Paolo Taticchi
Professor in Strategy and Sustainability
Co-Director, Centre for Sustainable Business, University College London
Entrepreneur, Advisor, Speaker
Main Topics:
Leadership and strategy in disruptive times
In this enlightening keynote, Paolo Taticchi shares pivotal insights from his latest book “Disruption”. Drawing from influential studies published in the MIT Sloan Management Review Paolo introduces the evolving role of business leaders into “Chief Equilibrium Officers”, who navigate through globalisation, technological advancements, and environmental pressures, steering their companies towards resilience and growth.
Highlighting the shift towards a more flexible, remote work environment, Paolo touches on the critical balance between innovation and sustainability for enduring success. He presents actionable advice for adapting to change, including embracing a multidimensional customer journey and developing key future skills like entrepreneurial mindset and ethical intelligence. Conclusively, Paolo’s talk is a roadmap for business leaders to transform challenges into opportunities, guiding their organisations to a sustainable, profitable future amidst the innovation storm.
Sustainable Transformation of Business
In this thought-provoking keynote, Paolo Taticchi delves into the critical theme of modern corporate sustainability. He begins by painting a vivid picture of the current global challenges that both the planet and society face, such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality. Paolo highlights these issues as pivotal drivers that are reshaping the competitive landscape across industries worldwide. Emphasizing the necessity for businesses to adapt, he argues for the integration of sustainability principles into the core of business strategies to foster resilience and long-term success. Drawing from a wealth of knowledge and his extensive research, including key insights from his last two influential books, “Corporate Sustainability in Practice” and “Sustainable Transformation Strategy,” Paolo provides attendees with concrete, actionable guidelines. These guidelines are designed to aid businesses in crafting and executing effective sustainability strategies that not only contribute to global goals but also drive competitive advantage. These insights emphasize the integration of sustainable practices as a fundamental component for mitigating risks and capitalizing on opportunities presented by the sustainability agenda.
In his concluding remarks, Paolo reflects on the profound importance of sustainability for business leaders today. He underscores the urgency and responsibility that leaders hold in steering their organizations towards sustainable practices, not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic necessity for survival and success in the modern business landscape.
AI and Sustainable Transformation
In this forward-thinking keynote, Paolo Taticchi delves into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in driving sustainable change across industries and societies. The presentation explores how AI technologies can be harnessed to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, aligning with the goals of sustainable development. Paolo begins by setting the stage with an overview of the current global sustainability challenges, from climate change and resource depletion to social inequality and economic disparities. He then introduces AI as a pivotal tool in the quest for solutions, offering insights into how machine learning, data analytics, and smart automation can optimise resource use, reduce waste, and enhance decision-making processes.
The keynote further examines case studies where AI has successfully contributed to sustainable outcomes, such as in energy management, agriculture optimisation, and circular economy models. Paolo discusses the principles of designing AI systems with sustainability in mind, emphasising ethical considerations, transparency, and inclusivity to ensure that AI advances contribute positively to both the planet and its inhabitants. Looking ahead, Paolo envisions a future where AI and sustainability are intertwined, with AI acting as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and growth. He calls on leaders, policymakers, technologists, and change-makers to embrace AI as a tool for good, leveraging its capabilities to foster a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world.
The Future of Cities
In this insightful keynote, Paolo Taticchi shares his expertise on the evolving landscape of urban development, drawing from his extensive work with leading organisations in the urbantech field. He begins by outlining the pressing challenges that megacities face today, such as congestion, pollution, and social inequality, highlighting the urgent need for smarter cities that leverage technology and innovation to improve quality of life.
Paolo then delves into the importance of cities as hubs of economic growth and cultural exchange, advocating for intelligent urban planning that addresses key issues like sustainability and efficiency. He discusses the hurdles in implementing urbantech innovations, including regulatory and financial barriers, and the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in overcoming these challenges. Addressing entrepreneurs, Paolo emphasises the importance of understanding urban dynamics and engaging with communities to develop scalable, impactful solutions. He advocates for a holistic approach to innovation, one that prioritises sustainability and inclusivity, illustrated with practical examples and case studies of successful urbantech applications.
The Future of Global Manufacturing
In this forward-looking keynote, Paolo Taticchi provides a comprehensive perspective on the future of global manufacturing, charting the journey from past industrial revolutions to the dawn of Industry 5.0 and beyond. He begins by tracing the historical milestones that have shaped modern manufacturing, from early mechanisation to today’s digital and robotic advancements. Paolo then delves into the key disruption drivers, including globalisation, sustainability, and the integration of advanced technologies, that are redefining the manufacturing landscape.
