Episodios

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

    Backing the Future: Can Philanthropy Drive Systemic Change? with Peter Bennett & Leslie Johnston
    Dec 18 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    41 m
  • Rewiring Finance for a better future with Sarah Kemmitt, Nina Seega and Jose Vinals

    Rewiring Finance for a better future with Sarah Kemmitt, Nina Seega and Jose Vinals
    Dec 16 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    49 m
  • The New Fault Line: How U.S. Polarisation Is Reshaping Global Sustainability with Gillian Tett and Professor Bob Eccles

    The New Fault Line: How U.S. Polarisation Is Reshaping Global Sustainability with Gillian Tett and Professor Bob Eccles
    Dec 11 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    40 m
  • The Meaning Deficit and Why It Matters to Leadership with Sudhanshu Palsule, Richard Springer and Gillian Secrett

    The Meaning Deficit and Why It Matters to Leadership with Sudhanshu Palsule, Richard Springer and Gillian Secrett
    Dec 9 2025
    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
    > 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.
    > 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.
    > 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.
    > 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.
    > 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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    33 m
  • The Value of Values with Alison Taylor and Karen Wood

    The Value of Values with Alison Taylor and Karen Wood
    Dec 4 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    49 m
  • The Tech Reckoning: Who Shapes the Next Economy? with Thomas Lingard

    The Tech Reckoning: Who Shapes the Next Economy? with Thomas Lingard
    Dec 2 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    32 m
  • Powering Africa’s Future with Carlos Lopes & Jasandra Nyker

    Powering Africa’s Future with Carlos Lopes & Jasandra Nyker
    Nov 27 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    49 m
  • AI Shaping the Future with Dominic Vergine

    AI Shaping the Future with Dominic Vergine
    Nov 25 2025
    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. University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership · Investec · CISL Leadership Hub · Investec Focus Radio
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    42 m