Strategy Unscripted

Simon Athlan, Global Strategy Director at Ogilvy UK and former Senior Director of Brand Strategy at Jellyfish, shares how he helps global brands like Dove and TRESemmé move from business problems to cultural relevance. Drawing on experience across Allianz, Neutrogena and Chanel, Simon explains how to balance long-term brand building with fast-moving social content, while using generative AI as a strategic tool rather than a shortcut.

Apoorva Kumar, Senior Director - RGM Transformation at PepsiCo and former transformation leader at Haleon (GSK Consumer Healthcare), shares lessons from two decades leading commercial change across FMCG and healthcare. He explains how culture, clarity and cadence turn strategy into measurable outcomes, balancing global direction with local execution and integrating AI without losing human judgement.

Russell Longmuir, CEO at EFQM and former consulting leader at IBM, KPMG and PwC, shares how he transformed an organisation while operating under real-world constraints. He explains how EFQM scaled globally without external funding by focusing on clear strategic pillars, strengthening customer proximity, and combining data-driven benchmarking with emerging AI while preserving human judgement.

Mark Stone, award-winning Brand Consultant, University Lecturer, and founder of Strategy Stone shares insights from over 20 years of building and advising brands across sectors from pharmaceuticals and finance to technology and consumer goods. Mark discusses how senior leaders can integrate brand thinking into strategic planning, ensuring it drives measurable business value rather than sitting on the sideline.

Rikki Douglas, Managing Director at Quorum Technologies and Industrial Advisory Board Member at Lancaster University School of Engineering, shares insights from more than 20 years of leadership across defence, nuclear, maritime, and now advanced manufacturing. Rikki explores practical lessons on leading strategy in both large corporates and SMEs, and how to sustain growth in volatile markets.

Sarah Carroll, Head of Programs at William Jackson Food Group talks about the importance of leading strategy, transformation, and change across a portfolio of heritage British food brands. Sarah reveals how a clear, aligned mission —“good food proudly made”— drives collaboration and growth across diverse businesses.