Exploring Industry 4.0 and the shift towards Industry 5.0+, Paolo highlights the importance of a human-centric, adaptive, and sustainable approach to manufacturing. Through case studies and practical insights, he emphasises the strategic foresight, technological integration, and workforce transformation required to thrive amidst global challenges. The keynote underscores the competitive advantage of embracing sustainable practices and collaboration across sectors, inspiring leaders to steer their organisations towards resilience and innovation in the ever-evolving industrial landscape.
The Story You Don’t Read
In this engaging keynote, Paolo shares the story of his journey, offering insights that resonate with dreamers, achievers, and change-makers. Crafted to inspire high-potential leaders, early career researchers, and the youth, he highlights the resilience, hard work, and vision required to overcome challenges and achieve success. Through personal anecdotes, Paolo illustrates the nonlinear path of success, emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks and the power of determination. Paolo aims to motivate and encourage individuals at the beginning of their careers or those pursuing ambitious goals, showing that perseverance and a clear purpose are key to making an impact. This keynote serves as a testament to the idea that every individual has the potential to drive change and achieve their dreams, regardless of the obstacles that may arise. In conclusion, Paolo hopes to leave the audience inspired, ready to tackle their own challenges with renewed vigor and confidence. This presentation is not just about his experiences, but a call to action for everyone to reflect on their journey and recognize their capacity to contribute to a better future.
Professional Profile:
Paolo Taticchi is a Professor in Strategy and Sustainability and the School Deputy Director (Executive Education, MBA and Global Engagement) at University College London, School of Management; where is also the Co-Director of the UCL Centre for Sustainable Business.
His expertise lies in sustainability transformation, competitive strategy, consulting and the future of cities. Before joining UCL, Paolo was at Imperial College London where he served as Academic Director of the school’s top-ranked MSc Management, Weekend MBA and Global Online MBA, and where he led the Global Student Experience. Currently, Paolo continues to work with Imperial as a Visiting Professor.
Alongside his work at UCL, Paolo is regularly invited to teach in top business schools in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Highly active in executive education, Paolo has trained thousands of managers and executives of Fortune Global 500 companies. He has teaching/training experience in 14 countries and is highly recognised for his work in the fields of sustainability, MBAs, online education and global initiatives.
Paolo’s research on corporate sustainability and performance measurement is internationally recognised. He has authored over 50 published academic journal articles and several books. Paolo’s latest books include “Corporate Sustainability in Practice” (2021) and “Sustainable Transformation Strategy” (2023).
Paolo is a sought-after speaker regularly invited to give keynote talks at world-class academic, governmental and industry events.
Outside of the academic field, Paolo has significant consultancy experience in strategy, education and sustainability. He has consulted with firms of various sizes across many industries. Today, Paolo advises or serves on the advisory boards of influential organisations in Canada, India, Italy, UK and US. In recent years, he also advised the Italian Ministry for the Environment.
In addition to his academic and advisory work, Paolo is also an entrepreneur, having co-founded four firms in the fields of engineering, technology and consultancy. As an intrapreneur, Paolo successfully co-founded and directed six New York-based international summer schools associated with prestigious universities; launched an MBA and opened in Italy a campus with Bradford School of Management; secured and developed a multi-million-pound project at Imperial College and is the co-founder and co-organiser of an international internship programme. Passionate about inspiring youth and changing lives, Paolo mentors youth from all over the world and has supported and ideated social impact projects in Ethiopia and Italy.
Paolo has received numerous awards and recognition for the impact of his projects, which have been covered by influential newspapers in the UK, US and Italy. Paolo’s projects, quotes and opinions have been featured over 350 times across media outlets like The Financial Times, Forbes, The Economist, Sole 24 Ore, RAI, Sky News, Mediaset, BBC and CNN.
In 2018, Paolo was chosen by influential website Poets & Quants as one of the world’s top 40 business school professors under the age of 40. In the same year, Paolo received the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In 2019, Paolo received the “Talented Young Italian Award” from the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK. In 2021-23, Paolo was named by Italian’s leading business daily Sole 24 Ore as the most influential Italian under the age of 40. In 2024, Paolo became the recipient of the prestigious Stefan A. Riesenfeld Memorial Award given by Berkeley Law in recognition for his significant contributions towards sustainable business practices.
Paolo holds a BEng and MEng in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude), and a PhD in Industrial Engineering with a focus on operations management from the University of Perugia; and an MBA with a focus on innovation from the University of Perugia and the Bradford School of Management. He has also completed Harvard Business School’s High Potentials Leadership Program.
Always on the move, Paolo has travelled 56 countries and developed business projects in 5 continents.
