Shows
LuxUnplugged Podcast#89 - Simplifying Luxembourg's business ecosystem in a more competitive environment | Stéphanie DamgéIn this episode, Adrien welcomes Stéphanie Damgé, Head of the House of Entrepreneurship, for an insightful conversation on the entrepreneurial landscape in Luxembourg.With over a decade of experience in fostering entrepreneurship among the youth, Stéphanie shares her journey from starting her career in human resources to leading Young Entrepreneur Luxembourg, and now guiding entrepreneurs at the Chamber of Commerce. They discuss the initial challenges and eventual success in integrating entrepreneurship education in schools, the evolving support system for startups, and the government's role in nurturing entrepreneurship.
2026-01-2936 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#88 Navigating the Luxembourg job market in a rapidly changing environment | Andrew NotterIn this episode, Adrien welcomes Andrew Notter, Partner at Anderson Wise and chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg, for an in-depth conversation on the Luxembourg recruitment landscape. Drawing from 17 years of experience in the Grand Duchy, Andrew unpacks how the country’s business environment, talent needs, and career opportunities have evolved—especially in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2008.Andrew explains his varied journey from London to Luxembourg, discusses the dramatic growth in legal and financial roles, and reflects on how technology and international competition are reshaping talent strategies. He shares his pers...
2025-10-0230 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#86 - Does Luxembourg live above its means? | Vincent HeinIn this episode, Vincent Hein, director at Fondation IDEA, joins Adrien to discuss Luxembourg's public spending habits and question whether Luxembourg can afford it over the long run. They explore the rapid growth of public expenses in Luxembourg, driven by population growth, construction costs, and social spending. While Luxembourg's short-term fiscal indicators are strong, Vincent raises concerns about long-term sustainability due to an aging population and potential revenue volatility in the financial sector. He emphasises the need for investment in energy transition, digital transformation, and defense while strategically managing spending.Among the key points...
2025-03-1029 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#84 Luxembourg’s path to innovation excellence in a competitive world | Sasha BaillieIn this episode, Adrien is joined by Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation, to delve into the intricate world of diplomacy, economic strategy, and fostering innovation in Luxembourg. With an extensive background spanning international diplomacy and economic affairs, Sasha shares her journey from the corridors of embassies to leading the country's national innovation agency.We discuss the challenges and opportunities of representing a small nation on the global stage and how Luxembourg's unique cultural and geographical attributes have influenced its strategic decisions. Sasha provides an inside look at the evolution of Luxinnovation, explaining how it supports diverse...
2024-11-0533 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#83 Exploring the future of space security and defence | Michel PoucetIn this episode, Adrien sits down with Michel Poucet, an innovative entrepreneur in the space industry, to explore the future of space operations and innovations in space domain awareness. Michel reflects on how his early fascination with space—ignited by encounters with astronauts and visits to space stations—shaped his passion and ultimately led him to pursue a career dedicated to exploring and protecting the final frontier.In the conversation, we delve into the origins of LMO, a company focused on developing AI-driven camera systems and sensors essential for satellite servicing, debris avoidance, and extending satellite lifespans. He e...
2024-08-1337 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#82 The Inspiring Journey of Anne's Kitchen: From Journalism to Culinary Stardom | Anne FaberReady for a deliciously inspiring story? In this episode, Thierry sits down with Anne Faber, the creative force behind Anne's Kitchen. Known for her successful TV shows and cookbooks, Anne's transformation into a respected food journalist, TV personality and a successful entrepreneur is an inspiring story for our business community.The conversation begins with a dive into Anne’s career trajectory, detailing how her pitch for a British food travel show to RTL Luxembourg was a game-changer, resulting in the commissioning of two seasons and the establishment of Anne's Kitchen. This required her to set up businesses in...
2024-07-1728 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#81 Steering Luxembourg’s economic future | Vincent HeinIn this episode, Adrien sits down with Vincent Hein, a director and economist at Fondation IDEA, to dive into the pressing economic and policy issues facing Luxembourg. Vincent shares his passion for economic development and public policy, shedding light on his dual role at Fondation IDEA—a think tank created by the Chamber of Commerce to spark fresh ideas and stimulate public debate in Luxembourg.In this conversation, we delve into what it truly means for Luxembourg to be competitive—sustainably generating high income and fostering social cohesion while facing global competition. We examine the...
2024-06-1137 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#80 Exploring the World of Venture Capital and Technology | Yannick OswaldJoin Adrien as he dives deep into the world of venture capital with Yannick Oswald, Partner at VC firm Mangrove Capital Partners. Yannick shares his fascinating journey into venture capital, underscoring the importance of passion for startups and the resilience required from founders.In this conversation, Yannick highlights Mangrove’s strategic focus on early-stage tech investments and disruptive companies poised for long-term success. He sheds light on why Luxembourg is a prime location for their operations, leveraging its diverse network and strategic position in Europe.Yannick offers expert insights in...
2024-05-0741 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#79 Revolutionizing Solar Panel Industry with Robotics | Christophe TimmermansJoin us as Thierry welcomes Christophe Timmermans, CEO of Solarcleano and Fallprotec, to our podcast. In this episode, we explore how these innovative companies are reshaping the solar industry while ensuring safety for workers at heights. But Christophe's path to success wasn't without its challenges and adventures, and we delve into those as well.A native of Luxembourg with a passion for international business, Christophe’s unique journey led him to study and work across various European countries. His experiences in finance and sales at Airbus Helicopters provided invaluable insights into the aerospace industry. Ho...
2024-04-0534 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#78 Navigating the Transition to Electric Mobility | Gerry WagnerIn this episode, hosts Adrien and Thierry sit down with Gerry Wagner, spokesperson at the House of Automobile and Director of International Institutional Relations at Arval BNP Paribas Group, to discuss the evolving landscape of e-mobility in Luxembourg.With over a decade of experience in the banking and operational leasing sector, Gerry shares his perspectives on the evolution of the automotive industry towards electric vehicles (EVs) and the impact on various stakeholders.Gerry sheds light on the Luxembourg car market, including the prominence of company cars and the influence...
2024-03-1346 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#77 Brasserie Nationale: Brewing Tradition and Innovation | Mathias LentzIn this episode, hosts Adrien and Thierry sit down with Mathias Lentz, the dynamic CEO of Brasserie Nationale, Luxembourg's foremost privately-owned brewery.Mathias opens up about his personal journey, emphasising the pivotal role of external experience before joining the family business. He then delves into the brewery's history, highlighting its remarkable resilience and growth in the face of challenges from global conglomerates. The conversation focuses on a balance between the brewery's tradition and modern market demands.The episode highlights sustainability initiatives in brewing and their implementation at Brasserie Nationale...
