Outthinker Summit London 2025
Navigating Strategic Winds: Strategic Leadership When Market Forces Shift Daily
Every navigator knows you can't control the wind—but you can read it, position for it, and tack against it when needed. In today's business environment, the same principle applies. Technology shifts, regulatory changes, consumer behavior, and geopolitical forces create headwinds and tailwinds that no single company can control. But the companies that consistently outperform have mastered the art of positioning themselves to catch favorable winds while navigating against the challenges.
What sets them apart is the organizational agility to pivot resources quickly when winds shift direction. Whether it's reallocating capital mid-year, seeing data as a competitive advantage, restructuring talent, or redefining business models, the winners move at the speed of opportunity—not the speed of annual planning cycles.
Join us in London for an exclusive summit where strategy leaders share the frameworks and practices that enable rapid strategic pivots.
We'll explore the critical questions every strategy leader faces:
How do you trim your financial sails mid-course? Learn to reallocate budgets and capital when new winds emerge.
When should you catch data tailwinds? Navigate the choice between monetizing insights and protecting competitive position.
How can companies consistently ride favorable winds? Discover the four patterns that separate “skilled sailors” from the rest.
How do you help your organization tack against industry headwinds? Master the art of strategic pivoting without losing momentum.
Which emerging winds should you be positioning for now? Identify the forces reshaping your competitive landscape.
How to predict shifting currents? Learn what trends strategists from other industries have on their radar to ensure you’re not missing future disruptors.
SESSION TOPICS
Agile Budgeting & Capital Allocation
When favorable tailwinds appear—new technologies, emerging markets, regulatory changes—can your organization reallocate resources fast enough to capitalize? Eric Woodard, former Bain & Co. consultant and expert in agile budgeting, will lead an interactive exploration of flexible budgeting models that help organizations trim their sails quickly. Discover how leading companies enable rapid financial pivots without sacrificing strategic discipline, positioning themselves to catch opportunities before competitors even notice the wind shifting.
Creating Value from Data
Thanks to IoT devices, advanced APIs, and AI-powered analytics, organizations can turn information into strategic advantage faster than ever. But navigating these data winds requires careful judgment: should you strengthen your core business or monetize insights as new products and services? Claudio Finol (CSO, Fyffes) and Joanne Sheppard (former CSO, Holtzbrinck) will share how they're capturing value from data while navigating the critical choices that determine long-term competitive position.
Outthinker Companies and How They Move with the Winds
After studying more than 7,000 companies, we identified only 45 that truly stood apart—organizations consistently outperforming their peers by mastering four key distinctions. Like skilled sailors, these companies excel at reading winds (market forces), designing their hull (business model), coordinating their crew (execution), and following clear captain's commands (strategic priorities). Kaihan Krippendorff will reveal initial findings on how companies adjust their strategic sails to stay ahead of the competition.
Rapid Round Challenge Forums
Every strategic leader faces unique headwinds—regulatory pressures, competitive threats, resource constraints. In our signature peer-to-peer sessions, Chief Strategy Officers share real challenges in a confidential environment, surfacing practical solutions you can implement immediately. These rapid exchanges harness the collective wisdom of strategy leaders who've successfully navigated similar storms, helping you chart your course through whatever winds you're facing.
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
8:30 AM – Registration & Breakfast Networking
9:15 AM – Welcome & Introductions
9:45 AM – 11:15 AM – Session 1: Agile Budgeting (with Eric Woodard)
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM – Networking Break
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Session 2: Outthinker Companies (with Kaihan Krippendorff)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Challenge Forum Rapid Rounds
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Networking Break
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM – Creating Value from Data (with Joanne Sheppard and Claudio Finol)
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM – Learning Capture & Close
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Networking Reception
6:30 PM – Optional Dinner
WHO THIS IS FOR
This event is designed for Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, Chief Growth Officers, and senior strategy executives from large enterprises across industries.
Participation is guaranteed and free to Outthinker Network members.
Limited spots are available for qualified non-members (registration requires approval and a USD $2,900 fee).
If you're a future-focused strategist who understands that maximizing the impact you can have on your organization demands staying on top of techniques beyond your industry, you want to join your peers at this gathering.
