Advertise on podcast: Spotlight On Podcast

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton sits down with Dr Tim Hames, Oxford academic, political and business adviser, bestselling author, and Co-founder and Partner at Acuti Associates. His latest book, War and Peace: The United States and China, 2026–2049, examines the future of one of the world’s most consequential relationships. Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical fragmentation, Nicholas and Tim explore what the changing relationship between the US and China means for global businesses. They discuss the risks of misunderstanding China, why geopolitical exposure needs to be quantified and owned within an organisation, and how the shift from the “Great Moderation” to the “Great Fragmentation” is reshaping global business strategy. They also challenge the idea of a single US–China AI race, examine how China’s changing economy and demographics could shape its future, and consider what further deterioration between Washington and Beijing could mean for investment and supply chains. Above all, Tim makes the case for rigorous contingency planning, and why having a credible plan B could become a competitive advantage.

Organisational transformation is now a continuous requirement, particularly for private equity portfolios and large corporations. Even with strong project plans, many execution strategies fail to achieve the desired results. In this discussion, Dr Andrew White, Founder and CEO of Transcend.space, uses joint Oxford University and EY research on thousands of global transformations to address shortcomings in traditional change management. Andrew explains how leadership teams must balance operational elements such as governance, KPIs, and operating models with the emotional, political, and cultural factors that influence adoption. The conversation identifies key inflexion points and strategies for building momentum through psychological safety and rapid experimentation, and examines the impact of AI on industry-level redesign. For executives and board members assessing Chief Transformation Officers, this interview offers a strategic framework to identify leaders who can drive both operational discipline and effective adoption.

Joining us on Spotlight On, Tim Nixon, CEO of Management Consulting at Teneo, sits down with Oliver Phoenix, CEO of The Barton Partnership, to discuss whether AI will supercharge the consulting industry or completely disrupt its business model. For those interested in the future of the consulting industry, what this means for the apprentiship model and Partners of the future, technology-driven automation of consulting IP, the future value of consultancy for clients and how the competitive landscape may change, this podcast is for you.

Private equity is facing a reality check: with a volatile market and modest growth no longer guaranteeing big exits, value creation plans are more critical than ever. In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton sits down with Accordion’s Atul Aggarwal and Andy Burgess about what this means for PE firms and CFOs. Atul and Andy explore the realities of expanding a US consulting firm into the mature London market. We cover the common pitfalls, like forcing a US playbook on the UK, assuming global brand recognition translates instantly, failing to put senior talent on the ground, and why patience and local adaptation are non-negotiable. Finally, Atul and Andy dive into the expanding role of the modern PE CFO, who must now balance governance, operational drive, and cash management with tech strategy. We look at practical AI use cases, from 13-week cash forecasting to working capital analytics, and explore how agentic workflows are turning CFOs into strategic orchestrators. If you are navigating PE value creation, finance transformation, or AI strategy, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton is joined by Tim Farazmand, Co-Founder of PCB Partners, and an experienced NED & Advisory board member.  Tim discusses why assessing risk, return, and measurable impact is the new industry standard, explains how B Corp certification signals quality, and why pursuing social goals can actually strengthen a business's culture and resilience without sacrificing returns. We explore the "Three Ps and an E" Framework, Tim’s tactical approach to vetting investments: People, Products, Projections, and Exit - always prioritising people first. This episode also addresses the realities of becoming a Chair or NED, why CEOs often struggle with the transition, and how boards can support leadership through coaching and strategic boundaries.

Private equity (PE) is entering a hyper-competitive new era. While headline deal values are surging, the real story is a "K-shaped" recovery, with megadeals and top-tier performers leading the charge.  In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton is joined by Bain’s Emilio Domingo, Chief Commercial Officer EMEA Private Equity, to break down their latest report and what it means for the European market. The headlines point to a PE recovery, but the underlying data show a market growing more selective. Emilio explains what this means for fundraising and exits, and the shift from leverage-based returns to the new era of bold value creation. Emilio also unpacks the "12 is the new five" EBITDA standard, the rise of continuation vehicles, and how AI is delivering real-world ROI within portfolio companies. We also provide a roadmap for executives entering the PE space, focusing on sponsor selection and the "strategy on a page" test.

In this episode of Spotlight On: Women in Leadership, we sit down with Lynda Clarke, General Manager UK at Nayax, to unpack what it really takes to lead in fintech.  Lynda highlights the need for listening before fixing, using emotional intelligence to build trust, and turning imposter syndrome into practical action. From Middle East boardrooms to inclusive hiring, Lynda maps the small steps that compound into lasting change, whilst advocating for diversity and inclusion in every organisation.

