Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick

After 26 years at Goldman Sachs, Robin Vince made a decision few senior Wall Street executives would make: he walked away without another job lined up. At 48, he chose to take what he called a “gap year,” turning down an immediate approach from BNY so he could step back and think carefully about what he wanted from the next phase of his life and career. In this episode of Executive Decisions, the BNY CEO explains why stepping away became essential, and how that pause helped him decide he was not finished building. He reflects on the pressure, uncertainty and self-doubt that shaped his career, from arriving in France as a child unable to speak the language to navigating the intensity of Goldman Sachs in the 1990s. Vince also looks back on the global financial crisis, including the weekend of Lehman Brothers’ collapse, and the lessons he took from moments of extreme pressure. He then discusses the transformation of BNY under his leadership, why consistency matters in building institutions and how he balances running one of America’s oldest banks with family life and personal wellbeing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Reed reflects on the decision that defined his career — taking the risk of joining the family business. The Reed CEO discusses failure, purpose and why standing still is the worst decision of all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At one of the highest points in her career, Amanda Blanc made a decision most executives would avoid — she walked away. In this episode of Executive Decisions, the Aviva CEO reflects on leaving a senior role with no safety net, the judgment required to know when something isn’t right and how that instinct shaped the decisions she’s made since. From leading Aviva through a major turnaround to publicly calling out sexism at the top of the industry, Blanc explains how decisive action — not consensus — defines leadership under pressure. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thrust into the top job sooner than expected, Schneider Electric CEO Olivier Blum explains why leadership isn’t about making perfect calls — it’s about committing once you choose, following through with discipline and learning fast under pressure. He shares how he sorts reversible vs. irreversible decisions, builds teams that execute without micromanagement and how he stays steady when the stakes climb.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roy Jakobs reflects on the early experiences that shaped his leadership—from post‑war lessons in forgiveness to the resilience built through childhood asthma. In “Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick,” the Philips CEO explains why compassion must sit alongside hard, practical choices—and how those uncomfortable decisions prepared him to lead the company through its latest evolution. 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 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 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 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.

In this episode of Executive Decisions, Steve Sedgwick sits down with Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation and sustainability.Estelle shares her remarkable career journey, shaped by the influence of her trailblazing mother and grandmother. Originally drawn to astrophysics, she ultimately chose ecological transformation, driven by curiosity and a passion for creating meaningful impact.Throughout the discussion, Estelle underscores the value of trusting your instincts and taking decisive action, illustrating these principles with pivotal moments from her own career. She opens up about the challenges of balancing professional ambitions with personal life, and how initiatives like “Veolia Cares” reflect her commitment to progressive workplace policies.The conversation also explores the urgent need for bold environmental solutions amid political complexities, and Estelle offers her perspective on the growing role of AI in shaping executive decisions.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 speaks with Tim Adams, President and CEO of the Institute of International Finance and one of the most influential voices warning about the global debt crisis. Adams shares his remarkable journey from a small Kentucky town to the forefront of international finance. A childhood spent in the local library sparked his curiosity and ambition: “Once you open your mind, it never goes back,” he says. Tim reflects on pivotal career choices, including turning down a job at Enron that “seemed too good to be true,” joining George W. Bush’s presidential campaign and later serving at the U.S. Treasury, where he helped rebuild financial systems in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11. He also discusses the origins of the IIF, founded during the Latin American debt crisis and shares insights on the challenges facing today’s global economy. 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 speaks with Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange and a trailblazer in British finance.Raised in a family of pioneering lawyers and judges—including her mother, Baroness Hale—Julia chose a different path, studying sociology at Cambridge and launching a career in the City. She shares how her upbringing shaped her values, and how watching her mother break barriers inspired her to challenge the status quo.Julia reflects on her decision to come out as gay early in her career, a move that was both courageous and transformative. She discusses the impact of inclusive leadership, the importance of empathy in the workplace, and why making tough—and sometimes unpopular—decisions is part of the job.From playing golf to find balance, to steering one of the world’s most influential financial institutions, Julia offers powerful insights on authenticity, resilience, and the future of capital markets.Listen now to hear Julia Hoggett’s remarkable journey and her vision for the London Stock Exchange.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

‘Executive Decisions’ is a CNBC original podcast offering a rare window into the minds of top decision-makers. Hosted by Steve Sedgwick, each episode explores the pivotal choices that shape the careers and legacies of business leaders and policymakers. Watch the promo previewing the first season above, featuring guests like entrepreneur Ms. Jo Malone CBE, Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch, London Stock Exchange CEO Julia Hoggett and more. The first three episodes drop on Tuesday, November 11.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.