Elephants in the Boardroom

In this special episode, hosts Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen broadcast live from the Dubai Futures Forum, the world’s largest gathering of futurists. They share insights on emerging trends, including the value of focus in a distracted world, the evolving meaning of expertise in the age of AI, and the importance of hope and wonder for driving change. Recorded at the iconic Dubai Museum of the Future, the episode encourages listeners to confront overlooked challenges and actively shape a positive, ambitious future.

Our January episode will be another special as we look forward to the year ahead and what we predict 2026 might hold. We’re also inviting listeners to get involved by submitting their 2026 predictions. Submit yours at https://www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/2026predictions.

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Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here

www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected] 

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Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen explore this month’s “grey elephants”: the collision of AI and energy demand, the strategic rise of sovereign AI, and an overlooked resource, sand. Then Graeme sits down with Cape Town–based writer and columnist Tom Eaton to unpack what the world can learn from South Africa’s last 30 years: state capture, institutional decay and repair, and why change can arrive suddenly, good or bad.

• Data centres scaling to small-nation power loads; AI is both energy hog and grid optimizer.
• Two futures: grids buckle vs. AI catalyses smarter, cleaner, more resilient systems.
• Boardroom takeaway: align digital and energy strategies; efficiency is competitive advantage.

• Big idea doing the rounds: gigawatt-scale AI training clusters off-planet.
• Regardless of space hype, leaders must solve earthbound energy constraints first.

• Nations racing to control compute + energy + data to reduce dependency on rivals.
• Corporate echo: prove AI value, then move toward sovereign AI footprints (own models, data, infra).

• Specific sands for cement, silicon chips, glass are finite and ecologically costly to extract.
• Expect supply shocks, regulation, and materials innovation opportunities.

• Sector with up to 60% electricity savings via AI optimization: Utilities.
• Companies leading in AI projected to widen revenue gap vs. peers by ~30% (near-term).
• Term for national AI stacks: Sovereign AI.

• No going back: after institutional damage, restoration is slow, contested, and incomplete.
• Beware “liberator euphoria”: the post-crisis leader gets too much leeway; stay critical.
• No adults in the building: don’t assume competent saviours or self-preservation will fix systems.
• Change can be sudden: systems can transform quickly—worse or better—so keep options ready.
• Personal advice: be less online; read history to gain perspective and pattern recognition.

Tom Eaton — South African author, screenwriter, and columnist known for incisive commentary across politics and culture. His recent writing distils practical lessons from South Africa’s experience with corruption, state capture, and democratic resilience for a world facing similar trends.

• Connect with Graeme Codrington on LinkedIn
• Email Dean Van Leeuwen: [email protected]
• Explore the 7 Grey Elephants: www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants
• General enquiries: [email protected]

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.

Achilles helps the world’s biggest companies build ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chains, reducing risk while unlocking opportunity.

• Jeff Bezos: Are Data Centres in Space the Next AI Frontier?
• How China used more cement in 3 years than the U.S. did in the entire 20th Century
• World Economic Forum - The $3.3 trillion climate question: Can data centres take the heat?

• Newsletter: Another Day in Paradise with Tom Eaton
• Article “South Africa: the world’s cheat sheet for what comes next”
• Newsletter (fiction/writing): A Note from Tom Eaton
• Book: An Act of Murder by Tom Eaton

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Graeme Codrington (Johannesburg) and Dean Van Leeuwen (South of London) explore fresh “grey elephant” signals—from subterranean data centres and living with a >2°C world, to UN reform rumblings—then sit down with Øistein Jensen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Oddfjell, to unpack how a 110-year-old global chemical shipping company is tackling decarbonisation, supply-chain due diligence, and industry-wide collaboration.

• Converging, high-impact forces post-COVID; a once-in-a-century transformation.
• Strategy lens: identify weak signals early; turn risk into opportunity.

• Old mines/bunkers reimagined as “underground data fortresses.”
• Strategic logic: protect critical data; manage cooling, power, and resilience.
• Side bet: cooling technology becomes a shovel-in-the-gold-rush play.

