The Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

In this episode, Lorcan O'Connor, CEO for Transport Infrastructure Ireland joins Criticaleye’s Marketing and Communications Director Julia Brook to discuss his journey to the CEO role and reflections of being a Group CEO at Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), Ireland's largest public transport provider.

Managing multiple stakeholders is a key skill for any CEO. In this podcast, we look at what core skills and capabilities are needed to be successful in the role.

Discussion points include:

• Lorcan's own career journey and route to becoming a CEO
• Gaining the skills and attributes needed throughout your career that will lead to a senior leadership role
• The questions executives should ask before taking on the top job and assessing if it is right of them
• Key challenges to navigating important stakeholder groups including the Board and Government
• The CEO-CFO partnership and what makes a winning team which can drive the business strategy

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Bérangère Michel, Former CFO of the John Lewis Partnership and Ben Freeman, Country CFO RWE Renewables UK / Global Director Accounting RWE Offshore, join Criticaleye’s Senior Editor Bridgette Hall to explore what it takes to lead effectively through transformation and continuous change.

In an era defined by volatility, shifting stakeholder expectations and the accelerating pace of organisational evolution, leaders are under unprecedented pressure to balance business priorities with empathy, purpose and resilience. Bérangère and Ben share their experiences of guiding teams through uncertainty, driving cultural alignment and sustaining performance during times of transformation.

Discussion points include:

• The most common challenges leaders face when navigating change and how to overcome them
• What effective leadership looks like during periods of disruption and evolution
• How to engage and motivate people when organisations are undergoing transformation
• Building trust, alignment and resilience across teams
• The critical role of culture in enabling and sustaining change
• Balancing strategic business priorities with the human side of transformation
• Practical behaviours and approaches that help people embrace change
• How leadership itself is evolving in response to increasing complexity
• Why maintaining strong external networks and reference points is essential for decision making and perspective
• Lessons learned from leading people through uncertainty and transformation

Episode 28: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - Succeeding as a Strategic CFO in a Time of Transformation

In this episode, Bridgette Hall, Senior Editor at Criticaleye, speaks with Joe Dische, CFO at PropertyGuru, and an experienced finance leader with over two decades of experience across the technology, media and telecom sectors. He has led organisations through complex transformations, scaling businesses from start-up to growth and driving strategic and financial excellence across diverse markets.

The conversation explores what it takes to lead the finance function through scale, scrutiny and change and how today’s CFOs can balance growth, profitability and purpose in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Discussion points include:

• What defines a high-performing CFO and finance function today?
• Lessons from leading through both public and private ownership
• How diverse experiences shape modern financial leadership?
• How can CFOs balance growth and profitability amid shifting market conditions?
• How can finance leaders build strong partnerships with CEOs and Boards through transformation?

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Rob Hornby, Co-CEO of AlixPartners and Rita Clifton CBE, Portfolio Chair and Non-Executive Director (including Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, Chair of Simplyhealth, Chair of the international sustainability organisation Forum for the Future, Visiting Fellow at Saïd Business School University of Oxford, Fellow and former Trustee of WWF-UK, Board Trustee of Green Alliance and Criticaleye Board Mentor) join Criticaleye’s Senior Editor Bridgette Hall to discuss what it takes to lead successfully in a digital world.

As technology continues to transform every aspect of business, leaders are under growing pressure to balance innovation with ethics, human connection and cultural change. Rob and Rita explore how leaders can build empowered teams, retain top talent and drive organisational transformation while navigating the complexities of AI, automation and data-driven decision making.

Discussion points include:

• How technology is reshaping organisations and the ways executives and Boards lead
• The ethical dilemmas surrounding AI, data and automation – and how leaders can ensure inclusivity and people-centred progress
• The growing importance of human and empathetic leadership in a tech-driven era
• How traditional sectors can adapt, foster resilience and integrate new technologies without destabilising core operations
• The key traits leaders need to thrive amid digital disruption
• The role of Boards in supporting executives through digital evolution and complex decision making
• Why benchmarking and learning from peers is critical in a fast-changing environment
• Final reflections on how leaders can inspire cultural change and build teams equipped for the future

Episode 27: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - Becoming a World-Class CEO: Insights from the Board

In this episode, Yu-Wen Hsiao, Marketing and Communications Manager, APAC at Criticaleye, speaks with Bruce Cox, a Criticaleye Board Mentor and seasoned global leader with over 40 years of executive experience across the industrial and resources sectors. Bruce has held senior roles at BHP and Rio Tinto, and today serves as a Non-executive Director for several major organisations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. He brings deep expertise in governance, strategy and business transformation, helping leaders drive growth and navigate complex change.

The conversation explores what it takes to be a world-class CEO from the Board’s perspective, focusing on how great CEOs build trust, engage effectively with their Boards and continuously evolve to meet today’s complex leadership challenges.

