Philanthropy funds much of the world’s high-risk innovation, early-stage ideas and new economic thinking — often long before markets or governments are able to act. Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn are joined by two leaders reshaping the field: • Peter Bennett — founder of the Bennett Foundation, supporting institutions such as the Bennett Institute for Public Policy and the Bennett Innovation Lab at the Whittle Laboratory • Leslie Johnston — founding CEO of the Laudes Foundation, working with more than 300 organisations to accelerate a green, fair and inclusive global economy. Together, they explore how philanthropy can move beyond individual projects to spark system change — shaping incentives, narratives and the enabling conditions that determine whether economies become cleaner, fairer and more resilient. The guests offer two complementary perspectives on how philanthropy can drive systemic change. Peter reflects on backing exceptional people and strong institutions that can generate ideas with multi-decade impact. Leslie shares how strategic philanthropy works to catalyse market mechanisms, shift mindsets and power dynamics, and create incentives for climate-positive and people-positive outcomes. Together, they paint a picture of philanthropy as a crucial part of the wider ecosystem — not replacing business or government, but enabling experimentation, supporting innovation, and helping shape the rules and narratives that accelerate the transition to a sustainable and inclusive global economy. In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. “Philanthropy works best when it catalyses the market mechanism—sparking something new, creating momentum, and then letting business, government and civil society take it to scale.” Leslie Johnston “I back really smart people in institutions that can still be here in decades or centuries. That’s how you create long-term impact—by investing in ideas that endure.” Peter Bennett Key Takeaways • Philanthropy’s unique value is the freedom to take long-term, risky and innovative bets • System change requires shifting incentives and power dynamics, not just fixing problems at the edges • Funding institutions, not only projects, creates lasting impact • Blended finance and mission-related investments unlock solutions traditional capital won’t back • Progress should be measured by contribution to system shifts, not ownership of isolated outcomes Credits Presented by: • Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

6. 

   16 Dec 2025

   Rewiring Finance for a better future with Sarah Kemmitt, Nina Seega and Jose Vinals

   In this episode, Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn examine a critical question: what will it take to align global capital with a cleaner, fairer, more resilient global economy? At a time when sustainable finance momentum has slowed, the discussion looks beyond the ESG “hype cycle”, to the underlying barriers to progress – and the priorities for action now. The guests analyse why finance has struggled to back real-world transition at scale, and outline the shifts needed to connect capital to what should be a huge financing opportunity. From addressing the mispricing of climate and nature risk, to correcting market distortions, tackling permitting bottlenecks and supporting coherent policy, the conversation highlights the enabling conditions for capital to flow. The guests share deep, practical insights from the frontlines of banking, regulation and global development. Hosts Lindsay Hooper (CISL) and Marc Kahn (Investec) are joined by: • José Viñals, former Group Chairman, Standard Chartered • Dr Nina Seega, Director, CISL Centre for Sustainable Finance • Sarah Kemmitt, former lead of the UN Net Zero Banking Alliance In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Key Takeaways 1. Leadership must focus on system design, not just pledges. Good intentions do not mobilise capital; rules, incentives and market structure do. 2. Finance has become too focused on what to stop, rather than what to build: The biggest opportunities lie in infrastructure, resilience and emerging markets, but outdated financial architecture blocks capital from reaching them. 3. Leaders must drive a shift from short-term, narrow financial modeling to real-world, system-level risk assessment: This means pricing in physical, transition, and social risks—and recognizing that the cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of action. 4. Unlocking accelerated transition requires modernising financial models, standardising transactions and removing structural barriers—supported by clear national policies and stable incentive frameworks. Quotes “The opportunity is huge, but unless we redesign the system so the incentives point in the right direction, the capital will never flow at scale.” José Viñals “If we don’t price climate and nature into our core models, we’re building the entire financial system on a version of reality that no longer exists.” Dr Nina Seega “We don’t need to cling to the language of net zero — what matters is moving the transition forward in ways that are fair, science-based and achievable.” Sarah Kemmitt Credits Presented by: • Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

7. 

