Leaders with Ambition

Ambition UK
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Welcome to Leaders with Ambition, the podcast that dives deep into the careers of some of the most successful leaders working in professional services firms. We aim to discover the secrets behind their success, the challenges they face and to find out what traits make a successful leader. About the host: Nicky Acuna Ocana is the Regional Managing Director of Ambition, an international recruitment agency specialising in business services recruitment (Finance, Accounting, BD, Marketing, Insolvency, Restructuring and Corporate Finance) in professional services firms.

  1. FEB 9

    Ep. 88 Nicola Meritt - ''Resilience isn’t toughness it’s having space for things to go wrong'

    In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana welcomes Nicola Merritt, Founder & CEO of Cortus Advisory Group.Nicola shares her journey from growing up in the North of England in an entrepreneurial family to building and scaling a multi-office advisory firm. From selling handmade gifts at primary school to founding and leading a fast-growing professional services business, Nicola’s story is one of focus, discipline, and bold decision-making.Throughout the conversation, Nicola reflects on her early career ambitions, her formative years at KPMG, and the pivotal moments that led her to step away from partnership to launch her own firm during the COVID period. She offers thoughtful insights into modern leadership, the importance of culture, empathy, resilience, and why creating space to think is essential for long-term success.Nicola also speaks openly about confidence, motherhood, managing pressure, personal growth, and redefining what success truly means both professionally and personally. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for leaders, founders, and anyone navigating ambition alongside real life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nicola Merritt 02:05 Growing Up in the North: Early Influences 04:42 The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Crafting and Selling 06:09 Education and Career Path: KPMG Experience 09:54 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship 11:40 The Inflection Point: Launching Cortis Advisory Group 14:30 The Importance of Mentorship 17:07 Building Networks: Internal and External 19:03 Creating a Strong Company Culture 21:29 Listening to Every Voice in the Organisation 22:38 The Importance of Listening and Communication 23:24 Reflecting on Leadership Styles 24:33 The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership 28:09 The Role of Empathy in Leadership 30:35 Personal Growth and Work-Life Balance 34:04 The Importance of Self-Care and Recovery 37:40 Supporting Female Leaders and Advocacy 40:33 Challenges in the Industry and Future Outlook 43:03 Words of Wisdom for Young Leaders

    44 min

  2. JAN 26

    Ep. 87 Seema Jones- ''You have to take ownership of your career and decide what you want.''

    In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana welcomes Seema Jones, CFO & COO at Town Legal. Seema shares her journey from her upbringing in Manchester and Bolton to holding dual executive roles at a leading law firm. She offers candid insights on the transition from management to leadership, the power of networks, and the importance of resilience and continuous learning. Seema discusses her varied career across global corporations, SMEs, and the public sector, highlighting the value of adaptability, the impact of mentoring, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. She also reflects on the evolving landscape of professional services, including the rise of AI and the critical role of culture in attracting and retaining talent. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Seema Jones and Key Themes 01:50 Seema’s Early Life and Career Origins 02:46 Discovering Accounting 05:06 Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant 05:36 Moving into Industry 07:01 Life on the Trading Floor 07:49 Leadership Responsibilities in Manchester 09:33 Using Networks to Create Career Opportunities 10:33 Career Break and Family Priorities 11:21 Public Sector Experience and New Perspectives 13:26 Joining Towne Meagle as Finance Director 14:03 Combining the CFO and COO Roles 15:59 Adapting to the Legal Profession 17:49 Building a Strong Legal Sector Network 19:47 Ownership, Resilience and Leadership Mindset 23:22 Vulnerability, Flexibility and Career Choices 24:55 Transitioning from Management to Leadership 26:52 The Value of Mentoring28:13 Continuous Learning and Career Development 30:14 In‑Person Learning vs Remote Work 34:25 Volunteering and Work‑Life Balance 35:08 Key Challenges Facing Leaders Today 37:52 Culture, Retention and Attracting Talent 39:05 Legacy and Long‑Term Impact 40:12 Values, Integrity and Resilience 42:14 Taking Safe Risks and Trusted Advisors 43:30 Leading Across Cultures 45:05 Words of Wisdom for Future Leaders 46:00 Closing Reflections

    40 min

  3. JAN 13

    Ep. 86 Rhys Madoc- “Being a leader is not about knowing all the answers, but about making sure together we can get the solutions.”