Discussion points include:

• What qualities and behaviours define an exceptional CEO from the Board’s perspective?
• How do Boards evaluate a CEO’s ability to lead through uncertainty and transformation?
• Which behaviours enable CEOs to maintain trust and confidence with their Boards?
• What mindsets and approaches help great CEOs influence and align their Boards?
• How can leaders continue to learn and evolve at the highest level?

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Lucinda Charles-Jones, Non-executive Director & Chair or RemCo for Virgin Money and Rank Group (plus a Criticaleye Board Mentor) and Jim Devine, Group HRD, Spirax Group speak to us about some of the findings of our most recent research with Chief People Officers. 

Discussion points include:

• Key challenges and opportunities for CPOs, HR Directors and CHROs in the year ahead
• How priorities have shifted for CPOs and HRDs and evolving expectations on their role around driving business strategy and shaping the culture
• The skills and personality traits needed to be successful in the CPO role
• Relationships with key stakeholders including the Board, the senior leadership team and workforce
• What approach CPOs are taking when it comes to implementing new technology and AI across their organisations

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Christopher Boerger, CFO of E.ON UK, joins Criticaleye’s Director of Content Marc Barber to discuss the evolving role of the CFO as a driver of innovation and growth. From balancing risk and return to embracing new technologies and leading through volatility, Christopher reflects on how finance leaders can unlock creativity and long-term value in large organisations.

Discussion points include:

• What innovation means for a business like E.ON UK and how new ideas are brought to market
• The CFO’s role in supporting experimentation, investment and the freedom to fail
• Approaches to risk appetite and measuring ROI on new projects
• The reality of AI-driven change and what’s hype versus substance
• Why both large and small companies face challenges with innovation
• Balancing short- vs long-term thinking in today’s volatile environment
• Lessons learned from over two years as Country CFO lead at E.ON UK

Episode 26: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - Succeeding as a Regional Leader in Asia

In this episode, Yu-Wen Hsiao, Marketing and Communications Manager, APAC at Criticaleye, speaks with Lance Little, Head of Region for Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific. Lance leads a team of over 6,000 employees across 16 markets and brings more than 30 years of experience in building leadership teams, shaping organisational culture and driving growth across diverse countries, including New Zealand, India, Thailand and Singapore.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Lance shares his insights on what it takes to lead at scale in Asia. He explores how leaders can build connected and resilient teams, navigate cultural and operational complexities and continue to grow and adapt in a fast-moving environment. 

Discussion points include: 

• What leadership capabilities are essential for success across the region today?

• How can regional leaders build resilient and connected teams across culturally diverse markets?

• How can regional leaders maintain self-awareness and continue to grow while managing large, dispersed teams?

• How should leaders adapt their approach to meet the varying expectations and needs of teams across different countries?

• What strategies help leaders create a shared purpose and values that unite teams and support long-term success?

Episode 25: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - Aspiring CFOs: What Boards Really Want from Their CFOs

In this episode, Yu-Wen Hsiao, Marketing and Communications Manager, APAC at Criticaleye, speaks with Catherine O’Connell, a seasoned Board professional and Criticaleye Board Mentor. Catherine currently serves on the Audit & Supervisory Board at FUJITSU and recently completed a historic term on the board of TOYOTA as its first foreign female outside board member. She is also the CEO of her own boutique law firm in Tokyo, where she provides fractional general counsel services to global businesses.

Drawing on her extensive Board experience, Catherine shares valuable insights into how CFOs can meet rising expectations in the Boardroom. She explores what Boards truly value in their CFOs today, how the role is evolving, and what aspiring leaders need to focus on to have real strategic impact at Board level.

Discussion points include: 

• What qualities and capabilities are Boards in Asia prioritising in their CFOs today?

• How can CFOs build trust, credibility and influence with the Board?

• What role do CFOs play in shaping non-financial strategy?

• How can aspiring CFOs prepare for Board interactions and avoid common pitfalls?

• How can CFOs stay ahead of evolving Board expectations and add value as strategic leaders?

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Martin Balaam, CEO of Pimberly and Jacqui Summons, NED/Fractional CHRO join Criticaleye's Senior Editor, Jacob Ambrose Willson to explore the demands of private equity ownership from driving value creation and managing Board dynamics to resolving conflict, keeping exit front of mind and leading under pressure in today’s challenging market.

Discussion points include:

• The growing popularity of private equity as a route to business growth and the impact of current market conditions
• How the definition of success in PE has evolved and what value creation looks like today
• Boardroom dynamics in PE-backed businesses and the characteristics of high-performing Boards
• The role of the Chair and executive team in managing investor relationships and resolving conflict
• Keeping the exit in focus throughout the ownership cycle while driving sustainable growth
• Leading through the pressures of the exit process and the current macroeconomic environment