• Move beyond “prevention only” to adaptation + resilience at scale.
• Practical mindset shift (as with COVID): learn to operate in new conditions.

• Calls for African representation; scrutiny of Security Council veto power.
• Diplomatic flashpoints as indicators of a shifting geopolitical order.
• Boardroom takeaway: model tariff shocks, sanctions, supply-route rewiring.

• Today’s reality: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible.
• Build antifragile strategies before the stampede starts.

• First military “drone” use: Austrian incendiary balloons over Venice (1849).

• Decarbonisation now: efficiency first; multiple fuels/tech—no single silver bullet.
• Regulation & level playing field: strong IMO rules to avoid “go-bankrupt green.”
• Holistic value chain: avoid offloading emissions upstream; measure Scope 3.
• Data & transparency: rising customer expectations across the full chain.
• Partnerships: industry bodies, local forums on human rights, technology co-dev.
• Supplier due diligence: shared platforms (e.g., Achilles) cut duplication and lift standards.
• Embedding sustainability: company-wide incentives tied to climate trajectories.

Øistein Jensen — Chief Sustainability Officer, Oddfjell (global leader in chemical shipping). Oversees sustainability, compliance and strategic safety. Former submarine commander in the Royal Norwegian Navy; prior experience at PwC.

• Connect with Graeme Codrington on LinkedIn
• Email Dean Van Leeuwen: [email protected]
• Explore the 7 Grey Elephants: www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants
• General enquiries: [email protected]

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.

Achilles helps the world’s biggest companies build ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chains—reducing risk while unlocking opportunity.

grey elephants, BANI, multipolarity, UN reform, underground data centres, mines to data fortresses, climate adaptation, >2°C world, shipping decarbonisation, Oddfjell, Øistein Jensen, IMO regulation, Scope 3, supplier due diligence, Achilles, human rights, transparency, energy efficiency, antifragility, strategic resilience

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Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen return with a timely and urgent discussion about the shifting balance of global power and its implications for business leaders. From startling comments about human longevity by Putin and Xi Jinping to the acceleration of a multipolar world order, the hosts unpack how these geopolitical shifts create uncertainty, and opportunity, in boardrooms everywhere.

This episode also features a compelling interview with Mar Bernal Conde, Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at LightSource BP, who shares her journey from operations to sustainability leadership and explains how resilient, transparent supply chains can become a competitive advantage in turbulent times.

• Putin and Xi joke about living beyond 150.
• Science shows aging may one day be reversible.

• New alliances reshaping global power (Russia, China, India, BRICS+).
• U.S. tariffs accelerate the shift away from Western dominance.

• Tariffs, sanctions, and conflicts (Ukraine, Taiwan, Venezuela, Middle East).
• Businesses must plan for shocks and instability.

• Forces of change that are ignored until too late.
• Today’s reality: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible.

• From operations to sustainability leadership.
• Why transparency, trust, and ESG due diligence matter.
• Building resilient supply chains in uncertain times.

Mar Bernal Conde – Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at LightSource BP. With over 25 years of international experience in energy and manufacturing, Mara has led strategic transformations rooted in sustainability. She also teaches sustainability leadership at Cambridge and serves on multiple industry boards.

Putin Confirms Rise Of New World Order

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKhTbMrqUdM

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here

www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen are joined by Tony, a former professional rugby player who has successfully reinvented himself three times throughout his career. In this inspiring conversation, Tony shares his journey of transformation beyond professional sports and introduces the powerful concept of "fierce care" as a strategic imperative in business.

In a world where transformation is happening at an unprecedented pace - the fastest since 100 years ago - Tony's story offers valuable insights for anyone navigating career transitions and organizational leadership. His philosophy on how treating people, suppliers, and stakeholders with genuine care becomes a competitive advantage provides actionable wisdom for today's business leaders.

