An Unorthodox CEO

This week on An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats again with Sarah our HR Manager all about her trip to the CIPD Festival of Work. They explore the future of work, from AI in HR and supporting team through change to employee wellbeing and the workplace trends every business should be paying attention to. Plus, new employment laws everyone should be aware of! 00:00 Intro 01:35 What is the CIPD Festival of...

In this episode, Steve & Babatunde discuss architecture, entrepreneurship, learning from criticism, and why some of life's biggest setbacks can become your greatest opportunities. From growing up in Nigeria and moving to the UK for university, to facing redundancy, 18 months of job applications, and eventually building his own architecture business, Babatunde's story is one of resilience, dete...

On this weeks episode, Steve & Jason discuss Jason's journey from travelling the world after university to building a successful career as a commercial agent in the furniture industry. They explore the importance of customer service, what makes retailers and suppliers successful & the challenges of being an agent. Plus the episode also dives into Jason's passion for rugby coaching! 00:00 I...

In this weeks episode Steve chats with Jon our Logistics Manager all about his early job and love of football, to becoming Logistics Manager at Sussex Beds. Plus they talk about the challenges of the role, how delivery has changed over the years, the story behind Jon returning to SB and life outside of work! 00:00 Intro 02:08 Life growing up 04:30 Jons love for playing football  07:27 His fir...

This week, Steve sits down with Adam Hankinson to break down the psychology behind great sales, the 7 habits every salesperson should master, and what truly wins the sale. Plus, they chat about the top tips to help overcome barriers with customers! 00:00 Intro 01:43 How Adam got into the furniture industry 08:00 Why Adam went out on his own 08:46 Why Managers are key in store 11:06 Has they way we...

In this episode, listen as Steve is joined by Ollie Jeffs, CEO of The Pelham, to explore the powerful role community can play in changing lives. Ollie shares his journey to leading The Pelham, how the organisation is building meaningful connections, and the vital work they’re doing around suicide prevention. We also dive into the realities of running a purpose-driven organisation — from managing f...

A one-year special from An Unorthodox CEO! Listen as Steve & Vic as they chat through their past year of podcasting—from the journey to personal insights, funny moments, and everything in between. We will be back at the end of May, so keep an eye out for the start of season 4! 00:00 Intro  01:00 A big THANK YOU! 01:35 Some quick stats from our year 02:24 The podcast journey 10:10 Personal...

In this episode, listen as Steve chats with his friend Colin about his journey to working for HP, how he has navigated success & stress. Plus, find out how delegation and letting go allowed himself a better work life balance! 00:00 Intro 03:34 How Colin & Steve met 07:00 Colins journey to HP & his first Jobs 12:04 The job & friend that led Colin to the sales world 17:45 How Colin v...

On this weeks episode Steve chats with Andy Clarke one of our agents! Listen as they talk through his journey to becoming an agent, what life working in beds is like & how Andy has been on both the retail and agent side! Andy mentions the difficulties of being on the retail side but the enjoyment he got from it! Plus how his resilience led him to his first agent job! 00:00 Intro 01:08 There is...

Listen as Steve chats with Dr Nick about the focus on prevention in the healthcare industry, what is driving unhealthy lifestyles & the innovations happening within the industry! Plus, we chat about the importance of sleep and get some tips on ways to help you fall asleep quicker! 00:00 Intro 01:40 The links between exercise & health 05:00 Did Nick always want to be a doctor & his jour...

This week, Steve chats with Richard Cripps about life as a solicitor, the challenges of being a Managing Partner, and what it was like navigating the acquisition of Rix & Kay. Discover the differences between a Managing Partner and a Managing Director, hear how Richard balances pressure with leadership, and why some of the hardest decisions were also the right ones for the business. 00:00 Intr...

This week's episode, Steve chats with Oliver Towner all about what it's been like taking on a 150-year-old family-run business, the ins and outs of the funeral industry & its biggest misconceptions. Plus, Oliver shares what it was really like working his first funeral, navigating Covid & why sustainability is a growing factor in all funerals. 00:00 Intro 01:58 Growing up in a family busine...

This week on An Unorthodox CEO we are joined by Sarah Southerden Lee's wife and friend of Steve & Paula! Listen as Steve & Sarah chat all about how she found her way into finance & how she worked her way up. Plus, find out how Sarah met Lee & how many pairs of shoes she owns... 00:00 Intro 01:40 Sarahs life growing up 03:15 How she found her way into finance 08:15 Best part of Sara...

On this week's episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve chats with his friend Colin and original member of Sussex Beds all about what the business was like in the 80's and how its change to now. Plus, they chat about Colin's job in Windows, some contentious quickfire questions and how Steve & Colin work together on the Gangshow! 00:00 Intro 02:20 How Steve & Colin met 04:50 Why Colin ended up w...

On this weeks episode, Steve and Mark chat through his life before Sussex Beds and the jobs that led him into sales, how he has worked his way up with at Sussex Beds starting as a Sales Advisor and his journey to Regional Manager, plus how he de-stresses after work! Question: Ketchup on Lasagna? Yes or No... Let us know in the comments! 00:00 Intro 01:56 Life before Sussex Beds 04:38 How made his...

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats with Oliver Bowen all about the premium bed world. Oliver has been in the industry for over 20+, listen as they chat about how he got into the industry, the businesses he worked for and what he has learnt along the way. 00:00 Intro 01:50 How Oliver got into beds 05:50 His time at And So To Bed & why the business changed 11:00 Why looking for the...

We are back! Its 2026, and season 3 is here! Listen as Steve and Shane chat through why he decided to take the job at Sussex Beds, how he moved through the roles and when he finally found his right seat! Plus, like cooking steak? Listen for Shane's top tips! 00:00 Intro 01:31 Shanes life before Sussex Beds 04:00 How he ended up at Sussex Beds 05:55 Why did the initial job appeal to him 07:01 Worki...

Its our final episode of 2025! So we thought we would share with you our goals & aspirations for 2026. Listen as Steve and Victoria share their 2025 goals and if they completed them, plus their goals & the office team's goals for 2026. Have you got a goal? You can share with us in the reviews! 00:00 Intro 02:30 Goals & SB Meetings 03:20 Steve's Goals for 2025 03:30 Steves' 1st Goal 06:...

This week, Steve is joined by one of his best friends, Sam! Find out more about how they produce the Hastings Gangshow, Sam's family life and their joint love for amateur dramatics. Plus get a Gangshow exclusive! You can find out more here - https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/whats-on/event/hastings-gang-show-2026/ 00:00 Intro 02:05 Sam’s family & work life 06:40 The Hastings Gangshow & what...

Listen this week as Steve chats with Andrea Randall-Smith, the CEO of Little Gate. They talk all about the work and the people who make Little Gate a success, what it's like being a CEO for a charity and her escapes! Plus, find out how you can support Little Gate! 00:00 Intro 01:14 Andreas journey to CEO 04:00 Life & work before Little Gate 07:14 Andreas introduction to Little Gate 10:35 The p...

On this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, we chat with Joe, Grace's Fiancé, all about how he supports her, what it's like working with his family and how he is building a career for himself in the construction industry. Plus, find out how Joe ended up living with Steve & the Pickerings and their favourite memory together. 00:00 Intro 02:10 Growing up & School Life 05:53 College Courses & F...

On this weeks episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats to Rob Najair about how he turned his passion for sport & helping people into a career. Listen as they talk all about what it was like starting his own business, the importance of sleep for recovery, and how setting boundaries has created a better work-life balance! You can find more out about Najair Movement by following Rob on Instagram...

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve sits down with Lewis to talk about his journey from the football pitch to the furniture industry. From playing for Portsmouth to building a career in business, Lewis shares how resilience shaped his path and how he finds balance between home life and work! 00:00 Intro 02:30 Early life & journey into football 07:30 What its was like training with the...

Welcome back to Season 2 of An Unorthodox CEO! This week, we are joined by Paul Matthews, customer experience expert and director at Insight 6! Listen as Steve and Paul chat about where the opportunity for him to start his own business came from, how creating positive feelings for customers is so important and his highs and lows in business! Plus so much more! 00:00 Intro 02:10 Where Paul started...

An Unorthodox CEO is back and we kick off with the first episode next Wednesday at 8am! You don't want to miss it as we speak to more guests, some of our team and end the year with our goals for 2026! Want to be a guest dont forget you can leave a review or send us an email on anunorthodoxceo@sussexbeds.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.