Advanced Executive Leadership

In this episode, I’m joined by leadership coach and mindfulness teacher Susan Grandfield for a conversation that blends personal insight, scientific rigour, and deep practicality of meditation. We explore why meditation isn’t just a wellness fad or spiritual escape, but a practical, evidence-based tool for leaders navigating complexity, overwhelm, and continuous partial attention.   Susan brings b...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Livingston, Founder and CEO of Livingston James Group and Co-Chair of the youth leadership charity Columba 1400.   Jamie brings decades of experience placing senior leaders into C-suite and board-level roles. In our conversation, he reflects on how leadership expectations have evolved from the traditional command-and-control model to the need for leaders who ar...

In this solo episode, I explore what the Netflix drama  Toxic Town can teach us about moral leadership. Using James Rest’s Four-Component Model of ethical decision-making, I contrast two characters - Roy Thomas and Sam Hagen - and examine how their choices offer a powerful lens for executive leaders navigating complexity, responsibility, and risk.  This episode is especially relevant for anyone in...

What does it take to lead a major organisation through collapse, recovery, and into a decade of growth? In this episode Dr Jacqueline Conway is joined by David Conway, HR Director at London Gatwick Airport, to explore how executive leadership transformed in the wake of the pandemic. Gatwick lost nearly 100% of its passengers during COVID — a near-total shutdown of operations. David shares the pers...

In this latest episode I introduce FieldSense — a structured yet human approach to working through complex issues as a leadership team. Too often, the capacity in senior teams isn’t unleashed as they try to solve gnarly problems or issues - not because the people aren’t capable, but because they’re talking at cross purposes, each operating from a different stage of the problem. FieldSense makes th...

What if the alternative to capitalism’s excesses isn’t revolution—but quiet reinvention? In this episode I’m joined by Claire Costello, Chief People & Inclusion Officer at Co-op Group. We explore how Co-op’s values-led, member-owned structure creates a different kind of leadership. One that's attuned, distributed, and accountable. Claire describes how Co-op’s flexible executive structure, ente...

In this episode I examine the four stages of chaos— Disruption, Escalation, Fragmentation, and Disintegration (or Breakthrough) —and how leaders can identify our position within the cycle. Understanding these stages provides us with a vital advantage: it enables us to lead with intention, rather than merely react to the turmoil. I also incorporate the work of Neil Howe and his Fourth Turning theor...

Remember when good character was something a leader strived to be known for? It seems that now, not so much.  In my latest podcast episode, The Erosion of Character , I explore whether character has truly gone out of fashion—or if we’re simply seeing a battle over what “good character” means. Is it now simply a matter of debate? When humiliation, intimidation, and confusion are used to win at any...

Effective leadership isn’t merely about decisive action—it’s also about recognising when not to act. In this episode, I explore strategic patience as an underrated leadership skill. We’ve all seen hasty decisions that create bigger problems later. So, how do you know when to hold steady and when to move? I've just launched a new LinkedIn newsletter, called The Suite Spot, packed full of essential...

In this episode of Advanced Executive Leadership, I’m joined by Steve Williams, Director for Learning and Leadership Development at Accenture. Steve shares how AI is revolutionising leadership development at scale—from creating AI-powered digital coaches and immersive simulations to embedding generative AI into real-time client interactions. Steve is a passionate Learning and Leadership Developmen...

I’ve been reflecting on two stories from late last year—stories that aren’t just news headlines, but signals of deeper, systemic cracks in industries we depend on. The first story: The tragic murder of United Healthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson, in broad daylight. While the act itself was horrific, the public’s reaction was startling: social media erupted with jokes, and many Americans seemed to view...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Wilson Wong, Director of insight and futures at Wong at work.   We delve into futures and foresight, how organisations can anticipate disruption, navigate uncertainty, and strategically plan for the long term.   Wilson shares fascinating insights from his 20 plus years of futures work, including real world examples, like Shell scenario planning and shifts in the g...

Steve Hearsum supports and challenges clients to find their 'edge and stretch' when what they are after is more than simply 'better sameness'. He creates useful discomfort in service of learning and have been told he has  “a knack of not letting people off the hook, without leaving them feeling like they’re on the hook”.  His interest is in building change capability through: Leadership practice:...

In this week’s episode I’m joined by Hugh Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO of Simply Blue Group. Hugh shares his inspiring journey from a young entrepreneur in Ireland to a global leader in renewable energy innovation. Together, we explore how Simply Blue is transforming the blue economy by developing cutting-edge projects in floating offshore wind, sustainable aviation fuels, and aquaculture.   Hugh als...

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mike Pettigrew, the CEO of ASCO, a global leader in materials management and logistics for the energy sector. Mike’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From reshaping undervalued organizations to leading transitions in one of the world’s most dynamic industries, he shares his candid insights on what it takes to lead with vision, bravery, and a peo...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a truly inclusive global organisation? In our latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Loraine Martins, the inspiring Global Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Director at Arup. Loraine has a fascinating journey, from working on the London Olympic Park to leading Arup’s mission of “shaping a better world.”   In our conversation, Loraine o...

There’s an epidemic of executive loneliness is the corporate world today.   On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by Nick Jonsson, author of Executive Loneliness , where he shares his personal experiences of striving for success whilst struggling with the negative consequences of a winning mindset.   He shares how self-doubt, anxiety and a colluding organisational culture that simply wanted t...

Our latest podcast episode dives deep into how to transform your Senior Leadership Community into a dynamic force that drives your strategy forward!   In this episode, we’ll explore: How to structure your Senior Leadership Community to function as a cohesive, high-performing team The secret to unlocking the full potential of your senior leaders beyond their day-to-day roles Why poor team dynamics...

Is your life an endless rush from one thing to the next?   That was certainly the case for Carl Honoré, my guest on today’s podcast. He is the author of the phenomenally successful book In Praise of Slow .     Carl explains his journey to the slow movement, triggered by an epiphany of recognising the need to slow down and reconnect with the art of living in the moment when he found himself trying...

How do we balance AI integration with a human-centred organisational culture?   In this episode I’m joined by Bertie Tonks, Chief People Officer at Collinson and a 2023 HR Industry Influencer to explore this pivotal question.   We dive into the impact of AI on leadership, performance management, and workplace culture.   And Bertie shares how his lifelong passion for skateboarding shapes his leader...

What does it mean to be authentic as a leader? Are there ways of being that are authentic, or is it just an excuse for some pretty bad behaviour under the guise of 'that's just me, I say it like I see it?" Welcome to the new season of the Advanced Executive Leadership podcast. We're back to a fortnightly cadence with guests, and solo episodes.  Here is access to the Chip Souba article I reference,...

We’re interrupting our podcast season break because this week I’ll be speaking at the Global Offshore Wind conference in Manchester.   I’ll be inviting those in attendance to consider that as we transition away from extractive technologies and the associated ways of thinking and operating, so must we move to a more generative model of leadership. One that enables people and organisations to thrive...

Sarah joined TalkTalk in 2019 and has over 20 years experience in HR leadership, having previously worked for companies such as Centrica and Wheelabrator. Currently supporting TalkTalk through a demerger and period of significant change, Sarah is passionate about culture, belonging and employee experience. Sarah is married and a mum to two boys and counteracts her busy role with a variety of exerc...

Innovation in app the development the space is vital as consumers crave new and useful technologies. So, the ability to deliver differentiated and flexible customer experiences is a highly competitive market.  On today’s podcast I’ve delighted to be joined by Natalie Sheils who shares her story of Mosaic Group who build and acquire best-in-class app brands. To do this, they are dedicated to creati...

In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m joined by Pete Hamill, consultant and author of Embodied Leadership: The somatic approach to developing your leadership. We explore how we can develop a sense of embodiment and how it can help you as a leader become more effective.     Pete Hamill is a consultant, facilitator, and coach  with an international background in leadership, organisational developme...