The Ankura Podcast

From PA to a golf super-agent. In this episode of #TheBusinessBehindSport, Vicky Cuming, Head of Golf Clients (EMEA) at WME Sports, reveals how she became one of the sport’s first female 'super-agents' — carving out her place in a male-dominated industry. With 30+ years at the centre of golf, Vicky lifts the lid on shaping high-stakes careers covering the role of agent vs manager, millio...

From banned to Commonwealth champion. In this episode, Stacey Copeland, the first British woman to win a Commonwealth boxing title, joins Jonny Gray to share her extraordinary journey from exclusion to elite performance, forged against a backdrop of systemic bias and discrimination. Raised in sports that were never designed to include her, Stacey went on to play elite football across three countri...

What if the real threat to growth right now isn’t the market — but the response to it? Matt Sgrignari, Ankura Performance Improvement expert, unpacks how organizations can drive sustainable revenue in today’s turbulent financial climate. From private equity backed roll‑ups to underperforming assets, Matt explains why ‘growth at all costs’ no longer works, how leaders can effectively align marketin...

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: T...

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 pr...

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...

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 pra...

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 unpac...

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‑...

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‑u...

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,...

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 th...

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 unconventi...

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, telecom...

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 ca...

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 les...

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. Th...

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...

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 Ameri...

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-centr...

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 enha...

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...

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 busin...

Ever wondered why the U.S. healthcare billing process is so complex? Ryan Christine joins John Frehse on the latest episode of The Impact Exchange to unravel the intricacies and challenges hospitals face with revenue cycle management. Key insights include: What revenue cycle management really means The importance of cash flow in healthcare operations Tips on negotiating your medical bills as a pat...

In an era of geopolitical challenges and energy transitions, how do businesses adapt? The latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse features Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience. From the frontlines of international diplomacy to the complexities of energy transitions, Geoff shares insights on Ukraine's resilience, the geopolitical landscape...