The Chief Executive Officer : All Issues

CEO Volume 1 2018

We’re now standing on the precipice of a new era of artificial intelligence. Satya Nadella, global CEO of Microsoft, explains how this major development could alter the world as we know it. Stephen Hall reports.

Part dessert business, part collective change movement, Ben & Jerry’s is renowned for its corporate social responsibility credentials. CEO Jostein Solheim tells Stephen Hall how he has sustained a legacy of activism and philanthropy as the corporation celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Also, Angry Birds made Rovio one of the world’s most valuable mobile games companies, but some have expressed concern that the business is yet to repeat the success of its first smash hit. Greg Noone talks to Kati Levoranta, Rovio’s CEO, about the challenges and opportunities involved in running one of the globe’s most successful games developers. And, Chief Executive Officer looks at the G20 forum’s big themes for 2018, including the changing workforce, need for education, fostering sustainable development and the creation of infrastructure to grant everyone access to the global economy.

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CEO Volume 2 2017

Employee healthcare support is about to take huge strides forward, according to Alan Payne, chief information officer at Aetna International. We discuss connected healthcare and how Aetna International is determined to lead the market by taking a consumer-first approach. The OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative continues to move forward with new guidance on the implementation of key outputs designed to deliver a better international tax system. Pascal Saint-Amans, the OECD’s director for tax policy and administration, considers the growing acceptance of BEPS and the latest milestones in implementation. Pernod Ricard is the proprietor of such household names as Absolut Vodka, Jameson, Havana and Jacobs Creek and, over the course of more than 200 years, has risen to become one of the industry’s largest players. Stephen Hall meets CEO Alexandre Ricard.Click here to view magazine

CEO Volume 1 2017

The need for global employers to offer expatriate employees a healthcare solution that provides a comprehensive suite of easy-to-access benefits cannot be understated, argues Sneh Khemka, president of international population health solutions at insurance company Aetna International. Nicholas Davis, head of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ team and member of the executive committee at the World Economic Forum outlines the dangers and benefits of using artificial intelligence. The EU-Africa Business Forum was held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 27 November 2017. Now in its sixth year, the event brings together business leaders and investors from Africa and Europe, to discuss and try to solve critical issues pertaining to both continents and their relationship.Click here to view magazine

CEO Volume 2 2016

Digital technologies are an indispensable part of business today. Through them, many new forms of cooperation within teams and across companies are available – and this has been dubbed ‘workplace 4.0’. Stephan Leschke, CEO of Ferrari electronic, explains how a workplace no longer needs to operate from a fixed location, and can be aided by technologies such as Unified Communications and cloud computing. Tax avoidance may not be illegal, but it has severe consequences for national governments and their public-spending policies. Jim Banks speaks to Pascal Saint-Amans, director of tax policy at the OECD. Since the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), speculation on the future of various intellectual property laws has been rife. Patrick Kingsland asks Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan, co-director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law, how intellectual property is protected across borders. Click here to view magazine

CEO Volume 1 2016

With the rapid development in many fields, today’s business world seems to be on the cusp of a digital transformation. In this edition of Chief Executive Officer, Alastair Sorbie, chief executive officer at IFS, explains the possibilities and pitfalls this move. In an era of rapid development, Future Processing CEO Jaroslaw Czaja explains why smart cities are springing up everywhere, providing solutions and introducing innovations to our everyday lives. Also in this issue: Chief Executive Officer looks at the recent rumblings in corporate payouts, Jeff Lynn, the ‘pro-Bremain’ CEO of Seedrs, tells Abi Millar why he chose to mix business with politics, and Jim Banks speaks to Des Cahill, head CX evangelist at Oracle, about what senior executives can do to ensure a great customer experience.Click here to view magazine

CEO Volume 2 2015

While cancer may be a worldwide issue, the specific challenges faced by those affected by the disease are worlds apart when it comes to healthcare provision and access. As Richard di Benedetto and Dr Sneh Khemka of Aetna International of Aetna International explain, education and prevention programmes should be a key focus of healthcare providers and policymakers around the globe. Heading a luxury brand portfolio worth $7 billion is no easy job, contrary to how it may sound. Grand Metropolitan's owner and CEO, Vin Lee, tells Andrew Tunnicliffe of the ups and downs of three decades in business. Also in this issue: Ian Joseph of Russam GMS, talks about the company's latest research into the challenges CEOs face with regard to looking after their own well-being as well as that of their employees, and Dan Matthews, chief technology officer at IFS, explains how embracing disruptive technology will be key for businesses in the digital age.Click here to view magazine

CEO Volume 1 2015

IFS CEO Alastair Sorbie has made business agility the central issue of his administration; refocusing his own company and helping customers do the same. We find out what specific qualities are required of management teams and their business software to achieve the level of agility Sorbie advocates.

We talk to Dr Adrian Blundell-Wignall, director at the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at OECD, about its current focus, and what it might mean for CEOs looking for their next strategic deal.