Experience:
Academic
Professor in Strategy & Sustainability, School Deputy Director, University CollegeLondon
Visiting & Adjunct Professor: Imperial College London, New York University, ESAN, EADA, Politecnico di Torino, University of Cologne
Advisory / Boards
Canada: Red Dot Digital
India: Neofusion Creative Foundation, Athena School of Management
Italy: Tecno, Umbria Business School, Retail Hub
Kenya: Bomu Hospital
UK: Mercato Metropolitano, Enovation Consulting
US: Global Futures Group, CIV:LAB
Entrepreneur
Founder / Co-Founder: PRO-E, WIBEE; WIDE International Consulting, TECNO International
Awards & Achievements:
- Named as the most influential Italian under the age of 40 (Sole 24 Ore, 2021-23)
- Listed in the top 40 under 40 of business professors in the world (Poets&Quants, Forbes)
- Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italian Republic)
- Talented Young Italians in the UK Award (Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK)
- Stefan A. Riesenfeld Memorial Award, Berkeley University, in recognition for his significant contributions towards sustainable business practices globally.
Selected Works:
- How to be sustainable: business strategies for leading change (NEW – Coming February 2024)
Paolo Taticchi, Melina Corvaglia-Charrey
Published internationally by KoganAmidst the many challenges facing the world today – not least the climate crisis – the need for bold and steadfast leadership has never been greater. How to be sustainable uncovers the strategies that lead firms to sustainable success.
While over 90% of business leaders recognize the importance of sustainability, only 60% have a strategy in place. And many of these strategies are inefficient, ineffective, or simply don’t go far enough to address the global challenges we are facing. Leading sustainability expert Paolo Taticchi and co-author Melina Corvaglia-Charrey have interviewed some of the world’s leading Chief Sustainability Officers from various sectors and businesses including Enel Group, Microsoft, Canon, and Sage. Guided by expert insights and real-world examples of sustainable practices, this book explores the impact and significance of sustainability in business, offering practical strategies and tools that will allow you and your business to make a positive impact. Whether you’re an experienced leader, an aspiring CSO, or passionate about sustainability, the insights shared in this book will empower and inspire you to shape a better world for future generations. - Disruption: Guida per Navigare I Cambiamenti Estremi (2023)
Alberto Mattiello, Paolo Taticchi
Published in Italian by GueriniNext & MIT Sloan PressIn un contesto di incessante mutamento, in cui le logiche consolidate di competizione e crescita appaiono inadeguate, il ruolo del CEO sta subendo una significativa trasformazione. Da semplice esecutore di strategie, il CEO si sta reinventando come un «Chief Equilibrium Officer», ovvero una figura capace non soltanto di guidare, ma anche di interpretare con agilità i mutamenti, riconoscere le disarmonie e ridisegnare un equilibrio all’interno delle strutture organizzative. Basandosi su intuizioni tratte dalla rivista MIT Sloan Management Review, questo volume si configura come una risorsa indispensabile per i leader contemporanei, desiderosi di instaurare una cultura aziendale che sappia coniugare innovazione e sostenibilità. Disruption si presenta dunque come una guida, volta a orientare i leader verso l’adozione di strategie e modelli organizzativi innovativi, che non solo li rendano capaci di cavalcare le sfide del cambiamento tecnologico, ma garantiscano che le loro imprese rimangano agili, innovative e sostenibili in un’epoca caratterizzata da imprevedibilità e progresso sempre più rapide. - Sustainable Transformation Strategy (2023)
Paolo Taticchi, Melissa Demartini, Melina Corvaglia-Charrey
Published internationally by SpringerThis casebook demonstrates how companies can design and execute corporate sustainability strategies into their overall business strategy to achieve sustainable transformation. It offers a set of case studies from different industrial sectors such as aerospace and defence, beauty, energy, engineering and construction, fashion retail, financial services, food and hospitality, life sciences, motorsports, pharmaceutical, software, toy production. Each story presents practical and concrete actions taken by companies to develop their sustainability strategies, as well as challenges and issues faced during the process. Concluding with best practices emerging from the cross-case analysis, this book is beneficial for sustainability and management professionals, students and scholars. - Corporate Sustainability in Practice. A Guide for Strategy Development and Implementation (2021)
Paolo Taticchi & Melissa Demartini
Published internationally by SpringerBuilding better organisations, with a clear sense of purpose, is a common challenge faced by many entrepreneurs and executives in industry. A fully integrated corporate sustainability strategy can help organisations to better manage risks, to win business opportunities and to ultimately strengthen reputation. Building on the experience of renowned strategists, sustainability, finance and academic experts, this book offers practical tools and approaches that can be used to develop and implement fully integrated.
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