INSEAD Unfiltered

Ranjit Mene, MBA 07D, talks about the impact of geo-politics on UK fuel prices, renewables, decarbonisation and what the future holds in terms of wind, solar, nuclear, oil and gas. If you'd like to share your views with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected]

Graham Heddle, MBA 97D, talks about how the world of work is evolving, exploring trends across a wide range of factors including demographics, AI, leadership, hiring, co-Intelligence, world models, neurosymbolic AI and more.If you'd like to share your views on any topic with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected].

Its 2026. Happy new year!The UK Alumni Association has a number of alumni events scheduled over the next 3 months. Here's a little snippet of what's in store.

Mike Hennessy, MBA '86 and author of a new book - Edinburgh's First Hibernian: The Mission of Edward Joseph Hannan - takes us into the Scotland of the late 1800s and describes how he uncovered of the story of an Irish priest who founded Hibernian FC. You can find Mike's meticulously researched book at https://www.thirstybooks.com/bookshop/edinburghs-first-hibernianIf you'd like to share your views on any topics with your fellow INSEAD alumni, get in touch at [email protected]

Pavlin Kumchev, MBA 11J, shares his views on a framework for life through the lens of investing - on taking risks, failure and relationships. Pavlin is the author of a new book - Solving Life - which is available on Amazon and at the INSEAD bookstore. If you'd like to share your views on any topic with the INSEAD community, drop us a note at [email protected]. Unfiltered is an initiative run by the INSEAD UK NAA.

In our next episode, Kivanc Okutur, MBA 14J talks about how AI is beginning to impact the world of app development and mobile gaming, and what it takes to build a gaming business. If you have any comments, or a story you'd like to share with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected] is an initiative run by the INSEAD UK NAA.

In this episode, Nisa Kaya, MBA 21J, shares her experiences of the biases that face women in the workplace, and articulates a vision for a future workplace that could help women and people from diverse backgrounds discover their potential to a greater extent. As ever, if you have any comments, or a story you'd like to share with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected] is an initiative run by the INSEAD UK NAA.

Eleanor Warnock, MBA 18J, a journalist who worked at the Wall Street Journal pre-INSEAD and then joined the VC industry talks to us about how VCs are different despite all offering the same product - money. Eleanor shares advice for founders on what to look for in a VC, and for people looking to work in the world of venture capital on how to transition into it. If you'd like to share your opinion on any topic with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected].

Hurol Inan, an IDP alumnus and avid supporter of the arts talks about his journey into paintings and sculpture, and his experience participating in the art world across 2 continents. Hurol discusses how to get into art, the nuances of thinking about art as an investment category and his opinion on NFTs. For those interested in learning more, here are a few links from Hurol:Online platform to buy direct from artist: https://www.saatchiart.com/https://www.singulart.com/https://bluethumb.com.au/Online platform to buy from galleries: https://www.artsy.net/Art investment: https://www.openartmarket.com/en/ (Currently in Norway but with plans to expand to the UK and other markets. Low entry investment) Art investment: https://www.masterworks.com/ (NY based, higher entry investment)Research: https://www.artprice.com/ (Database of auction results). If you'd like to share your view on any topic with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected].

Bill Newton Dunn, MBA'66 is the longest serving Member of European Parliament, from its inception in 1979 through to Brexit. Bill shares anecdotes from his first-hand experiences working with the world's policitians and leaders, and gives us his view on what's next for Europe. If you'd like to share your views on any topic with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected]

In this episode, Helen Hallpike, MBA '89, talks about decision-making and careers. Helen has spent several years studying the ways in which people navigate careers and discusses the factors implicit in the career choices that people make. Helen is a co-chair of the INSEAD UK Careers Group.If you'd like to share your views on any topic with the INSEAD community, get in touch. We're at [email protected].

