Coffee and Refreshments

Join us for the launch of the new Fortune 500 Europe list, a celebration of its top-risers and newcomers, and a discussion on the trends that are shaping the list. These include:

• Technology: Lack of pure play technology players vs. adoption of AI by large European industrial players
• Competitiveness: How does Fortune 500 Europe fare next to Fortune Global 500?
• Environment: heavy-emitting industries dominate. How are they tackling ESG commitments and moving towards a faster transition?
• Society: FMCG companies plateau, as mature markets age and cost and resources rise

Fireside chat with Grethe Schepers, List Director, Europe, Fortune

Followed by an opening Q&A with:
Paul Bulcke, Chairman, Nestlé and Co-chair, Fortune CEO Forum
Dame Sharon White, Chair, John Lewis Partnership; Co-chair, Fortune CEO Forum
Nicolaus Lang, Chair, BCG Henderson Institute

Followed by roundtable discussion

European tech companies lag behind their American competitors in terms of size and influence. While U.S. tech firms dominate the Fortune 500 U.S., the first tech companies in Europe are found far down the list. The most impactful and most hyped tech innovations of the past few years, including on generative A.I., also come from U.S. Big Tech and the companies they invest in. What is the latest state of play in A.I. (How) can European companies catch up or find their niche? And what are some best practices to implement AI throughout an entire company, and upskill workers?

Opening Q&A with
Matt Brittin, President EMEA, Google, and co-chair, Fortune CEO Forum

To win the Tour de France, the toughest and most competitive bike race in the world, “marginal gains” are crucial in every aspect of the competition. Join us for a demo of this year’s Tour de France winning bike, and learn how Colnago, the bike’s “vintage” manufacturer, has been able to reinvent itself in the 21^st century to become a global champion again.
Nicola Rosin, CEO, Colnago

Accelerating the Green Transition (1)
Many Fortune 500 Europe companies are aiming for “net-zero” by 2050 or sooner, as the European economy is undergoing a “green transition” in its energy production and beyond. Now, with the European Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive requirements, data gathering and accounting have taken over as the main concern of chief sustainability officers.  As reality kicks in, some companies are cutting back on their ambitious goals. What can companies do now to get back on track?

Opening Q&A
Andre Hoffmann, Vice Chair, Roche

Accelerating the Green Transition (2)
Europe has set the ambitious goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and get to net-zero emissions by 2050. But while green and clean energy is rapidly scaling up, some warn the transition will be slower and more costly than expected. Is the energy sector fit for 55, and fit for 2050? What are the most promising current and new technologies that will get us there? And what needs to change to make the transition a success, while preserving energy security and affordability?

European societies are undergoing radical transformations. As people are getting older, wealth is changing hands, and the political landscape is shifting. Amid these changes, what does tomorrow’s consumer look like for business and how will the changing demographics impact workforce expectations?  And how is the social contract between companies and society changing in the 21^st century?

Opening Q&A:
Paul Bulcke, Chair, Nestlé

Led by Bruno Borie, CEO, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou

Dinner: Making Europe Competitive Again
For years, European companies have been sliding on the Fortune Global 500 ranking, clocking in at less than a quarter in the 2024 list. The largest European companies, meanwhile, look a lot like the largest American ones ... 20 years ago: car manufacturers, oil & gas companies, and banks.
How can European companies help themselves and the European economy become competitive again? That is the theme of our dinner discussion.

Firestarters and table discussion leaders:
David Bach, President, IMD
Jesper Lok, Chairman, Dagrofa

Fireside chat: The Space Economy: Europe’s Next Driver for Growth?
Satellites play a crucial role in enabling tomorrow’s economy, from powering the internet, to geolocating people and places. What is the state of play of European companies in this burgeoning sector, and how can other companies use their services to stay ahead?
Q&A with Isabelle Mauro, Director-General, GSOA

Fireside chat: Human Competitiveness
Discover what human potential and longevity could look like in the next decade.
Q&A with Christian Angermayer, Founder, Apeiron