The Inspiring Leaders Podcast

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

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Tea Colaianni, Senior Independent Director at Watches of Switzerland and portfolio Non-Executive Director, shares her journey from Chief People Officer to the Boardroom and the unique strengths HR leaders bring as NEDs.

Hosted by Bridgette Hall, Senior Editor at Criticaleye, we explore the transition from executive to NED roles, the importance of effective governance, the evolving role of HR at board level, and what boards should focus on when it comes to culture, inclusion and the future of work.

Discussion points include:

• Tea Colaianni’s career journey from law to Chief People Officer to Non-Executive Director
• Key challenges and lessons from transitioning into the boardroom after an executive career
• The unique value CPOs bring to boards and what’s holding more HR leaders back from NED roles
• What makes a Board high-performing and the responsibilities of a Senior Independent Director
• How boards can take meaningful action on culture, inclusion and diversity
• What boards are missing about the future of work and how HR leaders can prepare to step up

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Sangeeta Desai, Non-Executive Director at Boat Rocker Media and Board Mentor at Criticaleye, joins Matthew Blagg, CEO of Criticaleye, to discuss how senior leaders can bring clarity of direction and purpose to inspire high performance in today’s volatile and fast-moving business environment.

Hosted by Jacob Ambrose Willson, Senior Editor at Criticaleye, we focus on how Chairs and Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) can best support CEOs in navigating uncertainty, fostering alignment and accelerating strategic decision-making to ensure long-term success.

Discussion points include:

• How Chairs and NEDs can support CEOs during periods of volatility and pressure
• The balance between long-term strategy and short-term pressures at Board level
• Where misalignment occurs across leadership teams and Boards and how to address it
• The role of the Chair in fostering alignment and high performance
• What pace means for effective leadership and decision-making
• How resilience and clarity of direction help leadership teams thrive under pressure

Episode 24: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - A Board’s Perspective on the Business Landscape 

In this episode, Yu-Wen Hsiao, Marketing and Communications Manager, APAC at Criticaleye, speaks with Benny Goh, Founder and Managing Partner of Parami Solutions. Benny also serves as Strategic Advisor and Non-Executive Director at Taqtik Health, Inc., Board Advisor to Pereira International and is a Criticaleye Board Mentor. With over 30 years of leadership experience across Asia, he brings deep expertise in corporate governance, sustainability and energy efficiency.

During their conversation, Benny shares his perspective on how Boards can navigate the increasingly complex business landscape in Asia, shaped by rapid technological change sustainability imperatives and geopolitical uncertainty. He also discusses how Board leadership is evolving to manage risk, seize new opportunities and foster long-term organisational resilience and adaptability.

Discussion points include:

• How can Boards balance effective risk management with the need to seize new opportunities?

• What role do Boards play in building long-term organisational resilience?

• How should sustainability be integrated into Board-level decision-making?

• How are investor expectations around ESG influencing governance?

• How can Boards foster innovation while maintaining stability in fast-evolving markets?

• In what ways is Board leadership adapting to drive adaptability and long-term value in Asia?

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

In this episode, we hear from Deborah Frost, UK Chair of Mercer Master Trust and former CEO of Personal Group, as she shares her experiences in leading and transforming high-growth businesses.

Hosted by Marc Barber, Director of Content at Criticaleye, Deborah draws on both her executive and non-executive experience. She highlights how innovation has been key to her success and explores how to build a culture that supports creativity while effectively managing risk.

Key discussion points: 

• The critical role of innovation in driving business growth.
• Empowering management teams while maintaining strategic oversight.
• What investors typically seek in high-growth companies.
• How leaders can prepare effectively for investor scrutiny and due diligence.
• Common red flags that may deter potential investors.
• Key advice for CEOs preparing their business for the next phase of growth.