2024-01-3050 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#76 Addressing the reusability of increasingly complex and diverse batteries | Antoine WelterAdrien welcomes Antoine Welter, co-founder and CEO of Circu Li-ion. A driven impact entrepreneur at heart, Antoine walks Adrien through the whole process that led him to quit his consulting job to found the Luxembourg-based battery upcycling start-up with his co-founder and CTO, Xavier Kohll. During the conversation, Antoine brings up the highly debated myth of urban mining, which consists of re-using raw materials from waste, and argues that this is something humanity can achieve as demonstrated by his own venture.They then dive into the difference between running a software business which has dominated trends over...
2023-09-2849 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#9 Dark Matter Uncovered: A conversation about space part.2 | Pierre Reuter and George JohnIn this second part of our discussion, Thierry and Adrian host Pierre Reuter and George V. John in an engaging discussion spotlighting Luxembourg's pivotal role in the ever-evolving space industry. Delving into the European Commission's drive for regulatory harmonization, they explore the complexities of crafting EU space law to accommodate diverse activities while emphasizing sustainability imperatives.Comparing space authorization processes between the US and Europe reveals insights into jurisdictional maturity and regulatory quality. The dialogue extends to the impacts of recent banking sector disruptions on space investments, shedding light on challenges faced by startups amidst shifting financial...
2023-09-1924 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#75 The growing international popularity of Luxembourgish sparkling wine | Antoine ClasenIn this episode, Adrien welcomes Antoine Clasen, CEO of Bernard-Massard, Luxembourg's premier wine producer. Antoine walks Adrien through the century-old history behind this renowned sparkling wine (known as crémant in Luxembourg) maker and how it emerged throughout the years after being completely destroyed during WW2. Known for its iconic yellow label and red foils, Bernard-Massard has carved itself a niche market outside the dominant world-renowned Champagne space thanks to intense marketing and its relentless obsession with quality. Antoine shares a myriad of anecdotes that illustrate how marketing ingenuity has allowed them to dominate key geographies over ti...
2023-08-1439 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#74 Tackling climate change via social media | Daniel KlemetzIn this episode, Adrien welcomes Daniel Klemetz, CEO of Greenworlder, a purpose-driven startup at the forefront of sustainability innovation. Embark on a journey to uncover Greenworlder's core mission: to nurture a dynamic online ecosystem that brings together climate enthusiasts and businesses, united in their dedication to combating climate change.Daniel highlights the importance of addressing climate change through community action and social media platforms. Greenwalder seeks to facilitate discussions and provide practical guidance for individuals looking to lead more sustainable lives. The platform distinguishes itself from traditional social media by promoting transparency, authentic engagement, and a focus...
2023-07-2629 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#73 Insights into British politics through the lens of two Luxembourgers | Dominic GrieveAdrien and Thierry welcome Dominic Grieve, former UK conservative member of parliament and attorney general under Prime Minister David Cameron. A vivid Remainer and friend of Luxembourg, Dominic walks them through his background and what led him to choose a political path back in the 70s alongside a very successful legal career as a barrister (lawyer). Showing a lot of affinity towards the grand duchy, Dominic draws a lot of parallels and comparisons when looking at the United Kingdom. However he deeply regrets Britain's decision to leave the European Union and recalls the key moments in UK politics that...
2023-06-1259 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#8 Dark Matter Uncovered: A conversation about space part.1 | Pierre Reuter and George JohnIn this episode, Thierry hosts a conversation with Pierre Reuter and George John from Hogan Lovels as they explore Luxembourg's growing space industry. They discuss Hogan Lovels' essential role in guiding clients through the legal aspects of space activities. With teamwork between their Luxembourg and Washington D.C. offices, Hogan Lovels provides exceptional expertise in navigating intricate regulatory landscapes across different areas.The discussion explores Luxembourg's pivotal role in the space industry, supported by strong government backing and initiatives to attract talent and investment. The conversation highlights the importance of staying updated on regulatory changes and the...
2023-06-0526 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#72 How to manage a country in the context of a world in permacrisis | Yuriko BackesAdrien welcomes Yuriko Backes, Minister of Finance in Luxembourg. A fine reader of history, Minister Backes walks Adrien through the lessons that she has learned from living in Japan which in turn nurtured this passion of hers to embark on an international relations career. They discuss the key challenges that she has faced since taking on her role in early 2022, especially in the context of conflict in Europe and the global inflation problem that the world is grappling with. Finally, Adrien reflects upon the importance of this year's election and what it means for Minister Backes and the incumbent...
2023-05-0425 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#71 Supply Chain Untangled ep.4 | Barbara ChevalierThierry welcomes Barbara Chevalier, CEO at CFL multimodal. In this podcast recording Thierry and Barbara discuss the company's business model, Luxembourg's role as a logistics hub, and the positive impact of rail freight solutions on sustainability, highlighting CFL multimodal's integrated and sustainable approach to multimodal transportation across Europe. Barbara also highlights the commitment of the company on innovation and safety and the investment CFL made in state of the art technology to support their ever growing customer base.
2023-04-1229 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#70 Unearthing key hidden personality traits thanks to Natural Language Processing | Florian FeltesAdrien welcomes Florian Feltes, co-founder and CEO at Zortify. A staunch academic at heart with deep problem-solving skills, Florian walks Adrien through the process that led him to adopt natural language processing (NLP) as a way to rationalise the decision-making process. At a time when AI is slowly but surely becoming an ubiquitous component of our ways of going about our lives - think of ChatGPT - this highly complementary tool developed by Zortify allows decision-makers to obtain an unbiased view of someone they are looking to hire or invest in. Indeed, Florian highlights a few key examples to...
2023-02-2734 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#69 When science meets passion for nature | Martin SchoonbroodtThierry welcomes Martin Schoonbrodt, Co-Founder at the Probiotic Group. Martin is an entrepreneur that co-founded this very exciting and forward thinking business in 2014 with the vision to take a biotech approach to the cleaning environment. Based in the north of Luxembourg and now at the House of Biotech, this forward thinking business dedicates much of their efforts in research and developments of probiotic based products. During the conversation Martin explains how the new funding in 2022 happened and what the plans are for the future. Thierry and Martin discuss the genesis of the business and how...
2023-02-0834 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#68 How to develop a successful export business in Luxembourg | Georges KrombachAdrien welcomes Georges Krombach, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Landewyck Group. A native Luxembourger who spent a chunk of his career in the US, Georges walks Adrien through the history of the Landewyck Group, a tobacco and property business, and how this Luxembourg-based family export business has evolved over time with global players emerging in other key regions. Then they talk about the marketing strategy of firms like his that operate in sensitive industries and how it compares to listed companies that are usually less agile. Intriguingly, and in line with comments from previous guests, Adrien wonders...
2023-01-0931 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#67 Two decades of championing "Made in Luxembourg" quality industrial manufactured ovens | Pierre TheinThierry welcomes back Pierre Thein, Director at the Hein Group, to the show. In this follow up episode, Thierry and Pierre cover the last 18 months since our first podcast recording. During the conversation, Pierre explains to our listeners how the company overcame key challenges and adapted to the new working environment. Pierre has been with the company over two decades and the Hein Group as the company became a champion of "Made in Luxembourg". At the end of the episode Pierre briefly highlights a few key achievements from the last two years and of course Pierre gives us a...
2022-12-2025 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#7 Dark Matter Uncovered: Explaining the general space law of Luxembourg | Mahulena HofmannIn this 7th installment of the Dark Matter uncovered series, Thierry discusses with Mahulena Hofmann the importance of the general space law in Luxembourg.In the conversation Mahulena also sheds light on to the importance of the International Institute of Space Law and what impact Luxembourg has in the UN COPUS (United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space).
2022-11-0127 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#66 Supply Chain Untangled Ep.3 | Stavros EvangelakakisAdding value is the key - This episode is sponsored by the Cluster for Logistics Luxembourg.Adrien welcomes Stavros Evangelakakis, chairman of the Cool Chain Association. An aviation lover, Stavros walks Adrien through his three-decade long career at Cargolux, a leading cargo airfreight company based in Luxembourg (and well known to us as its CEO, Richard Forson, appeared on the show when this podcast first launched), where he's now focussing on the healthcare part of the logistics business.Then they talk about his chairman role at the non-profit Cool Chain Association (CCA) which he co-founded back in 2002...
2022-10-2426 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#6 Dark Matter Uncovered: Why mineral processing is important for the Space sector | Kathryn HadlerIn this 6th installment of the Dark Matter uncovered series, Thierry discusses with Kathryn Hadler the core mission of ESRIC (European Space Resources Innovation Centre) and why Luxembourg is a hub for space talent. Kathryn also highlights why Mineral processing is so important in the context of space.
2022-09-2633 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#4 Net Zero Future: A sustainable finance app for everyone | Georges BockClaudia Hitaj and Adrien Loesch welcome Georges Bock, Founder and CEO of Moniflo, a FinTech-start-up aiming to redefine trading and investment for retail customers by creating a peer to peer investment platform with a strong ESG focus. Georges talks about his experience at KPMG, why he decided to develop Moniflo, and why he thinks it's important young people start investing early and in an impactful way. He also talks about how blockchain technology has evolved and how new, low-carbon blockchain technology helps Moniflo secure transactions and keep costs down. Have a listen to learn more about Moniflo and what...
2022-09-1927 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#65 Supply Chain Untangled Ep.2 | Philippe HemardAdding value is the key - This episode is sponsored by the Cluster for Logistics Luxembourg.Adrien welcomes Philippe Hemard, supply chain expert and former vice president at Amazon Logistics Europe. A former veteran at Amazon, Philippe spent 17 years of his career at Amazon where he experienced the very implementation of their logistics strategy in Europe. He explains in greater detail why logistics is integral part of Amazon's success as an ecommerce business.Then they discuss the key lessons from the covid-19 pandemic and the more recent war in Ukraine. Both have materially disrupted the way companies...
2022-09-0528 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#3 Net Zero Future: What it means for companies to make a net zero claim | Christa AndersonClaudia Hitaj welcomes Christa Anderson, Director of Climate Science, Carbon Metrics, and Climate Change at WWF-US and technical development expert at Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Christa tells us how SBTi validates and helps companies set near term and long term targets for their path to net zero. We discuss SBTi's new targets for the forest, land, and agriculture sector, and whether companies can use carbon offsets to make net zero claims.
2022-07-2535 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#5 Dark Matter Uncovered: At a crossroad between space & aviation | Emmanuel RammosThierry discusses with Emmanuel Rammos the profile of SkyfloX, an ESA spin-off company, developing ORCA an Earth Observation system re-using commercial aircrafts to capture data. They talk about the ORCA system that not only helps reducing space debris, but also saves a lot of money compared to sending satellite systems into space. During the conversation, Emmanuel & Thierry also discuss what legal challenges there are for a company like Skyflox and why Luxembourg remains a top location for the space sector.
2022-07-1125 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#2 Net Zero Future: Straight talk from the youth climate movement | Selma VincentClaudia and Adrien welcome Selma Vincent, student and climate activist with Youth for Climate Luxembourg. Selma talks about her experience as a youth delegate to the COP26 conference in Glasgow, what it's like as a nineteen-year-old to hold adults to account when it comes to mitigating climate change, and why it's important to vote.
2022-06-3030 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#64 Supply Chain Untangled Ep.1 | Kevin NashAdding value is the key - This episode is sponsored by the Cluster for Logistics Luxembourg. Thierry discusses with Kevin Nash the current challenges in the Supply Chain sector and why Luxembourg is a key location for Kuehne & Nagel. Kevin explains to our listeners why he entered the logistics sector over a decade ago. Both Thierry & Kevin also discuss the importance of the sustainability aspect in the logistics world.
2022-06-2731 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#4 Dark Matter Uncovered: A Native Luxembourg Space Company | Edgar MilicThierry discusses with Edgar Milic about his 30 year love affair with space and why Luxembourg is a key location for space companies while also highlighting the key achievements of OHB Luxspace. Thierry and Edgar also discuss the 4M mission and what the company has in the pipeline for future.
2022-06-0628 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#63 Helping clients to navigate through the HR & Recruitment challenges | Mike ReiffersThierry welcomes back Mike Reiffers, CEO at Skeeled. On this follow up episode Thierry and Mike discuss how the HR & Recruitment sector have experienced the past two years caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and how his Luxembourg-based business helped clients in Luxembourg and abroad to make better hiring decisions. Finally, Mike shares his thoughts on the future outlook for the hybrid working model and on the future of his business.
