Kati ter Horst on being a first-time CEO when the old rules are gone

Kati ter Horst leads Outokumpu, the world’s leader in sustainable stainless steel, at a moment when the old assumptions of globalization are breaking down.

In this episode of Leaders Unplugged, she joins IMD President David Bach to discuss her transition from board member to first-time CEO, and how she is building a new strategy for her colleagues in nearly 30 countries while navigating tariffs, AI, and geopolitical conflicts.

Kati’s warning is direct: “the rules are gone.” Her call to action is equally clear: “Europe can compete.”

And one of her key learnings from the first 18 months as CEO? “You have to protect your time.”