In this episode of Women in Leadership, Olivia Stainton sits down with Hanne Andresen, Chief Strategy Officer at Costa Coffee, to learn how she turns long-term ambition into daily action through clarity and consistency. Drawing on her global experience, Hanne details her three-pillar strategy: defining where to win, translating choices into simple action plans, and building a culture that looks ahead without removing the wheel. We hear why consist...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership, sits down with Kate Gibson, who shares her journey from strategy consulting to becoming a pioneering sustainability leader, revealing how corporate approaches to ESG are evolving from siloed initiatives to integrated business strategy. For business leaders navigating this landscape, Kate offers practical advice: understand your material risks, develop plans that acknowledge climate realities, and use current ...

James Hadley, Senior Partner at Bain & Company and current UK Managing Partner, shares insights from his nearly 30-year career on how corporate strategy functions are evolving to meet today's business challenges. Whether you are a corporate strategist, consultant, or executive navigating strategic decisions, this conversation offers invaluable perspective on how the practice of strategy is evolving, and what it takes to stay relevant in an increasingly complex business landscape.

In this episode of Spotlight On, TBP's Founder, Nicholas Barton, sits down with Carl Evander, OC&C's Global Head of Private Equity, who offers an insider's view off the back of a trip to Superreturn Berlin. Carl discusses how private equity is navigating today's tough economic climate, including rising interest rates and tech disruption. Carl visits PE at a turning point, moving from a boom to a cautious period. Despite this, Carl also notes that long-term PE returns still beat public mar...

In this episode of Spotlight On, we sit down with Bridget Walsh, EY's Global Head of Private Equity (PE), who takes us through PE's remarkable journey, drawing on her vast experience leading PE professionals across 45 countries. Bridget reveals insights about the current state of private equity, highlighting that 78% of firms are holding assets beyond their typical investment horizons, creating what she describes as "a pent-up wall of exits" awaiting the reopening of IPO markets. We talk abo...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership, is joined by Hugh MacArthur, Chairman of Bain & Company's Global Private Equity Practice. We dive into the evolution of private equity from its humble beginnings to a trillion-dollar powerhouse, with Hugh's 30-year career at Bain providing unparalleled insights. Hugh also touches upon the surprising shift in value creation, moving from multiple expansions to operational excellence, and the rise of ...

On this episode of Spotlight On, Elaine Bermudez sits down with Ari Labell, an independent consultant and strategic advisor to the consumer goods industry and former President of North America for Hain Celestial. Ari shares valuable insights from his illustrious career, revealing the essence of building authentic brands that resonate with consumers. We also discuss how forward-thinking brands can balance purpose and profitability, strategies for enhancing supply chain resilience, ...

In this episode of Spotlight On we are joined by Marco Van Kalleveen, CEO at DKV Mobility, who shares his transformative journey from consulting to leading DKV Mobility, offering insights into the dynamics between private equity investors and operational teams. Marco discusses the importance of purposeful leadership, M&A strategies, and the role of digitalisation and AI in driving business success while emphasising stakeholder engagement for sustainable growth. • Marco's career path and ...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton sits down with Luke Jensen, Executive Chairman at Hana Group. Luke shares his extensive career journey, from banking to leading transformative roles in the global food industry and retail, including as CEO of Ocado Solutions and Group Director of Strategy at Sainsbury's. Here, Luke reflects on his experiences driving innovation, particularly in grocery retail and technology, and the challenges of moving from strategy to operational leadership....

