Heads Talk

• 262 - Claudia Cordioli, Group CFO: Fintech Series, Zurich Insurance - Frameworks in an Uncertain World

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:🇨🇭CFO Frameworks in an Uncertain World🇨🇭We take a brief pause from the #HTBRICSSeries (BRICS & Geopolitics) this week on Heads Talk to spotlight a compelling release from the 💵 ℙ𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕎𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕟 𝕎𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕥 & 𝕄𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕪💵 series. In this timely and thought-provoking conversation, I’m joined by returning guest and Fortune 50 Executive Claudia Cordioli, now Group CFO at Zurich Insurance Group. In fact, given the breadth and depth of our discussion, this conversation could easily sit within the current BRICS and Geopolitics series, touching on governance, sovereignty, global markets, and systemic risk.Claudia shares what’s energised her since stepping into the Group CFO role. She discusses Zurich’s approach to risk and resilience, the strategic use of AI across the business, and the evolving role of today’s CFO:- a favourite Heads Talk topic first explored with Claudia 4 years ago during her time as CFO at Swiss Re. We cover how Zurich is preparing for emerging liabilities; leading in an era defined by interconnected crises; and measuring ROI beyond the balance sheet. Claudia also reflects on the non-financial indicators that matter, and the skills she never expected to need but now sees as essential.A vital episode that speaks directly to the major issues shaping the insurance sector and the global economy.Topics Covered◽️The CFO+, AI-Native Finance, and the Future of Financial Leadership◽️Financial Resilience in the Age of Polycrisis◽️Zurich’s Cyber Risk Strategy and Capital Model Adaptations ◽️Climate Risk, Systemic Events & the Evolution of Reinsurance◽️AI Governance, Risk, and Accountability in Insurance Operations◽️ROI of AI: Measuring Impact Beyond the Balance Sheet◽️Algorithmic Liability and the Finance Function’s New Mandate ◽️Navigating the CFO Role in a Time of Global Transition◽️From Swiss Re to Zurich: Strategic Shifts and Leadership Lessons ◽️Public-Private Partnerships and New Risk Transfer Mechanisms ◽️Global Insights: Leadership Reflections from Emerging Markets◽️Talent, Transformation & the Skills CFOs Didn’t Know They’d Need So download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Mocha Chai Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTFintechSeries #HeadsTalkPodcastReport Mentioned hereSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 261 - Giorgio Torre, SPM: BRICS Series, KPMG - Digital Sovereignty & The Gulf Tech Frontier

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:🇶🇦Digital Sovereignty & The Gulf Tech Frontier🇶🇦Another thought-provoking episode of Heads Talk this week as I sit down with an influential figure in the Gulf’s digital transformation space. Giorgio Torre, a leader in data, sustainability and technology advisory, KPMG, with a broad international remit, but a particular focus on the GCC region, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Giorgio and I first planned this conversation over a year ago. A lot has changed since then. So this is a timely, refreshed discussion exploring how the Gulf is boldly positioning itself as a global technology and AI sovereignty powerhouse. From quantum computing and autonomous energy systems, to culturally relevant Arabic-language AI models, Giorgio’s insights are grounded in strategy, policy and lived advisory experience across governments, central banks and regulatory bodies.Giorgio is not just an advisor, he’s a voice of influence in the region, with over 120,000 followers and more than 12 million monthly views on LinkedIn. His posts ignite discussions across industry, policy and academia.Topics Covered◽️Gulf Digital Sovereignty and Strategic Tech Independence◽️AI Turf War: DeepSeek, OpenAI, and GCC’s Position◽️Qatar’s “Fanar” and the Rise of Culturally Aware AI Models◽️Fusion of Quantum Computing and AI in the Gulf◽️GCC's shift from Hydrocarbon Dependency to Digital Innovation◽️Qatar & Saudi Arabia’s AI Strategies in Energy, Security, and Autonomy◽️Developing local AI Ecosystems and Talent Pipelines across the GCC◽️Regulatory Innovation and Cross-border Digital Diplomacy◽️Why Qatar is Emerging as a Magnet for Business, Careers & InnovationSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Peach Cobbler Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeries #HeadsTalkPodcastSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 260 - Ross Macallister, Managing Partner: BRICS Series, KPMG Vietnam & Cambodia - Common Prosperity