    In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana welcomes Rhys Madoc, CEO of UHY International. Rhys shares his journey from a childhood steeped in the arts to leading a global accounting and consulting network, offering insights on leadership, culture, innovation, and the importance of continuous learning. Rhys discusses his transition from the world of theatre and television to international business, the challenges and rewards of building teams across cultures, and the evolving role of technology and AI in professional services. He also reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave and shares practical advice for aspiring leaders. ​ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rhys Madoc's Journey 01:21 Exploring Career Goals and Progression 04:21 The Importance of International Business 09:33 Cultural Significance in Professional Services 09:48 Networking in Professional Services 12:14 Leadership Development and Personal Growth 13:11 The Role of Mentoring in Career Advancement 14:23 Work-Life Balance and Stress Management 15:17 Addressing Imposter Syndrome 16:22 Challenges in Professional Services 17:23 Legacy and Words of Wisdom for Future Leaders

    42 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Ep. 85 Connor Kinnear- ''Networking is about being authentic and making work fun.''

    In this episode of the Leaders with Ambition podcast, Connor Kinnear shares his remarkable journey from door-to-door sales to becoming the CMO of Passle. He discusses the importance of resilience, networking, and the challenges faced in marketing roles, particularly within law firms. Connor emphasizes the transformative impact of AI on marketing and the significance of hiring the right talent. He also offers valuable insights on managing stress and maintaining a work-life balance, concluding with words of wisdom for future generations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Connor Kinnear 02:25 Early Career and Sales Experience 06:53 Transitioning from Law to Business 09:28 Corporate Experience and Career Decisions 10:45 The Importance of Diverse Experiences 14:14 Moving to Diageo and Marketing Insights 18:36 Becoming CMO and Creative Freedom 22:01 Journey to Passel and Innovative Marketing Strategies 26:17 Personalized Marketing Strategies 27:48 The Birth of Passel 29:13 Transitioning to Sales Leadership 30:53 Navigating the Startup Environment 32:43 Focusing on the Legal Market 34:06 Building Trust and Relationships 34:55 The Importance of Networking 39:19 Managing Stress and Burnout 41:54 The Role of CMOs in Law Firms 46:29 Embracing AI in Marketing 48:44 Hiring and Retaining Talent 50:33 Words of Wisdom for Future Generations

    51 min

  5. 11/17/2025

    Ep. 84 Koree Khongphand-Buckman - ''We’re all in it together. If you’re in it for yourself, you’re in the wrong group.

    In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana welcomes Koree Khongphand-Buckman, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Foley & Lardner. Koree shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in Wyoming to leading marketing and business development at a major law firm, offering insights on resilience, team leadership, and the power of mentorship. Koree discusses her transition from public accounting to legal marketing, the challenges and rewards of building high-performing teams, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning. She also reflects on the evolving role of technology and AI in legal marketing, and the legacy she hopes to leave in the industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Career Journey 02:05 Transitioning from Accounting to Law 06:03 The Importance of Mentoring 09:02 Paying Mentorship Forward 12:00 Finding Passion in Legal Marketing 16:02 Building Relationships and Collaboration 20:47 The Generosity of the Legal Marketing Community 21:08 Transitioning to Leadership Roles 26:09 Navigating the CMBDO Transition 28:44 Building Relationships in Leadership 31:51 Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout 35:15 The Importance of Team Dynamics 37:22 Professional Development and Growth 41:33 Creating a Collaborative Environment 44:09 Adapting to AI and Technology in Law Firms 49:39 Legacy and Impact in the Industry 51:30 Words of Wisdom for Newcomers

    51 min

  6. 10/20/2025

    Ep. 83 Kelly MacKinnon - “Nothing replaces hard work. The climb never gets easier, it just gets different.”

