Beyond the Horizon: Hempel's first podcast series drives important conversations on maritime diversity
By Alexander Enström, Executive Vice President and Head of Marine at Hempel A/S
When we first set out to create our new podcast, Beyond the Horizon, the goal was simple: to open up space for honest, meaningful conversations about the issues shaping our industry. Now, looking back at our first season, I’m incredibly proud of what we've started: taking a deep dive into diversity in the maritime industry.
Why diversity? Because it matters. It affects how we innovate, how we attract and retain talent and ultimately, how competitive and resilient our industry can be in the long run. We spoke with some truly inspiring people who aren’t just talking about change - they’re making it happen. Across all five episodes, you’ll hear honest conversations, real challenges and most importantly, practical solutions that are already making a difference.
As a partner to the maritime sector, we believe it’s our responsibility to help drive progress - not just when it comes to environmental sustainability, but socially too. That’s the whole idea behind this first season of our podcast: to shine a light on the diversity gaps we still face and to show what’s possible when we commit to doing better.
Season 1 guests:
- Mia Krogslund-Jørgensen, Vice President, People, Culture & Strategy at Hafnia
- Irene Rosberg, Programme Director, Blue MBA at Copenhagen Business School
- Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill Ocean Transportation
- Susanne Justesen, Director, Human Sustainability at The Global Maritime Forum
- And, myself, representing Hempel’s perspectives on these important issues
The series explores both the systematic barriers to progress and opportunities for collaborative change, diving into key themes including:
- Why diversity is a business imperative
- The structural and cultural barriers that prevent progress
- The importance of industry-wide collaboration and leadership accountability
- The role of data, visibility and communication in accelerating change
- How to make maritime careers more attractive to future generations