   11 Dec 2025

   The New Fault Line: How U.S. Polarisation Is Reshaping Global Sustainability with Gillian Tett and Professor Bob Eccles

   The U.S. has become the centre of a global sustainability fault line: it hosts the world’s most advanced innovation ecosystem and deepest pools of private capital—yet remains locked in intensifying political polarisation, regulatory rollbacks, and an anti-ESG backlash. These tensions are reshaping climate policy, capital flows, and global markets. To understand this moment, Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn speak with two globally respected interpreters of political economy and corporate purpose: Gillian Tett, Provost of King’s College Cambridge and acclaimed FT journalist, and Professor Bob Eccles, leading thinker on corporate reporting and political consensus-building. Together they explore how the U.S. arrived here, how companies are responding on the ground, what this means for global action, and how leaders can navigate the fragmented landscape. Key Quotes “Most people aren’t extreme. They’re exhausted. The challenge is creating a narrative that speaks to the middle again.” — Bob Eccles “Many companies are simply carrying on as before; the rhetoric has changed more than the practice.” Gillian Tett Key Takeaways 1. Despite the political backlash, most companies continue advancing sustainability quietly because the underlying economic and risk drivers remain strong. 2. The real divide is not left versus right, but public rhetoric versus on-the-ground reality, where pragmatic climate action is still progressing. 3. Reframing sustainability through language around nature, resilience, stewardship and cost savings can rebuild common ground. 4. Leaders must clearly separate material value creation from virtue signalling to regain trust and reduce polarisation. 5. Adaptation and shared local impacts offer a unifying entry point that resonates across political and social divides. Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge or Investec and should not be taken as advice.

8. 

   9 Dec 2025

   The Meaning Deficit and Why It Matters to Leadership with Sudhanshu Palsule, Richard Springer and Gillian Secrett

   This episode examines the emerging “meaning deficit” – the collapse of coherence, trust and belonging that is driving anxiety, polarisation and disengagement across societies. Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn ask a blunt question: why are so many people struggling to find meaning, and what does that imply for leaders operating in fractured systems? The guests explore how meaning is routinely distorted or weaponised – through consumerism, identity politics, polarised narratives and corporate purpose statements designed more for control than authenticity. They discuss why meaning has become a n instrument of manipulation, and why leaders can no longer rely on abstract mission statements or moral appeals. At the same time, they argue that meaning can be rebuilt – but only through grounded, experience-based connection: shared spaces, honest dialogue, and engagement that starts with people’s real constraints and self-interest. The conversation challenges leaders to see themselves as designers of the conditions in which genuine purpose, agency and accountability can emerge. In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Key Quotes “Meaning is a human need, not a luxury - and leaders ignore it at their peril.” - Lindsay Hooper “We’re meaning-making creatures, but today much of the meaning we create is strangely self-destructive.” - Sudhanshu Palsule “People move when they experience the issue inside their own lives - not because someone tells them what should matter.” - Richard Springer “Leadership is the craft of creating spaces where people can connect, feel seen, and take accountability together.” - Gillian SecrettShape Key Takeaways 1. Meaning is a human need – and vacuums get filled dangerously. When people lack genuine meaning, they reach for substitutes that can become socially harmful. Leaders who ignore this create space for cynicism, fragmentation and manipulation. 2. Corporate purpose is often performative – and people see through it. Purpose becomes meaningful only when it reflects real choices, empathy and accountability. Otherwise it functions as managerial control dressed up as inspiration. 3. Self-interest drives behaviour – and must be treated as legitimate. People engage when issues connect to their lived experience, not abstract ideals. Understanding real constraints, motivations and identities is essential to unlocking collective action. 4. Shared meaning requires shared space – supported by rules and dialogue. Rebuilding connection across difference depends on structured engagement where people can challenge, be challenged and still stay in the conversation. 5. Change builds from winnable actions – and leadership’s role is to enable them. Momentum comes from tangible wins at local or organisational level. Leaders’ work is to create the conditions for agency, connection and co-created purpose – not to impose a narrative. Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge or Investec and should not be taken as advice.

9. 

