Paolo Taticchi is a Professor in Strategy and Sustainability and the School Deputy Director (Executive Education, MBA and Global Engagement) at University College London, School of Management. He holds a BEng and MEng in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude), and a PhD in Industrial Engineering with a focus on operations management from the University of Perugia; and an MBA with a focus on innovation from the University of Perugia and the Bradford School of Management. He has also completed Harvard Business School’s High Potentials Leadership Program.
His expertise lies in sustainability transformation, competitive strategy, consulting and the future of cities. Before joining UCL, Paolo was at Imperial College London where he served as Academic Director of the school’s top-ranked MSc Management, Weekend MBA and Global Online MBA, and where he led the Global Student Experience. Currently, Paolo continues to work with Imperial as a Visiting Professor.
Alongside his work at UCL, Paolo is regularly invited to teach in top business schools in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Highly active in executive education, Paolo has trained thousands of managers and executives of Fortune Global 500 companies. He has teaching/training experience in 14 countries and is highly recognised for his work in the fields of sustainability, MBAs, online education and global initiatives.
In addition to his academic and advisory work, Paolo is also an entrepreneur, having co-founded four firms in the fields of engineering, technology and consultancy. As an intrapreneur, Paolo successfully co-founded and directed six New York-based international summer schools associated with prestigious universities; launched an MBA and opened in Italy a campus with Bradford School of Management; secured and developed a multimillion-pound project at Imperial College and is the co-founder and co-organiser of an international internship programme. Passionate about inspiring youth and changing lives, Paolo mentors youth from all over the world and has supported and ideated social impact projects in Ethiopia and Italy.
In 2018, Paolo Taticchi was chosen by influential website Poets & Quants as one of the world’s top 40 business school professors under the age of 40. In the same year, Paolo received the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In 2019, Paolo received the “Talented Young Italian Award” from the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK. In 2021-23, Paolo was named by Italian’s leading business daily Sole 24 Ore as the most influential Italian under the age of 40.
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To date, Paolo has published five business books, including:
- Business Performance Measurement and Management: New Contexts, Themes, and Challenges (2010): Introduces new contexts and themes of application and presents emerging research areas related to business performance measurement.
- Corporate Sustainability (CSR, Sustainability, Ethics, and Governance) (2014): presents the state of the art sustainability practices in corporations.
- Corporate Sustainability In Practice: A Guide for Strategy Development and Implementation (2021): building on the experience of renowned strategists and experts, it offers practical tools and approaches that can be used to develop sustainability strategies.
- Sustainable Transformation Strategy: Casebook on Corporate Sustainability in Practice (2023): demonstrating how companies can design and execute corporate sustainability strategies into their overall business strategy.
- Disruption: Guida per navigare i cambiamenti estremi (2023) [translation: Disruption: Guide to navigating extreme changes].
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PAULO TATICCHI | KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Paolo Taticchi is a sought-after speaker regularly invited to give keynote talks at world-class academic, governmental and industry events. In 2022, he presented his TED Talk entitled ‘Business Strategy and Sustainability: Change to Survive and Thrive’, and has since had thousands of views.
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PAULO TATICCHI | SPEAKING TOPICS
Paolo Taticchi on Leadership and Strategy in Disruptive Times: In this enlightening keynote, Paolo Taticchi shares pivotal insights from his book Disruption. Drawing from influential studies published in the MIT Sloan Management Review Paolo introduces the evolving role of business leaders into “Chief Equilibrium Officers”, who navigate through globalisation, technological advancements, and environmental pressures, steering their companies towards resilience and growth. Highlighting the shift towards a more flexible, remote work environment, Paolo touches on the critical balance between innovation and sustainability for enduring success. He presents actionable advice for adapting to change, including embracing a multidimensional customer journey and developing key future skills like entrepreneurial mindset and ethical intelligence. Conclusively, Paolo’s talk is a roadmap for business leaders to transform challenges into opportunities, guiding their organisations to a sustainable, profitable future amidst the innovation storm.
