Leaders with Ambition

​If you’re someone for whom the traditional university path hasn’t been the right fit, then this episode of Leaders with Ambition will speak directly to you. Nicky’s guest, Caroline Allen-Monaghan, shares the unique route she took to managing a global team as Director of International Accounting at a premier law firm. It’s a success story that Caroline could not have anticipated when she dropped o...

​Have you ever felt self-conscious at a networking event? For Roy Sexton, it has been a journey from standing awkwardly at his first Legal Marketing Association conference some years back to now being the organisation’s President-elect. In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky elicits fascinating insights from this dynamic marketing professional whose unique path to leadership within the le...

This episode of Leaders with Ambition features Rosie Le Gros, Global Business Development Director at Kennedys, who shares insights from her professional journey. Her focus and impressive track record are built on a fundamental desire to make a positive impact, even at the risk of disrupting the status quo. Rosie walks us through her earliest career moves. Back then, she had no idea that a random...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky’s guest demonstrates the power of passion, self-awareness and continuous growth. Senior Client Development Manager at Eversheds Sutherland, Dominic Ayres, shares both big-picture advice and foundational tactics for building and sustaining a career fuelled by genuine passion. Among other things, you’ll learn tips and insights from his new book, "How t...

This episode of Leaders with Ambition illustrates the power of being open to and taking advantage of opportunities. Verity Jackson-Grant, Head of Marketing and Business Development - Pricing at Simmons & Simmons, has enjoyed the chance to create and successfully pitch a job spec and business case tailored to her specific strengths and interests. How did she secure that opportunity? Through a m...

This episode of Leaders With Ambition features Bridget Uebel , a Marketing and Business Development professional whose unique mix of traits and skills have flourished on a global stage. As a Global Business Development and Marketing Leader, Bridget brings a rare depth of experience to leadership within the realm of legal services. As she explains to Nicky, the road has been varied, exciting and ch...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky’s guest, Rippan Vig, Director of Client & Strategic Development at Watson, Farley & Williams, shares her fascinating career journey that demonstrates the fluid way in which careers can evolve. Rippan has taken her law degree and related skills in unanticipated directions. How has she done it? By staying open, being authentic and bringing her...

​There’s no guaranteed path to career success, but Nicky’s guest on this episode of Leaders with Ambition illustrates a few key ingredients. Nick Wallis, a Partner and Head of Deal Advisory at Gerald Edelman, deployed a powerful combination of priorities in making his quick ascent: A strong work ethic, effective networking and eyes on the horizon. While it’s easy to get caught up in the next salar...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky speaks with Lucy Rao, who runs business development and marketing at Boodle Hatfield LLP. Lucy has established a practice within the practice, counselling fee earners at every level of the law firm in how to sharpen communications (listen, ask questions) and pitch business (words matter, nuance is essential.). This informative conversation covers ev...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky’s guest is Dave Gibson , Co-Founder & CEO of Blu Sky Chartered Accountants. A key theme in this episode is how Dave owes his dynamic management style, not to a single source of inspiration, but to lessons learned at every juncture along his path – from observing the power in his father’s quiet authority to pioneering in the IT space, to navigatin...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky sits down with Penny Newman, HR Consultant and previously Chief People Officer, at Lewis Silkin. Penny was one of the first females to attend Keble College, Oxford and she become an ACA Qualified Accountant at Deloitte during a time when there were very few female chartered accountants. In this episode, they discuss Penny’s early life, her greatest r...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky sits down with Leor Franks, Business Development & Marketing Director at Kingsley Napley. Leor takes us on the journey of his illustrious 20-year career that combines his love for journalism and building high-performing teams. Despite building a distinguished career, Leor openly shares his wins and struggles with imposter syndrome.  Leor is...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky sits down with Lorraine Gibson, the current Business Development Director, UK, US & EMEA at Herbert Smith Freehills. They discuss the importance of bringing your authentic self to the office and working hard to achieve your career goals. Lorraine shares her experiences within the various roles she has had and talks about the importance of knowing...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky speaks with Karen Snell, Head Of Marketing and Business Development, Clients & Industries at Hogan Lovells. Karen shares her career journey within legal marketing and BD as well as the challenges and highlights along the way. Karen notes how she was able to thrive by seizing the opportunities that came her way, demonstrating passion for her work...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky talks with Brian Johnson , Partner at UHY Hacker Young . Brian shares his career journey within insolvency as well as the practical lessons that can be adopted to foster career growth and success. Brian also talks about his passion for the job, while noting the challenges faced by insolvency professionals, with particular emphasis on the importance...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky sits down with Paul Davies , Business Restructuring and Insolvency Partner from James Cowper Kreston , who talks us through his unorthodox career path to becoming a Partner and some of his highlights. Paul shares the challenges he has faced along the way and offers actionable advice to new and potential Insolvency Practitioners. He also talks about t...

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky sits down with Marie Wadeson, Managing Director at Quantuma, to discuss her career path from BD & Marketing to Partner to Managing Director. With an emphasis on her determination and drive, Marie explains the mindset she adopted that ultimately resulted in her success, sharing key points from her challenges and career lessons that she learnt alon...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky talks to Sarah Draper, Partner and Head of People and Culture at Rider Levett Bucknall. They discuss Sarah’s journey within Human Resources (HR), the challenges she’s faced and what she has learned from her numerous HR experiences. Sarah explains how her hard work and determination has led to her success – she realised that making a difference in ot...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky talks with Paul Davis, a Partner at the corporate recovery and restructuring firm, Buchler Phillips.  Paul describes his experience so far as a specialist Insolvency Practitioner and highlights pivotal points in his career that defined his success as well as the challenges he has overcome. Also discussed is the impact of the ongoing pandemic on...

​In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky sits down with Katie Cramond, the current Director of Business Development Europe at McDermott Will & Emery. Together they talk women in the workplace, being authentic in your leadership style, the importance of coaching and how Katie got to where she is today.  Throughout their conversation, Katie shares how a chance encounter at a festiva...

Leaders with Ambition is the podcast that delves deep into the careers of some of the UK’s most successful leaders working in professional services firms to discover the secrets behind their success, the challenges they’ve overcome and to find out what are the traits that make a successful leader. In this episode, Nicky talks to Nick O’Reilly, Chief Operating Officer at Manolete Partners Plc, a re...