   4 Dec 2025

   The Value of Values with Alison Taylor and Karen Wood

   In an era of market pressure, political backlash, and accusations of “purpose-washing”, do corporate values still matter? Why isn’t making money legally enough? And in markets that reward short-term performance above all else, what does it take to uphold principles, integrity and trust? This episode explores how values are a strategic imperative - not a “nice to have” - in shaping decisions, culture and legitimacy. The discussion cuts through slogans and corporate virtue signalling, asking what real values look like in practice and how leaders navigate tension between principle, and market or political pressure. Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn are joined by: • Alison Taylor — author of Higher Ground, leading thinker on business integrity and the realities of ethics in complex markets • Karen Wood — experienced board chair and former industry leader with deep insight into the realities of governance and corporate decision-making Together, they explore the value of values, what this demands from boards and executives, and how leaders can navigate contested social and political expectations without resorting to over-promising or retreat. In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Key quotes: “Purpose becomes powerful when it guides trade-offs, not when it avoids them.” – Karen Wood “Values are now an imperative because if you don't have public trust, you will not retain your value. Without values, you do not retain your value.” – Alison Taylor Key Takeaways 1. Values are strategic, not symbolic. In a world of scrutiny and social fragmentation, ethics and trust are essential to business resilience. 2. Purpose must be operational. It only matters when it shapes culture, strategy and trade-offs - not just communications. 3. Courage and clarity beat neutrality. Businesses can’t “stay out of politics” when their actions shape societal outcomes; alignment between policy and sustainability is vital. 4. Hope lies in honest leadership. A new generation is demanding authenticity and action - a signal that leadership grounded in purpose still resonates. Credits Presented by: • Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

10. 

    2 Dec 2025

    The Tech Reckoning: Who Shapes the Next Economy? with Thomas Lingard

    This episode looks at the power shifts created by AI and digital systems - asks where real agency still lies. Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn sit down with Thomas Lingard, who previously founded Unilever’s Global Advocacy team to influence international public policy on sustainable development and who now heads the Centre for Future Generations, to explore where the real opportunity and agency exist to ensure that emerging technologies are used in the best interest of humanity. The discussion probes how digital power is concentrating, why regulatory systems are struggling to keep pace, and what it would take to steer emerging technologies toward societal benefit rather than narrow commercial gain. Thomas highlights the leadership capacities that now matter most: ethical judgement, systems intelligence, and the confidence to question deterministic narratives about technology. The episode asks a central question: how do we build an economy where technology strengthens society - and who has the responsibility and agency to shape that path? In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Key Quote: “Leadership in this space needs to include a capacity for imagination — the humility to accept we don’t know what the future will be, and the courage not to give in to deterministic narratives.” — Thomas Lingard Key Takeaways 1. AI’s trajectory is not inevitable: The future of AI isn’t fixed - and treating it as inevitable is itself dangerous. Leaders need the mindset and imagination to challenge “it’s just going to happen” narratives. 2. Governance capacity is not the critical gap: AI is advancing faster than our institutions, policies and public understanding. Leaders must invest in the skills, insight and oversight needed to make informed decisions in an environment of rapid technological change. 3. Concentration of power is the real near-term risk: Before any long-term speculation, AI is already deepening inequality, reinforcing information disorder and centralising control in a small number of companies. 4. Europe can lead by aligning innovation with values: Europe’s advantage lies in combining innovation with strong public-purpose governance. Europe can shape a model that protects democratic agency while enabling technological capability - but only if it chooses to design for that future Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms. Visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

11. 

