We keep our ear to the ground for the interesting stats, insights and discussion points you need to feel in the know and shape the future with confidence.
1. The plot thickens
Once the quiet architect behind long-term plans and boardroom slides, today’s Chief Strategy Officer is anything but background noise. In an era of relentless disruption where AI rewrites rules overnight, markets shift in real time, and transformation is constant, the CSO has become a visible, indispensable force. No longer just interpreting the future, they are helping shape it. The role demands more than vision; it requires speed, precision, and the nerve to make bold bets in uncertain times. Strategy is no longer a static blueprint. It is a living, evolving engine of change. And the modern CSO is firmly in the driver’s seat.
From back room to boardroom: the rise of the modern CSO
2. Power to her
Forget the headlines — while a few female tech billionaires grab the spotlight, the real story is that women founders still get shortchanged by about £99.5 million in funding. But plot twist: the biggest wealth transfer in history is underway, with up to $120 trillion changing hands — and women are set to inherit half. That’s more than the GDP of the U.S. and China combined. As Gen X and Millennial women step into financial power, they’re not just inheriting wealth — they’re inheriting influence. If they choose to invest in businesses that reflect their values (and themselves), the ripple effect could be game-changing. Suddenly, the funding gap doesn’t look so permanent — it looks like a system waiting to be rewritten.
3. Not just talk
Chatbots used to be the digital equivalent of pop-up ads — everywhere, inconsistent, and often more noise than help. But the AI landscape has matured fast. What started as basic Q&A has evolved into Agentic AI: systems that don’t just answer questions, they act. Booking trips, drafting workplans, even generating operating models — AI now handles tasks end-to-end with minimal human input. Platforms like EY-Parthenon’s Capital Edge have gone from chat interfaces to networks of collaborative AI agents that pass context, build deliverables, and align with project goals. It’s not just automation — it’s orchestration. The shift from search to chat was just the beginning. The real transformation is how AI is quietly reshaping the way business gets done.
AI evolution: more than a quick chat
4. All that glitters is… AI?
The gold rush didn’t just happen in Ballarat, Australia — it’s happening now, in boardrooms and browser tabs. Back in the 1850s, 10,000 prospectors flooded Victoria with picks and dreams. Today’s version? AI. Only this time, the tools are algorithms, and the stakes are even higher. One retail CEO recently told his entire company that using AI isn’t optional anymore — it’s part of the job. That memo wasn’t about tech; it was about mindset. The real gold lies in how organizations embed AI: not just for efficiency, but for reinvention. And as AI’s energy appetite grows, so does its potential to reshape industries. This isn’t just a digital upgrade — it’s a full-blown transformation, with culture, careers, and carbon footprints all in play. So where should leaders start? Maybe with three deceptively simple questions about embedding AI in the workplace…
3 questions for leaders embedding AI in the workplace
5. Fixer upper
The wealth and asset management industry is going through a major renovation, and there’s a race to stay relevant before change leaves anyone behind. With profits under pressure, global tensions rising, and clients expecting more, leaders are moving away from old-school ways of doing business and leaning into bold, tech-driven strategies. Traditional and alternative investment models are starting to blend, creating new rules and new risks for everyone in the game. Demand for easier access to alternative investments is rising, but many firms are still struggling to keep up, especially when it comes to using AI and modern tech. The question isn’t if change is coming. It’s who’s ready to move fast enough to lead it.
How innovation is driving a new era for wealth and asset managers
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