Stratospheric Leaders

Stratospheric Leaders

Welcome to Stratospheric Leaders - the podcast that brings you unfiltered, inspiring conversations with the visionaries shaping capital markets. I'm Georgie Dickins and each episode, I sit down with leaders who don’t just redefine industries - they create them. You’ll hear game-changing strategies, personal stories, and powerful insights from those who have achieved stratospheric success. These are the lessons they don’t teach you at business school. If you’re ready to elevate your game and those around you - you’re in the right place. And if you enjoy hearing from these titans, hit follow.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    #21 LMAX Group CEO David Mercer: Rethinking the Institutional Marketplace

    In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Group a global cross-asset marketplace, powering the fusion of traditional and digital finance through regulated market infrastructure and trusted technology.David is one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of institutional finance and digital assets. And his story is anything but standard. School leaver at 18, training accountant by day, doing paper rounds before school since he was 14, David has never once marked time. Every decision has been deliberate, every move purposeful. This episode is a masterclass in what it really takes to build, lead, and transform a business. David's wisdom is hard-won, and he shares it with a clarity and candour that is as rare as it is refreshing.Interesting areas covered:- The "Mercer Questions" the four questions David applies to every product, project and decision, and why they cut through almost everything in business- Why "busy is the new stupid" and how David keeps his diary deliberately, radically clear- How he spotted a Ferrari dressed as a Skoda, and turned LMAX from a struggling startup into a global force- The three things David wishes he had known before becoming a CEO loneliness, constantness and the truth about people- Why failing slowly is the only truly unforgivable outcome in business- Loyalty, people and why David believes it belongs to your family and your dogs- How to keep up with a world that is changing faster than ever and why practical learning beats theory every timeDavid's directness, self-awareness and refusal to waste a single moment make this a must-listen for anyone building something ambitious, leading a team through change, or simply asking themselves whether the decisions they are making today are the ones that will matter tomorrow.Enjoy.Find out more about Georgie Dickins:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-dickins-5083686a/Catch the show on audio in the car:Spotify – https://open.spotify.comApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com#StratosphericLeaders #Leadership #CEOInsights #DavidMercer #LMAXGroup #BusinessLeadership #FinancialLeadership #DigitalFinance #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveLeadership #FintechLeadership #DecisionMaking #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipMindset #InstitutionalFinanceFor more information on the following topics, give us a follow:David MercerLMAX Groupinstitutional financedigital finance leadershipCEO decision makingbusiness transformationleadership under pressurefintech strategyexecutive mindsettime management leadershipfinancial markets leadershipdigital assets strategyhigh performance leadershipCEO lonelinessbusiness pivot strategy

    1hr 12min

  2. 21 APR

    #20 LinkedIn CMO Jessica Jensen: Get in the Scrum

    In this high-energy episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with Jessica Jensen, CMO of LinkedIn - the world's largest professional network with over a billion members across more than 200 countries for a conversation that is as practical as it is inspiring. We often think of LinkedIn as a platform. Jessica reminds us it is something far more powerful – it’s your living, breathing CV, your external brand, and the place where the world decides what it thinks of you before you have even walked into the room. And yet so many professionals particularly women hold back. The perfectionism. The fear of judgment. The sense that self-promotion is somehow not for them. This episode dismantles all of that. From building your network to showing up authentically in the age of AI, this episode is a masterclass in visibility, personal brand, and why the most powerful thing you can do in a noisy world is simply show up as yourself. Interesting areas covered: • Why LinkedIn is your most underutilised career asset and how to change that • Why video is the number one currency of communication today and how to get started • Why in the age of AI, being a real human has never been more valuable • The LinkedIn algorithm demystified and the myths firmly debunked • How to navigate visibility as a leader in a regulated or high-scrutiny industry • How to measure success on LinkedIn and why likes are not the whole story • Why consistency beats perfection every single time Jessica's warmth, wit, and clarity make this a must-listen for anyone building their profile, lifting their visibility, or simply wondering whether the right people know they exist. Enjoy.