Career Reinvention & Transformation

• Tony's journey of reinventing himself three times beyond professional rugby
• Navigating the transition from professional sports to business leadership
• The shelf life of careers and making strategic life decisions
• Self-awareness as a foundation for successful transformation

Fierce Care as Business Strategy

• The concept of "fierce care" as a strategic imperative in business
• How genuine care for people, suppliers, and stakeholders drives performance
• The difference between exceptional and average organizational performance
• Micro-behaviors that create competitive advantages

Leadership in Times of Change

• Operating in an era of enormous sharp transformation
• Why everyone needs to learn how to reinvent themselves
• The importance of treating people well during periods of change
• Building high-performing organizations through authentic leadership

Tony - Former professional rugby player who has successfully navigated multiple career reinventions, now focused on business leadership and the application of "fierce care" principles in organizational settings.

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here

www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen open this episode with a tribute to Paul Stanley, the former CEO of Achilles, whose legacy transformed the supply chain and ESG sectors. His dedication to transparency inspired this episode's deep dive into the fast moving world of artificial intelligence, where Ginni Rometty's foresight of AI's pervasive influence in decision-making is coming to life.

Imagine AI that doesn't just follow orders but autonomously improves customer experiences and tackles major challenges.

Discover the phenomenon of agentic AI - an autonomous force poised to redefine business operations, yet shrouded in both promise and skepticism. A shift from task-based automation to mission-driven autonomy, by leveraging agentic AI, companies can not only boost efficiency but also reimagine their strategies, breaking free from conventional constraints.

Do you think businesses should stay neutral in the face of global changes?

Using frameworks like BANI, we highlight the necessity for enterprises to anticipate and capitalise on disruptions. In a world where 70% of the population lives under right-leaning governments, global businesses are navigating a complex political landscape where neutrality may no longer be an option. 

Resources -

https://www.businessinsider.com/ginni-rometty-on-ibm-watson-and-ai-2015-5

https://resources.tomorrowtoday.consulting/collections/686bcb8dfec9dd0bd964f680?utm_source=Paperflite%20Link

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here

www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected] 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month, we are joined by Pia Heidenmark Cook, one of the most prominent leaders in corporate sustainability, to discuss the urgent actions businesses must take to address climate change and integrate sustainability into their core strategies.

A Senior Advisor to Teneo, Achilles, Eurazeo and Non Executive Director at organisations including Bupa, Pia advises how to develop and operationalise sustainability strategies and the implications for reputation strategies.

As former Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA, she led the development and implementation of the IKEA People and Planet Positive strategy. In this episode, Pia explains the importance of recognising shifts in consumer behaviour, the challenges of navigating a warming world, and the role of social media in fostering collaboration.

Pia also emphasises the need for organisations to embed sustainability into their culture and inspire the next generation of leaders to act boldly for a sustainable future.

As ever, hosts Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen from TomorrowToday Consulting bring analysis of grey elephant activity they have seen over the past month. In this episode, the focus is on immigration. Hear about the demographic shifts driving immigration, the political implications, and the potential for businesses to view immigration as a strategic opportunity. With Graeme and Dean highlighting the need for a mindset shift to recognise the value of diversity and the importance of proactive immigration policies in addressing workforce shortages and economic challenges.

Access further insights into how immigration is reshaping the world, receive strategic alerts about the 7 grey elephants and a host of other valuable resources by signing up here.

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here.  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected] 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen from TomorrowToday Consulting, are joined by Neal Froneman, CEO of Sibanye Stillwater to discuss the future of green mining and the transformation the industry is undergoing in its drive for environmental responsibility.

Neal shares insights into the technologies and processes Sibanye Stillwater is investing in to minimise its environmental impact, and the role they are playing in developing clean air initiatives and production of green metals, essential for a sustainable future. Neal highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by the mining industry, and shares the strategies Sibanye Stillwater has adopted to enhance resilience and competitiveness in the face of shifting global trends.

Neal is retiring in September 2025 after a career spanning nearly 40 years. His legacy of driving strategic change and fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability within the mining industry will live on.

As usual, we open the episode by unpacking stories from around the globe which are impacting the 7 Grey Elephants with the question - can crises actually serve as catalysts for opportunity?

