Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE

Ashok Gupta- has accrued a wealth of experience as Chairman, CEO & NED to Insurance & Tech start-ups. He has played key roles in building several highly successful financial services businesses, both traditional (The Phoenix Group, Old Mutual Wealth, SJPC) and digital (EValue, propertyfinder.com, Rocketer). He has also been highly influential in the turn-around of several large organisations (Scottish Amicable, Old Mutual Asset Management). As a result, his expertise is increasingly drawn-on by policymakers to advise on and in helping to effect change to industry sectors (Bank of England, PLSA).  Ashok said – “Life shaped me – I had an unusual childhood as 1 of only 2 x Asian men in a very bigoted town in Northern Ireland (my father was the other). I had a very isolate childhood, so I struggled to find role models from my local community to learn from. So I was drawn to people like Gandhi & Mandela. In my business career I worked with some fantastic successful leaders - Mark Weinberg & Mike Wilson (created Allied Dunbar & St James Place). Also with Hugh Osmond (created Punch Taverns, Pizza Express & Phoenix Group), Andy Haldane Chief Economist Bank of England, Paul Bradshaw (created Skandia).Paul & I shared the view that there are 2 types of entrepreneurs: 1. Those who want to build a great business that delivers something customers really value, and through this make money 2. Those who just want to make money. The difference between the two is hugeLearning from Mistakes – I made the same one twice. Unforgivable. Confronted situations in too assertive, emotional & uncompromising a way. It was totally counterproductive. Top Tip - CEO shine a light beam those they interact with – this can have either a positive or negative impact. What impact do you want yours to have?#InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #InclusiveLeadership #Boards #Diversity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Monekosso Cleal acts as an advisor, board member or mentor to organisations and individuals who want to make positive change happen. He brings a wealth of experience in leadership and strategy gained from 30 years working in both private and public sectors.  During 16 years as a partner at PwC, the global professional services firm, he held a range of leadership positions including at main board level in both the UK and Africa practices. He’s led and grown successful businesses within PwC such as the Government & Public Sector practice and Africa Business Group. Alongside his client work in corporate finance and consulting Paul also led PwC’s Human Resources function through a period of substantial change.  Paul has been widely recognised externally for his work promoting diversity in business and as a senior role model and been a member of the Government’s Social Mobility Commission, among other non-executive roles which currently include Kingston University (Vice Chair of the Board), National Citizen Service Trust and Sainsbury’s Foundation Advisory Board. He’s also a member of the Premier League Equality Standard Assessment Panel and has a variety of other informal advisory and mentoring roles. He holds an MBA from London Business School. Paul’s latest appointment is as a NED at Guys & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust which is the most significant NED role he’s had. Its special as that was where his father did his medical studies from 1948 to 1955.Paul Monekosso Cleal is highly successful by anybody’s standard - promoted at 40 onto PWC main board as People Partner. Deputy Chair, University of Kingston & Board Member, National Citizen’s Trust - community, social mobility & higher education. Paul’s Leadership Tenets: 1. Integrity - being honest with people. Is there a good reason not to share information? 2. Clarity - Create & communicate the vision so everyone understands 3. Inclusive Leadership. Stop exclusion. Teaching Diversity, Equality & Inclusivity Premier League. 4. Lack of Understanding. People who don’t think like you do. Paul has great courage & humility. Looking back on when he got it wrong & he could have communicated better: 1. I should have checked - do they really understand and have you listened? 2. Making it logical doesn’t account for people’s emotional reactions to change. Paul and his wife Suzanne Cleal use mentoring & coaching. Paul‘s Inspirational father was a leader & key figure in Africa’s World health organisation (WHO). Paul got advice from his Father before he died – “always take people with you”.#InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #Inspiringleadershiptrust #InclusiveLeadership #Diversity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Gray is a Senior Partner at Control Risks (one of the world’s leading business risk consulting companies) having had a fast stream, highly successful military career & left after commanding The 1st Battalion The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders with action in the Iraq War. As a result he was awarded the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) in 2004.He found that a lot of adjustment and learning was needed to transition from the military to a Professional Services Firm (PSF) in 2005. Since this interview Jonny has been selected to be the first CEO of the global Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) from February 2020. He looks forward to working with all involved in world tennis to grow and develop the TIU into a broader-based integrity organisation for professional tennis. In Control Risks he had leadership consulting roles in EMEA & the Americas based in LA. He was then Head of Sales & Marketing for the Americas and finished up as Global Head of Sports and Major Events based back in London.  For Jonny he admires Inspiring Leaders like General Sir David Richards (Lord Richards now) & General Sir Nick Carter plus former Control Risks’ CEO Richard Fenning. He learnt to thrive in a complex matrix management structure with reporting lines by function, geography and client. Having done an MPhil at Cambridge in the Army, Control Risks invested in sending him to Harvard Business School for two PSF courses. Also training at the UK Institute of Directors helped him to “be less rough around the edges”. Leading in a PSF is about normally leading from back and only occasionally from the front - depending on circumstances. He learnt to create the environment for others to succeed. The challenge is to “Empower & Enable” your teams (sometimes 3,000 miles away) and yet you understand them and what it takes. He realised you need a lot of humility. What Jonny got wrong in leadership. It’s about constant learning. Jonny said - my DNA was to lead and be at front - that is often NOT what is required. Rather to be “a producing manager” who sells and leads by example while empowering others to stretch for success. Top tip - You lead people; you manage resources. #InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #InclusiveLeadership #Boards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nathan is a 30-year-old aspiring Entrepreneur in the fitness industry. He owns a gym in Grantham, Lincolnshire and has a passion for people, building relationships and creating or providing solutions. He has been a Personal Trainer for the last 8 years. This has given him experience working in large commercial gyms, small gyms and managing small fitness facilities. Nathan is the creator of the Ladies Only Studio - A Personal Training gym for Ladies that are put off by less personal/supportive larger gyms (founded Oct-2017). He is also the creator of Fit Pod 25 - Taking the experience of Personal Training to a level yet to be seen, 2 prototypes currently being used, seeking funding to expand. He says: “I am leadership and culture minded with a passion for designing solutions and have experience in designing and managing projects from concept to market”.  Nathan was Personal Trainer to myself and my family. Very open about his shyness and obesity with a food addiction, working as a car mechanic. “You become like the 5 people you spend most time with throughout your life”. He was sleep deprived with no focus and discipline. No positive influences or role models until he met a friend called Lee Maples. He was a fitness fanatic and driven and Nathan was the opposite. He showed me what it was like to take care of yourself and value yourself. Took me on a bike ride after 3 years of pestering me. Nathan was 300lbs (20.5 stone) no strength or endurance. He drank 20 pints of larger a week 4 nights of drinking a week smoking 20 cigarettes a day and 3 hours of sleep. First ride was 20 miles. Lee was supportive and Non-Judgemental, and they cycled every weekend and abused his body – drinking, eating, gaming and driving cars and getting pulled over and sectioned by the police.Every Saturday in the midst of this poor lifestyle he went riding with Lee – Nathan didn’t want to let him down. Don’t give up on people – mates. Cycled for 5 years from 19 onwards every weekend. Then started going to the gym. Many give up after 2 months in the gym – low stamina and discipline.As a trainer now Nathan doesn’t want to let his clients down and they don’t want to let him down. Kept a promise to himself and a little bit of belief. Stay patient and stay the course – something better will happen. James Clear Atomic Habits compounding improvements. Nathan was addicted to various things and it shifted from food and alcohol and smoking to gym training. Instantly dropped fat and felt better – clothes less tight. Treadmill running made him pant so he couldn’t run and pressure to sort out at 19. Feeling good yet still didn’t have sufficient belief that anyone will like him. In pit “I don’t believe in myself so why would anyone else?”Obesity in UK – Obese rates from 1988 14% grown to 2019 - now 37%.Nathan traded one addiction for another – obsess about gym body and more committed than others. Muscle bound body - could run and lift but still didn’t like himself. You can control your own thoughts and actions – you can’t control anyone else’s.Never complain - never apologise!Never read any books – watched videos on brain and health and fitness.Away from and towards motivations.From Mechanic to Personal TrainerMr Burrows at school wrote Nathan off. Now teachers encourage studentsFAIL = First Attempt In LearningMotivation – if your overcome a hurdle – Reticular Activating System – spot it elsewhereHelping others. Working all day long and buzzing from a sense of Purpose.Trainer and now Ladies only StudioGreat stories and advice for us all Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Fenning is a Senior Adviser at risk consultancy. He advises a number of the firm’s long-standing clients and provides counsel to the firm’s leadership. He joined Control Risks in 1993 and was CEO from 2005 until 2019, when he was succeeded by Nick Allan. During his tenure as CEO, Richard oversaw the significant growth of Control Risks’ business, a substantial increase in the firm’s geographic footprint and a comprehensive enlargement of the range of services provided to an increasingly diverse global client base.In 2016 Richard led the firm through a complex and successful management buy-out, establishing Control Risks as a corporate partnership and ensuring the on-going independence of the firm. He is a regular speaker and media commentator on geo-politics, international security and risk issues.Prior to being appointed CEO, he was chief operating officer and head of the firm’s New York office. He now divides his time between Singapore and London.Richard has an honours degree in Modern History from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and in 2004 attended the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD business school in France. Richard is now building his skills as a Leadership Coach. He spoke of growing up in the 1960s in Doncaster, Yorkshire. His parents were both from working class backgrounds and instilled in him clear values of hard work and self-reliance. His father served in a Lancaster crew in Bomber Command during World war two while still in his late teens although he rarely talked about it. This experience in part gave him the determination to build a successful family business. Richard has deliberately not tried to emulate his father’s tough, uncompromising management style! Richard joined Control Risks in the early drawn by a clear fascination with how geo-politics and security impact international business. This has afforded him a fascinating insight into how senior executives approach risk: some are over cautious, others reckless while a find that right balance between sensible prudence and bold ambition.  We spoke of Brexit and the mood in the world. In particular, the lack of inspiring political leadership and why politics is now such an unappealing career. But Richard is optimistic about the next generation of leaders in business military, civil and voluntary sector – people of exceptional quality . The environmental movement suggests that there is no absence of leadership among the  younger generation with their vision and determination. We talked about inspiring Leaders –in particular Richard’s friend Roelf Meyer, one of the architects along with now South African President  Cyril Ramaphosa of post-Apartheid South Africa. Roelf is a clear example of both clear political vison and personal moral courage. In the business world, the job of CEO was to lead from behind in good times and let others step forward. But when things don’t go so well, then you need to lead from the front  As CEO running a consultancy or professional services firm – you are acutely aware that your people are your product. Your brand and reputation relies on the quality of thousands of human interactions all over the world every single day.  And you are hiring people often not for their general business skills but for very specific individual expertise. You need to recognise that deploying this expertise is what fundamentally motivates them. They may be interested in the overall success of the firm but this is not their primary motivation. And high degrees of expertise are often accompanied by quirky personality traits!  The best example of someone who can lead a team of highly talented individuals, working against the odds as a very successful team over a very sustained period of time is Mick Jagger – not an obvious example but worth thinking about! The biggest danger to success is the myth of the super-human- CEO who can single-handedly transform huge organisations – its profoundly wrong and they can’t. CEOs who have started to believe their own cultish propaganda  should be on the top right hand corner of any risk register.  Richard’s next phase will be as a coach to senior executives honing his ability to listen with purpose mindful of the investment banking executive who remarked: “We don’t listen around here, we just reload!” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 11 Jonathan’s Review of the First Month.Those interviewed so far:1. Lt General Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE - Deputy Chief of The General Staff2. Alison Nimmo - CEO Crown Estate
3. Major General Paul Nanson CBE - Commandant Sandhurst 4. Philippa Snare - CMO Facebook
5. Jorge Mendonca DSO - Exec Director Grosvenor Developments and successful Army Officer6. Anna Hemmings OLY MBE Olympian 25 Nov7. Alistair Kett - Adjutant 1 RRF & Partner PwC8. Brigadier James Richardson MBE - CEO Haig Housing Trust and former Comd 49 BrigadeGreat stories. anecdotes & leadership lessons. Common themes - all have had tough jobs & careers, displayed courage, humility & Discipline. They are reflective life long learners who admit to their mistakes, act as coaches to their own teams & display impressive resilience.Also, I shared lessons from my CEO coaching & Team coaching around Self & mutual awareness, trust & vulnerability.#InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #Boards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Air Marshal (Retd) Sir Graham Stacey KBE CB is a former Royal Air Force Regiment Officer. He was the Chief of Staff of NATO Allied Command Transformation until July 2018. Prior to that, in a series of major international appointments, he was the deputy commander of NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum, the commander of British Forces Cyprus and the UK Senior Advisor to US Central Command. Previously he was Director Joint Warfare at the UK Permanent Joint Force Headquarters (PJHQ) and for a number of years, as a secondary role, was the lead mentor and director of the RAF’s Senior Leadership Development Programme. He commanded at every level and saw operational service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, the Gulf, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He continues to be active in the fields of leadership and organisational development, innovation, the application of emerging and disruptive technologies, C2 and decision making in multinational environments and international analysis, strategy and policy in a variety of consultant, director and NED positions.As an RAF Regiment Officer, he served on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. For him his first defining moment was as his very steep learning curve a young 21 year old Officer leading 38 tough RAF Soldiers. He was always prepared to volunteer for doing the different and unusual jobs; such as an exchange officer in Indonesia & NI Research Agency. His break came with being selected to join the personal staff of Carl Bildt in Bosnia - the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and a crucial special envoy and mediator. Carl was an unusual, unassuming, quiet and bright Inspiring Leader. In Graham’s experience leaders come in every size, shape, gender and background. It is crucial to “Be YOU”. In Kabul Graham was inspired by a colleague who worked for him called Paula – she was a young female RAF Officer running the busiest airfield in the world. Also, Graham worked for and became a close friend of Air Marshal Sir Stu Peach who became Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Stu is now Chairman of The NATO Military Committee. Graham chose General Joe Dunford US Marines who inspires by his skills: quiet, listens, considers your views, treats everyone as special, politically astute and yet decisive. Joe had a special blend of Soldier, Diplomat, Philosopher and States-person. He was adept at handling difficult relationships and matrix organisations. When discussing Graham’s own mistake and learning he reflected on his time as 2 * Commander of Cyprus. His view is you learn every day and try to improve. In the Cyprus case “One of my Unit Commanders had been accusations of bullying, harassment and inappropriate treatment of his subordinates”. As he was months from the end of 39 years’ service I was encouraged, against my better judgement to allow him a dignified departure. I was in a dilemma – do I not dismiss him, but rather move him for his last few months? Ironically, he in turn was ungrateful and made slanderous accusations against me and my staff. I learnt – “Trust your instincts”.#InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #RAF #Boards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“If you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory"Colonel (Retd) Tim Collins OBE delivered the now infamous speech to his troops of the 1st Royal Irish Battle Group on the eve of battle in Iraq, March 2003. Such was the notoriety of this particular address it is believed that a copy of the speech hung in the Oval Office of the White House. From the moment Tim Collins' speech in Iraq was made public, Collins became a hero and an inspiration to world leaders and infantrymen alike.Tim was commissioned into the Army and joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers in Berlin. He took command of the 1st Royal Irish in the aftermath of the Sierra Leone hostage crisis. After completing several tours including Northern Ireland and the Falklands, he became aide to the UN Chief of Staff in Cyprus. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Tim took on the role of Project Director for the Peace Support Training Centre in Sarajevo, before returning to HQ Land Command with responsibility for training. Tim Collins' book, Rules of Engagement, was published in 2005.Tim is a naturally inspiring speaker, combining extensive experience of active service with broad knowledge of military and political history. An authority on teamwork, leadership and motivation, his speeches show a clear parallel between military problem solving and the challenges faced by leaders in any walk of life.Tim's philosophy can be summed up in a handful of rules. Know what your objectives are and have a plan; pick the right team; make sure everyone has a role and that it has been communicated clearly to them; understand your responsibilities as leader but learn to trust your team.Tim has fantastic stories & experience. He served 3 tours with the SAS and UK Special Forces.Now Tim is a Chairman as a Business Leader providing subject matter experts around the world. He’s more inspired by US General than UK Generals. For Tim the best of inspirational UK leaders were his two COs of the Special Air Service (SAS). The first was General Cedric Delves – “a man of few words, deep intellect and a great leader who we emulated”. Also he admired General Rupert Pritchard who he said was “a man with an unfailing moral compass to stand up to politicians and who said no with courage”. Another inspiring leader was General John Allen ISAF Comd. “General John was a gentleman and fine leader - we so wanted to please him”. When I asked about his mistakes he was reflective. He remembered the bullies & psychopaths he worked with. A lesson for Tim was failing to see failure, or inability in others soon enough. He recalled his mistake was not stepping in early enough to confront and stop mistakes. In business his motto was “don’t be overly trusting or get taken advantage of. Don’t follow false prophets who promise work that never materialises or who use you!”Tim’s Top Tips - know what needs to be done. Refine and clarify Purpose and Structure. Tell others, then build organisation around that clear purpose. Get the best talent you can afford behind your purpose. Spirit of ownership. Communications is vital to flow both ways. Let them get on with it. He ended with some hilarious tips on coping with psychopaths. #Courage #InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born into a Military family and living and being educated in 8 different state and military schools around the globe. Brigadier James Richardson enlisted as a Junior Soldier aged 16 in the Army. Joining the Royal Corps of Signals in June 1978 at the Army Apprentices College in Harrogate he trained as an Electronics Technician. He graduated as a Lance Corporal and was assigned to 259 Signal Squadron stationed in Cyprus. At Harrogate he was identified as a potential officer and embarked on this career path part way through his first assignment, entering the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1984. He returned to the Royal Signals and started his commissioned career based in York. During his early commissioned years he led troops in various roles including Arctic Warfare and played rugby and athletics to Army level. He gained his MA in International Relations from King’s College London. He promoted through Command and Staff appointments, attending Advanced Staff College and Royal College of Defence Studies, including Command of 49th East Brigade, The Deputy Military Secretary and he retired from the Army as Commander of all UK Military Garrisons in Germany. He was awarded MBE after prolonged and multiple tours of Bosnia in 1997 and the US Bronze Star after his leadership in chairmanship of the Patraeus ‘Brains Trust’ and authorship of the Strategic withdrawal and stabilisation plan for Iraq in 2007.James joined Haig Housing Trust as its Chief Executive directly on the merging of the two Haig charities in November 2013 into a single entity providing family and single veterans housing and sourcing and adapting homes for our life changing wounded.Jim rose quickly through the ranks, like two other inspiring Royal Signals Leaders John Stokoe CB CBE & John Griffin. The motto he adopted was: “Find a job you love & you'll never work a day in your life”. His calling is helping the charity to cherish veterans and their families in housing need. His influential leaders are: Field Marshal Lord (Mike) Walker and General Sir Nick Parker then General David Petraeus US Army. His inspiring story was about David Petraeus in 2006 in Iraq during the Civil War. What was powerful was the courage in his own conviction. Jim worked closely with General HR McMaster – in Patraeus’ Brains Trust. James admired the General’s ability for holding your nerve when others are risk averse. Jim’s story of learning from his mistakes was a comparatively minor one. He regretted being encouraged by others to tease a soldier on his rapid promotion as a technician. He learnt that he got it wrong and didn’t do what was right. Since then he trusts his own judgement more by seeking respect and avoiding popularity. James’ Top tip - “Situational Awareness” - everyone needs to know what’s going on and know they are empowered to play their part with a shared common picture/ vision. #InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #InclusiveLeadership #Boards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alistair Kett is one of PwC’s top Industrial Products Consulting Partners based in London.His 7 years of military experience as a British Infantry Army Officer, plus his 22 years commercial experience make a powerful combination. His PwC specialties are operations consulting expertise covering: cost-based transformation, operating model design and transformation; procurement and supply chain optimisation; complex transformation programme leadership and deal support/project financing. Alistair has deep domain knowledge in the industrial products sector with specific expertise in manufacturing, oil field services. aerospace, defence, transportation and logistics. He was promoted in 2008 to PwC Partner at a young age had a fascinating time as a working in the Middle East in countries like Iraq and Gulf States. His earliest leadership experience was forged in the British Army as an Infantry Officer in The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF). I’ve known him 20 years from our first days in PwC and find his leaders insights and practices very insightful and inspiring. He learnt from some of the finest leaders such as General Paul Nanson (Commandant RMAS) who was a fellow officer senior to him. We had wide discussions on: Millennials, moral integrity, authenticity, vulnerability and how to motivate people are shrewd. Toxic environments with misaligned goals, inauthenticity and lost trust are too common in various businesses. Beware business “White Collar psychopaths” – if a leader’s moral compass wavers, then you get: bullying, self-serving and dishonest behaviours. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is key when blended with Moral Integrity and then you will get fine inspiring leaders.True mantra about “the loneliness of leadership” and often find yourself working in the dark. Is so then “ensure your moral compass has a backlight”. Alistair was frequently promoted in the Army and PwC at an early age and his advice was to balance 3 elements: The Beast, Theatre and Real-World components. Focus on real world value-adding activities.Top Tip – remember you have choice how to interact with people, what decisions to make and be prepared to try something new.#InspiringLeadership #leadership #CEOs #MotivationalSpeaker #teamcoach #InclusiveLeadership #Boards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.