    27 Nov 2025

    Powering Africa’s Future with Carlos Lopes & Jasandra Nyker

    This episode examines Africa’s energy transition as both an economic strategy and a question of agency, featuring insights from Professor Carlos Lopes and investment leader Jasandra Nyker. They argue that while the world often views Africa through the narrow lens of risk, fragility, or aid dependency, the continent increasingly sees itself as a driver of innovation, industrialisation, and clean energy leadership. The energy transition, they contend, should not be framed as a moral obligation imposed from abroad but as a catalyst for productivity, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity. They highlight Africa’s unmatched renewable resources, critical minerals and young workforce - assets capable of powering both local prosperity and the world’s clean energy industries. Yet progress is constrained by systemic financial distortions, inflated risk perceptions and global capital rules that penalise African economies. Through examples from South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Zambia, the guests show how credible policy, blended finance, and domestic investment can unlock large-scale renewable projects and local economic development. Their message is clear: Africa’s transition is a massive economic opportunity. Real leadership - within Africa and globally - is needed to revalue risk, reform financial rules and mobilise private and institutional capital for a just and ambitious transition. Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn are joined by: • Prof. Carlos Lopes — Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and leading advisor on Africa’s climate and industrialisation agenda • Jasandra Nyker — investment executive and board director with deep experience scaling clean energy and sustainable infrastructure across Africa and beyond Together, they explore how to accelerate progress — and how leaders can move beyond narratives of risk and dependency to recognise Africa as a laboratory for reinvention. In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Key Quotes “Africa must stop seeing itself through the lens of risk and start seeing itself as a laboratory for reinvention.” — Carlos Lopes “We need to see Africa’s energy transition not as a charity case, but as a massive commercial and economic opportunity.” — Jasandra Nyker Key Takeaways 1. African leaders have an opportunity to take strategic ownership of Africa’s energy transition by setting ambitious targets, coordinating across governments and sectors, and balancing risk with the long-term goal of delivering energy access, industrial growth, and climate action simultaneously. 2. Integrate climate and economic development: the transition must drive industrialisation, job creation and resilience, not sit apart as a standalone climate agenda. 3. Recast the narrative: Africa’s transition isn’t about catching up; it’s about leading with its demographics, resource base and innovation potential. 4. Unlock domestic capital: African pension funds and institutional investors need to invest in the continent’s own transition, not remain passive while foreign capital dictates priorities. Credits Presented by: • Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the CISL Leadership Hub or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

12. 

    25 Nov 2025

    AI Shaping the Future with Dominic Vergine

    In this episode of What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future, hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn speak with innovation and sustainability leader Dominic Vergine about how artificial intelligence can be directed toward solving the world’s hardest engineering and energy challenges rather than fuelling hype or waste. Drawing on two decades at the intersection of technology, engineering, and purpose - including building the sustainability function at ARM - Dominic offers a grounded perspective on where AI’s genuine value lies and why leadership judgment, not speed, will determine its legacy. Guests: Dominic Vergine (CEO, Monumo) Hosts: Lindsay Hooper (CISL) & Marc Kahn (Investec) In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec Rather than focusing on the hype around chatbots and large language models, Dominic explains why the most transformative applications of AI will emerge in targeted, complex scientific and engineering challenges, such as improving the efficiency of electric motors and generators - technologies central to global decarbonisation. A 5 per cent improvement in motor efficiency, for example, could remove emissions equivalent to France and Germany combined. The conversation explores how economics, energy costs, and human behaviour will shape AI’s trajectory - from the unsustainable business models driving large language systems to the targeted, high-value innovations that could accelerate the energy transition. Dominic also reflects on how AI could disrupt incumbent industries, reshape work, and even help humanity optimise for competing sustainability goals. Ultimately, the episode calls for clear-sighted leadership: understanding where AI adds real value, anticipating social disruption, and ensuring powerful technologies accelerate progress toward more sustainable and equitable futures. Key quote: “It is the most powerful tool by some margin that humans have ever had. And we will use it badly, we will use it for good, and we will use it incompetently. The question is, where will the needle lie?” – Dominic Vergine Key takeaways: • AI’s true value lies in solving complex, high-impact problems - from engineering efficiency to medical breakthroughs - not in hype-driven chatbots or data scraping. • Leadership judgment matters more than speed. The impact of AI depends on disciplined choices that link innovation to real-world value and ethics. • Business models will evolve. Today’s energy-intensive, low-value uses are commercially unsustainable; economics will drive a shift toward targeted, high-value applications. • Policy incentives should be deployed to steer AI investment toward productive, sustainable innovation rather than speculation. • Education must evolve. With machines mastering information, human advantage will lie in critical thinking, creativity, and moral reasoning. Credits Presented by: • Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the CISL Leadership Hub or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

13. 

