Think Ahead

Can entrepreneurial ambition be harnessed to solve some of

In this episode of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev sits down with

As pressure grows on governments, institutions and

Drawing on their experience in venture capital, entrepreneurial finance and startup ecosystems, Luisa and Ella examine how founders identify opportunities hidden within large societal problems, why mission and growth do not have to be competing objectives, and how investors

Over the episode, Sergei, Luisa and Ella explore:

This is a conversation about the future of entrepreneurship and the people building businesses designed not only to create economic value,

Host:

Sergei Guriev is Dean and Professor of Economics at London

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergei-guriev/

Guests:

Luisa Alemany is Associate Professor of Management Practice in Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School and Co-Director of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital. Her research focuses on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisa-alemany-46902419b/

Ella Goldner is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Zinc VC,

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-levy-goldner/

Learn more:

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Chapters:

00:00 The biggest business opportunities are hiding in plain

00:35 Can entrepreneurship fix society's toughest problems?

01:42 Meet the investors backing impact-driven founders

03:29 Why purpose and profit can grow together

05:39 AI's hidden energy problem

09:44 The danger of losing your mission as you scale

16:04 Thinking globally from day one

19:52 What investors really look for

25:46 The funding mistakes founders make

28:39 Building the right ecosystem around your business

32:23 Climate change, misinformation and the next wave of

35:57 Final takeaways

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What does it really mean to know something?

In this episode, Lynda Gratton explores the difference between gathering information and truly knowing, with insights from Selin Kesebir, Associate Professor at London Business School, and Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia.

Selin reveals how deep understanding grows not just from facts, but from experience, reflection and openness to change. Julia shares how pivotal moments and setbacks transformed her perspective and identity. Together, they discuss how self-knowledge develops through challenge, contrast with others, and learning from setbacks - and how wisdom emerges over a long working life through connection and compassion.

This episode delves into why knowing is more than information: it’s a shift that shapes how we think, act and relate to others.

Host:

Guests:

Mentioned in this episode:

Chapters:

00:42 Introduction

01:47 The difference between knowing and information

06:02 The role of self-knowledge

21:50 Julia Gillard on learning through experience

30:30 Knowing what really matters

42:06 Four takeaways for deeper knowing

30:10 Lynda’s final thoughts

Learn more:

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ESG has become one of the most polarising topics in business. Yet beneath the headlines and political debates lies a more

Host of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev, Dean and Professor of

Alex introduces the concept of rational sustainability, arguing that sustainability should be treated neither as an ideology nor as a

Together, Sergei and Alex discuss why ESG has become so

Whether you are leading a business, investing for the future or simply trying to make sense of the evolving sustainability landscape, this

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergei-guriev/

Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedmans/

Learn more:

• Alex Edmans' website | https://alexedmans.com/

• Alex Edmans' latest book, 'The Madness of Markets' | https://alexedmans.com/madness/

• Why ESG needs a rethink | https://www.london.edu/think/why-esg-needs-a-rethink

• Could "Rational Sustainability" replace ESG? | https://www.london.edu/think/could-rational-sustainability-replace-esg

• Why we should not view ESG as something niche | https://www.london.edu/think/why-we-should-not-view-esg-as-something-niche

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Why ESG has become so polarised

05:35 Introducing rational sustainability

11:45 Materiality, trade-offs and what really matters

16:30 Integrating sustainability into business strategy

22:00 What effective sustainability leadership looks like

31:30 What comes next for sustainability

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As AI transforms decision-making, ESG faces growing scrutiny, and longer lives reshape careers, business leaders must navigate a world of accelerating change and increasing uncertainty. In this special Season 3 wrap-up, Sergei Guriev, Dean and Professor of Economics at London Business School and host of Think Ahead, reflects on the biggest ideas, debates and lessons from ten conversations with leading economists, strategists, technologists and business executives.

From agentic AI and leadership under uncertainty to corporate purpose, sustainability, consumer behaviour and the future of the global economy, this episode brings together the insights that matter most for leaders preparing for what comes next. A common theme emerges throughout: while technology and disruption are changing the business landscape, human judgement, strategic clarity and continuous learning remain essential.

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In a world where artificial intelligence is transforming how organisations operate, leaders face a critical challenge: how to harness AI’s speed and scale while maintaining trust, fairness and human judgement. 

In this episode of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, is joined by Keyvan Vakili, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Academic Director of the Data Science and AI Initiative, and Riham Satti, co-founder and CEO of MeVitae. Together, they explore why so many organisations are still struggling to move beyond AI pilots and proofs of concept, and what it really takes to translate experimentation into meaningful impact. 

Drawing on both academic research and real-world experience, the conversation examines how AI is reshaping hiring and people decisions, the risks of bias in data-driven systems, and the importance of transparency, accountability and verifiability in building trustworthy AI. The episode also highlights a central tension: as automation accelerates, the value of distinctly human capabilities such as empathy, judgement and critical thinking only increases. 

