Join host Joshua O'Connor on this episode of the Air Supply podcast as he speaks with Rebecca Galley, CEO of Tornado Wire.

Rebecca shares her compelling journey, from starting in telesales to leading multi-million-pound businesses without a traditional university path at 18.

Highlights of their conversation include:

• An Unconventional Rise: Rebecca discusses why she chose direct work experience over university and how her later MBA profoundly impacted her career and confidence.
• The Reality of a CEO: Get an inside look at the diverse, day-to-day responsibilities of a CEO, from factory insights to strategic planning, and how to balance immediate problems with long-term vision.
• Leading in Niche Markets: Rebecca explains her success in specialized sectors, emphasizing the crucial role of strong company culture, employee satisfaction, and customer service.
• The Power of Communication: Learn Rebecca's core philosophy on building a thriving work environment through open dialogue, active listening, and empowering teams.
• Motivation & Resilience: Rebecca reveals what truly drives people at work and how she manages pressure, offering valuable insights on navigating challenges and the importance of seeking support.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, career resilience, and the dynamics of building successful businesses.

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This week on Air Supply, Joshua O'Connor sits down with Charles Burbridge, a leader whose career path is as unconventional as it is insightful. Charles's journey began with 17 years as an army officer, including multiple tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He shares what drew him to these high-stakes environments, emphasizing his belief in servant leadership and the invaluable lessons learned from the "savvy, capable, thoughtful, and opinionated" young soldiers he led. Discover how this military experience, particularly his role as a media spokesman during a challenging tour in Iraq, honed his ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders and manage profound human tragedy while maintaining a sense of purpose.

Charles then transitioned to the commercial sector, initially in large corporate debt restructuring at RBS. He candidly discusses the unexpected difficulties of this shift, contrasting the military's objective-driven environment with the process-heavy corporate world. This led him to find his "calling" in global sales, ultimately running the high-risk divisions for G4S and Allied Universal in challenging frontier markets like Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and South Sudan. Charles unpacks what makes a truly great salesperson, highlighting absolute reliability, trustworthiness, and the courage to "go for the close." He also reveals how he fosters resilience and motivation when targets seem unattainable, emphasizing that sales is a "people game," not a "numbers game."

Later, Charles moved into MD/CEO roles for business turnarounds, leading underperforming companies in sectors like international security and electronic security. He shares his methodical approach to transformation, starting with increasing productivity and instilling a sense of purpose within demotivated teams. This episode offers critical insights for those in investor-backed businesses, as Charles details the complexities of integrating acquired companies, particularly when dealing with founders and their long-standing teams.

Finally, Charles offers profound reflections on leadership, discussing how he navigates daily challenges and the importance of seeing "tomorrow with real clarity" rather than getting bogged down in today's problems. He also shares invaluable wisdom on achieving work-life separation, stressing that "sleep is a weapon" and leaders must prioritize their well-being to make sound decisions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and the fascinating journey of translating high-stakes military experience into impactful commercial success.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Air Supply, the podcast from J.O. Collective for ambitious professionals seeking a deeper understanding of leadership and their careers.

In this episode, your host, Joshua O'Connor, sits down with Giles Desforges, a veteran commercial leader and the current CEO of Energy Park, a dynamic private equity-backed EV infrastructure business.

Giles brings a wealth of experience, having helmed roles across large PLCs, founder-led entrepreneurial ventures, and successful private equity-backed companies. If you've ever wondered what it's truly like to lead a business under the intense, yet uniquely aligned, pressures of private equity, this episode is for you.

Join us as Giles shares invaluable insights on:

• The distinct roles of CEO and Chief Commercial Officer in driving value creation within a PE framework.
• The unique alignment between management teams and investors in private equity, and why it can be a powerful force for growth.
• Coping with pressure: Practical techniques for managing ambitious financial targets and the "always-on" nature of leadership.
• The power of "why": How explaining the rationale behind decisions fuels team performance and enables effective pushback with investors.
• Decision-making under scrutiny: Balancing data-driven analysis with gut instinct, and fostering healthy disagreement for better outcomes.
• Learning from mistakes: Giles candidly discusses past failures, including a £10 million deal collapse, and the transformative power of reflection.
• The unexpected qualities of top hires: Why attitude and resilience, particularly born from past failures, are more important than a "gilded path."
• Crucial advice for aspiring PE executives: Why pursuing private equity "is not about the money," and the vital role of mentors in your career journey.

Whether you're an aspiring CEO, a seasoned leader, or simply curious about the world of high-growth businesses, this episode of Air Supply offers a refreshing and honest look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels.

Tune in to learn how to navigate the demands of leadership with integrity, resilience, and a clear vision.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.