2022-05-3035 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#1 Net Zero Future: Why spatial planning matters for the climate transition | Claude TurmesClaudia welcomes Claude Turmes, Minister of Energy and Spatial Planning, to the LuxUnplugged's new series on climate change and sustainability - Net Zero Future. Minister Turmes discusses how Luxembourg will shift away from fossil fuels to renewable power and how the government can ensure that the climate transition is just. He highlights the role of spatial planning and discusses why he launched the Luxembourg in Transition consultation. At the end, we find out what he does on a daily basis to reduce his own carbon footprint and what gives him hope for the future.
2022-05-1633 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#62 Why choosing Luxembourg for a hardware start-up | Fedor AntonovAdrien welcomes Fedor Antonov, CEO and co-founder at Anisoprint, to the show. An academic at heart and accidental entrepreneur, Fedor walks Adrien through the genesis of his firm together with his co-founders and how he further pursued his world-class research and project after the sponsoring university discontinued the programme. Then they get into the weeds as regards the whole process behind their 3D printing technology and how the use of composite materials such as carbon fiber offer a clear-cut advantage to their customers in many industries. Thereafter Fedor explains why he chose Luxembourg not only to conduct business from...
2022-05-0435 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#3 Dark Matter Uncovered: Weathering storms in space | Artem Axelrod and Alex PospekhovAdrien welcomes Artem Axelrod and Alex Pospekhov, co-founders at Mission Space, to the show. Having founded their start-up with two other co-founders in 2020, they discuss how their business is pioneering the commercial use of space weather intelligence in light of growing space exploration plans worldwide. Laureates of the Fit4Start program in Luxembourg, they then extensively go through the major reasons why Luxembourg is a destination of choice for space start-ups given the level of risk involved in this still very young industry. Finally, they briefly highlight their plans for the coming months.This series is kindly...
2022-04-3030 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#61 Consuming fashion in a circular and sustainable way | Filip WesterlundAdrien welcomes Filip Westerlund, Founder and CEO of OURCHOICE, to the show. As part of a recent change within the LuxUnplugged team, Claudia Hitaj, a previous guest on the programme, joins them to discuss sustainability topics and make important announcements on the podcast's future plans.A relentlessly dynamic entrepreneur, Filip walks them through the genesis of his circular vision in fashion and challenges them on the definition of a visionary. Then they dive into the whole process that makes OURCHOICE shoes circular and sustainable over the long run, this compared to mostly plastic derived shoes in the fast...
2022-04-1926 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#60 How to grow a global niche business out of Luxembourg | Bob KneipAdrien welcomes Bob Kneip, chairman at Kneip Management SA, to the show. An entrepreneur at heart, Bob is widely known in Luxembourg for founding the investment fund data distribution business that bears his name. At the time of the recording, Bob was no longer involved in the company as he had sold out his stakes a week earlier to Deutsche Boerse Group, a major financial services player.Launched in 1993, Kneip started out as a paper-based ads publisher for the Luxembourg financial services industry, when the local industry wasn't as advanced as it is today. Facing the threat of...
2022-04-1130 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#2 Dark Matter Uncovered: Building Robotic Arms in Luxembourg | Jaroslaw JaworskiIn this second episode of our new special series on the space industry, Dark Matter Uncovered, Thierry welcomes Jaroslaw Jarowski (also known as JJ), General Manager at Redwire Space Europe. JJ talks about the different business units at Redwire and what the formerly Made In Space Europe company, now the Redwire Europe Space designs and develops in it's brand new Luxembourg facility. In this conversation they briefly discuss the legal and talent challenges space companies face and why it is an exciting time to join the space sector. This series is kindly supported by...
2022-03-3133 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#59 Transforming the beauty services industry one booking at the time | Tom MichelsIn this week's episode Thierry welcomes Tom Michels, Co-Founder and CEO at Salonkee, to LuxUnplugged. They discuss how 5 ambitious tech entrepreneurs set out to help beauty services providers in Luxembourg and in other European countries to transform their independent Beauty salons from a pen and paper management solution to an all-rounder sophisticated digital beauty hub. They also discuss his business' recent Series A funding round with lead investors from overseas and how he expects his company to expand in European markets thanks to attributes unique to Luxembourg. Finally, Tom highlights the challenges of finding the right talent with experience...
2022-03-2128 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#58 Choosing Luxembourg to pursue a career in Private Equity | Olaf KordesAdrien welcomes Olaf Kordes, co-managing director at Luxempart, to the show. A Luxembourger who spent three decades abroad before coming back to Luxembourg, Olaf walks Adrien through the key lessons he’s learned throughout his career in Private Equity. They then discuss the mission of Luxempart, a Luxembourg based investment firm with direct exposure to Luxembourgish businesses and how approaching the intricacies of the local market compares to tackling opportunities further afield. Adrien also enquires about the dual leadership structure in a family business with less than 30 employees and already subject to strict governance rules inherent in its listed na...
2022-03-0732 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#1 Dark Matter Uncovered: Space, the next leading sector in Luxembourg | Marc SerresAdrien and Thierry welcome Marc Serres, CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency, to this new Dark Matter Uncovered series. A regular speaker on the LuxUnplugged Podcast, Marc reviews all the main events that happened in 2021 and took the local space sector another step forward. Alongside the very strategy that his agency has been devising to materialise the government's objectives, Marc also emphasises on the importance of the education and research ecosystems, such as Uni.lu or the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, that underpin the whole industry. Importantly, he also touches upon a new Luxembourg-based fund, Orbital Ventures...
2022-02-2530 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#57 Scaling up Luxembourg start-ups globally | Charles-Louis MachuronAdrien welcomes back Charles-Louis Machuron, Founder and CEO at Silicon Luxembourg, to the show. Having appeared on the programme more than two years ago, Charles-Louis walks Adrien through the challenges that he experienced during the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic and how this led him to reboot his business thanks to valuable input from a mentor with decades of experience in entrepreneurship. After discussing his own success story, Charles-Louis then highlights the recent changes in the local start-up ecosystem and how tech businesses with a lot of potential are more and more founded by Luxembourgers, with experienced mentors and...
2022-02-2132 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#56 The data economy powered by High Performance Computing | Pascal Bouvry and Roger LampachAdrien and Thierry welcome Pascal Bouvry and Roger Lampach, co-CEOs at LuxProvide, to the show. Both from complementary backgrounds, Pascal and Roger walk them through the very genesis of LuxProvide which operates one of Luxembourg's major supercomputers or high performance computers (HPC), MeluXina.The two co-CEOs then discuss how Luxembourg and other European countries convinced the European Commission to raise the HPC topic as an Important Project of Common European Interest in order to compete with other major geographies like the US and China which already possess such an essential piece of infrastructure powering their data economy. The...
