The Leader Insights Series Jonathan O'Hagan

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

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!

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!

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!

In this episode I have the pleasure of talking with the wonderful Louisa Hogarty, Group HR Director, Noble Foods.

This was a great conversation! Louisa is a proven and experienced HR leader and 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 6 years as Group HRD with the Family owned, Noble Foods.

Louisa and I have a wide-ranging conversation covering a number of topics including what’s on her priority list right now, her thoughts on what makes a great leader, we delve into her career journey understanding what has helped along the way. We also discuss the things both Louisa and Noble Foods are focused on to ensure profitable growth for the future. 

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!

For episode 45 we welcomed special guest Jonny Briscoe, the UK Managing Director for Perfetti van Melle.

If you’re not familiar Perfetti van Melle well stay tuned, as Jonny and I talk all about the business, the challenges he faced joining mid-way through the Pandemic and also we talk about what’s on his priority list in order to continue driving the growth of the business here in the UK.

Jonny was a delight to talk with. You'll hear a very authentic and down-to-earth person, clearly motivated by people and helping the people around him to achieve. We delve into his leadership style, his advice for aspiring leaders of the future and he reflects on his own career journey where we can draw out some excellent advice.

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!