Advertise on podcast: The Ankura Podcast

From PA to a golf super-agent. In this episode of #TheBusinessBehindSport, Vicky Cuming, Head of Golf Clients (EMEA) at WME Sports, reveals how she became one of the sport’s first female 'super-agents' — carving out her place in a male-dominated industry. With 30+ years at the centre of golf, Vicky lifts the lid on shaping high-stakes careers covering the role of agent vs manager, million-dollar partnerships, and the relentless pressure behind peak performance.  Set against a sport in flux, she also shares her view on the disruption caused by LIV Golf and what’s shaping the sport's next chapter. This is the business beyond the fairway. Listen now!

From banned to Commonwealth champion. In this episode, Stacey Copeland, the first British woman to win a Commonwealth boxing title, joins Jonny Gray to share her extraordinary journey from exclusion to elite performance, forged against a backdrop of systemic bias and discrimination. Raised in sports that were never designed to include her, Stacey went on to play elite football across three countries before making history in the boxing ring. Since retiring, she has continued to challenge gender stereotypes and drive for inclusion through her charity “Pave The Way”. Her story reveals what it truly takes to pave the way for women’s sport and what happens when talent is finally given space to thrive. Don’t miss this one! Listen now.

What if the real threat to growth right now isn’t the market — but the response to it? Matt Sgrignari, Ankura Performance Improvement expert, unpacks how organizations can drive sustainable revenue in today’s turbulent financial climate. From private equity backed roll‑ups to underperforming assets, Matt explains why ‘growth at all costs’ no longer works, how leaders can effectively align marketing activity to revenue, and why understanding what’s working (and what isn’t) is critical. This conversation moves past short‑term fixes to focus on what actually compounds value over time: strong products, disciplined experimentation, and the patience to build growth engines that last. If you’re an PE operator, investor or business leader, this episode offers a practical, experience‑led view on driving sustainable growth in volatile markets.

800 million fans worldwide. 24 million social media followers. Volleyball is a top three global sport entering a new phase of commercial opportunity. In this episode, Ugo Valensi, CEO of Volleyball World, joins Jonny Gray to discuss how the sport is unlocking commercial opportunity through a 67/33 joint venture model, centralised rights, and a fan-first digital strategy. The conversation covers: The future of the sport from LA 2028 to the reimagined Volleyball World CupTransforming fragmented rights into a unified commercial engineAn unconventional digital strategy from VBTV to creator-led streamingGender equality and player storytelling as core drivers of growthListen now to discover one of the most significant transformations underway in global sport — and what other rights holders can learn from it.

In a market where private equity is searching for its next growth engine, where does real value actually come from? The answer may surprise you. In this episode, Jesse Lehman, a retail expert with deep experience across retail, supply chain and operational transformation unpacks where value is really being created today and why it's often hiding in plain sight. From pet grooming and dental practices to mid‑market manufacturing, Jesse explains why fragmented, founder‑led businesses are emerging as some of the most compelling opportunities and why scale doesn’t have to mean standardization. This episode cuts through the hype to focus on what truly drives valuation. If you’re an investor, operator, or leader navigating a challenging cycle, this conversation offers a grounded, experience‑led view on how value is unlocked when conditions are tough.

If your leadership team can’t reach consensus, innovation stalls. Disagreement isn’t the enemy—but unresolved conflict is. In this episode, Holly McClung, Senior Managing Director, The Leader Behind the Leaders, challenges a common leadership failure: mistaking strong opinions for progress. Consensus, she argues, isn’t about harmony or compromise. It’s the enabler that allows teams to move beyond ego, binary thinking, and win‑lose debates—unlocking better ideas and sustainable growth. And the question every leader should sit with: Do you want to be right, or do you want to be effective? Listen to the full conversation now.

What if culture and performance weren’t shaped by whether leaders say 'thank you,' but how they do it?   In this episode, Tom Schurman, founder of Clarity Amplified, joins John Frehse to explore the power of thank you and why authentic employee recognition is a critical leadership discipline.   Drawing on real‑world experience in high‑turnover environments, Tom challenges why generic praise misses the mark, and explains how thoughtful, proportional, timely, and personal acknowledgment delivered through visible leadership and genuine care can become a powerful lever for employee engagement, retention, and sustained performance.    If you’re a leader focused on building resilient cultures and driving results and want to learn how to effectively recognize the people in your organisation — then this is one for you.

