A series of one-to-one interviews with leaders of some of Europe’s best known industrial and technology companies. We ask these CEOs and Chairs about their early lives, careers, experiences and leadership lessons. We talk about the challenges of the sectors they are working in, the opportunities they see on the horizon and gauge their views on some of the burning topics of our time.
Latest episodes
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29 min
BONUS EPISODE with "Mr Single Market": Enrico Letta
In April of this year, former Italian Prime Minister and current President of the Jacques Delors Institute, Enrico Letta released his much awaited report "Much more than a Market".…
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36 min
Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO of E.ON on advancing Europe's energy transition
Leonhard Birnbaum grew up in the industrial town of Ludwigshafen, Germany surrounded by industry. Later, after studying chemical engineering at university, he started his career in…
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41 min
Benoît Potier, Chairman of Air Liquide
During his engineering studies at Ecole Centrale Paris, Benoît Potier was active in the theatre group, enjoying it to such an extent that he even considered becoming a professional…
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49 min
Leif Johansson, the polymath of Swedish enterprise
Leif Johansson initially wanted to be a rock guitarist. That ambition morphed into wanting to become a professor of physics. But somewhere along the way, he was drawn into business…
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48 min
Dr Martin Brudermüller & Dr Lars Frolund on Innovation made in Europe
As ERT prepares to launch a new publication about innovation, we thought it could be interesting to do an episode where we discuss that very subject. So, we brought together a lead…
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42 min
Hilde Merete Aasheim, President & CEO of Norsk Hydro
We talk with Hilde Aasheim Merete, the President and CEO of Norsk Hydro, the Norwegian aluminium and energy company, with operations worldwide. She talks about how her first summer…
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37 min
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group
In this episode, we talk with someone is leading the transformation of one of the most recognised car companies in the world: Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group. He has…
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42 min
Jonathan Symonds, Chairman of GSK
In this latest episode, we talk with Sir Jonathan Symonds, the Chairman of GSK. A maven of the bridge between life sciences and finance, he spoke with us about his upbringing in th…
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41 min
Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman of L'Oréal
We kick off Season 2 with Jean-Paul Agon, long-standing Member of ERT and French business leader synonymous with one of France’s best known worldwide consumer brands: L’Oréal. We t…
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52 min
Thomas Leysen, Chairman of Umicore, Mediahuis & Royal DSM
Belgian industrialist Thomas Leysen tells us about his upbringing and early interest in business, media and environmental issues. As the chairman of businesses in a range of differ…
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52 min
Paulo Azevedo, Chairman of Sonae Group
Paulo Azevedo tells us about growing up in Portugal and England and the various stages of his ascent to the role of Chairman of the Portuguese conglomerate, Sonae Group. We talk ab…
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38 min
Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo
Alessandro Profumo talks about his teenage passion for basketball, his early start in banking, his time in consulting and more recent move into aviation and security, as the CEO of…
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41 min
Nancy McKinstry - ERT Vice-Chair and Chair & CEO of Wolters Kluwer
Nancy McKinstry talks about her childhood in rural Connecticut, her path from consulting into the world of publishing and the strategy she put in place at the 185 year old company…
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44 min
Stefan Oschmann, former-Chairman & CEO of Merck Group
We sat down with Stefan Oschmann, former-Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of the global biopharma company Merck Group, before he moved to the new role of Chair of the Board…
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44 min
Tony Smurfit, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Group
Tony Smurfit talks about his interest in business from an early age and what it was like growing up in a family synonymous with enterprise. He shares his insights on leadership dur…
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44 min
Dr Ilham Kadri, CEO & President of Solvay
Ilham Kadri talks about her humble upbringing in Casablanca, her professional start in industry, some of the roles she took on earlier in her career and what she learned. She also…
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50 min
Carl-Henric Svanberg, ERT Chair & Chairman of Volvo Group
In a very open conversation, Carl-Henric Svanberg talks about his upbringing in Sweden and shares lessons he learned from his experiences at the helm of companies in many industria…
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1 min
Trailer
What to expect from 21st Century Industrialists. © ERT