The Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Francesca Ecsery, Non-Executive Director at Air France, and Heather Hayes, Global HRD at Lightsource BP, explore how Chief People Officers (CPOs) can cultivate a high-performing senior leadership team by developing the critical skills and capabilities necessary for success.

Hosted by Alexander Hanna, Account Manager & CPO Lead, we focus on how leaders can prepare their teams to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and drive long-term organisational success, highlighting the skills required for 2025 and the importance of aligning with the Board’s vision and overarching strategic goals.

Discussion points:

• What the key skills and capabilities CPOs need in 2025?
• What strategies can CPOs use to identify and address skill gaps within their leadership teams?
• How can CPOs shape the culture and dynamics of the senior leadership team to ensure effective collaboration and communication?
• The skills and capabilities that align with the Board’s strategic priorities
• Advice for aspiring executives looking to make a meaningful impact in their organisations
• The impact external reference points have on leadership capability and performance

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

In this episode, we sat down with Serena Lang, Chair of Trifast, Independent Non-Executive at Henry Boot, and a Criticaleye Board Mentor, plus Sebastian Munden, Chair of WRAP. Together, they covered on how Chairs and Non-executives can collaborate effectively with CEOs and CFOs to embed sustainability into the core of their business strategy. We explore the balance of driving long-term sustainability goals while remaining agile in the face of short-term challenges and pressures.

Key discussion points include: 

• The economic landscape and the priorities for Boards at present
• How the CEO should handle stakeholder complexities
• Which strategic goals are coming to the forefront and how boards are navigating competing demands in a challenging environment.
• Driving sustainability efforts amid volatile environment and regulatory limits. 
• Chair and NED skill capabilities and working with the Board

Episode 11 of Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast

In our latest episode of the Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we break down some of the findings from Criticaleye’s 2024 CEO Research. Hosted by Criticaleye Senior Editor Jacob Ambrose Willson, this episode features Karen Fawcett, Non-executive Director, Aegon, LGT and Temus, and Criticaleye Board Mentor, and Criticaleye CEO, Matthew Blagg.

Karen and Matthew discuss the shifting priorities of CEOs in the last 12 months, agility versus strategy, the influence of major geopolitical swings, executive burnout, stakeholder management and the ongoing importance of personal development.

Discussion points include: 

• Focus on improved business performance
• Sustainability slipping down the agenda
• Balancing agility with strategy
• Macroeconomics and the impact of geopolitics
• The rise in executive burnout
• Managing internal and external stakeholders
• External reference points for leaders 

Episode 13: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - Stepping Up as a CEO

In this episode, our guest speaker shares invaluable insights into his journey as a CEO, Board member, and leader navigating the complexities of modern business. ​Featuring Criticaleye's Managing Director Charlie Wagstaff, plus our guest Board Mentor at Criticaleye and Independent Non-Executive Director at Tencent - Ian Stone.

Discussion points include: 

• Real-life experiences and insights as a CEO.
• How can the approach to M&A be optimised to prioritise partnering over-controlling?
• How crucial is it to collaborate with existing key personnel and founders in this process?
• Identifying emerging issues for CEOs that need greater attention from Boards.
• The significance of committees at the senior level and what distinguishes effective committees from ineffective ones.
• Navigating the balance between operational involvement and strategic oversight for CEOs and Boards.

Episode 14: Criticaleye Asia Podcast - Navigating the Path to Success as a CEO

In this episode, hosted by Criticaleye's Managing Director Charlie Wagstaff, our esteemed guest speaker, William Lo, shares invaluable insights from his extensive career as a seasoned executive based in Asia. With over three decades of experience in senior management and serving on the Boards of numerous publicly listed companies, William's portfolio spans a variety of industries, including telecommunications, internet, banking, fashion and retail. He delves into the challenges of leadership, organisational resilience, and the ever-changing landscape of technology.

Discussion points include: 

• The key challenges faced by CEOs today, and how can they navigate them effectively?
• What strategies can organisations employ to build resilience in the face of uncertainty and change?
• How is the ever-changing landscape of technology impacting businesses?
• What opportunities does it present for growth and innovation?
• Role of the Board in shaping culture

Episode 9 of our Inspiring Leaders Podcast 

In this episode, we invite leaders to discuss the role of the CEO in the current climate, Board dynamics, and what guidance and support senior executives should be utilising.

Hosted by Marc Barber, Director of Content at Criticaleye, we were pleased to invite special guests Rachel Osborne, NED and Audit Committee Chair at Ocado Group, NED and Audit Chair at Marstons, and former CEO of Ted Baker and Fiona Ross, Chair of Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE), Chair of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and NED at The Scottish Government, onto this episode.

Both are Board Mentors at Criticaleye. 

Discussion points include: 

• Priorities and perspectives in boardrooms
• How to be an agile CEO?
• What distinguishes the best chief executives? 
• Guidance and support for leaders
• Challenges for first-time CEOs

Episode 8 of our Inspiring Leaders Podcast

In this podcast, our guest speaker discusses the key findings from Criticaleye's Research on Chairs and Non-executives, board dynamics and the current landscape for businesses. Hosted by Emily Jones, Senior Editor at Criticaleye, we were pleased to invite Criticaleye CEO, Matthew Blagg.

Discussion points include: 

• Do Chairs and NEDs need to be much closer to the business? 
• Is psychological safety discussed enough on Boards? 
• Boardroom dynamics and alignment on strategy, stakeholders and leadership. 
• Issues moving up the agenda.
• Do Boards need more from committee Chairs in terms of data and insights?

Episode 5 of our Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Exploring the unique role of the Senior Independent Director (SID), this episode is part of Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast. Featuring host and Senior Editor Emily Jones, and special guests Maria Darby-Walker, Senior Independent Director, Redwood Bank, Non-executive Director, Personal Group plc, and Natalie Ceeney CBE, Chair, Cash Access UK, SID, LV=, REM Chair, Anglian Water, Non-executive Director, OpenReach, and Criticaleye Board Mentor.

Discussion points include: 

• The main responsibilities and duties of the SID
• What should the relationship between the SID and Chair be like? 
• The role of the SID in times of crisis 
• Where can Board dynamics go wrong? 
• Should the SID be the successor to the Chair? 
• Advice for NEDs stepping into the SID role

Episode 4 of our Inspiring Leaders Podcast

Exploring how to be agile as a leader in 2024, this episode is part of Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast. Featuring Host and Director of Content, Marc Barber, and special guests Sally Bridgeland, Chair, Impax Asset Management, Non-executive Director, RSA, Royal London, and David Guise, Senior Advisor, Newton Europe. Both are Criticaleye Board Mentors. 

Discussion points include: 

• The perspectives in Boardrooms over the next twelve months. 
• Geopolitical trends and how might these impact businesses? 
• The value of having access to external reference points in uncertain times. 
• The CEO and Chair partnership and should the Chair be a mentor for the CEO?
• How can executives become more agile and does the role of the Chair/Non-executive Director need to change? 

Episode 1 of our Inspiring Leaders Podcast Series

Exploring what it means to be a high performing executive in today's challenging environment, this episode is part of Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast. Featuring Criticaleye Host and Director of Content Marc Barber and special guests Francesca Ecsery, Non-executive Director, Air France and Mark Spelman, Non-executive Director, Buro Happold. Both are Criticaleye Board Mentors.

Discussion points include:

• Reflections on our CEO Sustainability Retreat, where this episode was recorded. There are reasons to be optimistic with record investment in ESG in 2023 so far, and reporting metrics which are "keeping executives and Boards feet to the fire."
• Sustainability is also on the global agenda as we approach Cop28 at the end of November. Companies need to understand the macro signals. 
• If 80% of emissions are in Scope 3, how are business leaders addressing this within their own strategy? 
• The pace of technology is set to 'go through the roof'. Leaders need to be on top of this and understand how AI will influence decision making.
• Boards and NEDs will need to keep up with trends. You will become irrelevant in just a few years without investment your own education on sustainability issues.
• Companies need to have the data and the processes lined up, as well as incentivising internally to drive results.