Paolo Taticchi on the Sustainable Transformation of Business: In this thought-provoking keynote, Paolo Taticchi delves into the critical theme of modern corporate sustainability. He begins by painting a vivid picture of the current global challenges that both the planet and society face, such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality. Paolo highlights these issues as pivotal drivers that are reshaping the competitive landscape across industries worldwide. Emphasizing the necessity for businesses to adapt, he argues for the integration of sustainability principles into the core of business strategies to foster resilience and long-term success. Drawing from a wealth of knowledge and his extensive research, including key insights from his last two influential books, Corporate Sustainability in Practice and Sustainable Transformation Strategy, Paolo Taticchi provides attendees with concrete, actionable guidelines. These guidelines are designed to aid businesses in crafting and executing effective sustainability strategies that not only contribute to global goals but also drive competitive advantage. These insights emphasize the integration of sustainable practices as a fundamental component for mitigating risks and capitalizing on opportunities presented by the sustainability agenda. In his concluding remarks, Paolo reflects on the profound importance of sustainability for business leaders today. He underscores the urgency and responsibility that leaders hold in steering their organizations towards sustainable practices, not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic necessity for survival and success in the modern business landscape.
Paolo Taticchi on AI and Sustainable Transformation: In this forward-thinking keynote, Paolo Taticchi delves into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in driving sustainable change across industries and societies. The presentation explores how AI technologies can be harnessed to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, aligning with the goals of sustainable development. Paolo begins by setting the stage with an overview of the current global sustainability challenges, from climate change and resource depletion to social inequality and economic disparities. He then introduces AI as a pivotal tool in the quest for solutions, offering insights into how machine learning, data analytics, and smart automation can optimise resource use, reduce waste, and enhance decision-making processes. The keynote further examines case studies where AI has successfully contributed to sustainable outcomes, such as in energy management, agriculture optimisation, and circular economy models. Paolo discusses the principles of designing AI systems with sustainability in mind, emphasising ethical considerations, transparency, and inclusivity to ensure that AI advances contribute positively to both the planet and its inhabitants. Looking ahead, Paolo envisions a future where AI and sustainability are intertwined, with AI acting as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and growth. He calls on leaders, policymakers, technologists, and change-makers to embrace AI as a tool for good, leveraging its capabilities to foster a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world.
Paolo Taticchi on The Future of Cities: In this insightful keynote, Paolo Taticchi shares his expertise on the evolving landscape of urban development, drawing from his extensive work with leading organisations in the urban tech field. He begins by outlining the pressing challenges that megacities face today, such as congestion, pollution, and social inequality, highlighting the urgent need for smarter cities that leverage technology and innovation to improve quality of life. Paolo then delves into the importance of cities as hubs of economic growth and cultural exchange, advocating for intelligent urban planning that addresses key issues like sustainability and efficiency. He discusses the hurdles in implementing urban tech innovations, including regulatory and financial barriers, and the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in overcoming these challenges. Addressing entrepreneurs, Paolo emphasises the importance of understanding urban dynamics and engaging with communities to develop scalable, impactful solutions. He advocates for a holistic approach to innovation, one that prioritises sustainability and inclusivity, illustrated with practical examples and case studies of successful urban tech applications.

Paolo Taticchi on The Story You Don’t Read: In this engaging keynote, Paolo Taticchi shares the story of his journey, offering insights that resonate with dreamers, achievers, and change-makers. Crafted to inspire high-potential leaders, early career researchers, and the youth, he highlights the resilience, hard work, and vision required to overcome challenges and achieve success. Through personal anecdotes, Paolo illustrates the nonlinear path of success, emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks and the power of determination. Paolo aims to motivate and encourage individuals at the beginning of their careers or those pursuing ambitious goals, showing that perseverance and a clear purpose are key to making an impact. This keynote serves as a testament to the idea that every individual has the potential to drive change and achieve their dreams, regardless of the obstacles that may arise. In conclusion, Paolo hopes to leave the audience inspired, ready to tackle their own challenges with renewed vigour and confidence. This presentation is not just about his experiences, but a call to action for everyone to reflect on their journey and recognize their capacity to contribute to a better future.
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To check fees and availability for Paolo Taticchi, contact Great Business Speakers on 0044 (0)1753 439289