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 lifeHow women can overcome Impostor Feeling and boost self-confidenceThe importance of male allyshipBeing versatile and cross-functional in your careerWhy mentoring and coaching has been crucial to her successWhat leaders can learn from colleagues of a different lived experienceResilience and building an 'inner scaffold' in mid-lifeMentioned in this episode:YoungMinds - Mental Health charity for children and young people1:1 Coaching with School for CEOsAmy Cuddy - Your body language may shape who you are Sheryl Sandberg  Ancient + BraveTortilla Mexican GrillGreat Portland EstatesABBA 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 derailersWhy self-awareness is essential to effective leadershipHow multi-passionate executives can achieve balanceHolding to your vision through challenging timesHow innovation gives you competitive advantageMentioned in this episode:Nourish StoresBrave MindJohnson 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 CFOCultivating the relationship between CFO and CEOHis working dynamic with CEO Rupert SoamesTaking Aggreko from a small-cap to FTSE 50 company'Cleaning house' at SercoLeading Finance teams and preparing his successorsBeing an effective Chair and NEDAdding 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 2024The qualities of a good ChairpersonHow to develop a skills matrix for the BoardWhy diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation and growthIf 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 includeHow a lack of neuroinclusion can impact on talent attraction and retentionHow a neuroinclusive work culture benefits neurotypical people tooHow neurodivergent people can self-advocate in the workplaceHow neurodivergent leaders can navigate the complex landscape of senior leadershipMid-life diagnoses and experiencesThe lack of provision for Gen Z workers diagnosed at school ageThe link with neurodivergence and anxietyA 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 ZThe real reason why Gen Z might be depressed or unmotivatedThe best approach to hybrid workingHow the four generations can mentor and support each other in the workplaceAnd 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 TattooCommanding a 1000-man unit in the Marine Corps and supporting them through PTSDHis empathic and authentic leadership styleThe importance of role modellingFind 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 successSelf-sabotage in career defining momentsBreaking free from a limiting career identityUsing purpose and humility to steer through great adversityWhy resilience and reinvention matter more than natural talentDiscover Jeremy's work:Attend our Vital Few: Part One programme and enjoy Jeremy's session on resilience and performanceListen to Jeremy's podcast Inside the Mind of Champions on Apple https://apple.co/3kLX2Nd or Spotify https://spoti.fi/302xfIUFollow Jeremy on Linkedin Jeremy Snape | LinkedInSupercharge 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 with our Business Development Manager David Wright, Mary draws upon her expertise and lived experience to guide leaders on how to:Challenge themselves and take the next career leapConvey confidence in a new senior roleConfront societal limits to build success on their own termsBalance authenticity with strategy in stakeholder relationshipsBounce back from burnout and personal crisesStay relevant and in tuneMary 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 PageGroup, 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 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.

In this episode CEO of the Rugby Football Union and former CEO of the British Olympic Association, Bill Sweeney discusses leadership through a pandemic, and the measures he's taking to give the organisation and himself the opportunity to come through this global crisis in the best possible shape.

After 58.5 days and 650 hours of skiing alone in whiteouts, storm-force winds and temperatures hitting minus 45C, Mollie Hughes reached the Geographic South Pole - achieving her second world record by becoming the youngest woman in the world to ski solo from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.In this episode we explore how she got there, the highs and lows and why she does what she does.

Impostor Feeling is consistently raised as a challenge for both speakers and participants on School for CEOs' leadership programmes. When we discovered that very little research explored how it affected senior leaders, School for CEOs undertook our own study to uncover how prevalent it is among our leaders and what helps them manage it. This episode explores some of the key findings from this research as well as three recommendations that will help you overcome Impostor Feeling.

This episode features sportsman turned entrepreneur and Chief Executive, Matthew Fosh, who shares some of the key pieces of advice he received as a young lad that have helped shaped him as a leader. Matthew also shares lessons from his early career as a first-class cricketer, what drew him towards business and away from sport and his own advice to a new CEO.

In this episode evolutionary behavioural biologist, Dr Mairi Macleod, offers a scientific view on how our ancestral past has nurtured diverging evolved behaviours between men and women. Drawing on her experiences studying animal behaviour in different communities, Mairi has developed an evolutionary approach and offers practical steps that women, men and organisations can take to create an environment where both men and women can thrive.

This episode shares the story of international bestselling author Ian Rankin OBE. Since publishing his first novel in 1987, Ian's books have now been translated into over thirty languages and are bestsellers worldwide. In this interview, he shares an insight into his journey as a writer, from devouring comic books in his bedroom as a child to the challenges of making a profession from his passion.

This episode shares the leadership journey of a once aspiring album cover artist who became an award-winning CEO. Bob Keiller CBE, former CEO of Wood Group and previous Chairman of Scottish Enterprise, discusses a wide range of topics from early life choices to CEO succession, and shifting an organisational culture by winning hearts and minds.

This episode shares insight into the leadership journey of School for CEOs Chairman, Patrick Macdonald. Having qualified as an engineer, Patrick worked in atomic energy and built war ships for the Royal Navy in his early career. In business, he worked for one of the World's most famous CEOs, Jack Welch, before carving his own path as a Chief Executive, leading a number of listed and private equity backed businesses. This interview explores his experience of dealing with the demands of the top job.

This episode shares the story of a scientist who became a Chief Executive, almost accidentally. Dr Helen Rippon leads Worldwide Cancer Research, a Scottish charity established to provide grants to fund innovative and ground-breaking research initiatives to combat cancer. The interview explores the transition from the lab to the boardroom and uncovers the pioneering spirit that makes up the DNA of the organisation and its culture.

With Tokyo less than 1 year away, this episode features Team GB Olympic prospect Katherine Douglas. Having discovered the sport of rowing by chance Katherine shares her personal journey as a professional athlete, offering insights into leadership, teamwork and the mental and physical toll that comes with an unwavering determination to make that boat go faster.

In this episode, we interview Tom Kitchin, award-winning chef proprietor and the youngest to achieve a Michelin star in Scotland. Tom shared the key ingredients to his success as a leader, highlighting the importance of the team, how his personal leadership style has adapted and modernised over time and how he fell in love with the pressure of high performance.

Rosemary McGinness cut her teeth as a leader in a line management role in hospitality, where she discovered a passion for leading people and seeing them grow. She has since held several global positions as HR Director across a range of sectors. In this episode Rosemary reflects on the experiences and people who have shaped her as a leader. She also shares her personal story of dealing with breast cancer after being diagnosed when she was Group HR Director of William Grant & Sons.

This episode is a special feature with guest speaker Doddie Weir OBE, Scottish rugby legend and founder of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. After his own diagnosis, Doddie set up the Foundation both to support other sufferers and their families and also to raise funds to aid research into MND, to find a cure for disease. Here he is with old friend and teammate David Sole OBE, as they reminisce about the good old days, dealing with diagnosis, and the work of the Foundation.

Shaun Kingsbury's leadership journey begins in Belfast, where he learnt the power of persistence. An entrepreneur who is 'attracted to things most sensible people would run away from', Shaun shares some important lessons that he has garnered from his experiences working on a number of ground-breaking projects in renewables and sustainable finance, including his role as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Green Investment Bank, which he led from its inception up to its sale in 2017 for £2.3 billion. We also asked Shaun what he felt the biggest developments will be in his sector over the next five years.

Martin Smith CB MBE and Peter MacDonald have led distinguished careers, both of which began in the special forces. Martin spent over three decades in the Royal Marines, reaching the role of Commandant General and was most recently NATO advisor to the Minister of the Interior in Afghanistan, while Peter moved into business after 11 years of military service and held global leadership roles in Goldman Sachs and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Now Martin is Chief Operating Officer at Cyber Prism and Peter is Chairman of Castle European. In this episode they compare their experiences leading in the military and in business.

This episode shares the emotional life story of Sue Pascoe. Sue has had a successful career in professional services, reaching senior leadership positions in the worlds' leading accountancy firms. Her life changed forever when she decided to go through a complete gender transformation at the age of 55. Today, Sue runs a support group for people with gender identity struggles, she is a Board Member of a charity that supports the LGBT+ community and her company Soaring Spirit advises organisations on how to become more inclusive. In this episode Sue shares her story with real candour, offering insights into the challenges she has faced and overcome in order to become Sue physically, emotionally, socially and mentally.

The son of pub landlords in Sunderland, Craig's leadership journey begins as a young lad, when he was exposed to the strong leadership of his parents, during challenging times. In this episode, Craig shares an intimate account of life during the miners' strikes, the impact of failing his A levels and how he made the decision to leave a promising career at one of the UK's largest Banks to join a start-up. One of the original four executives who created Metro Bank, Craig reflects on his own leadership style as Chief Executive in a fast-paced and high growth environment.

As a child all he wanted to do was look after animals and play rugby. Today he is a leading Executive Coach and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of School for CEOs. In this episode we learn about the experiences that shaped David Sole OBE as a leader; his experience of leading one of the most successful sides in the history of Scottish Rugby; how he discovered his sense of purpose after leaving the comforts of large corporate life and the qualities that he most admires in other leaders.