Leadership Insights

Hosted by School for CEOs

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Feb 2025

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About the show

School for CEOs prepare business leaders for senior roles – purposefully, pragmatically and personally. We do this by combining expert coaches and facilitators with unique insights from our Faculty of over 90 senior leaders who have been there and done it. This podcast is designed to share some of those stories with you, inviting a diverse range of speakers from CEOs of some of the UK's most successful businesses, to elite sportspeople and military leaders.

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37 recent

February 3, 2025Episode 3737 min

Empowering Female Leaders to Step Up. With Emma Woods

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

December 11, 2024Episode 3631 min

Wellness for Focus and Innovation. With Rich Baker

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

November 11, 2024Episode 3530 min

CFO Success Stories. With Angus Cockburn

August 19, 2024Episode 3421 min

Succeeding on the Board. With Sam Allen

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

June 17, 2024Episode 3358 min

Neurodiversity and Inclusion. With Andy Williamson

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

April 15, 2024Episode 3258 min

Generation Z in the Workplace. With Chloe Combi

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!

February 19, 2024Episode 3132 min

Jason Barrett - CEO, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

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

November 24, 2023Episode 3037 min

Jeremy Snape - CEO, Sporting Edge

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

September 14, 2023Episode 2935 min

Nick Mackenzie, CEO - Greene King

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.

July 10, 2023Episode 2834 min

Personal Branding and Bouncing Back - Mary Spillane

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.