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:🇻🇳Common Prosperity🇰🇭It’s always a little more special when a familiar face joins me on Heads Talk. This week’s guest is not only a globally respected transformation leader, but also a former colleague from our time together at KPMG in London. A lot has changed since then, but what hasn’t changed is his deep insight and global perspective.I’m joined by Ross Macallister, Senior Partner, Head of Advisory, and Managing Partner of Consulting at KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia, where he also sits on the Executive Committee. Ross brings more than 35 years of international leadership in business and technology transformation, spanning the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and most significantly, Asia.In this conversation, we focussed on the Southeast Asian business landscape, i.e. Vietnam, Cambodia and China; and talk candidly about the regional nuances of delivering large-scale consulting programmes in fast-evolving markets. As part of the #HTBRICSSeries, Ross shares real-world examples. Before his role at KPMG Vietnam & Cambodia, Ross held C-suite Executive positions in some of the most complex markets in the world, including Group CIO and Divisional CEO at ChemChina, a global Fortune 250 company, where he led one of the most significant turnaround and restructuring programmes in China. He was also Head of Energy, Natural Resources & Chemicals Consulting at KPMG China, driving advisory for SOEs and multinationals alike.We talk strategy, geopolitics, technology, and the future of professional services, all with that signature Ross calm and clarity. It’s an episode rich in practical wisdom, and a few warm throwbacks to our time in KPMG UK too.Topics Covered◽️ Leading transformation in complex global environments◽️ Balancing global consulting standards with Southeast Asian cultural and economic realities◽️ Delivering future-ready business & IT solutions in Vietnam & Cambodia◽️ Navigating the strategic shift of the "China Plus One" model◽️ Contrasting regulatory and market dynamics between China, Vietnam and Cambodia◽️ Competitive role of SOEs in Asia and lessons for Western corporations◽️ Evolving role of consultants in emerging Southeast Asian markets◽️ How advisory services must adapt to rapid technological change◽️ Future outlook for consulting across both Asian and European marketsSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Eton Mess Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeries #HeadsTalkPodcastSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 259 - Paolo Sironi, Global Research Leader: Fintech Series, IBM - The Fintech Globetrotter That Got Away… Until Now! - Part 2

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title: 🇮🇹The Globetrotter That Got Away… Until Now! - Part 2 🇮🇹In this second and final part of this special on Heads Talk, I wrap up my conversation with Paolo Sironi, Global Research Leader in Banking and Financial Markets at the IBM Institute for Business Value.If you missed Part 1, you can find the link here. Definitely worth a listen first.This episode is officially the longest recorded on Heads Talk, and perhaps one of the most reflective. We unintentionally veered away from the core mechanics of finance and found ourselves exploring its philosophical layers. Paolo described money as “emotion” , and of course, I got him to explain what he meant by that. He spoke about money as a vessel of memory, trust, and time, not just a tool or transaction. It was a poignant moment. Paolo invites us to consider not just how money moves, but why it moves us.He describes money as a language of human intent, shaped by our fears, our choices, and our need to make meaning in uncertain systems. At the moment we are driven by speed, algorithms, and data, this episode asks a slower, deeper question: What does money really mean to us individually, collectively, emotionally?A profound listen.Topics Covered◽️ Lessons from the startup trenches and global tech ecosystemsPaolo’s candid reflections on entrepreneurial missteps, the power of platforms like Amazon and Alibaba, and what the European innovation landscape can learn from Italy ◽️ Money is more than a medium of exchange. It's a human construct built on shared emotion, narrative, and temporal relationships◽️Philosophy of financial systems: Exploring finance as a social technology, not just an economic one. How design, trust and belief shape our collective financial reality◽️ Value creation in embedded and creator-led finance across the creator economy and digital ecosystems◽️ Explainable banking as a strategic advantage. Treating AI transparency as essential to trust, loyalty and competitive edge not just regulatory compliance◽️ Programmable money and infrastructure evolution. Recognising the growing role of Stablecoins and CBDCs in reshaping financial infrastructure and bank relevance◽️ Speed, purpose and future of financial relationships. With 'instant everything' purpose, trust and meaningful engagement define lasting value◽️ Rethinking financial identity and meaning. Must move beyond efficiency to address deeper questions of belonging, self-determination, and human intentEpisode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST  #AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTFintechSeriesSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 258 - Wangeci Kanjama, Group CFO: BRICS Series, Spiro - Explorer and Adopters of New Technology, By Nature

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:🇰🇪Explorer and Adopters of New Technology, By Nature🇰🇪Another insightful episode of Heads Talk today. It was such a pleasure to speak with my guest today. I found her content incredibly thoughtful and walked away with a much deeper understanding of the fintech, finance, and growth landscape in East Africa, especially their sharp focus on strategic partnerships.Wangeci Kanjama is the CFO of Spiro, a pan-African company leading the way in sustainable mobility and smart battery solutions. She joined the organisation in November 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience across finance, strategy, and operations.Before Spiro, she held senior leadership roles at M-Pesa Africa, including Finance Director and Director of Partnerships & Special Projects. She also spent nearly two decades at Safaricom Plc, heading up various strategic finance functions.It was so refreshing to hear about the developments across the African continent, and the intentional leapfrogging happening with purpose. Wangeci also shares insights into Spiro’s strategic alignment with the BRICS+ alliance, particularly with some of its newer members and the exciting collaborations underway. Have a listen.Topics Covered◽️Kenya’s Financial Leadership in Africa: What’s driving Kenya’s status as East Africa’s financial and ICT hub, and how it can sustain its edge amid growing regional competition◽️CFOs as Strategic Catalysts in Africa, innovation leaders with a growing need for strategic and cross-functional skills◽️Scaling Fintech Across Africa, adaptable platforms and navigation of diverse regulatory landscapes◽️Innovative Financing for Sustainable MobilitySpiro is delivering sustainable mobility through innovative financing models tailored to Africa’s infrastructure needs◽️Strategic Partnerships and Public-Private Collaboration, to accelerating energy and mobility transformation across the continent◽️Kenya and BRICS+ Alignment◽️Financial Integration into Global Investment Networks◽️Kenya’s Financial Services DNA, success in fintech, financial culture, and talent development is drawing international attentionSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Mocha Chai Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeries #HeadsTalkPodcastSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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