2022-02-0735 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#55 How to preserve Luxembourg's competitive edge | François PaulyAdrien welcomes François Pauly, Group CEO at Edmond de Rothschild (EdR), to the show. A veteran Luxembourgish business leader, François was recently entrusted with the task of heading up EdR after having spent a number of years within the group as a non-executive board member. Adrien enquires about the roots of the Geneva-based Rothschild organisation and how this well-known financial dynasty has established itself over many generations as a global powerhouse, not only in wealth management or corporate finance, but also in the wine industry and agriculture business. Then, in his capacity as a non-executive director within ma...
2022-01-2432 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#54 Kneip and the Goliath of the financial services industry | Enrique SacauAdrien welcomes back Enrique Sacau, CEO at Kneip. On this occasion, Enrique and Adrien discuss Kneip's recent onboarding of the Nasdaq Fund Network capabilities. A huge player in the financial services industry, the Nasdaq firm entering the Kneip ecosystem and, hence, acknowledging the quality of the fund data accuracy that Kneip has delivered over nearly three decades is a remarkable move for a Luxembourg based company. In the same vein, Enrique also highlights the importance of technology for his company's future and walks Adrien through a number of key items that will impact Kneip throughout 2022.
2022-01-1020 minLuxUnplugged Podcast#53 Happy Holidays from the LuxUnplugged PodcastThierry and Adrien conclude 2021 with a lot of satisfaction and look back at all the key milestones that were reached throughout the year. After briefly highlight what listeners should be looking forward to, they take the opportunity to introduce Elena who recently joined the team to run the marketing side of the project. We wish all our listeners Happy Holidays, and all the best for 2022!
2021-12-2703 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#52 How the journey all began | Thierry Schoen and Adrien Loesch (w/ Sophie Weber)Thierry and Adrien are warmly welcomed by Sophie Weber in the context of a live event at the Luxembourg Embassy, organised by the Luxembourg Society in London. Celebrating the second anniversary of the podcast, they dive into the history of the venture and discuss the motivations that led to the launch of the project back in 2019. Having rarely talked about themselves in great detail since the start of this endeavour, Adrien and Thierry take this opportunity to describe the behind-the-scenes of their whole podcasting machinery, ranging from the choice of the guest to the preparation of the agenda, up...
2021-12-1341 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#51 COP26 and what it means for Luxembourg | Claudia HitajAdrien welcomes Claudia Hitaj, Research and Technology Associate at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), to the show. A seasoned environmental economist, Claudia walks Adrien through the various conclusions of the COP26 conference and what it means regarding future commitments of developed nations vis a vis emerging countries in the climate change context. Unlike previous editions of this conference, she details how the public has been able to grasp the implications of such global summits thanks to better reporting produced by media outlets. Claudia then dives into the role of LIST in the wider Luxembourg ecosystem and...
2021-11-2924 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#50 Why the digital transformation age is entering a roaring decade | Gérard HoffmannThierry welcomes back Gérard Hoffmann, CEO at Proximus Luxembourg, to the show. The last time Gérard appeared on the programme, the world had just entered into a lockdown period when a lot of companies had to adopt teleworking (or working from home) setups at an unprecedented pace. This hugely benefitted a company like Gérard's in the ICT space. 18 months down the line, Gérard acknowledges the benefits of hybrid arrangements for his own staff, especially for crossborder workers who play an enormous role in Luxembourg's economy, but also looks forward to the lifting of social distancing meas...
2021-11-1520 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#49 Why greater sports wellbeing is essential after the pandemic | David GrayThierry welcomes David Gray, General Manager at the CK Group, to the show. An avid believer in technology, David looks back at the last three decades and discusses how technological changes and the internet have revolutionised the way companies structure their business processes. Then, Thierry wonders how the two key business lines from the CK Group, an established group in Luxembourg offering office technology and sports wellbeing solutions, are complementary. Subsequently, they talk about the effects of the pandemic on businesses and how this has affected their decisions to accelerate their digital transformation decisions.
2021-10-1830 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#48 Reflections on Luxembourg and the European Union | Jean-Claude JunckerThierry and Adrien welcome Jean-Claude Juncker, former president of the European Commission, to the show. A globally known figure in political affairs, Jean-Claude Juncker dives into his early days in Luxembourg politics which he preferred to a legal career. They then discuss the political and economic situation in Luxembourg and how the country has evolved from a global financial centre to a more diversified ecosystem. Inevitably, Adrien and Thierry enquire about his views on Luxembourg and its role in European affairs. Drawing a number of parallels with Brexit, of which he oversaw the exit deal negotiation between the European...
2021-10-0419 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#47 The practical conclusions from the latest IPCC report | Kim SchumacherThierry and Adrien welcome back Tokyo Institute of Technology's Kim Schumacher to the show. After briefly discussing his experience as a lecturer in Japan at the height of the covid-19 crisis, Kim extensively explains the purpose of the IPCC report, a paper issued by a body within the United Nations, and what the conclusions of the latest report mean for all the involved stakeholders. Thierry then enquires about the challenges that government officials have faced in light of the covid-19 crisis and what tackling climate change would entail for them to convince their electorate to adapt their lifestyle in...
2021-09-2033 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#46 How to reach carbon neutrality with territorial planning | Pascale JunkerThierry and Adrien welcome Pascale Junker, Head of Luxembourg Strategy, to the show. After walking them through her extensive years in development aid in emerging economies, Pascale discusses the concept of territorial and urban planning and how human infrastructure has become so important on Earth that it's capable of influencing the ecosystem as a whole. Adrien then enquiries about her papers detailing Luxembourg's recommended agenda to reach carbon neutrality in a few decades' time thanks to a complete rethinking of the territorial planning strategy. In the context of climate change, Thierry wonders how the successive Luxembourg governments have handled...
2021-09-0639 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#45 REPLAY - Towards greater empowerment and inclusion of women | Marie Louise AshworthThierry and Adrien welcome Marie Louise Ashworth, President at The Network, to the LuxUnplugged Podcast. They discuss the importance of having women-only clubs and how such environments can greatly enhance professional opportunities and promote better values. An impassioned feminist, Marie Louise walks them through the principles underpinning The Network and how her association supports its members throughout their professional and personal journeys in Luxembourg. Finally, they also talk about the recent emergence of movements such as #MeToo and how society is evolving in relation to equality and diversity issues. (We apologise for the minor blips that occur throughout the...
