Elephants in the Boardroom

• AI’s Power Hunger, Sovereign AI & Sand Scarcity - Lessons from South Africa (with Tom Eaton)

  Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen explore this month’s “grey elephants”: the collision of AI and energy demand, the strategic rise of sovereign AI, and an overlooked resource, sand. Then Graeme sits down with Cape Town–based writer and columnist Tom Eaton to unpack what the world can learn from South Africa’s last 30 years: state capture, institutional decay and repair, and why change can arrive suddenly, good or bad.Key Topics DiscussedAI x EnergyData centres scaling to small-nation power loads; AI is both energy hog and grid optimizer.Two futures: grids buckle vs. AI catalyses smarter, cleaner, more resilient systems.Boardroom takeaway: align digital and energy strategies; efficiency is competitive advantage.“Cloud” in SpaceBig idea doing the rounds: gigawatt-scale AI training clusters off-planet.Regardless of space hype, leaders must solve earthbound energy constraints first.Sovereign AINations racing to control compute + energy + data to reduce dependency on rivals.Corporate echo: prove AI value, then move toward sovereign AI footprints (own models, data, infra).Sand ScarcitySpecific sands for cement, silicon chips, glass are finite and ecologically costly to extract.Expect supply shocks, regulation, and materials innovation opportunities.Quiz CornerSector with up to 60% electricity savings via AI optimization: Utilities.Companies leading in AI projected to widen revenue gap vs. peers by ~30% (near-term).Term for national AI stacks: Sovereign AI.Interview - Tom EatonNo going back: after institutional damage, restoration is slow, contested, and incomplete.Beware “liberator euphoria”: the post-crisis leader gets too much leeway; stay critical.No adults in the building: don’t assume competent saviours or self-preservation will fix systems.Change can be sudden: systems can transform quickly—worse or better—so keep options ready.Personal advice: be less online; read history to gain perspective and pattern recognition.Featured GuestTom Eaton — South African author, screenwriter, and columnist known for incisive commentary across politics and culture. His recent writing distils practical lessons from South Africa’s experience with corruption, state capture, and democratic resilience for a world facing similar trends.Connect with Graeme and DeanConnect with Graeme Codrington on LinkedInEmail Dean Van Leeuwen: [email protected] the 7 Grey Elephants: www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephantsGeneral enquiries: [email protected] in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Achilles helps the world’s biggest companies build ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chains, reducing risk while unlocking opportunity.Links and articles

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• Signals from the Deep: Data Bunkers, UN & the Future of Shipping with guest Øistein Jensen Chief Sustainability Officer Odfjell

  Episode OverviewGraeme Codrington (Johannesburg) and Dean Van Leeuwen (South of London) explore fresh “grey elephant” signals—from subterranean data centres and living with a >2°C world, to UN reform rumblings—then sit down with Øistein Jensen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Oddfjell, to unpack how a 110-year-old global chemical shipping company is tackling decarbonisation, supply-chain due diligence, and industry-wide collaboration.Key Topics DiscussedGrey Elephants RadarConverging, high-impact forces post-COVID; a once-in-a-century transformation.Strategy lens: identify weak signals early; turn risk into opportunity.Subterranean Data CentresOld mines/bunkers reimagined as “underground data fortresses.”Strategic logic: protect critical data; manage cooling, power, and resilience.Side bet: cooling technology becomes a shovel-in-the-gold-rush play.Living with >2°CMove beyond “prevention only” to adaptation + resilience at scale.Practical mindset shift (as with COVID): learn to operate in new conditions.UN & Multipolarity Weak SignalsCalls for African representation; scrutiny of Security Council veto power.Diplomatic flashpoints as indicators of a shifting geopolitical order.Boardroom takeaway: model tariff shocks, sanctions, supply-route rewiring.BANI World & Grey ElephantsToday’s reality: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible.Build antifragile strategies before the stampede starts.The QuizFirst military “drone” use: Austrian incendiary balloons over Venice (1849).Interview — Øistein Jensen, CSO, OddfjellDecarbonisation now: efficiency first; multiple fuels/tech—no single silver bullet.Regulation & level playing field: strong IMO rules to avoid “go-bankrupt green.”Holistic value chain: avoid offloading emissions upstream; measure Scope 3.Data & transparency: rising customer expectations across the full chain.Partnerships: industry bodies, local forums on human rights, technology co-dev.Supplier due diligence: shared platforms (e.g., Achilles) cut duplication and lift standards.Embedding sustainability: company-wide incentives tied to climate trajectories.Featured GuestØistein Jensen — Chief Sustainability Officer, Oddfjell (global leader in chemical shipping). Oversees sustainability, compliance and strategic safety. Former submarine commander in the Royal Norwegian Navy; prior experience at PwC.Connect with Graeme and DeanConnect with Graeme Codrington on LinkedInEmail Dean Van Leeuwen: [email protected] the 7 Grey Elephants: www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephantsGeneral enquiries: [email protected] in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Achilles helps the world’s biggest companies build ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chains—reducing risk while unlocking opportunity.Keywordsgrey elephants, BANI, multipolarity, UN reform, underground data centres, mines to data fortresses, climate adaptation, >2°C world, shipping...

