Joshua O'Connor sits down with Graham Levinsohn, a seasoned business leader and the current CEO and Chairman of Sureserve Group. Graham offers a deep dive into his remarkable career journey, from his roots in Newcastle to leading a global workforce of 65,000 at G4S.

In this episode, Graham shares invaluable insights on:

• Strategic Leadership: The critical difference between having a strategy and executing it successfully. He discusses the importance of simplifying complex challenges and getting people "on the train" to drive change.
• Navigating Uncertainty: Graham recounts his experience during the takeover of G4S by Allied Universal, sharing how he maintained stability and motivation within the massive organization.
• The Private Equity World: He explains what a CEO of a private equity-backed business actually does, highlighting the key differences between working in a private versus a public company, particularly in terms of timeline and shareholder relationships.
• Building A-Caliber Teams: Graham provides a fascinating perspective on leadership, stressing the importance of building a team of "A-players" and moving beyond the need to be the sole expert. He believes a true leader's job is to be the conductor of the orchestra, not the master of every instrument.
• The Power of Values: Learn how personal and company values act as a guiding light, helping leaders make the right decisions during difficult times.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, corporate strategy, and the human side of business.

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In this episode of the Air Supply podcast, host Joshua O'Connor interviews Carlo Alloni, the CEO of Bellrock Group. Alloni, who previously held leadership roles at Ericsson, Cable & Wireless, and Mitie, shares his career journey and insights into leading a technology-led, private equity-backed business. He discusses the core values and strategies that drive Bellrock Group's success, particularly its focus on people, technology, and customer obsession.

• From Investment Banking to Telecoms to Facilities Management: Alloni's career path is a journey through different industries. He started in investment banking, moved into telecommunications with Ericsson and Cable & Wireless, and then transitioned to the facilities management market with Mitie before becoming CEO of Bellrock Group.
• The Three Pillars of Leadership: Alloni dedicates his time to three key stakeholders: clients, teams, and shareholders. He emphasizes the importance of anticipating client challenges and being accountable for solutions. He believes in creating an engaged and inspired team, and sees shareholder returns as a natural consequence of delighted clients and engaged employees.
• The Private Equity Advantage: He highlights the advantages of private equity, including a shorter time between decision-making and execution, a focus on what truly matters, and a high degree of flexibility. He believes this environment is fast-paced and motivating, and that it provides a clearer sense of the impact of one’s contributions.
• The Importance of a Strong Culture: Alloni has a "pact" of behaviors that he shares with his team and looks for in new hires. These behaviors include trust, accountability, a focus on solutions over excuses, and a commitment to communication. He values good people with high ethical standards and a focus on clients and teams. He also emphasizes the importance of promoting from within and leveraging the best ideas from frontline employees.
• A Legacy of Goodness: Alloni is driven by a desire to win as a team, lead by example, and "do good." He finds motivation in creating meaningful value for clients and opportunities for his team members. His ultimate goal is to leave a legacy of a great business.

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Join host Joshua O'Connor on this episode of the Air Supply podcast as he speaks with Rebecca Galley, CEO of Tornado Wire.

Rebecca shares her compelling journey, from starting in telesales to leading multi-million-pound businesses without a traditional university path at 18.

Highlights of their conversation include:

• An Unconventional Rise: Rebecca discusses why she chose direct work experience over university and how her later MBA profoundly impacted her career and confidence.
• The Reality of a CEO: Get an inside look at the diverse, day-to-day responsibilities of a CEO, from factory insights to strategic planning, and how to balance immediate problems with long-term vision.
• Leading in Niche Markets: Rebecca explains her success in specialized sectors, emphasizing the crucial role of strong company culture, employee satisfaction, and customer service.
• The Power of Communication: Learn Rebecca's core philosophy on building a thriving work environment through open dialogue, active listening, and empowering teams.
• Motivation & Resilience: Rebecca reveals what truly drives people at work and how she manages pressure, offering valuable insights on navigating challenges and the importance of seeking support.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, career resilience, and the dynamics of building successful businesses.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Air Supply, Joshua O'Connor sits down with Charles Burbridge, a leader whose career path is as unconventional as it is insightful. Charles's journey began with 17 years as an army officer, including multiple tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He shares what drew him to these high-stakes environments, emphasizing his belief in servant leadership and the invaluable lessons learned from the "savvy, capable, thoughtful, and opinionated" young soldiers he led. Discover how this military experience, particularly his role as a media spokesman during a challenging tour in Iraq, honed his ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders and manage profound human tragedy while maintaining a sense of purpose.

Charles then transitioned to the commercial sector, initially in large corporate debt restructuring at RBS. He candidly discusses the unexpected difficulties of this shift, contrasting the military's objective-driven environment with the process-heavy corporate world. This led him to find his "calling" in global sales, ultimately running the high-risk divisions for G4S and Allied Universal in challenging frontier markets like Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and South Sudan. Charles unpacks what makes a truly great salesperson, highlighting absolute reliability, trustworthiness, and the courage to "go for the close." He also reveals how he fosters resilience and motivation when targets seem unattainable, emphasizing that sales is a "people game," not a "numbers game."

Later, Charles moved into MD/CEO roles for business turnarounds, leading underperforming companies in sectors like international security and electronic security. He shares his methodical approach to transformation, starting with increasing productivity and instilling a sense of purpose within demotivated teams. This episode offers critical insights for those in investor-backed businesses, as Charles details the complexities of integrating acquired companies, particularly when dealing with founders and their long-standing teams.