WHY ATTEND
Connect with elite strategy practitioners: Build relationships with C-level strategy executives facing identical challenges
Stay ahead of disruption: Explore trends and tools that equip you to respond to disruptive changes in technology, talent, and geopolitics.
Gain actionable insights: Leave with specific tools and approaches you can implement within weeks
Access exclusive peer intelligence: Participate in confidential discussions about what's really working in today's volatile environment
Expand your strategic network: Connect with forward-thinking leaders who will become valuable advisors throughout your career
SPEAKERS
Eric Woodard
Head of Strategy, Primerica | Former Bain & Co. consultant specializing in agile budgeting and capital allocation
Eric brings deep expertise in reimagining traditional budgeting processes for speed and adaptability, sharing proven frameworks that enable real-time resource shifts without derailing strategic priorities.
Claudio Finol
Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of Fyffes
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the FMCG sector across diverse markets in Latin America, EMEA, and North America, Claudio is experienced in leading digital transformations that drive business growth. He will share how data can be used within the organization to create value reliably.
Joanne Sheppard
NED Board Advisor and SVP, Strategy (ELT) of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group
Joanne is a global Non-Executive Director and Strategic Advisor for digital transformation, new technologies, innovation and data. She is on the board of directors for two biotech companies and the advisory board for £100m+ tech company. She will provide insights into unlocking opportunity from data and navigating the critical choices that come with it.
Kaihan Krippendorff
Founder, Outthinker Networks
Kaihan Krippendorff is a strategy advisor, bestselling author, and founder of Outthinker Networks. Kaihan has helped more than 300 of the world’s top companies outthink their competition and thrive in disruption. Author of six business books including Driving Innovation from Within and recognized as one of the top innovation keynote speakers worldwide.
HOST VENUE
Wallacespace Clerkenwell Green
The Outthinker Summit will take place at Wallacespace, offering an inspiring venue with an intimate feel, right on Clerkenwell Green and just a five minute walk from Farringdon station.
We're happy to host this event together with our partners from Holtzbrinck Publishing Group.
How to get there
Rail
Farringdon Station – 5-minute walk
Elizabeth Line, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, plus First Capital Connect and Thameslink services.Old Street Station – 15-minute walk
Northern Line and mainline train services.
Car
Several NCP car parks are located a short walk from the venue.
Bike
Wallacespace offers showers, soap, and towels, plus bike storage, so you can arrive fresh and ready to connect.
Walk
From Farringdon Station, turn left onto Turnmill Street. At the top of Turnmill Street you’ll see a bus stop on your right; opposite it is an uphill slope to Clerkenwell Green. Wallacespace is on the right once you reach the green.
Plan Your Stay
To make your logistics effortless, here are four excellent accommodation options within easy reach of the venue, offering a range of styles and budgets:
The Zetter – From a luxurious Apartment to chic Deluxe Rooms, all guest rooms offer a quirky, very British “home from home.” Just a 2-minute walk from Wallacespace. Rates from £570 per night. Visit website
YOTEL London City – Super-smart rooms featuring time-saving tech, social spaces, and a gym. Also just a 2-minute walk from the venue. Rates from £280 per night. Visit website
DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross – A classic and reliable option for those who prefer familiar comforts and amenities, including a restaurant, fitness center, and signature warm cookies on arrival. Located a 20-minute walk or 6-minute taxi ride from the venue. Rates from £190 per night. Visit website
Ruby Stella – A stylish, budget-friendly newcomer with industrial-chic décor inspired by Clerkenwell’s literary heritage. Compact yet character-packed rooms. Near Farringdon station. Rates from £130 per night. Visit website
EXCLUSIVE BONUS OPPORTUNITIES
Thinkers50 Gala Access (November 3–4, London)
Receive a 50% discount on tickets to the prestigious Thinkers50 Awards Gala—the "Oscars of Management Thinking"—at London's iconic Guildhall. As an official Outthinker partner event, members will be seated at dedicated Outthinker tables among the world's leading business thinkers. Learn more about the event here.
Ready to join the conversation that's shaping the future of strategic agility?
Current Outthinker Network members can register at no cost. Qualified non-members can apply for approval with a $2,900 registration fee. Learn more about joining the Outthinker Network or contact us to discuss your participation in this exclusive summit.