Also in this issue: John Lewis’s Stephen Cawley talks about corporate social responsibility and the importance of sustainable raw materials; Cathy A Enz, PhD, discusses whether leaders are born, raised or educated to success; and Roman Martynenko, CEO of Novosibirsk-based technology company Softage, reveals how he came to run one of the country’s biggest IT consultancies.

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CEO Volume 1 2014

Trust, innovation and building strong relationships – those are the keystones of success. That’s according to Philippe Chambadal of SmartStream, a company with a commitment to improving business performance for clients in the financial services industry. He tells Chief Executive Officer why embracing technology, encouraging a culture of creativity and staying healthy should be on every CEO’s mind.

In the last quarter of 2013, PwC surveyed 1,344 business leaders across 68 countries and conducted in-depth interviews with 34 CEOs. Its 17th Annual Global CEO Survey saw a leap in chief executives’ confidence in the global economy, tempered with caution about whether this will translate into better prospects for their companies.

Also in this issue: Jim Banks speaks to Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group’s Ian Cohen about how companies should use big data to best effect; ISACA reveals the questions that boards should ask themselves when looking to adopt cloud services; and Ross Davies catches up with Booz Allen chairman and CEO Dr Ralph W Shrader to discuss why human capital remains the bedrock of its success.

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CEO Volume 2 2014

Without intimate knowledge of the nuances that occur between cultures, opening offices in new countries can prove to be a challenging affair for any business. Yufeng Tan reveals how his company, IntaSect Communications, Inc, is providing a distinctive bridge across the East China Sea.

Server infrastructure is now critical to business performance; Chris Miller of Power Harvest and Dr Jayanthi Ranjan of the Institute of Management Technology discuss how CEOs can safely enhance their data networks.

Also in this issue: Pascal Saint-Amans of the OECD, explains why it’s so important to ensure your transfer pricing strategy is beneficial and legitimate; Netpique COO Cindy Campbell considers the pros and cons of outsourcing; and Kevin Lane Turner, president of Turner Leadership Strategies, outlines why tailored leadership training provides better results.

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CEO Volume 1 2013

Attracting, nurturing and retaining talent is one of the most salient challenges facing the modern CEO, but do leaders create a successful business culture or does an innate framework need to be in place first? The two are inextricable, argues General Electric's Susan Peters in this issue of CEO. Plus, Jim Banks asks Cisco's UK and Ireland CEO Phil Smith what it takes to stay ahead of the game in today's business world; Changi Airport Group's Steve Lee explains how the latest technology can keep everyone happy; Peter Marks, ex-CEO of the Co-operative Group, discusses alternative business models and Barry Mansfield speaks to Essilor CEO Hubert Sagnières about the French company's focus on achieving revenues of £1.5 billion in emerging economies by 2015.Click here to view magazine

CEO Volume 2 2012

Collaboration promises to usher in a new era of global cloud computing. Neelie Kroes of the European Commission explains why she thinks the organisation should embrace decisive role cloud computing, particularly when it comes to economics and employment, and Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel reveals how the US Government plans to open up its data to the public, providing huge public and private economic opportunities. Also in this issue of CEO, Nigel Ash speaks to key players from the London Olympics who are determined to ensure that the much-anticipated legacy from Games will be realised; Chris Benko discusses the culture of talent recognition and development that made the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough a success and HTC's Peter Chou explains why his company is targeting growth in Asia and Europe.Click here to view magazine

CEO Spring 2012

Ways to engage with customers are multiplying at a remarkable rate as people become increasingly reliant on digital devices. Across the board, today’s consumers are a lot more savvy about the service they demand compared with just a few years ago. So how can companies go about successfully enhancing customer experience? Customer service and engagement, therefore, has to keep up. Each organisation has its own approach, but universally increased investment is imperative in order to strengthen loyalty and increase retention. Of course, it all comes down to basics: a clearly defined company culture and honest communication. Easier said than done sometimes, but new technologies are providing impressive solutions to the problem of keeping up with the competition, and are also helping to ensure effective company-wide turnarounds that are winning customers back.Click here to view magazine

CEO October 2011

More than ever, CEOs are under intense scrutiny not only to be transparent, but also entirely visible in their efforts to project a sense of humanity that eclipses bottom-line ambitions. Passion for doing good work isn’t confined to balance sheets and quarterly reviews: it’s also about being in tune and on the ground, with what customers and employees are asking for. In this issue, we get to the heart of what a CEO’s obligation is to the organisation and the world beyond. We also explore the motivation and mutual benefits of corporate philanthropy with a renowned roster of participants. But what happens when things go wrong – catastrophically wrong – for an organisation? How do you win back the hearts and minds of customers? BP immediately comes to mind. We explore the repeated genuflecting by Toyota president Akio Toyoda following a tragic accident, a series of recalls and the company’s improved strength once he was able to stand tall again.Click here to view magazine

CEO March 2011

As companies emerge tentatively from a grinding recession, many have used the past few years to focus on fully optimising their supply chains to maximise efficiency, cutting out unwieldy costs and unnecessary complexities. This edition of CEO features some fascinating insight into running a truly global supply chain, as we hear from the c-level executives of Pirelli Tyre, Daimler, Whirlpool and Unilever on the subject.