2021-08-2322 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#44 REPLAY - Recruiting talent in the digital age | Mike ReiffersREPLAY - Thierry welcomes Mike Reiffers, Managing Director and co-founder of Skeeled. They discuss the genesis of Mike's company that he co-founded with his business partner straight after university. Then they dive into how this Luxembourg-based business leverages artificial intelligence, allowing his clients to make better hiring decisions whilst promoting their brand. Finally, Mike shares his tips for everyone aspiring to start up their company in the Grand Duchy.
2021-08-0927 minLuxUnplugged Podcast#43 Happy Summer Break from LuxUnpluggedIn this short episode, Thierry and Adrien wrap up Season 2. After another very exciting year, they briefly reflect upon the recent changes in the Luxembourg podcast environment. Then, they give away a few bits and pieces that are currently happening within the LuxUnplugged team and, of course, they talk about the upcoming events pertaining to the podcast. Watch out, a lot of important announcements are in the pipeline! We'll be back after the Summer Holidays!
2021-07-2602 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#42 Rebuilding the Luxembourg economy forward (Part II) | Franz FayotThierry welcomes back Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy, to the second installment of this two-part session. After discussing the roadmap on how the Luxembourg economy should be rebuilt in a forward-looking fashion, they dive into the pillars that will underpin new growth areas, namely space, cybersecurity and supercomputers (also referred to as high performance computing, HPC). Minister Fayot provides further details on why HPC is essential for Luxembourg to make the best use of data in the digital age and how this will allow the country to achieve its own sustainability targets.
2021-07-1223 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#41 Rebuilding the Luxembourg economy forward (Part I) | Franz FayotThierry welcomes Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy, to the first installment of this two-part session. A passionate social democrat, Franz walks Thierry through his socialist and green roots, and what motivated him to join the government just before the coronavirus crisis broke out in early 2020. They dive into the various challenges that he has faced since the outbreak of the pandemic and how he has steered the economy throughout that period. As the Luxembourg economy is emerging again, Thierry asks the minister about the nature of the economic recovery, and how it ties into his long term goal...
2021-06-2830 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#40 How to become a global direct sales leader in Luxembourg | Rolf SorgThierry and Adrien welcome Rolf Sorg, Founder and CEO at PM International, to the show. An entrepreneur running a multi-billion dollar revenue business across the globe, Rolf discusses the genesis of his direct sales company in the early 90's after dropping out of university in Germany. He then explains why nutritional supplement products, PM International's flagship product suite, were less popular more than 20 years ago, and how the market pivoted towards a healthier lifestyle, especially during the pandemic. They further dive into the international success that Rolf's business has achieved thanks to the Luxembourg ecosystem. Finally, Rolf extensively enumerates...
2021-06-1435 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#39 Retail bookstores in the age of ecommerce | Fernand ErnsterAdrien welcomes Fernand Ernster, CEO at Librairie Ernster, to the show. A very acute entrepreneur running an established bookstore brand in Luxembourg, Fernand walks Adrien through the family business history and how it's grown over generations for more than 100 years. Adrien then enquires about the secret ingredients for a brick and mortar bookseller to stay competitive at times when digital marketplaces, such as Amazon, gain a bigger market share in the bookselling business. Before talking about the importance of language diversity in a multilingual country like Luxembourg, Fernand discusses the concept of anchor stores and how businesses like his...
2021-05-3123 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#38 Logistics and the benefits of a landlocked country | Malik ZenitiThierry welcomes Malik Zeniti, Director at the Cluster for Logistics in Luxembourg (C4L), to the show. Dubbed "Mr Logistics of Luxembourg", Malik walks Thierry through his time at DuPont, a global US chemicals company, and how this enriching experience laid the foundation for his passion in logistics. They then discuss the C4L's mission and how the whole supply chain ecosystem operates in a landlocked country with great ambitions. Subsequently, Malik emphasises on one of Luxembourg's biggest assets, namely Cargolux, a leading air cargo company which services all the continents with its important Boeing 747 fleet. Finally, they discuss...
2021-05-1734 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#37 Diversity and inclusion in the workplace | Enrique SacauAdrien welcomes Enrique Sacau, CEO at Kneip, to the show. They discuss Kneip's role in the Luxembourg ecosystem and how it has been discreetly acting behind the scenes whilst servicing asset managers globally. Enrique then walks Adrien through the importance of being deliberate in the workplace in the context of diversity and inclusion, which goes beyond practices many businesses have adopted so far. Having recently started influencing the company culture, Enrique further dives into the intricacies of such an initiative and how all the stakeholders can contribute to this.
2021-05-0325 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#36 Regulation and innovation opportunities after Brexit | Rachel Kent and Pierre ReuterThierry welcomes Rachel Kent, Partner at Hogan Lovells in London, and Pierre Reuter, Managing Partner at Hogan Lovells Luxembourg, to LuxUnplugged. At a time when a lot of businesses are re-evaluating their strategy when it comes to operating from the UK, Thierry enquires about the decision of Hogan Lovells, a global law firm, to open a new office in Dublin. Then, Rachel and Pierre debate the key advantages of their respective jurisdictions from a regulatory standpoint and how, in a Brexit context, they see London and Luxembourg cementing their links whilst Europe competes for more business leaving the UK...
2021-04-1939 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#35 Luxembourg, a gateway to the European payments market | Alberto DalmassoAdrien welcomes Alberto Dalmasso, CEO and co-founder of Satispay, to the show. They discuss the genesis of Satispay, an Italian electronic money institution, and how Alberto and his co-founders came up with an idea aimed at solving the high transactional cost problems for merchants to process small payments, whilst encouraging end consumers to use their phones to facilitate transactions as opposed to cash. A highly driven entrepreneur, Alberto also walks Adrien through the company's ambitions to disrupt payment systems in other Eurozone countries as they exhibit the same cash payment patterns as Italy. Then, they dive into the whole...
2021-04-0542 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#34 Connectivity and broadcasting during a pandemic | Steve CollarThierry and Adrien welcome back Steve Collar, CEO at SES, to the show. In this timely follow-up conversation, Steve discusses the huge importance of connectivity in a world where a great number of people have been separated from their loved ones due to Covid-19. Also, he talks about the increase in demand for linear broadcasting (i.e. continuous content streaming) from public broadcasters, especially in Europe, and its root causes. Finally, they touch on SES' longer term innovation projects and the overall outlook for the space industry in Luxembourg.
2021-03-2222 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#33 Distributing the Covid-19 vaccine globally | Luc ProvostThierry and Adrien welcome Luc Provost, CEO at B Medical Systems, to the show. After discussing the recent history of his company following the management buyout, Luc dives into the enormous success he's recently experienced since the first Covid-19 vaccine announcement. He discusses the importance of having an optimised cold chain distribution in light of the disruption that the pandemic has caused for more than a year. They also talk about the different government responses across Europe, and how Luxembourg has distinguished itself by handling the situation very early on. Finally, Luc tells them why Europe needs to bring...
