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Welcome to The Ankura Podcast home to our flagship series The Business Behind Sport and The Impact Exchange, as well as a range of insightful discussions with leading experts and advisors from around the world on the developments shaping the global economy.
Ankura, a global expert services and advisory firm, advises the world's leading businesses, governments, and institutions on their most complex challenges. Visit ankura.com
Connect with us on LinkedIn for more of our latest insights: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ankura-consulting-group/
90 Episodes
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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...
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 emergi...
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...
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 acknowledgme...
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 ...
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 — ...
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, trans...
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 communicatio...
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-contr...
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 ...
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, loyal...
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 chall...
As some businesses prioritize AI investment over graduate programs and hiring, a crucial question emerges: where will the next generation of leaders come from? In this timely episode of The Impact Exchange, host John Frehse sits down with recent graduate and Ankura colleague Cady Finley to unpack the essential role of human connections and advanced skills in career growth. They discuss college lessons, the power of real-world experience, and the opportunities for individuals and businesses t...
The financial pressure of inflation, rising debt, and tariffs is changing how consumers shop – so what does this mean for retailers and how can they win in this challenging market? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, Ankura Performance Improvement expert Chris Ventry joins John Frehse for a deep dive on emerging trends and challenges as retail businesses prepare for the 2025 holiday season. They explore consumer debt trends, the pivotal role of AI, how retailers can capitalize on early s...
In this episode of the The Business Behind Sport, Jonny Gray is joined by Aaryaman Banerji, Head of Football Governance at Lane Clark and Peacock. They discuss the ground breaking Football Governance Act 2025, its implications on English professional football and the newly established independent football regulator. Listen as they discuss financial sustainability, fan engagement, and the evolving landscape of football governance.
Ready to challenge some stereotypes about Mexico's workforce? On this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Ankura's Horacio Gomez, a market strategy expert and transformational leader, to discuss the highly skilled and innovative labor force driving industry in Mexico. They explore the opportunities in healthcare, education, and digital transformation, and why American businesses should look southward for opportunities and growth.
As business leaders navigate intricate global transformations how can they foster a culture that embraces change? In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Gloria Madrid, a global operations excellence leader with over 20 years of experience across Latin America, the US, and Europe. Gloria discusses strategies for aligning stakeholders, balancing governance with people-centric leadership, and crafting tailored approaches for successful transformations.
Tracey Abbott, a seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner and Keynote Speaker, joins John Frehse to explore the vital role of intuition, risk-taking, and AI in today's business landscape. Drawing from her extensive background in private equity, board advisory, and coaching CEOs, Tracey delves into the power of curiosity and the significance of learning from both triumphs and setbacks to enhance intuition and foster success.
On this episode of The Business Behind Sport, Brandon Doll, Founder of Sports & Entertainment Advisors, joins Jonny Gray to discuss the crucial role of ticket sales in revenue generation of various sports organizations. They dive into: - The evolution of the ticketing sales model - How AI is reshaping ticket pricing models and inventory management - Consumers’ shift in search to AI platforms and how this is impacting primary and secondary ticket markets - Working with secondary mar...
What keeps a CFO up at night? How has the role evolved beyond traditional number-crunching? Join John Frehse as he delves into the intricacies of the modern CFO role with financial expert Elliot Fuhr on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Elliot shares invaluable insights on: • Key financial metrics that every business should focus on • The transformation of finance officers into strategic business leaders • The power of force multiplication through technology Unlock the secret...
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