Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC

Im Podcast "Leading Corporate Transformation" der WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management und PwC Deutschland geben Prof. Dr. Serden Ozcan, Prof. Dr. Martin Glaum (beide WHU) und Gori von Hirschhausen (PwC) authentische Einblicke in Transformationsprojekte verschiedenster Unternehmen, geschildert aus unterschiedlichen C-Level Perspektiven europäischer Top-Führungskräfte, beleuchtet mit wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen.

Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC is a business podcast hosted by PwC, with 24 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

PwC hosts Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC, a business show with 24 episodes published.

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  Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC

  Astrid Hermann, CFO Beiersdorf – From NIVEA to Tesa: Steering a Global Portfolio in Changing Markets

  May 28, 20261h 4mS0

  <p>How does a global consumer and industrial company balance heritage brands, science-led innovation, and investor expectations when markets suddenly slow down?</p> <p>In this episode, Astrid Hermann, CFO of Beiersdorf, explains how Beiersdorf manages a portfolio that spans mass skincare, fast-growing dermatological brands, and luxury. She also speaks about why Derma has become a core pillar after tripling since 2016, and how innovation often gets launched there first, where the science can be explained through dermatologists rather than a six-second ad.</p> <p>We dive into the current demand environment, the 2025 market slowdown she describes as unusually broad-based, and...

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  Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC

  Christian Schätz, COO Microsoft Deutschland – the Future of AI, Cloud Adoption & Fostering a “Learn-it-All” Culture

  Jan 11, 202659 minS0

  <p>What is the perspective of one of the world’s leading technology companies on the future of Artificial Intelligence? In this episode, Christian Schätz, COO of Microsoft Deutschland, discusses how Microsoft scales innovation while adapting to Germany’s regulatory, operational, and cultural environment.</p> <p>Christian explains why Microsoft views AI as a copilot rather than an autopilot — a technology built to augment human capability. He shares how Microsoft, as “customer Zero” applies AI internally, from natural-language access on core business systems to significant efficiency gains in customer support and global shared services. </p> <p>The conversation turns to Germany’...

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  Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC

  Jan Philipp Schmitz, Executive Vice-President at Ardian – Scaling Global Growth in Private Markets

  Nov 12, 202553 minS0

  <p>How does one of the world’s leading private investment houses balance agility, scale, and purpose?</p> <p>In this episode, we sit down with Jan Philipp Schmitz, Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee at Ardian, to explore how the firm has grown from a management buyout of AXA Private Equity into a $192 billion global investment leader. Jan Philipp takes us inside Ardian’s multi-asset model, spanning private equity, infrastructure, and private credit - and explains why secondaries and infrastructure are some of the firm’s fastest-growing pillars. He reveals how Ardian combines entrepreneurial speed with instit...

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  Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC

  Helene von Roeder, CFO Merck – Combining Pharma, Life Science and Electronics in a Stock-Listed, Family-Owned Firm

  Sep 3, 202558 minS0

  <p>How do you steer a 350-year-old global science and technology company through complex transformation while balancing short-term market expectations and long-term family ownership?</p> <p>In this episode, we speak with Helene von Roeder, CFO of Merck, a diversified company operating in healthcare, life sciences, and electronics. We explore how Merck navigates M&A strategy across highly specialized sectors, why capital allocation can be a competition between business units, and how conglomerate structure can be a strength - if properly managed.</p> <p>Helene shares her views on pharma portfolio, the strategic rationale behind the $3B SpringWorks acquisition, and...

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  Leading Corporate Transformation: The WHU Podcast, powered by PwC

  Dr. Michael Müller, RWE: Navigating Energy Transition, Changing Regulatory Environments & Risk-Driven Capital Allocation

  Jul 22, 20251h 4mS0

  <p>What does it take to transform one of Europe’s largest utility companies from a legacy coal and nuclear powerhouse into a leader in global renewables?</p> <p>In this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael Müller, CFO of RWE AG, about steering one of Germany’s most iconic energy companies through structural upheaval, international expansion, and shifting regulatory environments. From its roots as a diversified conglomerate to a focused player in power generation with a portfolio increasingly dominated by renewables, RWE exemplifies what transformation at scale truly means.</p> <p>We discuss the strategic rationale behind RWE’s separ...

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