The Middle East Conflict, Risk and Resilience: Lord Sedwill

The Middle East Conflict, Risk and Resilience: Lord Sedwill

Author: SG& Capital Partners April 10, 2026 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 reshaping capital flows, supply chains, defence priorities and long-term business resilience. 


Drawing on experience at the highest levels of UK government and global finance, Lord Sedwill explains why geopolitics only becomes truly relevant to business when it hits geoeconomics. He argues that the current Gulf conflict is different from many previous geopolitical shocks because it directly affects confidence, trade routes, energy prices and inflation. 


The conversation explores why Gulf states are accelerating diversification away from oil, how sovereign wealth funds are shifting from exporters to importers of capital, and where reconstruction, AI infrastructure and defence innovation may create major investment opportunities. Lord Sedwill also sets out why boards need to move beyond abstract risk registers towards war gaming, contingency planning and genuine supply-chain visibility. 


For business leaders, the core message is clear: resilience is no longer the opposite of returns. It is the foundation of long-term value creation. 



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

Producers: Clare Williamson and Duncan Williamson for TGOB Media Ltd in partnership with SG& Capital Partners Ltd 

Music composed by: Sophie Sirota 


For listener questions or business enquiries 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…
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…
The Fed, Tariffs and the Politics of Money: Dr Adam S. Posen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:02
In this episode of the Geopolitics of Business, Sam sits down with Dr Adam S. Posen, President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and one of the world’s leading macroeconomists, for a sweeping conversa…