    20 Nov 2025

    Young Divided and Under Pressure with Clover Hogan and Ravi Naidoo

    For years, we’ve comforted ourselves with the idea that young people will “save the world.” But is that hope realistic - or an unfair projection? Many young people care deeply about climate, justice and inequality, yet face economic precarity, political disillusionment and shrinking civic space. How can youth today find real agency and meaningful work amid systemic barriers and concentrated power? Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn are joined by: • Clover Hogan — climate activist and founder of Force of Nature, helping young people turn climate anxiety into action • Ravi Naidoo — CEO of the Youth Employment Service (YES) in South Africa, the world’s largest private-sector-funded youth internship programme Together, they explore what leadership looks like for a new generation, the myths and realities of youth activism, and how today’s leaders can support young people not just to inherit the future, but to shape it. In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Key Takeaways • Hope must be active, not passive. Despair is understandable, but the antidote is engagement — from corporate boardrooms to community-led movements. • Youth agency is the moral and strategic frontier. Today’s young activists are organised, strategic, and redefining influence through creativity and digital power. • Narratives shape reality. Media framing can legitimise or delegitimise social movements — understanding and challenging this is essential. • An intergenerational economy is possible. Embedding the rights of future generations into law and governance can drive justice, sustainability, and longevity. Key Quotes “Sustainable leadership means making space for young people not just to be heard, but to lead — to shape the decisions that define their own future.” — Clover Hogan “We need to replace the shareholder value model with an intergenerational value model — an empty chair in the boardroom for the people not yet born.” — Ravi Naidoo Credits Presented by: • Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

14. 

    18 Nov 2025

    From Heavy Industry to Clean Growth with Faustine Delasalle and Katie Fergusson

    What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future explores how leaders can help build future-fit economies, bringing fresh perspectives, provocative questions and conversations with leaders shaping the future of markets, business and society. This episode focuses on the industrial transition — how to decarbonise the “hard-to-abate” sectors that power modern economies, and how to sustainably mine the metals and minerals needed to build the clean energy infrastructure of the future. While technologies for low-carbon, resource efficient steel, cement, heavy transport and mining are advancing rapidly, deployment still lags behind what’s required. Policy signals remain inconsistent, investment is cautious, and supply chains face both physical and geopolitical constraints. The conversation examines what’s working, where momentum is building, and what kind of leadership will be needed to deliver scale and pace. Hosts Lindsay Hooper (CISL) and Marc Kahn (Investec) are joined by: Faustine Delasalle – CEO of the Mission Possible Partnership, working with heavy industry and energy sectors on rapid decarbonisation Katie Fergusson – SVP, Studies & Development, Anglo American Together they discuss how to create the conditions for cleaner industry to compete and thrive - from green steel and hydrogen to innovation, investment and the human leadership required to navigate complexity and drive real change. In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec. Editorial Note: This episode focuses on the role of mining and heavy industry in accelerating clean industrial transitions. It does not attempt a comprehensive review of the sector’s environmental or social impacts. We recognise that responsible mining, community engagement, and demand-side efficiency are essential complements to the technological and policy measures discussed. Key Quotes: "Sustainable leadership means making space for experimentation and learning — we can’t innovate without being willing to fail fast.” — Katie Fergusson “True leadership is not just about navigating what’s coming; it’s about shaping what’s coming.” — Faustine Delasalle Key Takeaways: Responsible mining is essential: The world needs critical minerals, but production must minimize carbon, water, and social impacts. Partnership drives progress: Collaboration across sectors, supply chains, and governments accelerates innovation and de-risks transition investments. Policy stability matters: Clear, long-term frameworks give investors confidence to back new technologies and infrastructure. Innovation must scale: Bridging the gap between pilot projects and deployment requires new financing, mindset shifts, and regulatory agility. Leadership in complexity: Future leaders must balance vision with adaptability, combining commercial insight with social and environmental responsibility. Credits Presented by: Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett In partnership with: Investec Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the Leadership Hub on the CISL website or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.

15. 

    13 Nov 2025

    Trailer - What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future

    How do we rebuild confidence in the future - and in our collective ability to shape it? How do we reconnect economic growth with social progress, fairness, and stability? And how do we harness innovation without widening inequality or navigate political tensions without retreating from cooperation? Responses to these questions demands new thinking - ideas that challenge assumptions, acknowledge what isn’t working and offer credible paths forward for business, finance and government. That’s the focus of our new podcast series, hosted by CISL CEO Lindsay Hooper, and Investec Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer Marc Kahn. You’ll hear from leaders, innovators and critical thinkers who are grappling with the toughest challenges of our time - and bringing forward important new thinking and practical action. From industrial transformation and AI to philanthropy’s catalytic role, the voices of the next generation and the shifting geopolitics of power, we ask how today’s leaders can bridge divides, unlock innovation and steer economies toward long-term stability and opportunity. Follow the series for updates and new episodes.

Contact What next? Leadership conversations for a better future

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.