Stratospheric Leaders

Dame Julia Hoggett has seen capital markets from every side of the table. Banker at JP Morgan, DEPFA and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Regulator at the FCA. And since 2021, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, the 300-year-old FinTech at the heart of the UK’s capital markets.Raised in a family of lawyers and judges (her mother is Lady Hale, the first woman to serve as President of the UK Supreme Court), Julia chose a different path. She founded the Capital Markets Industry Taskforce and was made a Dame in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024.This is a warm, candid conversation full of practical leadership wisdom. Julia explains why she’s ambitious for the cause, not for herself. Why leadership means “dancing on the edge of your authority.” And why, for more than 20 years, she has asked only one question in every job interview.What emerges is a clear philosophy of purpose-led leadership: humanity and humility, deliberate use of time, and the courage to decide, and to change your mind when the facts change.Julia also shares the story of the letter that made her a Dame, the custom suits that replaced her handbag, the Post-it note lesson that changed how she carries confidence into each day, and why there is no substitute for hard work. This is an inspiring look at leadership from someone driven to make the City of London and UK capital markets stronger, for the benefit of the whole country.Listen to the Stratospheric Leaders podcast for advice, knowledge and experience on:how purpose-led leaders motivate their teamshow CEOs decide where to spend their timehow to create psychological safety in leadership teamsleadership lessons from the CEO of the London Stock Exchangehow to build confidence as a senior leaderShow LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

​Chris Willcox has spent his career at the center of global capital markets. From fifteen years at Citigroup to running Rates at JPMorgan, then CEO of JPM Asset Management, one of the largest asset managers in the world, overseeing two trillion dollars.Today, he's Executive Officer and Head of Wholesale at Nomura - the first non-Japanese executive to hold that role, and Deputy President. He's led trading floors through crises, built businesses from scratch, and done it across three very different corporate cultures.This is a remarkably open conversation, packed with valuable lessons. Chris explains why the most junior person in the room may know something you don't. Why attention to detail is what separates good from great. And why character and integrity matter more than almost anything else in building a career.What emerges is a masterclass in the unglamorous fundamentals - character, honesty about mistakes, and the discipline of saying the same thing again and again until people actually hear it.Chris also reflects on one of the hardest transitions in senior leadership: the moment you stop being the subject matter expert and start leading people who know more than you do. Entering a business as the outsider. Building credibility. Respecting what came before you. Earning the permission to change it. This is a practical, honest and excellent look at leadership from someone who's done it across very different businesses and cultures.Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie welcomes back one of the show’s most popular guests, Lance Uggla, for a deep dive into the leadership lessons behind the book Raise The Bar. Together, Georgie and Lance explore what leadership looks like in practice, moving beyond theory into the habits, behaviours and decisions that separate good leaders from great ones.  Drawing from decades of building and leading global businesses, Lance shares why work ethic, manners and awareness remain some of the most underrated advantages in modern leadership. He explains why being “above average” compounds over time, how strong relationships are built through genuine curiosity, and why awareness of the world around you remains a critical leadership skill even in the age of AI.  Georgie and Lance also discuss bold goals, intelligent risk-taking, intuition and how to create a culture when people believe they are part of something bigger than themselves.  Throughout the conversation, Lance brings his high vibe energy, practicality and wisdom, offering lessons that apply whether you’re leading a global company, a growing team or simply trying to become a better leader yourself.  This is a masterclass in leadership fundamentals, delivered by someone who has spent a lifetime putting them into practice.In this episode:• Why work ethic, manners and awareness are career accelerators• How to become “above average” and stay there• The leadership skill AI will never replace• Creating and communicating a compelling vision• Why leaders must repeat themselves more than they think• Building alignment across leadership teams• The power of wildly important goals and BHAGs• Calculated risk-taking versus reckless gambling• Why intuition matters in leadership• Integrating cultures after acquisitions• Communicating effectively with boards and shareholders• How to adjust when outcomes are heading in the wrong direction• The importance of preparation and discipline• Lance’s favourite leadership book and why it still matters todayShow LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Group a global cross-asset marketplace, powering the fusion of traditional and digital finance through regulated market infrastructure and trusted technology.David is one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of institutional finance and digital assets. And his story is anything but standard. School leaver at 18, training accountant by day, doing paper rounds before school since he was 14, David has never once marked time. Every decision has been deliberate, every move purposeful. This episode is a masterclass in what it really takes to build, lead, and transform a business. David's wisdom is hard-won, and he shares it with a clarity and candour that is as rare as it is refreshing.Interesting areas covered:- The "Mercer Questions" the four questions David applies to every product, project and decision, and why they cut through almost everything in business- Why "busy is the new stupid" and how David keeps his diary deliberately, radically clear- How he spotted a Ferrari dressed as a Skoda, and turned LMAX from a struggling startup into a global force- The three things David wishes he had known before becoming a CEO loneliness, constantness and the truth about people- Why failing slowly is the only truly unforgivable outcome in business- Loyalty, people and why David believes it belongs to your family and your dogs- How to keep up with a world that is changing faster than ever and why practical learning beats theory every timeDavid's directness, self-awareness and refusal to waste a single moment make this a must-listen for anyone building something ambitious, leading a team through change, or simply asking themselves whether the decisions they are making today are the ones that will matter tomorrow.Enjoy.Find out more about Georgie Dickins:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-dickins-5083686a/Catch the show on audio in the car:Spotify – https://open.spotify.comApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com#StratosphericLeaders #Leadership #CEOInsights #DavidMercer #LMAXGroup #BusinessLeadership #FinancialLeadership #DigitalFinance #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveLeadership #FintechLeadership #DecisionMaking #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipMindset #InstitutionalFinanceFor more information on the following topics, give us a follow:David MercerLMAX Groupinstitutional financedigital finance leadershipCEO decision makingbusiness transformationleadership under pressurefintech strategyexecutive mindsettime management leadershipfinancial markets leadershipdigital assets strategyhigh performance leadershipCEO lonelinessbusiness pivot strategyShow LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this high-energy episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with Jessica Jensen, CMO of LinkedIn - the world's largest professional network with over a billion members across more than 200 countries for a conversation that is as practical as it is inspiring.We often think of LinkedIn as a platform. Jessica reminds us it is something far more powerful – it’s your living, breathing CV, your external brand, and the place where the world decides what it thinks of you before you have even walked into the room. And yet so many professionals particularly women hold back. The perfectionism. The fear of judgment. The sense that self-promotion is somehow not for them.This episode dismantles all of that.From building your network to showing up authentically in the age of AI, this episode is a masterclass in visibility, personal brand, and why the most powerful thing you can do in a noisy world is simply show up as yourself.Interesting areas covered:•Why LinkedIn is your most underutilised career asset and how to change that•Why video is the number one currency of communication today and how to get started•Why in the age of AI, being a real human has never been more valuable•The LinkedIn algorithm demystified and the myths firmly debunked•How to navigate visibility as a leader in a regulated or high-scrutiny industry•How to measure success on LinkedIn and why likes are not the whole story•Why consistency beats perfection every single timeJessica's warmth, wit, and clarity make this a must-listen for anyone building their profile, lifting their visibility, or simply wondering whether the right people know they exist.Enjoy.Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this powerful episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with Sara Furber, CFO and Executive Committee member at Tradeweb - a company valued at close to $27 billion at the time of recording - for a conversation rich with wisdom, clarity, and the kind of career-defining insights we rarely talk about.We often look at successful leaders and assume their path has been linear. We see the visible tip of the iceberg and miss the invisible layers underneath - the pivots, the doubts, the catalysts, and the moments that change everything. This episode goes beneath the surface. Sara is deeply real, and her advice is practical.From early dreams of becoming a doctor to leading within one of the world’s most influential fintech companies, Sara’s journey is filled with lessons on ambition, self-belief, risk-taking, and the courage to dream bigger - even when you don’t quite believe in yourself yet.Interesting areas covered:• What did little Sara dream of becoming growing up?• What do your first 30 minutes of the day look like?• How do you decide what deserves your attention first when pressure lands in your office?• What have difficult leaders taught you about becoming a good one?• How do you stay curious when experience could easily make you rigid?• What does self-doubt still sound like, even at the top?• How do you prepare yourself before stepping into an important room?• What would you tell your younger self now?Her candour, humour and depth make this a must-listen for emerging leaders, seasoned executives, and anyone trying to understand what leadership really looks like when nobody is watching.Enjoy! ✨#StratosphericLeaders #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #CFO #Tradeweb #LeadershipMindset #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #Resilience #ExecutivePresence #DecisionMaking #LeadershipDevelopment #HighPerformanceFor more conversations with extraordinary leaders shaping industries through clarity, courage and influence, subscribe to Stratospheric Leaders.executive leadership lessonswomen in finance leadershiphow CFOs thinkcareer ambition adviceleadership resiliencesenior leadership communicationbuilding trusted teamsexecutive decision makingleadership mindset for womenhigh performance leadership habitscareer growth conversationsmentorship in leadershipbalancing leadership and familycalm under pressure leadershiphow leaders build influenceTimestamps:00:00 Introduction01:26 Sarah Furber’s childhood ambitions02:06 Why medicine was not the right path03:24 Ambition and what it really means05:25 The conversation that changed everything08:16 Why one mentor changed her career trajectory10:50 Learning not to over-plan life12:29 Why leaders are often wrong about the future15:39 Building a trusted inner circle18:38 Does leadership feel lonely?22:23 Are leaders naturally more resilient?26:06 Ruthless editing and family priorities30:26 Learning to slow down33:23 What children reveal about leadership38:08 Sarah’s leadership style44:30 Her biggest leadership weakness47:43 Handling scrutiny in senior roles51:49 What leadership should teach earlier55:21 The advice she gives younger leaders57:28 Sarah’s morning routine01:04:38 What a better version of Sarah looks like Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with visionary trend anticipator, entrepreneur extraordinaire, masterful business builder, consistent culture carrier, intuitive deal doer, and the ultimate shareholder value maximiser – just a few of the words industry peers use to describe Lance Uggla.Lance was Founder & CEO of Markit - a company that started with a handful of employees in a barn