Happy Saturday, TMA Nation! And welcome to CEO Speaks for Saturday, March 22, 2025, brought to you exclusively by Second Wind Consultants—specializing in Article 9, out-of-court transactional restructurings. Thank you for your support of TMA and this podcast.
Now, let’s talk about spring.
It’s here. It’s fresh. And as Mark Twain put it best:
“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want it—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
And just like that, opportunity is bursting into action! The past two weeks have been on fire, with game-changing events, powerful connections, and TMA innovation at its best. Let’s dive in.
This past week, I had the absolute privilege of being in Milan, Italy, for TMA Live—one of the most electrifying programs TMA has ever rolled out. This isn’t just an event. It’s a movement.
Created by TMA Europe, under the leadership of TMA Europe President Tyrone Courtman and Conference Co-Chairs Christian Schmitt and Greg Bouille, TMA Live throws you right into the action.
This isn’t theory. It’s not a lecture. It’s real turnarounds in real time.
This latest edition focused on European luxury retail and consumer goods, giving us an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at companies navigating crisis—and the hard decisions that shape their future.
And where better to host it than at Savini Milano? This legendary restaurant, founded in 1867, and having its own turnaround story in progress. We heard directly from Sebastian Gatto, its owner and managing director, about the high-stakes transformation of Savini itself.
And that wasn’t all:
- We dove into the reinvention of Real GmbH, a German hypermarket giant.
- We unpacked Schneider Consumer Group’s bold shift, moving from a traditional brand to a cutting-edge leader in design and innovation.
TMA Live is an experience. It’s about stepping into the shoes of turnaround leaders, learning from real-time decisions, and connecting with industry power players. But before we even got to the main event, TMA Italia set the tone with a premier networking reception—a true who’s who of the industry.
A massive thank you to TMA Italia Chapter President Roger Olivieri for leading the charge on this world class event, and to Enrica Maria Ghia, past TMA Italia and Europe President, for your ever enduring support of everything TMA.
And I have to say—it was an honor to be there alongside TMA Global International VP Eva Ringlespacher, feeling the energy of this community. These are the moments that define TMA. These are the moments that make us all #TMAPROUD!
But guess what? We weren’t done yet!
After Milan, a powerhouse group of TMA Global, TMA Europe, and TMA Italia members hit the road north to Bergamo for something truly special.
The European Association of Certified Turnaround Professionals (EACTP) hosted its third Turbocharged Turnaround 2025 Educational Workshop—a high-octane, deep-dive into the cutting edge of turnaround strategy.
Held at the University of Bergamo, this was not your average workshop. This was next-level insight, led by some of the sharpest minds in the business, led by Maria Pombo with the support of the EACTP board.
And here’s what went down:
- Emerging Market Opportunities – Talking turnaround and restructuring in emerging markets with a focus on the Dubai International Financial Centre.
- AI and Ethics – Led by UK Professor and Barrister Mark Watson-Gandy, this session tackled the thorny, fascinating world of AI-driven decision-making.
- The AI Negotiator – A mind-blowing look at whether AI can replace human negotiation, led by Professor Horst Eidenmüller from the University of Oxford, St. Hughs College.
- Core Turnaround Skills & Training – Essential tools and strategies for restructuring professionals seasoned and new.
This was a masterclass in innovation, collaboration, and expertise.
The best in the business—Certified Turnaround Professionals, TMA members, and future industry leaders—all coming together to learn, grow, and shape the future of turnaround strategy.
And speaking of game-changers, in this segment of Member Moments, let’s talk about someone who is redefining what it means to be a TMA leader.
This week’s Member Moment shines a spotlight on Gregoire Bouille, TMA Europe Conference & Sponsorship Co-Chair and TMA Switzerland Board Member.
Greg is a force to be reckoned with.
His leadership, bold vision, and relentless drive have raised the bar for TMA.
Whether it’s:
✅ Bringing new consumer sponsors into the fold ✅ Connecting TMA with C-suite executives and major political leaders ✅ Elevating TMA’s programming to unprecedented heights Greg pushes harder, dreams bigger, and delivers more. And that’s exactly the kind of leadership that propels TMA forward.
Greg, thank you for your passion, your vision, and for proving why membership matters.
What. A. Week.
TMA is on the move. We are driving innovation, creating connections, and shaping the future of turnaround strategy.
And we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for tuning in, for being part of this incredible community, and for your commitment to making TMA stronger than ever.
And of course, a huge thank you again to Second Wind Consultants, our TMA CEO Speaks exclusive sponsor—we appreciate your continued support!
As TMA lights the way, your input is critical, your contributions paramount, and your engagement the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, resilient, and TMA proud.