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• Multipolarity, wars and rumours of wars, and the future of supply chains.

  Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen return with a timely and urgent discussion about the shifting balance of global power and its implications for business leaders. From startling comments about human longevity by Putin and Xi Jinping to the acceleration of a multipolar world order, the hosts unpack how these geopolitical shifts create uncertainty, and opportunity, in boardrooms everywhere.This episode also features a compelling interview with Mar Bernal Conde, Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at LightSource BP, who shares her journey from operations to sustainability leadership and explains how resilient, transparent supply chains can become a competitive advantage in turbulent times.Key Topics DiscussedImmortality & AgingPutin and Xi joke about living beyond 150.Science shows aging may one day be reversible.Multipolarity RisingNew alliances reshaping global power (Russia, China, India, BRICS+).U.S. tariffs accelerate the shift away from Western dominance.Global RisksTariffs, sanctions, and conflicts (Ukraine, Taiwan, Venezuela, Middle East).Businesses must plan for shocks and instability.Grey Elephants & BANI WorldForces of change that are ignored until too late.Today’s reality: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible.Mara Vernal-Konda InterviewFrom operations to sustainability leadership.Why transparency, trust, and ESG due diligence matter.Building resilient supply chains in uncertain times.Featured GuestMar Bernal Conde – Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at LightSource BP. With over 25 years of international experience in energy and manufacturing, Mara has led strategic transformations rooted in sustainability. She also teaches sustainability leadership at Cambridge and serves on multiple industry boards.Putin Confirms Rise Of New World Order 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKhTbMrqUdMConnect with Graeme and DeanElephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at [email protected] you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email [email protected]

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• Career Reinvention and Fierce Care in Leadership

  Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen are joined by Tony, a former professional rugby player who has successfully reinvented himself three times throughout his career. In this inspiring conversation, Tony shares his journey of transformation beyond professional sports and introduces the powerful concept of "fierce care" as a strategic imperative in business.In a world where transformation is happening at an unprecedented pace - the fastest since 100 years ago - Tony's story offers valuable insights for anyone navigating career transitions and organizational leadership. His philosophy on how treating people, suppliers, and stakeholders with genuine care becomes a competitive advantage provides actionable wisdom for today's business leaders.Key Topics DiscussedCareer Reinvention & TransformationTony's journey of reinventing himself three times beyond professional rugbyNavigating the transition from professional sports to business leadershipThe shelf life of careers and making strategic life decisionsSelf-awareness as a foundation for successful transformationFierce Care as Business StrategyThe concept of "fierce care" as a strategic imperative in businessHow genuine care for people, suppliers, and stakeholders drives performanceThe difference between exceptional and average organizational performanceMicro-behaviors that create competitive advantagesLeadership in Times of ChangeOperating in an era of enormous sharp transformationWhy everyone needs to learn how to reinvent themselvesThe importance of treating people well during periods of changeBuilding high-performing organizations through authentic leadershipFeatured GuestTony - Former professional rugby player who has successfully navigated multiple career reinventions, now focused on business leadership and the application of "fierce care" principles in organizational settings.Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at [email protected] you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email [email protected]

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• Agentic AI and the Future of Industry Innovation

  Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen open this episode with a tribute to Paul Stanley, the former CEO of Achilles, whose legacy transformed the supply chain and ESG sectors. His dedication to transparency inspired this episode's deep dive into the fast moving world of artificial intelligence, where Ginni Rometty's foresight of AI's pervasive influence in decision-making is coming to life. Imagine AI that doesn't just follow orders but autonomously improves customer experiences and tackles major challenges. Discover the phenomenon of agentic AI - an autonomous force poised to redefine business operations, yet shrouded in both promise and skepticism. A shift from task-based automation to mission-driven autonomy, by leveraging agentic AI, companies can not only boost efficiency but also reimagine their strategies, breaking free from conventional constraints.Do you think businesses should stay neutral in the face of global changes? Using frameworks like BANI, we highlight the necessity for enterprises to anticipate and capitalise on disruptions. In a world where 70% of the population lives under right-leaning governments, global businesses are navigating a complex political landscape where neutrality may no longer be an option. Resources - https://www.businessinsider.com/ginni-rometty-on-ibm-watson-and-ai-2015-5https://resources.tomorrowtoday.consulting/collections/686bcb8dfec9dd0bd964f680?utm_source=Paperflite%20LinkElephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at [email protected] you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email [email protected]

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