in St Albans and grew into a $44 billion global leader in critical information, analytics, and solutions and culminated in one of the largest M&A deals in history with S&P Global.An incredible episode for those who want to tap into a visionary mindset:Episode Takeaways:Continuous improvement is non-negotiable for leaders.Don’t be driven just by big transformations. Small consistent gains compound over time.Innovation has no hierarchy. Good ideas can come from anywhere in the organisationExcellence is a habit not episodic.A bold vision requires relentless execution. A vision by itself is meaningless.Measurement is critical for success and accountability.Measure the pulse of your customers and people regularly. Happy people and happy customers equals a strong financial performance.Being an entrepreneur requires extreme commitment, relentless focus and personal sacrifice. It's not for the faint hearted.Subscribe to the channel to watch more conversations with extraordinary leaders:https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x?sub_confirmation=1 Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, I sit down with Troy Kane, President andCOO of Inplay Global, Inc. an innovative company creating the world’s firstregulated marketplace for Performance Securities – a new asset class offinancial instruments tied to real-time sports team performance and fanengagement.Troy’s story began on the Chicago trading floors at just 14 – shapedin his formative years by the trailblazing women in his family – including hisaunt who was among the first women on the trading floor of the Chicago Board ofTrade. From there he built a career defined by modernising markets helping drive the shift from open outcry to electronic trading, and today he brings that same pioneering energy to his role at Inplay Global.A few takeaways from our conversation that stayed with me:1.Influence = listening + evidence (not volume)2.Don’t shut people down. Take time to understand other people’s perspectives.3.Debates need to be rooted in fact.4.Don’t be afraid to hire people smarter than you. Build by hiring experts, then empowering them (no micromanaging).5.The real work of leadership is managing the “small things”. They make the big things possible.6.Educate. Don’t just explain. What makes your business different? Help people get it.7.Attention to detail isn’t optional. You need to understand all dependencies that go into launching a company.8.Learn from failure. With any missteps or failures – offer constructive feedback, capture the learning and avoid the same mistake twice.9.Under promise and over deliver – always! Advice from his Dad that has stayed with him! Consistency and delivery becomes your reputation.This is a great story on a leader building a business from the ground up in a space that is truly innovative. Enjoy! Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, the microphone is handed to Caroline Vasquez, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at DRW, as she sits down with the show’s usual host, Georgie Dickins, for a deeply personal and expansive conversation.This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Georgie’s journey from a 20-year career in global financial institutions, including ICAP, Reuters and JPMorgan Chase, to building a purpose-led advisory career focused on leadership excellence, sustainable performance, and self-trust.What unfolds is not a linear career story, but an honest exploration of intuition, burnout, identity, and what it truly takes to operate at the top without losing yourself along the way. Together, Caroline and Georgie unpack the moments that forced reflection, the role of health as both a warning and a catalyst, and why the most powerful leadership shifts often begin with slowing down.This is a conversation about listening to your body, your curiosity, your fear, and your evolving definition of success and about building the internal and external structures that allow leaders to thrive over the long term.Key TakeawaysYour intuition is a career compass—if you listen early, it whispers before it screams.Burnout is often preceded by subtle signals; ignoring them comes at a cost.Career transitions don’t require reckless leaps—calculated exploration creates optionality.Journaling works best when it’s unfiltered, imperfect, and judgment-free.Passion for the work matters, but execution is what turns vision into reality.Exceptional leaders build strong “kitchen cabinets” and internal boards of directors.Delegation and trust create capacity; micromanagement drains it.Chronic stress is far more dangerous than short, acute periods of intensity.Leaders often overestimate their energy reserves—self-management is non-negotiable.Plateaus can be chosen or forced; adaptability determines continued growth.Communication is never one-and-done—clarity requires repetition.Success without self-trust eventually becomes fragile.Slowing down strategically is often the fastest way forward.This episode is a powerful reminder that stratospheric leadership is about self-awareness, alignment, and the courage to evolve when the path no longer fits. Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x

In this episode, I am joined by Sharon Bowen, Chair of the New York Stock Exchange – the first woman and person of colour to hold this role in the institution’s 230-year history.Sharon’s career is nothing short of remarkable. She brings more than 35 years in regulatory, securities, and public policy expertise. After a distinguished career in law, she served as a Commissioner at the CFTC during one of the most critical periods in modern financial history, and is now guiding NYSE through a time of profound change and opportunity.She is a truly respected voice in the industry – one that CEOs listen to, learn from and trust.Key Takeaways:You get to choose the mindset you bring. You can see things as obstacles or diverted paths.Don’t let other people define you or limit your dreams.Maintain curiosity throughout your career. It will help you continue to grow and succeed.You don’t have to figure it out alone. It’s ok to ask for help.Build and maintain a personal board of directors.Mentorship matters at every stage. Never stop being a mentee.Networks are a powerful force multiplier. Invest in relationships consistently.Excellence attracts support. Speak up about what you want. Don’t assume your ambition or impact is visible.Lead with respect and integrity. How you treat people matters.If you’re the first, create the path for the next. Success carries responsibility. Show LinksWebsite - https://www.georgiedickins.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedickinsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x