Tune in to learn: 

Why organisations struggle to scale AI from pilots to adding real business value 

How to build trust in AI systems, from transparency to governance and accountability 

The risks of bias in hiring algorithms and how to mitigate them through better data and design 

Why human judgement, context and soft skills are becoming more valuable in the age of AI 

Practical guidance on whether to build AI tools in-house or partner externally 

Whether you are leading AI adoption, shaping organisational strategy, or navigating the future of work, this episode offers clear, evidence-based insights into how leaders can use AI responsibly while strengthening human capability and long-term value. 

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Decisions about who to hire, promote and reward shape organisational performance, culture and fairness. For decades, we have heavily relied on intuition. As data and AI become more embedded in the workplace, leaders face a critical question: how should evidence and human judgement work together in people decisions? 

Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean of London Business School, is joined by Isabel Fernandez‑Mateo, Adecco Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, and Khyati Sundaram, Founder of Applied. 

Together, they explore how data, analytics and artificial intelligence are reshaping people management across the employee lifecycle. Drawing on academic research and real‑world experience, the conversation examines how AI is changing behaviour for both employers and candidates, and why leadership judgement, context and trust still matter more than ever. 

Watch the episode to understand: 

Why intuition‑driven people decisions often reinforce bias rather than predict performance 

How AI is transforming hiring and why it is creating new challenges for employers 

Where data improves fairness and outcomes, and where human judgement must still lead 

What responsible, evidence‑based people management looks like in practice 

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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As AI evolves from offering advice to taking action, organisations face a critical question: who is really in charge?

To discuss, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, is joined by Dr Ekaterina Abramova, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management Science and Operations at London Business School, and Sue Preston, Worldwide Vice President and General Manager of Advisory and Professional Services at Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Together, they explore how leaders can retain control, ensure safety and maintain trust as AI systems become more autonomous. From agentic AI and execution risk to fairness, bias and shadow AI, the conversation bridges cutting-edge academic research with real-world experience from global AI deployments.

The discussion unpacks why human oversight must be meaningful, not symbolic, and how organisations can design governance, guardrails and operating models that allow AI to scale responsibly without undermining trust.

Tune in to learn:

· Why the shift from AI copilots to autonomous agents changes the risk profile for organisations

· What meaningful human oversight really looks like when machines plan and act

· How bias and fairness emerge in autonomous systems and why they must be designed for early

· The organisational and cultural changes needed to deploy trustworthy AI at scale

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How can organisations stay agile as markets shift, technologies accelerate and global pressures reshape business overnight? In this episode of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, speaks with Jessica Spungin, Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at LBS, and Suzanne Heywood, Chief Operating Officer of Exor and Executive Chair of CNH Industrial and Iveco Group.

Together, they explore what strategic agility really looks like in practice. From navigating geopolitical shocks to adapting long-term plans in fast-moving environments, Jessica and Suzanne share insights from both boardrooms and classrooms on how modern organisations can respond to disruption without losing clarity or stability.

Tune in to learn: 

Why organisations must combine long-term strategic goals with flexible, short-term actions 

How leaders can empower teams to act quickly through clear processes and decision rights 

When structural redesign becomes necessary and how to execute it without creating chaos 

The vital role boards play in supporting adaptability and maintaining alignment 

Why people in pivotal roles matter far more than reporting lines or organisational charts 

Whether you are leading a transformation, adapting your strategy or building an agile organisation fit for the future, this conversation offers practical guidance from two experts who have helped shape some of the world’s most resilient companies.

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In a world defined by uncertainty, the leaders who thrive are those who understand how influence, trust and human psychology shape decision-making and team performance. 

In this episode of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, sits down with Niro Sivanathan, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, and Diana Torres, Senior Managing Director at Teneo, to explore how leadership is evolving in complex, high-pressure environments. 

Together, they examine why people seek strong direction during turbulent times, how leaders can set a compelling vision without closing off crucial feedback, and the powerful role of transparency in building trust. From managing hybrid teams to navigating crisis-driven expectations, this episode unpacks what truly drives influence in modern organisations. 

Tune in to learn: 

How uncertainty impacts the psychology of leadership and why clarity becomes essential 

The difference between providing direction and limiting innovation 

Why trust, accountability and communication now determine long-term performance 

Practical insights on empowering teams, shaping culture and leading through complexity 

Whether you are guiding an organisation through transformation or building your own leadership approach, this episode offers research-backed insights and real-world experience from two perspectives: behavioural science and frontline corporate leadership. 

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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How do you thrive in a world where living to 100 could become the norm? In this episode of Think Ahead, host Sergei Guriev is joined by two leading voices shaping the future of work and retirement: