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In this episode of Spotlight Sessions, Morgan Latif's Vice President Americas, Ollie Pearn, is joined by Dano Lister, CEO of vPET, who has spent more than 25 years building, scaling, and transforming industrial businesses in partnership with private equity sponsors. Dano brings a track record of value creation across packaging and advanced materials. He took Balcan Innovations from a founder-led flexible packaging company to a professionalised platform with revenue past $500 million, integrated three family-owned businesses into a single national platform at Momentium, and held senior leadership roles at SWM International, Greif, and The Dow Chemical Company. It is a career that offers a rare, unfiltered view of what sponsor ownership genuinely changes. Together, they delve into: The impact private equity creates in packaging, and what the model actually asks of a leadership team The toughest decisions Dano has faced, including the call to expand into the United States and stand up the footprint in under 90 days Why the harder question is rarely whether to act, but where to commit and how quickly you can execute once you have decided Whether the pressure to create value early changes the kind of executive Dano hires, and why bias to action matters more than perfect analysis What separates a great executive search partner from an average one, and why the difference shows up long before a shortlist lands How much influence private equity will hold over packaging across the next decade, and what that means for the leaders running these businesses Why we put such emphasis on assessing behaviours as well as track record, and on delivering right first time, on time

In this episode of Spotlight Sessions, Morgan Latif's Head of Chemicals, Matt Harman, is joined by Ana Perroni, President, Coatings & Construction Solutions and EMEA at Synthomer, who leads a global business spanning coatings and construction solutions alongside regional responsibility across EMEA. Ana brings over 20 years of global sales and marketing experience, with a strong track record of successfully commercialising solutions for end markets. She began her career at Ciba Specialty Chemicals in Brazil, was elected President of RadTech South America for two consecutive terms, and currently serves as a Trustee of the Board at SCI, the Society of Chemical Industry. It is a career that offers a rare view of what the step into the most senior seat genuinely demands. Together, they delve into: The making of a president, and what really changes when a leader moves from running a function to running a businessThe qualities that matter most for aspiring leaders stepping up to executive level, from commercial judgement to self awarenessWhy resilience sits at the top of Ana's list, and the reality of a role that expects you to be ready around the clockThe true cost of getting a leadership hire wrong, from lost momentum and stalled projects to the credibility a team spends months rebuildingWhy the CV only takes you so far, and why Ana values meeting people face to face and trusting her instinct once the evidence has been done properlyWhat separates leaders who genuinely elevate team performance from those who simply hold the right experience on paperWhy we put such emphasis on assessing behaviours as well as track record, and on delivering right first time, on time

In this episode of Spotlight Sessions, Morgan Latif's Vice President Americas, Ollie Pearn, is joined by José María Rodríguez-Meis, President & COO of GPA Global, who leads a global platform across packaging, manufacturing, and logistics. With nearly two decades of experience spanning both public and private equity-backed environments, José combines a strong finance foundation with deep operational expertise. Together, they delve into: •The discipline behind sustainable EBITDA expansion, and why real value creation comes from rigour rather than urgency alone  •How the Morgan Latif process combines sector experience, data, and technology with rigorous assessment to improve leadership and hiring outcomes  •Whether leadership hiring is becoming more sophisticated than ever, and how far that sophistication should go before it becomes complexity for its own sake  •Whether AI will ever take over the importance of executive search, and why José believes the human touch will always be needed to hire the right leader  •The balance between speed and rigour when assessing and appointing senior talent in fast-moving, performance-driven environments  •The leadership behaviours and operational discipline that turn strategy into measurable, long-term value

In this episode of Spotlight Sessions, Morgan Latif's Director, Dave Cumming, is joined by Michael Zacka, CEO, board member, and global C-suite leader, most recently leading Amcor Flexibles across EMEA and Asia. Together, they delve into: In this episode, Dave and Michael discuss: • How leaders can make the right hiring decisions first time, even when the pressure to move quickly is high • Building leadership depth across a portfolio and creating succession strength for long-term value creation • Why leadership starts where uncertainty ends, and how effective leaders navigate complexity with confidence • The balance between speed and rigour when assessing and appointing senior talent • Developing resilient leadership teams capable of driving growth, transformation, and performance • The critical role leadership capability plays in executing strategy and delivering sustainable business outcomes