    In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana sits down with Kelly MacKinnon, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Gibson Dunn. Kelly shares her remarkable journey from Olympic hockey hopeful to leading marketing and business development at one of the world’s top law firms. She discusses the lessons learned from elite sport, the importance of intentional career moves, and how she’s built a reputation for positivity, authenticity, and team leadership in the legal sector Chapters00:00 Introduction to Kelly McKinnon's Journey02:28 From Sports to Marketing: Kelly's Unique Path09:15 Finding Home in Legal Marketing11:37 Transitioning from Management to Leadership18:15 The Importance of Networking and Mentorship21:39 Investing in Yourself: The Role of Coaching24:20 Building a Strong Team26:51 Coping with Burnout and Imposter Syndrome31:09 Personal Qualities for Success35:09 Encouraging Continuous Learning36:43 Lessons from the Big Four40:42 Current Challenges in Law Firms44:38 Words of Wisdom for Success

    44 min

  7. 10/06/2025

    Ep. 82 Jules Stott - ''Curiosity, creativity, and fairness - those are my guiding traits.”

    In this episode of the Leaders with Ambition podcast, host Nicky Acuna Ocana interviews Jules Stott, a seasoned marketing and business development professional. Jules shares her journey from a working-class background in Wales to becoming a partner at AlixPartners. The conversation explores themes of resilience, career pivots, the importance of networking, and the evolution of leadership. Jules emphasises the significance of mentorship, setting goals, and the challenges faced in the current business landscape, including the impact of AI. #She concludes with words of wisdom for those starting their careers, encouraging them to focus on their own paths and not compare themselves to others. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jules Stott's Journey 01:55 Early Life and Resilience 04:22 Career Beginnings and Marketing Transition 07:27 Growth in Marketing and Business Acumen 10:01 Pivoting into Legal Marketing 13:27 Navigating the Law Firm Landscape 15:36 Consultancy and Career Reflections 17:47 Setting Goals and Achieving Success 20:05 Building Networks and Relationships 24:12 The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship 28:03 Leadership Evolution and Team Dynamics 33:40 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome 39:49 Legacy and Impact in the Industry 44:56 Current Challenges and Future Opportunities 47:34 Words of Wisdom for Future Generations

    45 min

  8. 09/22/2025

    Ep 81. Adam Grainger- ''Be open to change and ask for opportunities. The worst that can happen is someone says no.”

    In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana sits down with Adam Grainger, Chief Operating Officer at Baker Tilly International. Adam shares his inspiring career journey, starting out as a trainee auditor and evolving through leadership roles that have spanned continents. A defining chapter was his international secondment to the US, where he built skills and confidence that shaped the rest of his career. From mentorship and networking to the challenges of technology and change management, Adam offers practical insights on what it takes to thrive as a leader in professional services today. He also highlights the importance of creating psychologically safe workplaces and staying open to growth and new opportunities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adam Grainger's Journey 01:42 Career Beginnings and Early Experiences 07:09 Defining Moments and Career Decisions 15:58 The Impact of International Experience 21:26 Transitioning Back to the UK and New Roles 26:57 Embracing Change and Learning 32:47 The Importance of In-Person Connections 35:47 Building and Investing in Networks 46:21 Challenges Facing COOs Today 48:18 Words of Wisdom for Future Leaders

    50 min
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About

Welcome to Leaders with Ambition, the podcast that dives deep into the careers of some of the most successful leaders working in professional services firms. We aim to discover the secrets behind their success, the challenges they face and to find out what traits make a successful leader. About the host: Nicky Acuna Ocana is the Regional Managing Director of Ambition, an international recruitment agency specialising in business services recruitment (Finance, Accounting, BD, Marketing, Insolvency, Restructuring and Corporate Finance) in professional services firms.

Information

  • Creator
    Ambition UK
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ambition UK
  • Show Website
    Leaders with Ambition