Leadership 2050: Andrew White and Alan Jope

Leadership 2050: S1E1

Leadership 2050: Leading the Adventure

In episode one, Andrew White talks to Alan Jope, then CEO of Unilever, about the company’s theory of change, putting this into practice, and cultivating an 'inner and outer game.'

Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies and over the last 15 years it has broken ground in terms of what it means to be a sustainable business on a global scale.

Although he describes himself as a 'reluctant CEO,' Alan is one of the world’s most powerful industry changemakers. Here he talks candidly about making mistakes, putting employees first and bringing a spirit of adventure into the company.

What kind of leadership does Alan think is needed between now and 2050?

Leadership 2050 is a podcast exploring the leadership we need to successfully transition to 2050. Who are the innovators setting the agenda for a more equal and sustainable future? In this series you’ll meet them. In each episode Andrew White talks to a visionary leader from the business community who is confronting the challenges humanity faces and finding solutions.

Dr Andrew White is a Senior Fellow of Management Practice at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. His research and teaching focuses on how leaders transcend 21st century challenges such as disruptive technology change and the climate crisis. Also, how they create cultures that are diverse, inclusive, resilient and high performing, alongside the ongoing challenge of delivering profitable growth. At Oxford he directs the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme, and works with leaders from industry and governments across the world. This has given him a deep understanding of how good leaders create value and bad leaders destroy it. Never before has this been so important.