The Leader Insights Series Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In our third episode this series the focus is all about the future of the workplace. I was delighted to chat with Julia Darvill, Regional Director at Puratos, and Louisa Hogarty, Group HR Director at Noble Foods.

Julia is an experienced leader who cares a lot about legacy and the impact this will have on those in the workplace. Having worked within the drinks industry at organisations such as Molson Coors and Britvic, Julia then went on to join Puratos in 2015. She is now the Regional Director for UK & Ireland, setting their vision and strategic direction in the ever-competitive and evolving bakery ingredients arena.

Louisa is a proven and experienced HR leader who has a keen eye on the future workplace. Her track record since graduating from University in 2006 includes working with SSP, Rail Gourmet, GU Puds, G4S, Wyevale Garden Centres and for the past 8 years as Group HRD with the Family owned, Noble Foods.

In this episode, we delve into how the workplace is changing giving our best insights into what the future workplace will look like, feel like and importantly what employees will truly value in the future. Through the conversation we discuss many topics including the skills people need to support their changing careers moving forwards especially with the rise of the “green collar worker”. We recap on how the pandemic changed our routines and what we value – and how this is shifting again now as we embrace advancements like AI as part of our future.

We also focus on the growing importance of sustainability and how this is impacting roles and objectives across organisations, as well as why it is important to build neurodiverse teams and change the conversation and culture around hiring for neurodiversity in organisations.

I hope you like this epsiode and, as ever, if you’d like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jonathan.ohagan@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Enjoy!

In our second episode this series the focus is all about innovation.

I was delighted to chat with Sarah Munday, European Head of Research and Development at Innocent Drinks and Rachel Chatterton, Head of Food and Beverage Development at Holland and Barrett.

Sarah has over 25 years of experience working in the food and drink industry, specifically focusing on new product development and innovation. She has made a career out of bringing household names to market working for companies such as Hain Daniels Group, Mizkan and now Innocent Drinks.

Rachel brings years of experience launching market leading new product development with nationally and globally recognised brands such as Starbucks, Gousto and Marks and Spencer. She now works with Holland and Barrett to lead their food and beverage development strategy.

In this episode, we focus on innovation. Through the conversation we discuss the importance of timing in new product development, the impact food security is having on the market and how AI and data are influencing the innovation process.  

We also cover the biggest threats to innovation right now, what the upcoming trends in the food and drink industry are and how you should approach failure.

I hope you like this epsiode and, as ever, if you’d like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jonathan.ohagan@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Enjoy!

This week it was a genuine pleasure to chat with Mark Golder, Managing Director of the Children’s Healthy Food Brand and Manufacturer, Organix Brands.

Mark and I have a wide ranging conversation, firstly covering his own career journey, understanding his biggest influences and drawing out some invaluable advice you can hopefully apply in your own career.

Mark shares with us the world of Organix Brands, their 30-year journey to this point and what Mark and the team are focused on to deliver the next 30 years of growth. As always, I probe Mark for his thoughts on Leadership and draw out his keys that have held him in good stead when leading teams to success.

Finally and above all, what you’ll hopefully takeaway is a sense that Mark is an incredibly humble, positive and curious leader who is driven by making a difference. The insight and clarity of thinking Mark provides, I believe, will be valuable to many.

Be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Enjoy!

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking to the inspiring Alison Payne. Alison is the People Director at COOK Trading limited.

For anyone not Familiar COOK Trading, founded in 1997, they are a privately owned ready meals producer with more than 90 shops around the UK, a thriving home delivery business and a network of concessions in like-minded retailers. Most crucially though, they remain the same values centric, purpose-driven business that the co-founders Ed & Dale set out with. They are certified by the Living Wage Foundation AND in 2013 became a founding B-Corp member.

Alison herself is an accomplished HR and People professional and as you’ll hear Alison embodies the values and principles that COOK is built on, she gives us real insight into what makes COOK COOK…

We talk about her own personal approach to creating harmony and finding that all important work/ life balance including role modelling the right behaviours.

We uncover some of the initiatives of how COOK became the No1. Best Food & Drink company to work for in the Sunday Times Best Companies list. Alison also lets us in on what they are focused on right now, including financial wellbeing initiatives and much much more…

Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Enjoy!

We’re excited to introduce the next instalment of the Podcast featuring Violetta Stevens– the Managing Director for Union Hand-Roasted Coffee. So Violeta was a joy to talk with. As a leader, she’s very clear on her values and principles...

In our discussion you will hear how her passions lye in building sustainable, purpose-driven business models that add value to every link in the supply chain. Union Hand Roast Coffee are a shining example of how business done properly is not only the right thing to do, but is also a more resilient way to reach profitability.

As an avid learner, Violetta talks about how curiosity, routine and investing in self learning has helped her in her own career journey. Violetta highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and finally, she shares her own secrets to great leadership and what skills aspiring leaders will need to develop for the future.

Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Enjoy!

For this episode, I was delighted to have had the opportunity to talk with the highly engaging Tim Roberts.

After seeing Tim at a ‘Coaching Culture’ conference I was really impressed, and so I couldn't resist inviting him onto the Podcast.

Tim is an Emotional Intelligence coach who delivers leadership coaching for Leaders who want to become the best version of themselves.

As well as being the Founder of Enthuse Coaching and Training, on the 29th April Tim will be publishing his first highly anticipated book called “Break the Mould” which we talk about in the episode.

With over 20 years of Leadership experience in various sectors, Tim’s coaching work includes clients such as the NHS, global digital brands, Housing Associations, Premier League Football Clubs and entrepreneurial start-ups.

Tim is himself a very authentic, ‘people first’ leader who brilliantly communicates what I think, are crucial behaviours and skills that all leaders need to develop to become successful in today’s world.

It was an absolute pleasure chatting with Tim and we wish him every success with his book launch. Please visit www.enthusecoaching.com for more information and to purchase your copy of the book. 

Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Roger Saul. 

If you’re not familiar with Roger Saul, he is the founder of the iconic UK fashion brand Mulberry and in more times he’s transitioned into the wonderful world of Food founding Sharpham Park, the home of British Spelt!

A truly fascinating conversation with someone who can only be described as a ‘bit of a legend’ from the world of fashion.

Roger is a natural storyteller and straight away, he takes us on an incredible journey from early origins of Mulberry, the growth, the adversity, the highs and also sets backs along the way. Listen in and you’ll hear how, as an early 20 something in the 70’s he pushed through his fears, developed great resilience all the while constantly innovating and ultimately learning the power of creating a true brand.

During this episode we also talk about his new venture - Sharpham Park, which again in it’s own right has an incredible story and a bright future ahead which will shortly see the launch of a new, category changing Spelt drink!

Be sure to check out The Mentors Club - new for 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Finally, our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Enjoy!

We're excited to share this week's featured guest Jonathan Reed – the Managing Director for UK-based privately-owned coffee company Paddy & Scott’s.

An authentic, honest and down-to-earth leader, Jonathan along with Paddy & Scott are on a mission to revolutionise how coffee is traded around the world, and using coffee as a vehicle for change.

Jonathan and I had a really interesting chat – starting with his journey in food and drink and how his entrepreneurial spirit led him to Paddy & Scott’s. We discussed the traits and attributes that have helped him along the way and the importance of making teams feel like they’re part of a community. 

Jonathan is really open and honest with us, even giving us a little personal story about losing 11 stone in 12 months. We touch upon Paddy & Scott’s incredible social initiatives, how they do business differently and its impact on attracting and retaining the best talent.

Join us as we discuss what good leadership looks like to Jonathan, his top book recommendations, his future ambitions and the importance of adding a personal touch – be it in recruitment or customer service.

Here are some key topics we discussed through the episode:

• 02:15 Jonathan’s journey in Food and Drink
• 09:57 Traits and attributes that helped him succeed
• 15:18 History and background of Paddy & Scott’s
• 29:05 What does good leadership look like
• 36:05 Skills and attributes that aspiring leaders should develop

Be sure to check out The Mentors Club - new for 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Finally, our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

Excited to share this week's guest Giovanni Ghisetti – the Managing Director for snack manufacturer, Eat Natural who are now owned by Ferrero.

An experienced and charismatic business leader, Giovanni has very clear and people-focused principles of leadership. His style is a blend of ‘Economics and Psychology’ which has allowed him to understand how people think. He leads with what he calls ‘Knowledge Authority’- always behaving with authenticity and respect.

In this episode, Giovanni and I discuss what attracted him back to FMCG after a successful period working for some of the largest blue-chips in the world. He tells us it was the combination of his love for tech with the emotional connection you get from food that led him back to this dynamic industry.

You will really get a sense of Giovanni's passion for people and cultural diversity through this episode as we dive into his main motivations and the pivotal moments in his life (both positive and negative).

Join us as we walk about food innovation, career advice, merger & acquisition advice, effective leadership traits and the importance of building trust and how he keeps people engaged and motivated.

Here are some key topics we discussed through the episode:

• 06:54 Traits and attributes that led to Giovanni’s success
• 10:34 Giovanni’s main motivations and his ‘WHY’
• 12:40 What does good leadership looks like?
• 23:18 What does good M&A look like
• 33:50 Economics and Psychology

Be sure to check out The Mentors Club - new for 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Finally, to take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit our sponsor on: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Craig Davis – the Head of Grocery & E-Commerce at Muller Dairy UK & Ireland.

Having known Craig for over 10 years I've watched him progress his career at an impressive rate and so, I was keen to invite him to the show and pick his brains on his career, his leadership principles and much much more! 

In this discussion, Craig offers up some genuine thought-provoking ideas and whatever stage in your career, I’m confident you’ll take something away. Craig talks passionately about comfort zones, how breadth in his career has been pivotal for his success. We delve into his early career, his views on leadership and the principles that guide him.

Finally, we also get his thoughts on some of the wider challenges the industry needs to tackle in order to attract and retain the best talent to our sector.

Here are some key topics we discussed through the episode:

• 07:09 Traits and attributes that led to Craig’s success
• 13:35 Craig’s motivations and his ‘WHY’
• 19:32 What does good leadership looks like?
• 22:08 Craig’s personal top 3 leadership principles
• 23:34 Leaders of the future
• 25:13 Current and future industry challenges

Be sure to check out The Mentors Club - new for 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub

Finally, to take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit our sponsor on: www.obviouscandidate.com

Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com