The Leader Insights Series Podcast

Jonathan O'Hagan

Hello and welcome to the Leader Insights Series… the platform where we uncover the secrets to career and business success and gain real insight from inspirational figures across the Food and Drink Industry. In each episode, there’ll be honest and open discussions, delving into the careers of top executives, understanding their career journeys and crucially, gaining advice that you can apply to help advance your own career. We cover important topics such as where it began, leadership styles, current challenges their dealing with and drawing out critical advice you can apply.

  1. Let's Talk: The Future Workplace

    06/19/2024

    Let's Talk: The Future Workplace

    In our third episode this series the focus is all about the future of the workplace. I was delighted to chat with Julia Darvill, Regional Director at Puratos, and Louisa Hogarty, Group HR Director at Noble Foods. Julia is an experienced leader who cares a lot about legacy and the impact this will have on those in the workplace. Having worked within the drinks industry at organisations such as Molson Coors and Britvic, Julia then went on to join Puratos in 2015. She is now the Regional Director for UK & Ireland, setting their vision and strategic direction in the ever-competitive and evolving bakery ingredients arena. Louisa is a proven and experienced HR leader who has a keen eye on the future workplace. Her track record since graduating from University in 2006 includes working with SSP, Rail Gourmet, GU Puds, G4S, Wyevale Garden Centres and for the past 8 years as Group HRD with the Family owned, Noble Foods. In this episode, we delve into how the workplace is changing giving our best insights into what the future workplace will look like, feel like and importantly what employees will truly value in the future. Through the conversation we discuss many topics including the skills people need to support their changing careers moving forwards especially with the rise of the “green collar worker”. We recap on how the pandemic changed our routines and what we value – and how this is shifting again now as we embrace advancements like AI as part of our future. We also focus on the growing importance of sustainability and how this is impacting roles and objectives across organisations, as well as why it is important to build neurodiverse teams and change the conversation and culture around hiring for neurodiversity in organisations. I hope you like this epsiode and, as ever, if you’d like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jonathan.ohagan@leaderexecutivesearch.com Enjoy!

    1h 29m
  2. Let's Talk: Accelerating your job search in 2024

    05/01/2024

    Let's Talk: Accelerating your job search in 2024

    For season two of The Leader Insights Series Podcast I’ve mixed up the format slightly and every episode will now feature multiple guests, discussing a particular challenge or issue. In this first episode I had the pleasure of welcoming back Sam Waterfall, London’s Global Career Coach, as well as speaking to Andrew Elder, an experienced FMCG marketeer, for the first time, to discuss how to accelerate your job search in 2024. As a reminder, Sam is a high-impact career coach with a background in marketing and a no-nonsense approach to getting you the job you really want. Whether it’s helping young people overcome their inexperience to land their first job, or it’s working alongside senior leaders to build strategies for their career growth, Sam has worked with people in all stages of their career search (helping some land jobs in Nike, Redbull, Virgin, Facebook and the NHS to name a few!) Andrew has amassed around 25 years’ experience working in a variety of marketing roles across FMCG. He’s worked for organisations such as Kellogg’s, Premier Foods and brands such as Birdseye, Quorn and Stella Artois. As an omni-channel marketeer Andrew has worked across insight, innovation and brand strategy but above all, he’s an exceptionally nice guy with an infectiously positive disposition!   In this episode, we focus on how to accelerate your job search 2024. Through the conversation my guests provide actionable tips of how to help you find your next role including how to get the most out of LinkedIn Premium, the importance of having ‘clarity’ in your job search and the benefits of networking and how to maximise this. We also discuss the realities of going through a job search and how you can keep yourself motivated and energised during the process. I hope you like this new format and, as ever, if you’d like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jonathan.ohagan@leaderexecutivesearch.com Enjoy!

    1h 19m
  3. 10/17/2022

    Ep50. William Chase, Founder of Tyrrells Potato Chips, Chase Single Estate Spirits and Willy's Farming & Fermenting Probiotic Live Foods.