A sound management of cash in the supply chain has been critical to the survival of many companies and now, as the economy pushes into a recovery, they must learn to accommodate growth without allowing costs to run out of control. These are all things that firms can account for, but natural disaster is so arbitrary it can be almost impossible to factor in when running on tight margins.

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CEO September 2010

In this issue we salute five leading CEOs and company founders who have retained a passion for what they do, possess a desire to take risks and have an innate ability to engage with their consumers while simultaneously evolving the business sector in which they operate. And, in some cases, they are also active in improving the world around them.

We also learn lessons in people skills from the CEOs of Grant Thornton International and Monte Dei Paschi di Siena, and find out what makes Shelly Lazarus tick as one of the most successful women in business. In addition, we also talk CSR with the CEOs of Puma and Edelman and find out why Starwood Group’s chief executive is confident about the future of his business despite a tough operating climate.

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CEO November 2009

In preparation for a challenging 2010, many CEOs got their strategy right in 2009. We focus on the ten CEOs who have made most of the right calls already. They are by no means the only examples either; many large companies have bucked trends in a faltering economy and raised expectations with strong performances. Do you agree with our selection? Let us know what you think!

Elsewhere, we hear from Western Union’s president and CEO Christina Gold on why philanthropy is a major part of her company’s business values, whatever the economic climate. State Farm’s Ed Rust discusses the importance of executive education and lifelong learning in business and MasterCard’s CEO Bob Selander tells us why, without the right people, an organisation can never deliver what its customers are expecting in a dynamic and competitive environment.

CEO March 2009

The era of readily-available credit and unbridled expansion is over and leaders are being forced to refocus, reforecast and reform. For Carol Bartz ,CEO of Yahoo! Inc, it is vital that CEOs do not get bogged down in the day-to day operations of running an organisation and lose sight of the bigger strategic picture.

When I met with Bartz she was typically bullish about the task ahead and why focus is all important: ‘After a downturn there will be an upturn. Once you’ve been through a few of these you have the experience and confidence to know that burying your head in the sand is the last thing you should do.’

We also hear from celebrated business advisor Ram Charan as well as Clive Punter, CEO of CBS Outdoor International; and Peter Morrison, chief executive of architects giant RMJM. It is certainly not all doom and gloom, but there is no doubting that the next year will not be for the faint hearted. Just don’t forget the strategy.

CEO September 2008

As implications of the economic downturn push CEO performance further into the spotlight, our special feature on executive remuneration addresses why stratospheric severance pay plus poor performance just isn’t adding up any more. Performance related packages, like those recently given to American Express CEO Ken Chenault, increasingly reflect Buffett’s, ‘party time is over’ 2008.

It seems no CEO, however successful their history, escapes the performance measurement spotlight. Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, reported its first annual profit five years ago and has maintained a strong footing in the black ever since. Yet concerns still emerge from Wall Street over CEO Jeff Bezos’ ability to raise his company’s profit margin. Our focus on Amazon and Bezos is part of a special focus on technology pioneers, including exclusive interviews with Vincent Sollitto of Syntax Brillian, Elon Musk, Founder, PayPal and Martin Varsavsky, CEO, Fon.

CEO March 2008

As implications of the economic downturn push CEO performance further into the spotlight, our special feature on executive remuneration addresses why stratospheric severance pay plus poor performance just isn’t adding up any more. Performance related packages, like those recently given to American Express CEO Ken Chenault, increasingly reflect the changing economic times.

It seems no CEO, however successful their history, escapes the performance measurement spotlight. Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, reported its first annual profit five years ago and has maintained a strong footing in the black ever since. Yet concerns still emerge from Wall Street over CEO Jeff Bezos’ ability to raise his company’s profit margin. Our focus on Amazon and Bezos is part of a special focus on technology pioneers, including exclusive interviews with Vincent Sollitto of Syntax Brillian, Elon Musk, Founder, PayPal and Martin Varsavsky, CEO, Fon.

CEO September 2007

The nations of China and India loom large in this edition. In our exclusive annual top 50 ranking of up-and-coming CEOs under the age of 45, China’s willingness to promote talent before experience has seen it dominate the list for the second year in a row.

Crossing the Orient to India, our focus reveals rapid growth, fantastic business opportunity and, regrettably, lingering poverty. Featuring exclusives from Karan Bilimoria, CEO and founder of Cobra Beer, Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways, Kamal Nath, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and Naina Lal Kidwai, Group General Manager and Country Head of HSBC, we chart the country’s recent successes and look to its brightening future.

Elsewhere, we have a special focus on the challenges companies face in tackling climate change. We also learn how Dr Steven Levitt has dealt with the enormous success of his bestselling book ‘Freakonomics' (it certainly hasn’t gone to his head).