HOW DO LEADERS LEAD?

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In this podcast, journalist James Ashton brings together people from the top of very different organisations in the worlds of business, charity, the arts and beyond to discuss their take on leading vital causes, famous brand names and multi-million-pound enterprises.

His two guests swap stories of success and failure, the skills they have picked up, the challenges they face every day and the advice they offer to others.

LATEST EPISODE: JUNE 21 - RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION

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EPISODE 1:​

BE THE BUSINESS AND THE CBI

Tony Danker joins James Ashton to discuss becoming the voice of UK business, building an organisation from scratch, the importance of coaching others and why the consulting firm McKinsey is such an effective CEO training ground.

Claire Horton and James Mason join James Ashton to discuss keeping morale up in a crisis, finding your voice, instilling confidence in others and the importance of having passion for your cause.

EPISODE 3:​

HEALTH EDUCATION ENGLAND

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Navina Evans joins James Ashton to discuss life leading a key division of the NHS, the challenge of attracting and retaining a giant workforce, why she kept treating patients after becoming chief executive - and overcoming workplace sexism even after rising to the top.

EPISODE 4:​

BRITISH COUNCIL & ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY

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Sir Ciarán Devane and Kate Lee join James Ashton to discuss communicating in a crisis, diplomacy at work and when personal and professional lives collide.

Ewan Venters and Rita Clifton join James Ashton to discuss retail under pressure, tackling self doubt, the importance of kindness and knowing when it’s the right time to move on.

Javed Khan and Simon Levine join James Ashton to discuss tough decision-making caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, prejudice at work and inspirational role models.

Stephen Kelly and Chris Yeh join James Ashton to discuss what UK tech leaders can learn from Silicon Valley – and vice versa. Plus, how to harness the sector’s current growth spurt and the relentless reinvention of successful bosses including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, Airbnb’s Brian Chesky and Marc Benioff of Salesforce.

Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia and Richard Harpin join James Ashton to discuss starting a business in a pandemic, coping in a crisis, long-term ambition and being kind to yourself.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston is Chief of the Air Staff, the leader of the Royal Air Force, defender of the UK skies.

EPISODE 10:​

M&C SAATCHI

Moray MacLennan is chief executive of M&C Saatchi, one of the most famous names in advertising.

Darren Henley is chief executive of Arts Council England, the public body that distributes £700m every year to support galleries, theatres, museums, dance studios, music venues and libraries.

Hilary McGrady is director-general of the National Trust, keeper of the nation’s treasures including the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, Sir Winston Churchill's family home Chartwell in Kent and Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

Poul Weihrauch is global president of Mars Petcare, the largest division of the family-owned food empire still best known for its chocolate bars and chewing gum.

Katie Bickerstaffe is joint chief operating officer at Marks & Spencer.

She is part of the top team tasked with reviving the retailer’s clothing and home business while capitalising on the appeal of its expanding food operation and the shift towards shopping online.

Bill Sweeney is chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, English rugby’s 150-year old governing body that oversees half a million regular players and strives for elite international success.

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SEASON 3

Lynda Thomas and Elizabeth Kiss join James Ashton to discuss supporting the NHS, funding future leaders, career pivots and imposter syndrome. This episode was recorded before the coronavirus lockdown.

Kevin Ellis and Matthew Shaw join James Ashton to discuss trust in business, audit quality, shattering hierarchy and lifelong learning. This episode was recorded before the coronavirus lockdown.

EPISODE 3:​

BUPA

In this special lockdown episode, Evelyn Bourke joins James Ashton to discuss leading through crisis, working closely with the NHS, the future of healthcare and early career failure.

EPISODE 4:​

ST JOHN AMBULANCE

In another lockdown episode, Martin Houghton-Brown joins James Ashton to discuss battling Covid-19, dealing with the latest financial pressures, reorganising for the future and finding time and space to switch off.

EPISODE 5:​

LONDON METAL EXCHANGE

In another lockdown episode, Matthew Chamberlain joins James Ashton to discuss trading through the crisis, swapping an investment banking career to become CEO and respecting tradition at his 143-year old organisation.

EPISODE 6:​

CANAL & RIVER TRUST

In another lockdown episode, Richard Parry joins James Ashton to discuss safeguarding staff and visitors, developing new income streams and swapping commercial for charitable leadership at the helm of one of the UK’s largest not-for-profit organisations.