Valued at ~$103 billion today and projected to reach ~$185 billion by 2035, sports sponsorship has become a strategic growth lever — shaping how organizations position themselves, engage global audiences, and drive commercial value. In this episode, Giles Morgan, Founder of ‘The Sponsorship Doctor’ and former Global Head of Sponsorship and Partnerships at HSBC and Howden, joins Jonny Gray to unpack the evolution of sports sponsorship, and why clarity, strategy, and execution are fundamental to successful partnerships. They dive into: - The importance of clear sponsorship objectives — and the brand risk when they aren’t defined -  How sponsorship deals are structured in practice, from rights to activation - Why connecting authentically with fan communities is critical to success — with real-world examples - How digital tools are transforming ROI measurement and accelerating sector growth

The Supreme Court just proved Kate Kalutkiewicz right. Tariffs are a defining trade story of this administration — and then, after we stopped recording, the Supreme Court struck them down. That timing makes this episode of The Impact Exchange even more essential listening. In this conversation, Kate Kalutkiewicz, Trade Practice leader at McLarty Associates, explains why tariffs were never a short‑term tactic, why their legal foundation always mattered, and why volatility — not certainty — was the most likely outcome. Kate walked through the constitutional risks, the economic trade‑offs, and the unintended consequences businesses and consumers are now facing in real time. As Kate explains, tariffs raised costs, strained supply chains, and forced companies into challenging choices — leaving open the question of who actually benefits if tariffs are unwound. The Supreme Court’s decision doesn’t end the tariff story. It complicates it. This episode explores: - Why tariffs were deployed so aggressively — even against allies - What happens if tariffs are ruled unconstitutional  - Who gets refunded if tariffs are struck down — and who doesn’t  - Why businesses hoping for certainty may get more chaos instead If you want to understand why this moment was coming and what comes next after the Court’s decision — then this is an episode not to miss.

If you’re responsible for outcomes and culture, this conversation will sharpen how you think about both. Why do so many roll-ups fail — even when the strategy is solid? In this episode, Sara Huddleston, People & Transformation Leader and Founder of Align Coaching Solutions, joins John Frehse for a candid conversation on what really makes or breaks organizational change. They explore why roll‑ups and integrations break down, what healthy conflict actually looks like, and why trust, transparency, and intentional listening matter more than another playbook or mandate workplace. If you’re leading growth, integration, or culture change, this conversation will challenge how you think about execution—and why compliance is not the same as commitment. Listen to learn how leaders can drive performance by putting people back at the center of transformation.

Why does diplomacy matter—especially now? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Ambassador Lee Feinstein, President of McLarty Associates and a seasoned diplomat whose career spans the Pentagon, the State Department, and the U.S. Embassy, in a conversation “On Diplomacy.” Together, they explore the philosophy and real‑world value of diplomacy across government, business, and personal life—highlighting the timeless principles that make it effective: clear communication, trust‑building, long‑term strategic thinking, and the ability to understand both your own position and the one across the table. They also discuss the growing danger of today’s short‑term mindset and why sustainable outcomes require a willingness to think beyond today.  Listen now to hear Ambassador Feinstein’s insights on why diplomacy still shapes the world—and how it can help all of us drive stronger outcomes.

Think control drives success? Think again. Most leaders believe control equals results—but what if that belief is holding you back? In the latest episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, to explore why the most successful leaders today aren’t the ones who “do more” or “know it all.” You’ll learn: Why surrendering the illusion of control unlocks better leadershipHow adaptive cultures outperform command-and-control by 4x in revenue growthPractical steps to create clarity, alignment, and accountability without micromanagingA 4-question coaching framework that empowers teams and drives resultsThe takeaway? Stop clinging to old playbooks. Start shaping experiences that shift beliefs and inspire action. What would happen if you stopped trying to control the uncontrollable?

In the latest episode of The Business Behind Sport podcast, Jonny Gray is joined by David James, Global Managing Partner – Sport at Elevate Talent, to delve into the evolving dynamics of the sports industry and its impact on executive talent search. They explore how the convergence of sports and entertainment - and shifting commercial priorities - has led sport organizations to tap into unconventional talent pools, the qualities top senior candidates need to thrive and the unique challenges of working in this fast-changing industry. The conversation also looks ahead to emerging talent gaps and offers practical advice for graduates eager to break into the field. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to the industry, tune in to discover the next era of sports talent.

Your brand isn’t what you sell – it’s the experience you deliver and how it makes people feel. In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with global brand and experience leader Ben Collier to explore the importance of delivering on brand promises. Ben draws on a career spanning advertising in Beijing and New York, financial services, luxury hospitality, premium spirits, telecoms, and multiple large-scale rebrands – and shares how he designs moments that foster trust, loyalty, and advocacy. Listen now to explore how being intentional about the experiences you design – for clients, colleagues, and communities – can transform both your brand and your impact.

In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Dana Stefanczyk from Ankura Office of the CFO to unravel strategic insights into bill paying for enterprises. Discover how timing and prioritization can lead to impactful financial management. Whether you're a business leader or a financial expert, this episode offers fresh perspectives on leveraging vendor terms to enhance cash flow.  Tune in today and learn how Ankura is helping businesses thrive amidst financial challenges.