    For the final episode in the series, I had the pleasure of speaking to William Chase, a serial entrepreneur from the Food & Beverage world.  So William Chase, or Willy to his friends is an entrepreneur from the Food & Drink industry. Having founded Tyrrells Potato Chips in 2002 he successfully developed and ultimately sold the business for an estimated £30m before moving into Gin, establishing Chase Distillery which later went on to be bought by Diageo. Currently leading the development of another business, Willy’s Probiotic Live Foods Will kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with me… at the time of recording Will was on his Boat somewhere between Corsica and Sicily… and if you could, why wouldn’t you be! Will was great to speak with. Humble, grounded but with a sense of peace at where he is in life after some turbulent times in his 20’s which saw him face bankruptcy. In more recent times Will faced severe illness which you can tell has given him real perspective on the way he approaches both life and business. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did chatting with Will. Do check out Willy’s Probiotic Live Foods, I’m currently 10 days into a 60-day challenge you can sign up to here: https://www.willysacv.com/60-day-challenge/ Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com

    54 min
  4. 10/03/2022

    Ep49. Kristian Tapaninaho & Darina Garland, Founders of Ooni Pizza Ovens

    My special guests for this penultimate episode of The Leader Insights Series Podcast are…… Husband and Wife duo Darina Garland and Kristian Tapaninaho, the Founders and Co-CEO of Ooni Pizza Ovens. Kristian and Darina were great to talk with. The Husband and Wife team share the impressive growth journey they’ve been on since launching Ooni in 2012, starting with the simple vision of replicating restaurant-quality pizzas at home. We discuss a variety of topics including how crucial an early fundraising Kickstarter scheme was to give them proof of concept for what was not only a new product, but an invention of a whole new category. They cite optimism & belief as being fundamental in those early days and Darina talks about how she believes having a set of core company values and prioritising culture has been, and continues to be as important as having an amazing product. So listen in, I hope you enjoy the conversation and of course check out Ooni Pizza Ovens and the amazing range of products. As you’ll hear they have big plans for the future… Subscribe to the Podcast if you’ve not done so already and you’ll get notified of future guests! Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub  Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com Enjoy!

    39 min
  5. 09/19/2022

    Ep48. Martin Murray, Founder & CEO, Waterdrop

    For this episode, I was delighted to speak to the talented Martin Murray, the Co-Founder and CEO of Waterdrop. Now some of you may be familiar with Waterdrop, if not, don’t worry I have the pleasure of talking to their Founder and CEO about the business that is revolutionising the way we drink water. Not only that, it’s good for people, the planet and they are growing at a phenomenal rate! As you’ll hear, Martin is a down to earth, authentic and passionate leader. An entrepreneur at heart he always had a burning desire to start a company – it just so happened he came up with an idea that has created the fastest growing F&B business in Europe as voted for by the FT. They’ve experienced over 400% growth YOY since inception and the future looks even brighter… This is an all-encompassing conversation, including the early years of founding Waterdrop through to the priorities Martin’s focused on. We discuss the challenges they’ve faced scaling the business including entering new territories such as the US. Martin also shares some superb advice for aspiring entrupreneurs and how he goes about hiring and surrounding himself with the right people, it’s fascinating… Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com Enjoy!

    54 min
  6. 08/22/2022

    Ep47. Shelagh Hancock, Chief Executive Officer, First Milk Ltd

    For this episode I spoke with the wonderful Shelagh Hancock, the Chief Executive Officer for First Milk, the wholly British farmer-owned Dairy co-operative. Having graduated with a Degree in Agricultural Biochemistry & Nutrition, Shelagh went on to complete a Masters in Animal Nutrition before embarking on a career within the Dairy industry spanning over 25 years. Shelagh’s successfully worked with the likes of Glanbia Foods, Milk Link, Medina Dairy and for the past 5 years as CEO of First Milk, who we’ll learn more about in the upcoming episode… Shelagh and I have a great discussion… we talk about: Her career journey, including the traits & attributes that have been most helpful in progressing her career so far The great growth journey she’s taken First Milk on since joining as CEO back in 2017 The changing landscape of Dairy and how Shelagh and First Milk are creating not just sustainable but regenerative farming practices What Shelagh believes Farms of the future will look like Shelagh’s clearly very passionate about the Dairy industry and calls out the purpose-driven nature of Co-Operative Farming as one of her main motivators. Finally, be sure to check out The Mentors Club - launched earlier 2022! The mentoring initiative where you can connect with the industry's most inspirational leaders all in the name of charity. To find out more, support the initiative and book your session just visit: www.leaderexecutive.com/thementorsclub Our continued thanks to our sponsor Obvious Candidate. To take advantage and get your free Obvious Candidate Insider Guides and Career Scorecard just visit: www.obviouscandidate.com Thank you for listening and as ever, if you'd like to get in touch for any reason you can reach me at Jon@leaderexecutivesearch.com Enjoy!

    41 min

About

Hello and welcome to the Leader Insights Series… the platform where we uncover the secrets to career and business success and gain real insight from inspirational figures across the Food and Drink Industry. In each episode, there’ll be honest and open discussions, delving into the careers of top executives, understanding their career journeys and crucially, gaining advice that you can apply to help advance your own career. We cover important topics such as where it began, leadership styles, current challenges their dealing with and drawing out critical advice you can apply.