Hear how businesses and young adults are navigating the shifting landscape as economic pressures reshape societal norms. We explore the growing trend of young adults living at home longer, driven by cultural influences and the rising cost of housing, and how these changes are intricately tied to broader issues like an aging population and inequality. This phenomenon affects over half of 18 to 28 year olds globally, and it's reshaping how businesses approach the workforce and consumer bases.

We also highlight how regulatory and political factors impact housing availability and the evolving societal perceptions of life stages. As tensions rise, we draw parallels between modern climate activism challenges and historical movements, highlighting the necessity for significant shifts in climate policies and the treatment of immigrants and refugees.

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here

www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected] 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen from TomorrowToday Consulting, are joined by CEO of Achilles, Paul Stanley for a discussion on the intricate world of global supply chains, examining both the challenges and opportunities they present. From ethical considerations like modern slavery to the necessity of building resilient and sustainable supply chains, we hear how companies can leverage data and technology to address these issues. The discussion also touches on the importance of embedding ESG principles into core business strategies and how businesses can strategically manage these complex challenges.

We open the episode by unpacking stories from around the globe which are impacting the 7 Grey Elephants. This month we explore the subject of genetic data privacy, amid news of the recent bankruptcy of 23andMe. We reflect on the impact such data can have on personal health decisions and the foresight needed to protect this sensitive information from future risks. Highlighting the importance of pseudonyms in genetic testing to safeguard against potential misuse by government and insurance entities.

Next, we spotlight the global water scarcity crisis, particularly the vital role of Himalayan glaciers in sustaining 40% of the world's population. We explore the alarming consequences of climate change on these glaciers, which could lead to devastating floods, landslides, and reduced river flows. The looming threat of "day zero" serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for solutions to enhance water security, with the far-reaching impacts of water shortages on agriculture, manufacturing, and political stability, demanding immediate attention and action from global leaders.

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

• Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 
• Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here

www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants  

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected] 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen from TomorrowToday Consulting, explore the implications of an aging population on society, the economy, and our personal lives. They discuss demographic shifts, the need for migration to support economic growth, and the necessity to reinvent retirement.

2025 is already seeing the geopolitical landscape undertake a seismic shift, with transformative events reshaping global dynamics. As Ukraine seeks pivotal mineral exchanges to secure U.S. support, Trump's non-committal stance underscores the unpredictable nature of international relations. This episode unpacks the strategic complexities of Trump's interactions with Russia and China, pondering their implications for Europe and the global political arena. We also explore the Primakov Doctrine and its potential to upend U.S.-Russia relations, urging business leaders to prepare for these changes using the Grey Elephant Model to build resilience and adaptability.

With Quantum computing poised to revolutionise industries, much like the historic leap from horses to automobiles, we explore the potential breakthroughs on the horizon, alongside recent geopolitical tensions ignited by JD Vance's controversial speech at the Munich Security Conference. Multipolarity and societal divisions are becoming increasingly pronounced, with figures like Trump and Musk at the forefront of the conversation. Introducing Project 2025, hear how this initiative might shape future policies and global dynamics, amid shifting societal values and international relations.

Demographic trends are changing the global landscape as we experience an unprecedented aging population. With more individuals over 65 than children under five, the implications for retirement, family dynamics, and economic growth are profound. Immigration emerges as a potential solution to workforce challenges, particularly in Europe and China, but raises questions about labour market impacts. We conclude by highlighting the opportunities an aging workforce presents, advocating for flexible work environments that unite the desires of different generations and create shared value for businesses and society.

**Back in July 2016, by inputting data into our Quest Leadership and Grey Elephant Model, we predicted that Trump would win the US presidential election. We even wrote a letter to Hillary Clinton warning her. She never got the memo and when the grey elephants stampeded, she was unprepared - https://medium.com/@deanvanleeuwen/hillary-clinton-what-is-your-quest-af2308cd38fb#.6w6ndsl2h**

Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles

Connect with Graeme and Dean:

Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here 

Email Dean at [email protected]

If you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper here 

TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.

Email [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices