Better Under Pressure

Today, I'm having a conversation with Adam Garfunkel, a true pioneer in the world of sustainability. With an impressive 35-year career dedicated to creating positive change, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. As a former campaigner and communications advisor, Adam has been at the forefront of driving sustainable practices across various industries. Now, as the co-owner of Junxion Strategy, an international consultancy firm, he is on a mission to help leaders shape the success stories of the purpose economy. Beyond his remarkable professional accomplishments, Adam's personal life is equally fascinating. Married with two daughters, he calls north London his home, where his family roots run deep. When he's not working towards a sustainable future, Adam finds joy in indulging in delicious food, cheering on his favourite football team, and cold-water swimming adventures.  During our conversation, Adam shares: What he learnt from Mr Patni while working in a vegetarian Indian restaurant.  The importance of striving for something magnificent that makes the world a better place.  What he gets from plunging into open water at three degrees above zero.

Today I’m talking to Lesley Paterson, a professional triathlete who’s represented Great Britain and has a dozen medals as well as a film producer with an Oscar-winning film under her Belt. Having started competing in triathlons aged just 16, Lesley combined her competing with a degree and then a master's in Drama. Her triathlon career has not been without setbacks, having contracted Lymes disease in her 30s and, famously winning one triathlon with a shoulder she had broken just the day before. That particular experience dovetails neatly with her passion for drama and her most recent triumph as screenwriter and producer of the multi-award-winning Netflix film, All Quiet On The Western Front – made despite (or perhaps because of) countless pressures. In our conversation, Lesley also shares… *What she learnt as a child from being the only girl playing rugby with 250 boys  *The importance of physically connecting with the land, mud and dirt.  *Why she was glad she had done her one-arm swimming training. 

Today I’m talking to Dr Mandy Lehto, a former investment banker who, as Director at a global investment bank, worked in Fixed Income Sales covering hedge funds and central banks.  She has a doctorate from Cambridge University and, since leaving the banking world, has coached senior executive women around the world, as well as becoming a columnist for Psychologies magazine and having work published in the Times, Forbes, Psychology Today and The Huffington Post among others. She’s also the magnificent host of “Enough, The Podcast” for recovering perfectionists and overachievers like her. In our conversation, Mandy shares… - The impact of what her father said to her when she was eight, - Who controls her first thoughts - And what it’s like to be - by her own admission - a hardaholic

In this episode, I am talking to Lee Georgs, Chief Operating Officer at Eighteen48 Partners, a London-based Private Investment Office serving families and endowments. She’s worked in the global financial services industry for almost three decades, starting in Private Banking and Wealth Management in New York with Citibank and JP Morgan. She moved overseas in 2006, to become Director of Global Accounts for RGP in Hong Kong, before ending up in London and M&A Project Management at Credit Suisse. She stepped into the COO role, first at Redington in 2017 (where she also served as Executive Board Director) and then, six years later, at Eighteen48 where she is now. An Ambassador for The Diversity Project (the U.K.’s Investment Management Industry Diversity body), Lee is also an LGBT Great Ally as well as a volunteer with Speakers for Schools (an organization dedicated to encouraging young people to pursue careers in Financial Services) and GAIN (Girls are Investors). In our conversation, Lee shares… 🔵 The importance of showing the messiness of life 🔵 What she learnt when she was 5 and how that still shows up for her. 🔵 And why - for Lee - it’s always about the people!

In this episode, I’m talking to DaeWha Kang. Based in London, DaeWha is a Korean designer, architect, and artist with a passion for creating beauty and timelessness in his work. In 2014, he founded DaeWha Kang Design, which has since taken on a wide range of projects, from the regeneration of a Christopher Wren church to a concert hall in central London, and even a fine arts museum in Saudi Arabia. Focusing on improving well-being through design, DaeWha's studio lives by the statement "beauty built with wisdom." During our conversation, he also shares: - What it’s like to lead a team when none of you know what you’re doing… - The importance of finding your positive sparks - And what made him get up rather than give up...

In this episode, I’m talking to Louise Hughes, an experienced General Counsel, who has worked for over 20 years within the entertainment industry. She began her legal career at the leading law firm Wragge & Co (now Gowlings), moving to the legal team at Penguin Books Limited in 2003, where she worked for 13 years supporting the children and adults’ divisions in publishing, marketing and licensing.   Louise is currently Group General Counsel and a leadership team member at The Blair Partnership, a leading literary and entertainment agency, representing J.K. Rowling and the management of the Wizarding World franchise. Day to day, Louise is actively involved in developing business strategy, deal-making, operations, innovation and governance across The Blair Partnership, Pottermore, and associated companies.  Louise is also a mum of two, a keen runner, a dog lover, and a legal trustee on the Board of CLAPA (Cleft Lip and Palate Association). During our conversation, she shares: ➡️ How her 11-year-old daughter pinpointed pressure for her. ➡️ What it’s like to be known as the Calm in the Storm, ➡️ And how being one of 11 children helps her under pressure.

In this episode, I have an engaging conversation with Ben Ryan, the Director of Elite Performance at Brentford FC. With a background in teaching, professional rugby, and being the most successful men's rugby sevens coach in the world, Ben has a wealth of experience in handling pressure.  His book, Sevens Heaven, recounts his incredible journey coaching the under-resourced Fiji 7s team to their first-ever Olympic Gold in 2016. This achievement led to numerous accolades, including his face being featured on Fijian banknotes and coins, as well as being named a Fijian tribal chief. During our discussion, Ben shares valuable insights on: Recognising when others are feeling the pressure The concept of "finding the trampolines" and what it means How he had to make a life-changing decision in just 20 minutes

In this episode, I’m talking to Rachel Osborne, CEO of Ted Baker. Rachel was appointed to that role just as Covid hit the UK, and prior to that she had been CFO at Debenhams Retail Limited. Having originally studied veterinary medicine at Cambridge, Rachel chose instead to qualify as a chartered accountant at KPMG. She now has over 30 years of financial experience with consumer-facing brands like Domino’s Pizza, Vodafone, and John Lewis. She has also previously held senior positions with Sodexo, Kingfisher and PepsiCo.  In this conversation Rachel shares: What she‘s learnt from leading businesses in distress The advantages of a board that’s positively challenging And why she’s become grateful for ships in the night

In this episode, I’m in conversation with Tacita Small – founder of The Small HR Company, an HR Consultancy that supports businesses in the creative and entertainment industries with all aspects of HR and People needs. As a senior HR leader, Tacita worked in-house for over two decades with many instantly recognisable brands such as Westfield, Ralph & Russo, Apple, Ministry of Sound, Freemantle and BBC Worldwide to name a few. In our conversation Tacita shares:   Why she’s happy answering emails on the beach   The uncomfortable pressure of not being herself   And what her son said that ignited her desire to set up her business.

In this episode, I’m talking to David Shelley, a trailblazer in the world of publishing. With over two decades of experience, David has worked with some of the biggest names in literature, including J.K. Rowling, Dennis Lehane, and Mitch Albom. Starting out at Allison & Busby, he quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the CEO of Hachette UK, the second-largest consumer publisher in the UK. David's expertise in the industry is unparalleled, having overseen the publication of countless crime and thriller novels, as well as ebooks and audiobooks. He's a visionary leader, driving innovation and growth in an ever-changing landscape.  During our conversation, David shares:  - How he makes work not feel like work  - How he uses storytelling in times of pressure  - And, what he does to pull back from strong feelings