2021-03-0831 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#32 Open banking and cost mutualisation, two intricately linked concepts | Jacques PützAdrien welcomes back Jacques Pütz, CEO of LUXHUB, to the show. In this follow-up conversation, they briefly discuss the exponential growth that LUXHUB has enjoyed over the last year as banks consuming its services are slowly embracing the benefits of cost mutualisation. In the same vein, Jacques also talks about the strategic partnership established with SIX, the Swiss financial infrastructure provider, and what it entails for the company and its European ambitions. And then, Jacques looks back at Luxembourg's efforts to make the local ecosystem attractive to Fintech companies and, more importantly, how it could further enhance it i...
2021-02-2218 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#31 The meteoric rise of esports in the Benelux | Joe HoffmannThierry and Adrien welcome Joe Hoffmann, COO at 4Elements Esports and President of the Luxembourg Esports Federation, to the show. A highly driven esports practitioner, Joe explains how the fastest growing online industry has evolved over the last few years in a global context. Then, he walks them through the launch of Forward with his brother to accelerate the promotion of esports in Luxembourg where the government is still reluctant to recognise this industry as a sports discipline in its own right. After highlighting the differences between a regular gamer and an esports athlete, Joe passionately emphasises on the...
2021-02-0835 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#30 Luxembourg, an essential hub for private equity | Stéphane PeschAdrien welcomes Stéphane Pesch, CEO at the Luxembourg Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (LPEA), to the show. In the context of the growing influence that the private equity (PE) industry exerts in Luxembourg, they discuss the role of the LPEA in underpinning this trend. A strong ESG proponent, Stéphane walks Adrien through the various initiatives that the LPEA has launched to help its members keep up with the recent requirements. Also, they talk about how the LPEA vividly promotes greater diversity in private equity, which is mainly male dominated. Finally, they explore options pertaining to opening up...
2021-01-2540 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#29 Reviving Luxembourg's attractiveness to industrial players | Pierre TheinThierry welcomes Pierre Thein, Director at the Hein Group, to the show. A seasoned ambassador of the Luxembourg industry, Pierre talks about how the Hein Group, a state-of-the-art oven manufacturer, has successfully expanded its brand and reputation beyond Luxembourg since 1882, the year in which the company was founded. He then discusses the key ingredients for an industrial company to thrive in a highly competitive global environment, especially in Luxembourg which is predominantly a service-driven economy. Thierry also enquires about the importance of the "Made in Luxembourg" label where Pierre walks him through the latest evolution of the nation branding...
2021-01-1131 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#28 Christmas Wishes from LuxUnplugged PodcastAfter a very successful year, Thierry and Adrien get together to look back at 2020. They discuss how they adapted to new conditions linked to the pandemic and how they maintained the pace given their high ambitions for the podcast. Finally, they talk about the outlook for 2021 and set new objectives for the coming months.
2020-12-2105 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#27 How banks can innovate alongside FinTechs | Oliver SchimekThierry welcomes Oliver Schimek, CEO and Founder at CrossLend, to the show. As the CEO of a leading FinTech company in Europe, Oliver provides further clarifications on the company's Luxembourg branch after misreports in the media. They discuss the impact of covid-19 on working from home and the likely effects that are going to be felt in the coming months and years. Oliver then dives into the importance of letting companies with an unsuccessful business model fail quickly to allow the innovation process to kick in. Finally, he shares his insights into the differences between investor risk appetite in...
2020-12-0736 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#26 Data privacy with open-source software | Kevin MullerThierry welcomes Kevin Muller, Founder and CEO at Passbolt, to LuxUnplugged. They discuss the genesis of Kevin's idea back in India when he kicked off his career after university. Then they talk about how a free open-source platform for password management turned into a monetisable concept over time with an element of serendipity. Finally, Kevin passionately describes his experience within the Luxembourg-based acceleration programme, Fit4Start, which allowed his start-up to fast-track its journey.
2020-11-2322 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#25 Next destination: the Moon and Mars | Marc SerresAdrien welcomes back Marc Serres, CEO at the Luxembourg Space Agency. They look back at the major events that have further shaped Luxembourg's mission to establish the space sector as the next key pillar of the local economy. More importantly, Marc discusses the importance of the Artemis Accords that the grand duchy has recently signed with other major international players in the space industry and what it means for their flagship program, the spaceresources.lu initiative.
2020-11-0928 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#24 Seamless on-boarding in the digital age | Georges BerscheidAdrien welcomes Georges Berscheid, CTO at Finologee, to LuxUnplugged. They discuss the role of RegTech firms in a context of increasing regulations and how this pans out for Luxembourg more specifically. Also, Georges shares his view on the importance of automating processes, such as digital on-boarding, in a seamless and reliable way. Finally, he extensively talks about the benefits the Luxembourg market offers and how the local ecosystem can position itself as a main hub in the regulatory space.
2020-10-2628 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#23 Luxembourg, a safe and reliable partner for global investors | Serge KrancenblumAdrien welcomes Serge Krancenblum, Executive Chairman at IQ-EQ, to LuxUnplugged. They discuss how IQ-EQ has become one of the leading investor services companies in the world. Serge also explains how the local ecosystem has evolved over the past decades and how his group has shaped the economy all along the way. Finally, they talk about the key institutions ensuring Luxembourg stays ahead of the game.
2020-10-1230 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#22 The outlook for early stage investments in Luxembourg | Alexander TkachenkoThierry welcomes Alexander Tkachenko, Founder and Managing Partner at 2be.lu, to LuxUnplugged. They discuss how Alexander carved out his niche when setting up his venture capital firm. He also provides his insights into the early stage investment space and how the pandemic is likely to shape the world and its related trends. Finally, they talk about the merits of the Luxembourg ecosystem and the government's efforts to attract start-ups to the Grand Duchy.
2020-09-2826 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#21 Towards greater empowerment and inclusion of women | Marie Louise AshworthThierry and Adrien welcome Marie Louise Ashworth, President at The Network, to LuxUnplugged. They discuss the importance of having women-only clubs and how such environments can greatly enhance professional opportunities and promote better values. An impassioned feminist, Marie Louise walks them through the principles underpinning The Network and how her association supports its members throughout their professional and personal journeys in Luxembourg. Finally, they also talk about the recent emergence of movements such as #MeToo and how society is evolving in relation to equality and diversity issues. (We apologise for the minor blips that occur throughout the recording which...