    24 min

  3. 3 APR

    #19 Sara Furber: Inside the Mind of a Visionary Leader

    In this powerful episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with Sara Furber, CFO and Executive Committee member at Tradeweb - a company valued at close to $27 billion at the time of recording - for a conversation rich with wisdom, clarity, and the kind of career-defining insights we rarely talk about. We often look at successful leaders and assume their path has been linear. We see the visible tip of the iceberg and miss the invisible layers underneath - the pivots, the doubts, the catalysts, and the moments that change everything. This episode goes beneath the surface. Sara is deeply real, and her advice is practical. From early dreams of becoming a doctor to leading within one of the world’s most influential fintech companies, Sara’s journey is filled with lessons on ambition, self-belief, risk-taking, and the courage to dream bigger - even when you don’t quite believe in yourself yet. Interesting areas covered: • What did little Sara dream of becoming growing up? • What do your first 30 minutes of the day look like? • How do you decide what deserves your attention first when pressure lands in your office? • What have difficult leaders taught you about becoming a good one? • How do you stay curious when experience could easily make you rigid? • What does self-doubt still sound like, even at the top? • How do you prepare yourself before stepping into an important room? • What would you tell your younger self now? Her candour, humour and depth make this a must-listen for emerging leaders, seasoned executives, and anyone trying to understand what leadership really looks like when nobody is watching. Enjoy! ✨ #StratosphericLeaders #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #CFO #Tradeweb #LeadershipMindset #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #Resilience #ExecutivePresence #DecisionMaking #LeadershipDevelopment #HighPerformance For more conversations with extraordinary leaders shaping industries through clarity, courage and influence, subscribe to Stratospheric Leaders. executive leadership lessons women in finance leadership how CFOs think career ambition advice leadership resilience senior leadership communication building trusted teams executive decision making leadership mindset for women high performance leadership habits career growth conversations mentorship in leadership balancing leadership and family calm under pressure leadership how leaders build influence Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Sarah Furber’s childhood ambitions 02:06 Why medicine was not the right path 03:24 Ambition and what it really means 05:25 The conversation that changed everything 08:16 Why one mentor changed her career trajectory 10:50 Learning not to over-plan life 12:29 Why leaders are often wrong about the future 15:39 Building a trusted inner circle 18:38 Does leadership feel lonely? 22:23 Are leaders naturally more resilient? 26:06 Ruthless editing and family priorities 30:26 Learning to slow down 33:23 What children reveal about leadership 38:08 Sarah’s leadership style 44:30 Her biggest leadership weakness 47:43 Handling scrutiny in senior roles 51:49 What leadership should teach earlier 55:21 The advice she gives younger leaders 57:28 Sarah’s morning routine 01:04:38 What a better version of Sarah looks like

    1hr 8min

  4. 5 MAR

    #18 Lance Uggla: Creating a Multi Billion Dollar Growth Story

    In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, Georgie sits down with visionary trend anticipator, entrepreneur extraordinaire, masterful business builder, consistent culture carrier, intuitive deal doer, and the ultimate shareholder value maximiser – just a few of the words industry peers use to describe Lance Uggla. Lance was Founder & CEO of Markit - a company that started with a handful of employees in a barn in St Albans and grew into a $44 billion global leader in critical information, analytics, and solutions and culminated in one of the largest M&A deals in history with S&P Global. An incredible episode for those who want to tap into a visionary mindset: Episode Takeaways: Continuous improvement is non-negotiable for leaders. Don’t be driven just by big transformations. Small consistent gains compound over time. Innovation has no hierarchy. Good ideas can come from anywhere in the organisation Excellence is a habit not episodic. A bold vision requires relentless execution. A vision by itself is meaningless. Measurement is critical for success and accountability. Measure the pulse of your customers and people regularly. Happy people and happy customers equals a strong financial performance. Being an entrepreneur requires extreme commitment, relentless focus and personal sacrifice. It's not for the faint hearted. Subscribe to the channel to watch more conversations with extraordinary leaders: https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgieDickins-q7x?sub_confirmation=1

    42 min

  5. 5 FEB

    #17 Troy Kane: The Founder’s Playbook

    In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, I sit down with Troy Kane, President andCOO of Inplay Global, Inc. an innovative company creating the world’s firstregulated marketplace for Performance Securities – a new asset class offinancial instruments tied to real-time sports team performance and fanengagement.Troy’s story began on the Chicago trading floors at just 14 – shapedin his formative years by the trailblazing women in his family – including hisaunt who was among the first women on the trading floor of the Chicago Board ofTrade. From there he built a career defined by modernising markets helping drive the shift from open outcry to electronic trading, and today he brings that same pioneering energy to his role at Inplay Global. A few takeaways from our conversation that stayed with me: 1. Influence = listening + evidence (not volume) 2. Don’t shut people down. Take time to understand other people’s perspectives. 3. Debates need to be rooted in fact. 4. Don’t be afraid to hire people smarter than you. Build by hiring experts, then empowering them (no micromanaging). 5. The real work of leadership is managing the “small things”. They make the big things possible. 6. Educate. Don’t just explain. What makes your business different? Help people get it. 7. Attention to detail isn’t optional. You need to understand all dependencies that go into launching a company. 8. Learn from failure. With any missteps or failures – offer constructive feedback, capture the learning and avoid the same mistake twice. 9. Under promise and over deliver – always! Advice from his Dad that has stayed with him! Consistency and delivery becomes your reputation. This is a great story on a leader building a business from the ground up in a space that is truly innovative. Enjoy!

    41 min

  6. 15 JAN

    #16 Georgie Dickins: The Advisors View - Leadership, Patterns and Pivots

    In this episode of Stratospheric Leaders, the microphone is handed to Caroline Vasquez, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at DRW, as she sits down with the show’s usual host, Georgie Dickins, for a deeply personal and expansive conversation. This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Georgie’s journey from a 20-year career in global financial institutions, including ICAP, Reuters and JPMorgan Chase, to building a purpose-led advisory career focused on leadership excellence, sustainable performance, and self-trust. What unfolds is not a linear career story, but an honest exploration of intuition, burnout, identity, and what it truly takes to operate at the top without losing yourself along the way. Together, Caroline and Georgie unpack the moments that forced reflection, the role of health as both a warning and a catalyst, and why the most powerful leadership shifts often begin with slowing down.This is a conversation about listening to your body, your curiosity, your fear, and your evolving definition of success and about building the internal and external structures that allow leaders to thrive over the long term. Key Takeaways Your intuition is a career compass—if you listen early, it whispers before it screams.Burnout is often preceded by subtle signals; ignoring them comes at a cost.Career transitions don’t require reckless leaps—calculated exploration creates optionality.Journaling works best when it’s unfiltered, imperfect, and judgment-free.Passion for the work matters, but execution is what turns vision into reality.Exceptional leaders build strong “kitchen cabinets” and internal boards of directors.Delegation and trust create capacity; micromanagement drains it.Chronic stress is far more dangerous than short, acute periods of intensity.Leaders often overestimate their energy reserves—self-management is non-negotiable.Plateaus can be chosen or forced; adaptability determines continued growth.Communication is never one-and-done—clarity requires repetition.Success without self-trust eventually becomes fragile.Slowing down strategically is often the fastest way forward.This episode is a powerful reminder that stratospheric leadership is about self-awareness, alignment, and the courage to evolve when the path no longer fits.

    39 min

  7. 18/12/2025

    #15 Sharon Bowen: Lessons In Leadership Excellence - From The Chair Of The NYSE

    In this episode, I am joined by Sharon Bowen, Chair of the New York Stock Exchange – the first woman and person of colour to hold this role in the institution’s 230-year history. Sharon’s career is nothing short of remarkable. She brings more than 35 years in regulatory, securities, and public policy expertise. After a distinguished career in law, she served as a Commissioner at the CFTC during one of the most critical periods in modern financial history, and is now guiding NYSE through a time of profound change and opportunity. She is a truly respected voice in the industry – one that CEOs listen to, learn from and trust. Key Takeaways: You get to choose the mindset you bring. You can see things as obstacles or diverted paths.Don’t let other people define you or limit your dreams.Maintain curiosity throughout your career. It will help you continue to grow and succeed.You don’t have to figure it out alone. It’s ok to ask for help.Build and maintain a personal board of directors.Mentorship matters at every stage. Never stop being a mentee.Networks are a powerful force multiplier. Invest in relationships consistently.Excellence attracts support. Speak up about what you want. Don’t assume your ambition or impact is visible.Lead with respect and integrity. How you treat people matters.If you’re the first, create the path for the next. Success carries responsibility.

    54 min

  8. 23/11/2025

    #14 Brad Levy: Managing Uncertainty. How to Lead in Volatile Times

    In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Levy, CEO of Symphony. Brad has spent decades at the intersection of finance and technology - a bold thinker, seasoned operator, and one of the most respected voices in fintech. Before Wall Street was even on the horizon, Brad’s entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic were already taking shape. From the age of 14, he was earning his stripes working at Woodbury Commons, landscaping gardens, instructing tennis, and operating ski lifts. But it was a job during his sophomore year at university, researching municipal finance, that ultimately sparked his entry into the markets in 1992. From 1992 to 2012, he spent two decades on Wall Street building deep expertise as a muni banker and later leading across capital markets, e-commerce, market structure, and strategic investments. Since 2012, he has held senior leadership roles at IHS Markit and Symphony, where he’s been a leader, operator, builder, and transformer. Brad always brings the best energy with him and this episode is no different! Key Takeaways Surround yourself with good people during tough times. Flexibility is key in leadership and personal growth. Authenticity in leadership requires balancing vulnerability and responsibility. Crisis moments reveal true character and trust. The importance of presence in navigating change. Frameworks help structure thoughts and actions for success. Measuring success through KPIs is essential for growth. Time management is crucial in a fast-paced world. Failure is a feature of the journey, not a bug.

    59 min
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About

Welcome to Stratospheric Leaders - the podcast that brings you unfiltered, inspiring conversations with the visionaries shaping capital markets. I'm Georgie Dickins and each episode, I sit down with leaders who don’t just redefine industries - they create them. You’ll hear game-changing strategies, personal stories, and powerful insights from those who have achieved stratospheric success. These are the lessons they don’t teach you at business school. If you’re ready to elevate your game and those around you - you’re in the right place. And if you enjoy hearing from these titans, hit follow.

Information

  • Creator
    Stratospheric Leaders
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stratospheric Leaders
  • Show Website
    Stratospheric Leaders

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