Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick

In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Victor Riparbelli, co‑founder and CEO of Synthesia, to unpack the unconventional thinking that took him from a restless, "rebellious" childhood in Denmark to leading one of Europe’s most valuable generative‑AI companies. He describes the pivotal moments that guided his trajectory—from a transformative semester at Stanford University to his discovery of the groundbreaking “Face‑to‑Face” research paper, which sparked the idea behind Synthesia. Riparbelli also opens up about the company’s rocky beginnings, including more than 100 investor rejections before a cold email to American billionaire Mark Cuban led to a game‑changing $1 million investment. The conversation explores the leadership lessons he’s learned scaling Synthesia to a multibillion‑dollar valuation, the importance of staying skeptical in fast‑moving industries and the high‑stakes decisions ahead as the company pushes into its next chapter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Sir Nigel Wilson, chairman of Canary Wharf Group, to explore the curiosity-driven career that took him from a council estate in northeast England to the top of U.K. business. Wilson shares how intellectual curiosity—nurtured by family and teachers—shaped his path from a scholarship at MIT to roles at McKinsey, Dixons and ultimately CEO of Legal & General. He reflects on leadership lessons, including his grandmother’s advice to lead with kindness and optimism and why encouragement beats shouting in management. The conversation spans his current work at Canary Wharf and Cambridge Innovation Capital, his passion for growth and innovation and even his personal goals in athletics and family life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Dominik von Achten, CEO of Heidelberg Materials. One of Dominik’s earliest decisions was to leave the “dry” world of legal practice for the fast-paced environment of Boston Consulting Group. Today, he steers one of the world’s largest building materials companies through a bold sustainability pivot, Dominik reflects on the toughest choices of his career, including introducing decarbonization targets into executive compensation. He explains why exposing yourself to crossroads moments builds confidence in decision-making and why listening to younger voices is critical in an era of AI and rapid change. Finally, Dominik reveals what motivates him today—and why shaping an industry for future generations remains his ultimate goal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo. Raised in a humble home in Casablanca without running water or electricity, Ilham shares how her grandmother’s belief in education as a “third exit” out of poverty shaped her life.From public schools in Morocco to earning a Ph.D. in macromolecular physical chemistry, her journey is a testament to curiosity and courage. Ilham reflects on pivotal career decisions—from leaving academia for industry to working for global giants like Shell, Dow, and Solvay. She opens up about the toughest choices, including balancing motherhood with leadership and spearheading the historic split of a 160-year-old company. The discussion also explores why embracing discomfort fuels transformation and why leaders must know when to step aside. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Andy Briggs, CEO of Phoenix Group, for a candid conversation about leadership and purpose. Andy reflects on a career spanning nearly four decades in financial services, shaped by the values of hard work and authenticity instilled by his family. He shares how early decisions — from pursuing actuarial training to embracing diverse roles in sales and marketing — gave him the breadth of experience to lead the U.K.’s largest long-term savings and retirement business. The discussion explores the toughest calls he’s faced as a consolidator, including the human impact of mergers and site closures, and why those moments remain the hardest part of his job. Andy also opens up about setbacks, such as missing out on the top role at Aviva, and how those experiences reinforced his commitment to purpose-driven leadership. Throughout the episode, Andy emphasizes the importance of building inclusive teams, balancing professional ambition with family life and staying authentic as a leader. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.