2020-09-1422 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#20 ESG opportunities in the context of covid-19 | Kim SchumacherThierry and Adrien welcome back Kim Schumacher, Lecturer at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, to the LuxUnplugged Podcast. In the final episode of Season 1, they look back at the numerous changes in the ESG space that he's contributed to since appearing on the podcast more than a year ago. Also, Kim highlights how the latest covid-19 pandemic has accelerated a number of opportunities and what the latest developments have been so far.
2020-07-1328 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#19 The essential role of the ICT sector in teleworking | Gérard HoffmannThierry and Adrien welcome Gérard Hoffmann, CEO at Proximus Luxembourg. They discuss how Luxembourg, like many other countries around the globe, rapidly adopted teleworking in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. After talking about the opportunities that arose from this radical shift, Gérard also highlights the unexpected demand for certain crucial services that his company has had to deliver. Finally, they touch upon the Luxembourg government's efforts to make the local economy more attractive to global ICT players, including the controversial Google data center project in the north of the country.
2020-06-2925 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#18 The bright outlook for online medical consultations | Patrick KerstenThierry and Adrien welcome Patrick Kersten, founder and CEO at Doctena. They discuss medical online bookings in the context of the covid-19 crisis and the opportunities that have arisen as a result. Also, Patrick talks about his previous ventures and outlines the fundamental changes that the Luxembourg business ecosystem has undergone since he kick-started his entrepreneurial career in the early 2000's.
2020-06-1525 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#17 Recruiting talent in the digital age | Mike ReiffersThierry welcomes Mike Reiffers, Managing Director and co-founder of Skeeled. They discuss the genesis of Mike's company that he co-founded with his business partner straight after university. Then they dive into how this Luxembourg-based business leverages artificial intelligence, allowing his clients to make better hiring decisions whilst promoting their brand. Finally, Mike shares his tips for everyone aspiring to start up their company in the Grand Duchy.
2020-06-0127 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#16 The rise of RegTech in Luxembourg | Bert BoermanThierry welcomes Bert Boerman, CEO at Governance.com. They discuss how Bert and his brother, Rob, successfully built their RegTech business in the early days of the company despite strong resistance from the market. After exchanging on the outlook for the Luxembourg investment fund industry, they highlight the perks that Luxembourg offers to start up a company in the FinTech space.
2020-05-1827 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#15 Towards greener investments | Denise VossThierry and Adrien welcome Denise Voss, Chairwoman at the LuxFLAG agency. They first discuss how Luxembourg's role in the investment fund industry has evolved over the past decades. Then they dive into the agency's fundamental role to promote the Luxembourg ESG label worldwide on the back of the country's strong reputation in that field.
2020-05-0426 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#14 The growing role of corporate social responsibility in banking | Françoise ThomaAdrien welcomes Françoise Thoma, CEO at Spuerkeess (BCEE). They discuss the strategy that the bank has adopted over the years to enhance its offering and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Furthermore, they dive into Spuerkeess' ambitions to champion the importance of corporate social responsibility and how this translates into the projects this leading bank financially supports.
2020-04-2020 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#13 Boundless connectivity for everyone | Steve CollarThierry welcomes Satellite Executive of the year for 2019, Steve Collar, CEO at SES. They discuss SES’ business model change since its inception in the 80’ and how it has become a leading satellite operator worldwide. After talking about fascinating projects that Steve particularly cares about, they further dive into the space ecosystem and Luxembourg’s perks.
2020-04-0626 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#12 Leveraging Luxembourg's business openness and leading data centers | Márton FülöpThierry and Adrien welcome Márton Fülöp, Chief Innovation Officer at Docler Holding. They discuss how this forward-looking business has come up with a very diverse and creative product line throughout its history. They also address the question of recruiting top tech talent, which has been a challenge for Luxembourg, before highlighting the numerous attributes that the Grand Duchy has offered to Márton's company.
2020-03-2324 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#11 Luxembourg, a rising ecosystem for start-ups | Charles-Louis MachuronThierry welcomes Charles-Louis Machuron, founder at Silicon Luxembourg. They discuss the context in which Silicon Luxembourg has grown, this in tandem with the start-up scene in Luxembourg. Also, they talk about the entire ecosystem that the Grand Duchy offers to entrepreneurs and how they can leverage it.
2020-03-0922 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#10 The super high-end helicopter charter | Charlotte PedersenThierry welcomes Charlotte Pedersen, CEO at Luxaviation Helicopters. They discuss the company's helicopter charter service specifically tailored to "VVIP" clients. They also talk about how Luxaviation Helicopters has gone global whilst operating from Luxembourg.
2020-02-2426 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#9 Disruption in the banking and payment space | Jacques PützAdrien welcomes Jacques Pütz, CEO of LUXHUB. They discuss the essential role of Luxhub in the context of banking and payments innovation as a result of further competition in the sector. They exchange on the benefits that European customers will enjoy thanks to greater disruption brought by service providers such as financial technology firms.
2020-02-1124 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#8 All flights lead to Luxembourg | René SteinhausAdrien welcomes René Steinhaus, CEO at lux-Airport. They discuss the intricate links between Luxembourg's growth and the airport's development in recent years. They also touch on lux-Airport's initiatives in the environmental space and how the organisation intends to curb its carbon footprint.
2020-01-2724 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#7 Luxembourg, a leading financial services hub | Nicolas MackelAdrien welcomes Nicolas Mackel, CEO at Luxembourg for Finance. They discuss Luxembourg in the context of global finance and its role in the various niches the country has operated in for several decades. They also talk about the outlook for the Luxembourg financial services industry.
2020-01-1323 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#6 Christmas BreakThis is our end of 2019 recap episode. Thank you for listening.
2019-12-3005 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#5 An ever closer bond between the UK and Luxembourg | HMA John MarshallThierry and Adrien welcome HMA John Marshall, UK Ambassador to Luxembourg. They discuss the opportunities for the UK and Luxembourg in a Brexit context, as well as his views on the Grand Duchy. Recorded on 20 September 2019. Note: we apologise for the background noise which is due to road works by the Ambassador's residence.
2019-12-1625 min
LuxUnplugged Podcast#4 Digital disruption in the European lending market | Alex LawrenceThierry and Adrien welcome Alex Lawrence, Managing Director at CrossLend, Sàrl. They discuss CrossLend's mission and its ambition to disrupt the European debt market thanks to digitalisation. They also talk about how this start-up has benefited from Luxembourg's supportive framework and how the country has attracted more talent from abroad.
2019-12-0224 min