Redefining Leadership in a Fragmented World: Voices from LBS Corporate 100

In the week following US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference where he said, “We are in a new geopolitics era, because the old world is gone”, LBS Corporate 100 held its second roundtable. The special event brought together founding members, LBS faculty and distinguished industry experts to address one of the defining challenges of our time: how to lead in an increasingly fragmented and volatile geopolitical environment.

Held on campus (18 Feb), the roundtable explored the imperatives of today’s geopolitical environment and current events on economic stability, political and business leadership.

Special guest speakers joining Dean Sergei Guriev, Professors Hélène Rey and Sir Andrew Likierman included; former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Theresa May, Lord Gavin Barwell, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator of The Financial Times, Gideon Rachman, economist Lord Jim O’Neill, Chinese foreign policy expert Dr Gemma Chenger Deng and Allyson Stewart-Allen, founder of International Marketing Partners, who moderated proceedings.

Geopolitical forces shaping the global economy, power dynamics and economic fragmentation, and the growing strain on financial systems drove the first discussion involving Dean Sergei Guriev and Professor Hélène Rey, Lord Gavin Barwell and Gideon Rachman.

The war in Ukraine and the broader shift in global politics and economics provided the conversation with momentum. Rapid prototyping of technologies and the importance of defence innovation framed the conversation, while acknowledging the profound human and economic impact of the war.

The conversation widened to the structural transformation of globalisation. The pandemic exposed the fragility of supply chains, revealing the risks of concentration in critical sectors. While the war in Ukraine accelerated this reassessment, particularly in energy markets, forcing Europe to reduce its dependencies that had once seemed economically necessary. Attention turned to China as a potential systemic risk, prompting businesses to question whether geopolitical rupture could similarly disrupt access to the lucrative Chinese markets.

Overlaying these shifts is a resurgence of economic nationalism in the United States, where tariffs have become a central policy driver under the Trump administration. The destabilising factor for global business is less protectionism itself than unpredictability. Rapid changes to trade restrictions shorten planning horizons and dampen investment.

This effect is amplified by the structural power of the US dollar, whose dominance in trade, funding and reserves means that US trade and financial policy tighten global financial conditions beyond its borders.

The discussion was not simply about global trade or war, but about financial sovereignty. Countries are reconsidering how exposed they wish to be to US monetary transmission, dollar funding markets and regulatory reach. Diversification of reserves and experimentation with alternative payment systems, are all part of this hedging strategy. The conclusion was that globalisation is not ending, but it is being re-engineered.

Dr Gemma Chenger Deng and Lord Jim O’Neill then focused on China’s evolving role on the world stage in the next panel discussion. Together, they explored how China’s geopolitical ambitions, economic transition and the expanding BRICS agenda are redefining global economic structures and what this means for business leaders navigating uncertainty and risk.

Later in the day, Professor Sir Andrew Likierman led a session on strategic choice and the role of judgement in decision-making. Drawing on his research, Sir Andrew outlined how leaders can better translate complex and external signals and form opinions into coherent strategy, highlighting judgment as a critical leadership capability in volatile environments.

The day concluded with a thoughtful and interactive session led by Allyson Stewart-Allen, focusing on the real-world implications of geopolitical uncertainty for leadership, governance and long-term decision-making in business.

LBS Corporate 100 is a cross-sector community spanning global brands, institutions, SMEs and third-sector organisations, united by a shared commitment to addressing the forces shaping the future of business and society. Its founding members include some of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking organisations, with further growth expected this year and beyond.

Tim Landucci, Director of Corporate Community for LBS, said: “Geopolitics is a central strategic concern for every organisation. The LBS Corporate 100 roundtable creates an environment where senior leaders can engage directly with the school's world-class faculty, industry experts and other members to challenge the issues affecting global business and develop the judgement necessary to lead confidently in a volatile and fragmented world.”