In this episode, Nicholas Barton sits down with Roy Perticucci, former CEO of Allegro and a veteran of large-scale transformation across Europe’s leading digital and retail businesses. Here, Roy offers a practical view of what defines an effective Chief Transformation Officer today. He discusses the importance of analytical rigour, disciplined execution, and credibility with CEOs and boards, where execution remains the defining factor in successful transformation. The discussion reflects on how private equity’s focus has shifted from deal execution to operational value creation, and what this means for leaders responsible for delivering measurable change.

In this episode of Spotlight On's Women in Leadership series, Olivia Stainton speaks with Waynn Wu, Chief Strategy Officer at Philip Morris International, about the self-awareness and discipline required to lead through change. Here, Waynn reflects on her early life, the impact of traditional expectations, and how resisting conformity shaped her ambition. She discusses a defining moment in her career that prompted her to reassess what success should look like and led to her framework of knowing yourself, being yourself, and learning to value yourself. The conversation explores how to protect balance in high-pressure roles, why compassion must be practised deliberately, and how leaders can create space for experimentation and learning. Waynn also highlights the importance of collective leadership, male allyship, and long-term relationships in supporting people through different stages of their careers.

In this episode of Spotlight On's Women in Leadership series, Jane Harley sits down with Sharon Rice-Oxley, Partner and Co-Founder at Q5. Sharon discusses the growth of organisational health through leaders telling a clear story, listening deeply, and building a culture where people bring their whole selves to work. Along the way, we discuss hiring, allyship, cross-cultural leadership, and leading through a pandemic while protecting jobs and employee well-being.

In this episode of Women in Leadership, Olivia Stainton sits down with Hanne Andresen, Chief Strategy Officer at Costa Coffee, to learn how she turns long-term ambition into daily action through clarity and consistency. Drawing on her global experience, Hanne details her three-pillar strategy: defining where to win, translating choices into simple action plans, and building a culture that looks ahead without removing the wheel. We hear why consistency beats reinvention, how to decide what to stop as much as what to start, and why your unique perspective as a woman in strategy is a superpower. Expect practical guidance on grounded leadership, career ownership, and psychological safety.

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership, sits down with Kate Gibson, who shares her journey from strategy consulting to becoming a pioneering sustainability leader, revealing how corporate approaches to ESG are evolving from siloed initiatives to integrated business strategy. For business leaders navigating this landscape, Kate offers practical advice: understand your material risks, develop plans that acknowledge climate realities, and use current regulatory pauses to get ahead rather than relax efforts. Kate's insights are especially relevant for strategy professionals looking to drive meaningful transformation in their organisations.

James Hadley, Senior Partner at Bain & Company and current UK Managing Partner, shares insights from his nearly 30-year career on how corporate strategy functions are evolving to meet today's business challenges.  Whether you are a corporate strategist, consultant, or executive navigating strategic decisions, this conversation offers invaluable perspective on how the practice of strategy is evolving, and what it takes to stay relevant in an increasingly complex business landscape.

In this episode of Spotlight On, TBP's Founder, Nicholas Barton, sits down with Carl Evander, OC&C's Global Head of Private Equity, who offers an insider's view off the back of a trip to Superreturn Berlin. Carl discusses how private equity is navigating today's tough economic climate, including rising interest rates and tech disruption. Carl visits PE at a turning point, moving from a boom to a cautious period. Despite this, Carl also notes that long-term PE returns still beat public markets. He notes that firms must transform businesses, not just buy and hold, driving the rise of value creation teams and investment in sectors like energy transition and AI data centers. He also provides a nuanced take on AI: great for productivity, but not a replacement for human judgment. Join this insightful conversation on PE's evolution in uncertain times.

In this episode of Spotlight On, we sit down with Bridget Walsh, EY's Global Head of Private Equity (PE), who takes us through PE's remarkable journey, drawing on her vast experience leading PE professionals across 45 countries. Bridget reveals insights about the current state of private equity, highlighting that 78% of firms are holding assets beyond their typical investment horizons, creating what she describes as "a pent-up wall of exits" awaiting the reopening of IPO markets. We talk about the heightened focus on strategic exit preparation, with firms increasingly investing in data readiness, management team preparation, and clear exit roadmaps. The conversation explores technological disruption, particularly Generative AI. Bridget presents a thought-provoking hypothesis on private equity's technology adoption, also talking about regional investment and vividly depicts the increasingly interconnected global capital ecosystem. Certainly not one to miss!