HotTopics Studio: Amsterdam

Join us as we hear from Edwin van der Sar as he reflects on a career defined by resilience, leadership, and performing under pressure - both on the pitch and in the boardroom. From elite sport to executive leadership, this fireside chat explores what it takes to build high-performing teams, navigate setbacks, and lead with composure when it matters most.

Many organisations are generating a wealth of AI ideas but failing to translate them into meaningful action. While use cases continue to multiply, few are actually implemented at scale - highlighting a growing gap between ambition and execution. In many cases, strategy is moving faster than delivery, raising questions about whether AI initiatives are truly creating impact.

Are we actually transforming the business - or just dressing up indecision as innovation?

The role of IT in Europe is fundamentally shifting. What was once about enabling growth is now about owning risk - across increasingly complex, global, and interdependent technology ecosystems. With rising concerns around digital sovereignty, supply chain exposure, and resilience, organisations are being forced to prove that their infrastructure is not only functional, but secure, governed, and defensible under pressure. This session brings leaders together to unpack what accountability really looks like in 2026 - and to ask a defining question: when your systems are tested, will your strategy stand up to scrutiny?

Be a part of engaging, honest, and thought-provoking conversations with your peers, exploring the ideas and challenges shaping today’s HotTopics communities.

As AI accelerates product development, governance frameworks are struggling to keep pace - and the EU Cyber Resilience Act is about to expose exactly where they fall short. With new obligations forcing organisations to take responsibility for security across the entire lifecycle, leaders are being pushed to reconcile speed, scale, and accountability in ways they haven’t before. This session invites an honest conversation about the cracks already showing: unclear ownership, reactive security, and whether “secure by design” is a reality - or just something we say to stay compliant. So the real question is: are we building responsibly - or just hoping regulation doesn’t catch up too quickly?

Built by leaders, for leaders, the HotTopics Global C-suite Awards are shaped by those who understand what leadership really takes. This year, we’re proud to bring that vision to Europe for the very first time - celebrating outstanding leaders as recognised by a global network of 20,000+ executives.