Investing in the new defence economy: Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo

Investing in the new defence economy: Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo

Author: SG& Capital Partners May 23, 2025 Duration: 29:58

This week, host Sam Gyimah sits down with Stefano Pontecorvo, President of Italian defence and aerospace giant Leonardo and former ambassador to NATO. They explore the shifting landscape of global defence investment, why Europe must catch up with U.S. spending, and the end of the post-Cold War peace dividend. Plus: investment opportunities, rising “neo primes” or challenger defence companies, and how the private and public sector can work together. 


Recorded in collaboration with FII at FII Priority Europe 2025.


Host: Sam Gyimah, Founder and CEO of SG& Capital Partners  


Producers: Clare Williamson and Duncan Williamson for SG& Capital Partners with SG& Co-producer Nicky Black 


Music composed by Sophie Sirota 


 

For listener questions or business inquiries please email info@thegeopoliticsofbusiness.com, and to contact SG& Capital Partners please email info@sgand.com.  


You can find a summary of the key points in this episode in The Geopolitics of Business Newsletter. 

 


Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered or relied upon as financial, investment, legal or tax advice. While we seek to ensure the information shared is accurate and up to date at the time of release, no warranties or representations are made regarding its accuracy or completeness, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are solely the participant’s own personal opinions and do not reflect the opinions of SG&. 


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


The Geopolitics of Business moves beyond the headlines to examine how power, policy, and capital intersect in real time. Host Sam Gyimah brings a rare perspective to these conversations, shaped by his own journey from Wall Street finance and entrepreneurship to serving as a British Government Minister, and now leading the advisory and investment firm SG& Capital Partners. This background allows for unusually direct dialogue. Each episode features the individuals-global investors, sitting CEOs, and policymakers-who are directly navigating the consequences of major political decisions, from trade wars and sanctions to energy transitions and regulatory shifts. The discussions are frank and grounded in practical reality, focusing on the tangible impacts these forces have on strategy, risk, and opportunity. It’s a necessary listen for anyone who understands that today’s investment thesis or business plan is incomplete without a clear reading of the geopolitical landscape. This podcast doesn’t just analyze the news; it delves into the intentions and calculations behind it, offering a crucial layer of insight for decision-makers. You’ll hear firsthand accounts and strategic forecasts that connect the dots between the stateroom and the boardroom, providing a substantive look at the forces reshaping markets and industries.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 29

The Geopolitics of Business
Podcast Episodes
AI, advertising and global CEOs: Sir Martin Sorrell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:29
AI, advertising and global CEOs: Sir Martin Sorrell Hosted by Sam Gyimah Sir Martin Sorrell built WPP into one of the world's largest advertising conglomerates before stepping down to found S4 Capital. His model was digi…
AI, Competition and China’s Next Era: Nick Leung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:02
Nick Leung is the former Chairman of McKinsey's Greater China operation and Director of the McKinsey Global Institute in Hong Kong. With dual Swiss-Chinese heritage and three decades advising Chinese and multinational co…
The Middle East Conflict, Risk and Resilience: Lord Sedwill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:28
Hosted by Sam Gyimah In this episode of The Geopolitics of Business, Lord Sedwill — former Cabinet Secretary, National Security Adviser, and now Chair Rothschild & Co Saudi Arabia, examines how conflict in the Gulf is re…
Middle Powers, Markets and Strategic Autonomy: Stephanie Flanders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
In this episode of The Geopolitics of Business, Stephanie Flanders, Head of Economics and Government at Bloomberg, explores how the shift from globalisation to systemic geopolitical competition is reshaping markets, econ…
NATO, Private Capital & Innovation: Professor Dame Fiona Murray [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:31
NATO, Private Capital & Innovation: Professor Dame Fiona Murray Hosted by Sam Gyimah In this episode of the Geopolitics of Business, Professor Dame Fiona Murray, discusses how technology and innovation can drive economic…