Finally, Charles offers profound reflections on leadership, discussing how he navigates daily challenges and the importance of seeing "tomorrow with real clarity" rather than getting bogged down in today's problems. He also shares invaluable wisdom on achieving work-life separation, stressing that "sleep is a weapon" and leaders must prioritize their well-being to make sound decisions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and the fascinating journey of translating high-stakes military experience into impactful commercial success.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Air Supply, the podcast from J.O. Collective for ambitious professionals seeking a deeper understanding of leadership and their careers.

In this episode, your host, Joshua O'Connor, sits down with Giles Desforges, a veteran commercial leader and the current CEO of Energy Park, a dynamic private equity-backed EV infrastructure business.

Giles brings a wealth of experience, having helmed roles across large PLCs, founder-led entrepreneurial ventures, and successful private equity-backed companies. If you've ever wondered what it's truly like to lead a business under the intense, yet uniquely aligned, pressures of private equity, this episode is for you.

Join us as Giles shares invaluable insights on:

• The distinct roles of CEO and Chief Commercial Officer in driving value creation within a PE framework.
• The unique alignment between management teams and investors in private equity, and why it can be a powerful force for growth.
• Coping with pressure: Practical techniques for managing ambitious financial targets and the "always-on" nature of leadership.
• The power of "why": How explaining the rationale behind decisions fuels team performance and enables effective pushback with investors.
• Decision-making under scrutiny: Balancing data-driven analysis with gut instinct, and fostering healthy disagreement for better outcomes.
• Learning from mistakes: Giles candidly discusses past failures, including a £10 million deal collapse, and the transformative power of reflection.
• The unexpected qualities of top hires: Why attitude and resilience, particularly born from past failures, are more important than a "gilded path."
• Crucial advice for aspiring PE executives: Why pursuing private equity "is not about the money," and the vital role of mentors in your career journey.

Whether you're an aspiring CEO, a seasoned leader, or simply curious about the world of high-growth businesses, this episode of Air Supply offers a refreshing and honest look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels.

Tune in to learn how to navigate the demands of leadership with integrity, resilience, and a clear vision.

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This week on Air Supply, host Joshua O'Connor delves into the extraordinary life of Matthew Torbitt. @MatthewTorbitt. Matthew is a writer, broadcaster, and political advisor based in the UK, but his journey began in the stark reality of homelessness as a young teenager.

In this deeply personal and insightful conversation, Matthew recounts his complex adolescence, marked by involvement in crime and a subsequent prison sentence.

However, these challenging experiences ignited a powerful political awakening. He shares his remarkable transformation, from navigating the harsh realities of the streets to pursuing higher education and ultimately working within the UK Parliament.

Now a well-known media commentator and journalist, Matthew speaks with compelling passion about social mobility. He underscores the vital importance for leaders across all sectors to recognize the untapped potential within individuals from every corner of the country and to actively create opportunities. His own life stands as powerful evidence that talent truly is everywhere, regardless of background.

As the final episode of our first series, this conversation is a testament to resilience, the power of second chances, and the enduring human spirit. Join Joshua and Matthew as they explore his incredible story, offering profound insights into societal issues and the potential for individual transformation.

Follow Matthew on X:@MatthewTorbitt

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From the heat of the Brexit battle to the complexities of navigating COVID and the Net Zero agenda, Steve Baker MP has been a central, often controversial, figure in recent British politics. Join us for an incredibly candid and insightful conversation as Steve reflects on his unconventional journey from the Royal Air Force and the dot-com boom to the heart of Westminster.

In this episode, Steve pulls back the curtain on the realities of leading without authority, the personal toll of standing by his principles (even when it meant rebelling against his own party), and the strategic and emotional battles fought during some of the UK's most pivotal moments. He shares his unique perspective on the incentives of politics versus business, the art of building consensus (and when it's impossible), and why he wouldn't wish his political journey on anyone.

Beyond the headlines, we delve into Steve's decision-making framework, the influence of his background, and his surprising thoughts on whether it was all "worth it." This is a raw and honest look at the pressures of political leadership, the challenges of navigating deeply divided opinions, and the surprising lessons learned from being right in the eye of the storm.

Whether you're deeply engaged in politics or simply curious about the human side of leadership during times of crisis, this episode offers a fascinating and thought-provoking perspective you won't want to miss.

Steve Baker Website

The Provocation People

Keywords: Steve Baker, Politics, UK Politics, Brexit, COVID, Net Zero, Leadership, Rebellion, Principles, Political Leadership, Podcast, Interview, Current Affairs, Government.

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Welcome to Air Supply, a podcast from J.O. Collective. In this bonus episode, host Joshua O'Connor shares the extraordinary and deeply moving story of Mark, a coach whose life journey defies expectations. Originally intended as a standard interview, this episode unveils a narrative of resilience and transformation.

Mark's story begins with an affluent upbringing, but takes a dramatic turn as severe bullying leads him down a dark path of football gangs, violence, drugs, and ultimately, imprisonment. Despite these challenges, Mark's journey is one of profound change. He has since dedicated his life to coaching, helping others across the UK find their own paths to healing and success.

Marc's website: https://the-mens-coach.com/

Marc's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-singer-coaching-276a90196/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.