Leadership Insights

In the School for CEOs Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of prominent executives, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture. In this episode we’re joined by Emma Woods. Emma had a successful marketing career for over two decades, working for Unilever and then moving into private equity-backed businesses before becoming CEO at everyone's favourite noodle restaurant, wagamama, which she successfully led through Covid. Emma now works on Boards to help them grow and is currently supporting four businesses. She is Chair of Ancient + Brave and Tortilla Mexican Grill plc. She is also a Non-Executive Director at Great Portland Estates and at the amazing ABBA Voyage.  As a mother of four kids, she understands the challenges of juggling family demands and also developing a career.  In this illuminating discussion with School for CEOs' Dave Wright, Emma shares her thoughts on: Becoming a role model for women, and seeking role models for various stages of life How women can overcome Impostor Feeling and boost self-confidence The importance of male allyship Being versatile and cross-functional in your career Why mentoring and coaching has been crucial to her success What leaders can learn from colleagues of a different lived experience Resilience and building an 'inner scaffold' in mid-life Mentioned in this episode: YoungMinds - Mental Health charity for children and young people 1:1 Coaching with School for CEOs Amy Cuddy - Your body language may shape who you are  Sheryl Sandberg   Ancient + Brave Tortilla Mexican Grill Great Portland Estates ABBA Voyage

In the School for CEOs Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of prominent executives, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture. In this episode, recorded in Summer 2024, we were joined by Rich Baker. Rich is a seasoned business leader in the field of health and wellness, particularly health and wellness tech. He is also a valued member of the School for CEOs Faculty.  He is currently Vice President of Group Exercise and Functional Fitness for Johnson Health Tech. Formerly, he was CEO at Wattbike, steering the company through the pandemic and onto even greater success. His career journey has also encompassed the British Army, a coaching business, a health centre in the South-West of France, and most recently a wellness store based in Devon, England. In this inspiring conversation with School for CEOs' Dave Wright, Rich reflects on:The importance of learning your key motivators, values and derailers Why self-awareness is essential to effective leadership How multi-passionate executives can achieve balance Holding to your vision through challenging times How innovation gives you competitive advantage Mentioned in this episode: Nourish Stores Brave Mind Johnson Health Tech

In the School for CEOs Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of prominent executives, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture. In this episode we are joined by Angus Cockburn, an esteemed member of the School for CEOs faculty. Angus is Chairman of James Fisher & Sons Plc, and Senior Independent Director at Ashtead Group, and The Edrington Group. He is also a non-executive director at BAE Systems. During his executive career, Angus was Chief Financial Officer at Aggreko for 15 years followed by 7 years as CFO of Serco. Previously, he was Managing Director of Pringle of Scotland and held various international roles at Pepsico Inc and KPMG. In a frank and informative chat with School for CEOs' Dave Wright, Angus reflects on: Becoming a successful CFO Cultivating the relationship between CFO and CEO His working dynamic with CEO Rupert Soames Taking Aggreko from a small-cap to FTSE 50 company 'Cleaning house' at Serco Leading Finance teams and preparing his successors Being an effective Chair and NED Adding value and eschewing ego on the Board

In our Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of seasoned CEOs, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture. In this episode we are joined by Sam Allen of Sam Allen Associates, a boutique executive search firm with a global reach. The company carries out searches and other services for international clients, appointing Chairmen, Non-Executive directors and Executives at Board level, as well as senior management reporting to the Board. In this conversation with School for CEOs Dave Wright, Sam shares her leading-edge insights on: The role of the Non-Executive Director, and how to secure your first NED role  What Chairs are looking for in 2024 The qualities of a good Chairperson How to develop a skills matrix for the Board Why diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation and growth If the leaders in your organisation need support in preparing for new senior roles, to become more inclusive or to drive cultural change, then reach out to us at: schoolforceos.com

In our Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of seasoned CEOs, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture. Our 33rd episode features our conversation with Andy Williamson.  Andy is the founder of Welcome Brain, a neurodiversity consulting firm. The rationale behind Welcome Brain is that support for neurodivergent individuals within organisations improves outcomes for individuals, leaders, and the organisation as a whole. Andy has been working with neurodivergent individuals for over a decade. His background is in Education and Mental Health support, through his founding of Hampton Tutors - an academic coaching company that specialises in executive function skill-building and Sequoia Teen Counseling Center - a counseling practice for teens and young adults.  In this episode we explore: The neurodivergent ‘umbrella’ and the different conditions and experiences this could include How a lack of neuroinclusion can impact on talent attraction and retention How a neuroinclusive work culture benefits neurotypical people too How neurodivergent people can self-advocate in the workplace How neurodivergent leaders can navigate the complex landscape of senior leadership Mid-life diagnoses and experiences The lack of provision for Gen Z workers diagnosed at school age The link with neurodivergence and anxiety A YouTube video with subtitles, automatic chapters and transcript can be found HERE 

In our Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of seasoned CEOs, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture.  This new episode features our conversation with Chloe Combi, best-selling author, global speaker, futurist, researcher and consultant.  She is a leading expert on Generation Z (and now Gen A), writing and broadcasting extensively on this subject. Her expertise, research and patented data has her in huge demand with global companies, brands and governments. She is THE go-to consultant for senior leaders who want to better understand their Gen Z colleagues.  Recently, she shared her invaluable insights at our Vital Few: Part Two programme. In this conversation with School for CEOs' Dave Wright, Chloe talks about:The most common myths and misconceptions about Gen Z The real reason why Gen Z might be depressed or unmotivated The best approach to hybrid working How the four generations can mentor and support each other in the workplace And much more!

Welcome back to our podcast, where we tap into the minds of successful CEOs, leaders and eminent thinkers. This new episode features our conversation with Jason Barrett, CEO of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Having joined the Tattoo team as Chief Operating Officer in 2020, Jason took over the role of Chief Executive in December 2023. Originally from Colorado, Jason joined the Tattoo with over 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and has held various Chief Executive and Management roles in the US. Prior to this, Jason had a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps. He served 20 years as an infantry officer where he held leadership positions, teaching leadership as well as being involved in high-level strategic planning and on active service with the UK Royal Marines. In this conversation with School for CEOs' David Wright, Jason opens up about: His bold vision for the future of the Tattoo Commanding a 1000-man unit in the Marine Corps and supporting them through PTSD His empathic and authentic leadership style The importance of role modelling Find out more about the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo HERE >>> https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/ If you're a senior leader ascending to a new role, School for CEOs can help you >>> www.schoolforceos.com

We're thrilled to share our 30th episode - this time featuring Jeremy Snape, a former international cricketer and coach. Jeremy is CEO and Founder of Sporting Edge, the digital platform that fuses compelling stories from world class performance with psychological research to create inspiring learning environments for individuals and teams. He is also a valued member of the School for CEOs Faculty. In this conversation with School for CEOs' David Wright, Jeremy shares his journey from playing cricket for England, to becoming a revered sports psychologist and thought leader. He also shares his insights on:Turning his greatest ‘failures’ into catalysts for success Self-sabotage in career defining moments Breaking free from a limiting career identity Using purpose and humility to steer through great adversity Why resilience and reinvention matter more than natural talent Discover Jeremy's work: Listen to Jeremy’s podcast Inside the Mind of Champions on Apple https://apple.co/3kLX2Nd or Spotify https://spoti.fi/302xfIU Follow Jeremy on Linkedin Jeremy Snape | LinkedIn Supercharge your leadership skills. Visit: Sporting Edge | Performance Insights & Consultancy

Welcome back to our podcast, where we tap into the minds of successful CEOs, leaders and eminent thinkers. In this episode, we're joined by Nick Mackenzie, CEO at Greene King - a leading pub chain in the UK, with over 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the country. In this conversation with School for CEOs' Gemma Sole, Nick shares his experience of leading a major hospitality company of 40,000 employees through the pandemic. He reflects on the coaches and mentors who have been instrumental in his journey to becoming CEO, and how our own Reverse Mentoring programme has changed him as a person. He also shares his commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation, prompted by the company connections with slavery in the 1800s.

Mary Spillane is one of School for CEOs' longest serving Faculty members and delivers a very entertaining and impactful session on 'Managing Your Brand' at our Vital Few programme for senior leaders. In this new podcast episode, Mary draws upon her expertise and lived experience to guide leaders on how to: Challenge themselves and take the next career leap Convey confidence in a new senior role Confront societal limits to build success on their own terms Balance authenticity with strategy in stakeholder relationships Bounce back from burnout and personal crises Stay relevant and in tune Mary is an executive coach and expert in communications, business development, performance improvement, and personal branding. She works to bring the best out of senior business executives and CEOs in Industry, Financial and Professional Services. She is used as a speech, business pitch and blog writer by these clients. Mary began her career as a special assistant to Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and to the UNHCR in Geneva Institute. She is also an author, having written 7 books on presentation, image and personal branding.

Joanne Lipman is a pioneering journalist and best-selling author. Beginning her career at The Wall Street Journal, she quickly rose to the rank of Deputy Managing Editor, the first woman to attain that post. There she supervised coverage that earned three Pulitzer prizes. She later became Chief Content Officer at Gannett, and was Editor in Chief of USA Today and USA Today Network, also overseeing 109 metro newspapers, more than 3,000 journalists and a further three Pulitzer prizes. She is also a frequent television commentator, appearing regularly across major networks. This interview explores her latest book, Next!: The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work, as Joanne unpicks how individuals navigate through the personal and professional challenges and triumphs of pursuing a purposeful life and career.

Tim Marshall is a leading authority on foreign affairs with more than 30 years of reporting experience across 40 different countries. He was diplomatic editor at Sky News, and before that was working for the BBC and LBC/IRN radio. He joins the podcast to share his view on the importance of geography, drawing on insight from his books, including Sunday Times best-seller Prisoners of Geography, and also recently published Power of Geography (find these alongside Tim's other publications on https://eandtbooks.com/authors/tim-marshall/). All leaders are constrained by geography. Listen to this episode to find out how

Having joined the family business at the tender age of 23, Jonathan Warburton is part of the fifth generation to lead Waburtons Family Bakery. In this episode, he shares insights into the differences between a family-owned business and a large PLC. We discuss succession, sustainability, the curious investments of his father and uncles, working alongside Hollywood actors and more.

Samantha Barber has extensive leadership experience both in the UK and Internationally. After a successful early career in Brussels where she worked as a policy advisor, she first became a Chief Executive at the age of 30. Today she is a Non-Executive Director and mentor and she sits on the Boards of global energy company Iberdrola and Scottish Water, and she chairs the internationally renowned Scottish Ensemble. In this episode, Samantha reflects on her first CEO role, how she has shaped her non-executive career, her views on gender diversity and meritocracy and how multilingualism influences her leadership.

Nels Abbey is an accomplished British writer, media executive, satirist and diversity consultant. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Nels talks us through his perhaps unconventional upbringing and his career as well as his views on diversity in the workplace. In particular, we discuss his personal approach and use of humour to confront the realities of racial discrimination at work, as well as his perspective on how we as a society can overcome barriers to racial equality.

Steve Ingham has been Chief Executive Officer of Page Group, the FTSE 250 recruitment business, since 2006, having joined the organisation as a recruitment consultant 18 years earlier. In March 2019 he experienced a near-fatal ski accident which caused severe permanent damage including the loss of use of his legs and partial deafness. In this interview Steve talks about his accident, how it happened, how he recovered and how it has affected his leadership. We explore his view on inclusive leadership and his opportunity to influence and inspire and also how changing work practices can create opportunities to level the playing field for wheelchair users and other marginalised groups.

Professor Sir Geoff Palmer OBE is a Professor Emeritus at the School of Life Sciences at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and a Human Rights Activist. His research in the Brewing and Distilling industry has received international acclaim and revolutionised the way beer is made. Following the Black Lives Matter movement he has been more active than ever, featuring across all forms of media and publications, sharing his views on Black History and the recent abuse of statues of prominent figures who supported the oppression of black people. In this feature episode, we discuss immigration, belonging, race, academia and more.

Katherine Garrett-Cox CBE is a seasoned executive leader in asset management. She has worked across a number of large corporates in including Aviva Investors, Aberdeen Asset Management and Alliance Trust and today she leads the UK subsidiary of the Gulf International Bank. In this diverse interview, we explore Katherine's leadership journey, her uncompromising approach to purposeful and socially responsible leadership and her role in tackling the climate crisis.

Katherine Garrett-Cox CBE is a seasoned executive leader in asset management. She has worked across a number of large corporates including Aviva Investors, Aberdeen Asset Management and Alliance Trust and today she leads the UK subsidiary of the Gulf International Bank. In this diverse interview, we explore Katherine's leadership journey, her uncompromising approach to purposeful and socially responsible leadership and her role in tackling the climate crisis.

Mark Logan is an investor, advisor and non-executive director in the internet technology sector. He has held senior leadership positions in a number of tech businesses including Skyscanner, where he was Chief Operating Officer between 2012-2017. In this episode we talk about the importance of being an aggressive learner, developing culture in an organisation going through extreme growth and the importance of thinking. We also also discussed Mark's passion for supporting women in business and his views on leading through the coronavirus pandemic.