In this episode, Nicholas Barton sits down with Suvir Varma, Advisory Partner to Bain's Global Private Equity Business, to explore the evolving landscape of Private Equity in the Asia-Pacific region. Here, Suvir shares insights on how AI is shaping private equity strategies, from deal sourcing to portfolio management. He highlights the increasing focus on sustainable investments, particularly in energy transition, and the emerging opportunities amidst China's economic slowdown. The con...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Alex Dyke sits down with Mike Essex, Senior Partner at Wipro, to discuss how effective leadership can thrive in the face of complex, global digital transformation challenges and the fast-evolving dynamics of today’s workforce. Mike shares his experience leading digital transformation programs across global teams, emphasising adaptability, emotional intelligence, and resilience as essential qualities for modern leaders. He discusses the challenges of managing m...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Josh White, Co-Founder & CEO of Cano Water discusses his mission to combat plastic pollution. Inspired by a trip to Thailand, Josh and his friends created a sustainable water brand using aluminium cans. The discussion explores the rewards of building a business with a strong environmental focus and how Cano Water has sold over 40 million cans while staying true to its values. Josh highlights the importance of team building, mentorship, and setting boundar...

In this episode, Emily Farrow sits down with Oliver Lang, former Management Consultant turned serial entrepreneur with special expertise in Insurance and Insurtech. The discussion explores the transition from consulting to entrepreneurship, highlighting practical advice for leveraging consulting skills in a startup environment. Oliver shares insights on positioning businesses for private equity sales, stressing the importance of understanding the buyer's business model and maintaining stable,...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Michael Fritz welcomes Oliver Mitchell, Partner at ff Venture Capital, as he explores the future of deep tech and robotics. With his experience as a Founder and investor, Oliver discusses the shift in robotics towards a more sales-driven approach, along with the challenges startups face in 'pilot purgatory.' He discusses the resurgence of smart-manufacturing and how robotics are reshaping workforce dynamics. The conversation spans the impact of technolo...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Kaitlin Bedford sits down with Sviat Dulianinov, Bright Machines's Chief Strategy Officer. We dive into Sviat's career journey, from consulting with Bain to SPAR and now leading strategy at Bright Machines. The conversation unpacks how Bright Machines transitioned from consumer products to pioneering AI infrastructure, revolutionising manufacturing processes. Sviat sheds light on the groundbreaking AI-based solutions that drive efficiency and quality in assem...

In this episode, Alex Dyke is joined by Christine Rupp, Managing Director of IBM for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, to discuss the pivotal role of female leadership in the era of AI. Here, they explore the strategic imperative for this leadership, highlighting the significant gap between the demand for women's leadership to counter gender bias and their representation in strategic AI-focussed roles. Christine shares insights into IBM's concerted efforts to bridge this gap, focusing on tar...

In this episode, Nicholas Barton, Founder & CEO of The Barton Partnership, is joined by Graham Elton, Partner in the London office of Bain & Company and Chairman of the EMEA Private Equity business. The discussion explores how cutting-edge AI technologies, including bespoke tools like Helix and Dialog AI, are revolutionising deal sourcing, due diligence, and knowledge management across the deal lifecycle. The conversation delves into the growing imperative of ESG in shaping investment...

In this episode, The Barton Partnership's Dylan Rodwell is joined by Andrew Bud, Founder & CEO of iProov. Here, Andrew discusses the evolving landscape of biometric security, tracing his journey from the early days of the microprocessor revolution to the founding of iProov. The conversation highlights the significant strides iProov has made in biometric authentication, marking a shift from traditional signal processing to advanced AI-driven identity verification. Andrew also sheds ...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Alex Dyke sits down with Dave McCann, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Europe, Middle East and Africa & President, IBM Canada, to discuss the transformative effects of Generative AI across European enterprises. The discussion emphasises the importance of integrating talent management with generative AI initiatives to gain a competitive advantage. McCann highlights how the value of AI extends well beyond technological advancements, enhancing customer exper...

In this special International Women's Day episode of Spotlight On, The Barton Partnership’s Alex Dyke is joined by Rosie Campbell, Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership and Professor of Politics at King's College London, and Nitesh Prakash, a Partner at Bain & Company and Race Equality Board Member for Business in the Community. Together, they delve into the transformative potential of shared parental leave, discussing its benefits for gender equality and its impact on w...