Happy new year. In our first episode of 2025, Ranjit Mene, MBA07D, talks to us about his love of poker, bluffing, what it's taught him about the world, and whether it's a game of skill or luck. Here's a link to the paper that Ranjit mentions in his talk: https://www.nber.org/papers/w17023 If you'd like to share your views on any topic, get in touch. We're at [email protected].

In this episode, Szabi Baranyi, MBA 15, describes his journey of going from the world of finance and private equity to burnout. In an honest and vulnerable conversation, Szabi describes the loss and disconnection that accompanied burnout, and his process of healing. If you'd like to share your views on any topic at all with your fellow INSEAD community members, get in touch at [email protected].

In this episode, Adonai Herrera-Martinez, MBA 09, an avid traveller who has visited 100+ countries talks about the spirit of travel and adventure. As someone who also thinks deeply about the environment (both personally and professionally in his role as a Director at EBRD), Adonai talks about how he balances travel with sustainability. If you'd like to share your views with your fellow INSEAD community members, get it touch at [email protected].

In this episode, Roger Press, a lifelong musician and music industry veteran describes his experience in the business of music and his belief in the power of music to enrich people's lives. If you'd like to share your views with your fellow INSEAD community members, get it touch at [email protected].

Rachna Chowla, MBA 09D, is a doctor and healthcare professional who also loves poetry and has published a number of books on poetry and love. In this episode, Rachna talks about how she discovered poetry, about compassionate leadership and about alternatives to command-and-control. If you'd like to share your views with your fellow INSEAD community members, get it touch at [email protected].

Last year, the MBA 2003D class created a separate podcast series capturing stories of their class in the run-up to their 20 year reunion. This Unfiltered episode features content from one of those podcasts. Marita and Marcello Cavalcanti talk about life as an INSEAD couple, about navigating the relay race of dual careers within a marriage and about playing second fiddle. They also share interesting points of view on finance, startups, blockchain and capitalism. Huge thanks go to Milena Ivanova, who plays host on this podcast, and who offered to share this roster of great stories from the 03D group with the wider INSEAD community. If you'd like to share your story with the UK INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected].

In this episiode, Tazim reflects on her career as a businesswoman, on dealing with the unexpected, and on the things that have shaped her definition of success. If you'd like to share your point of view with the INSEAD UK community, do get in touch at [email protected].

Francoise shares a very real first-person experience of 'the emergency on our doorstep', the fact that 10,000 people go to bed homeless every night in London. An INSEADer who has seen the school evolve over the last 40 years, since the 80s, Francoise takes us through her observations in law, business and the public sector, and the path that led her to start a charity, Kind Winter. You can learn more about her work at https://www.kindwinter.com. If you'd like to share an 'unfiltered' point of view on any topic with the INSEAD UK community, drop us a note at [email protected].

In this episode, Nermeen shares her reflections on her journey to INSEAD, on her experience as a healthcare professional, and on how to think about a non-linear career journey. If you'd like to share your viewpoint on any subject with your fellow INSEAD UK community members, get in touch at [email protected].

Novelist and author of the book "Woman of the Year", Elena Shalneva reflects on her time at INSEAD, her journey from academia to finance and then to writing, on people's career dreams, the choices we make and the things we give up in our quest for success. Elena's novel can be found at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLT6GFSR If you'd like to share your opinion on any subject with the INSEAD community, drop us a note at [email protected].

In our first episode, Jason shares his observations watching managers set targets, create plans to address company performance and make forecasts. Jason talks about what he's seen living and working across 3 continents, and asks if we would do things differently... if we measured different things. If you're interested in the systems, culture, targets and incentives, reach out. You can find Jason at [email protected] If you would like to share your Unfiltered story on the podcast, get in touch at [email protected].

We have over 5000 INSEAD alumni in the UK. Between us, we have an incredible collection of stories, views and experiences. This podcast series features the opinions, viewpoints and narratives of your fellow classmates and friends from the INSEAD UK community. If you'd like to share your story with the INSEAD community, get in touch at [email protected]