SEASON 2

EPISODE 1:​

O2 & 

ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA​

Mark Evans and Stuart Murphy join James Ashton to discuss coping in a crisis, the myth of creativity, keeping connected and standing your ground.

EPISODE 2:​

UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL & 

MONTESSORI ST NICHOLAS

Dame Janet Beer and Leonor Stjepic join James Ashton to discuss thinking on your feet, financial discipline and female role models.

EPISODE 3:​

BRITISH SWIMMING &

ANGLIAN WATER

Jack Buckner and Peter Simpson join James Ashton to discuss learning from the approach of top athletes, developing a winning culture and the power of long service

EPISODE 4:​

THE CROWN ESTATE &

AMANDA WAKELEY

Dame Alison Nimmo and Amanda Wakeley join James Ashton to discuss juggling responsibilities, the power of coaching, trusting your team and putting your name over the door.

EPISODE 5:​

THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL &

LEON

John Vincent and Craig Hassall join James Ashton to discuss putting on a show, screwing up, finding the right mentor and how to tackle US expansion.

EPISODE 6:​

ENTREPRENEUR FIRST &

RSPB

Alice Bentinck and Beccy Speight join James Ashton to discuss campaigning conservation, fashioning leaders from founders and megalomaniac tendencies.

EPISODE 7:​

HAVAS CREATIVE NETWORK &

TRAINLINE

Clare Gilmartin and Chris Hirst join James Ashton to discuss fostering creativity, staying resilient and reinventing yourself at Harvard.

EPISODE 8:​

PHARMACY2U & METROPOLITAN

THAMES VALLEY

Mark Livingstone and Geeta Nanda join James Ashton to discuss their biggest challenges, merger tactics, building a team and getting lucky.

EPISODE 9:​

ENGLAND ATHLETICS &

BRITISH LAND

Chris Jones and Chris Grigg join James Ashton to discuss battling adversity, Olympic legacy and fixing company culture.

SEASON 1

EPISODE 1:​

DELOITTE & 

TEENAGE CANCER TRUST

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David Sproul and Kate Collins join James Ashton to discuss humanising tough decisions, being elected as leader, retaining a maverick spirit and making staff talk in the lift.

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EPISODE 2:​

MIND &

DIRECT LINE

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Paul Farmer and Paul Geddes join James Ashton to discuss staying in touch with the frontline, respecting the past, picking the right mentor and the importance of leaders’ own wellbeing.

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EPISODE 3:​

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY &

THE SCOUTS

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Amanda Mackenzie and Matt Hyde join James Ashton to discuss promoting better business behaviour, mobilising a volunteer force, magpieing great ideas and showing some vulnerability

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EPISODE 4:​

HEATHROW &

ENGLISH HERITAGE

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John Holland-Kaye and Kate Mavor join James Ashton to discuss investing in the past, building for the future, being yourself as the boss, changing staff culture and selling the best cake.

EPISODE 5:​

ROYAL SOCIETY &

PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY​

Julie Maxton and Robin Mortimer join James Ashton to discuss the art of problem solving, tracking public opinion, natural leadership insecurity and keeping maritime traditions alive.

EPISODE 6:​

FIRST DIRECT &​

NORTHERN BALLET

Joe Gordon and Mark Skipper join James Ashton to discuss keeping up with customer expectation, battling budget cuts, riding your luck and the excitement of opening night.

EPISODE 7:​

FLUTTER ENTERTAINMENT &​

FAIRTRADE

Peter Jackson and Michael Gidney join James Ashton to discuss digital transformation, personal development, empowering their people and switching from non-executive to CEO of the same organisation.

EPISODE 8:​

DESIGN MUSEUM &

SHELTER

Polly Neate and Alice Black join James Ashton to discuss delighting visitors, the joy of campaigning, forever fundraising and the importance of self-knowledge.

EPISODE 9:​

WELLCOME TRUST &

PARKRUN

Sir Jeremy Farrar and Nick Pearson join James Ashton to discuss taking risks, campaigning voices and making a difference in the world’s wellbeing.

Leading is supported by Lockton, the world’s largest privately-owned, independent insurance broker. Lockton's independence means its 8,000 associates worldwide are free to focus solely on their clients' risk and insurance needs. To hear more from Lockton experts, please click here

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