In this episode of Spotlight Sessions, Morgan Latif’s Senior Consultant Jack Cowan is joined by Stefan Herr, Managing Director at Microvast. In this episode, Jack and Stefan discuss: • Practical strategies leaders can use to broaden their talent pools and build inclusive, high-performing organisations • Why external perspectives are essential for challenging entrenched thinking • How mentorship can be developed by learning from a range of different people • The value of actively listening and taking insights from everyday conversations with others

In this episode of Spotlight Sessions, Morgan Latif’s Principal Consultant Leo Gualchierotti is joined by Elizabeth C., a senior executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across private equity-backed and publicly listed multinationals including Boston Scientific, Sealed Air Corporation, Nelipak Healthcare Packaging, Amcor and Sonoco. Together, they explore the personal and professional realities of building a high-performance career in industry, including why Elizabeth chose to enter and stay in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Elizabeth and Leo unpack: Elizabeth’s transition from corporate executive to portfolio career Her research into AI’s role in workplace bias and decision-making Why she entered a male-dominated industry and what kept her there How operationally minded senior women can position themselves for advisory and board roles in today’s evolving business landscape

In this episode of Spotlight Sessions: From Lab to Leadership, join our manager, Matt Harman, and special guest Pooja Aggarwal, Marketing Conference Coordinator at Women in Chemicals, as they delve into the fascinating journey of blending academia and industry in the chemicals sector. Pooja shares her unique experiences navigating both worlds, offering valuable insights into how academic research and industry collaboration are shaping the future of chemical innovations.  Tune in now to discover: Pooja's pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry in the chemicals field They look at cultural differences, the relevance of transferable skills & why diversity seen in academic settings doesn't always translate into the chemical sector Advice for researchers considering a similar move

In this episode, Sam Latif, President of Morgan Latif, sits down with Navid Nazemian, the World’s No.1 Executive Coach, for a special reunion. Five years after Navid was the first guest on the original podcast, they discuss his incredible journey to becoming the globally recognized #1 Executive Coach. From his work helping leaders navigate executive transitions to his philosophy on leadership development, Navid’s insights are both transformative and inspiring.

In this episode, David shares his incredible journey in the world of IVF, the lives he has impacted, and how advancements in fertility treatments have shaped the future of family planning. From a groundbreaking medical career to transforming the lives of countless families, David's insights are both deeply personal and profoundly impactful. Tune in now to discover: David's pivotal role in IVF treatments and his views on future advancements Key insights on how fertility has evolved and what’s next in this crucial field How fertility treatments are helping individuals and families plan their futures.

In this episode, Sam Latif, Director at Morgan Latif, sits down with Andrea Di Paola, Vice President at Essity, to discuss the evolving landscape of the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry and the keys to driving success in this dynamic sector. Together, Sam and Andrea explore Andrea's journey managing a 1.2 billion euro business unit, overseeing large commercial and operations teams, and how taking risks has been essential in achieving his business success. Tune in now to discover: Andrea’s insights on managing large-scale operations in the CPG industry. The role of risk-taking in achieving business growth and success. How organisations can navigate the changing landscape of the CPG sector.

In this episode, Dave Cumming, Director at Morgan Latif, sits down with Patrick Vielle, Former Head of Group Engineering at Emmi Group, to discuss the importance of unlocking senior expertise before retirement and the value of transition planning. Together, Dave and Patrick explore how organisations can tap into the wisdom of senior leaders, ensuring knowledge transfer and fostering sustainable growth as they approach retirement. Tune in now to discover: Patrick’s insights on the importance of senior expertise in industrial maintenance How organisations can prepare for leadership transitions effectively The role of mentorship and knowledge-sharing in preserving organisational continuity

In this episode, Principal Consultant Leo Gualchierotti speaks with Valeria Rais, CHRO at Berlin Packaging, to explore how inclusive leadership and cultural purpose are key to driving sustainable innovation. Together, Leo and Valeria dive into the evolving role of DE&I in leadership, and how organisations can  adapt to the everchanging nature of the workplace.  Tune in now to discover: How Valeria’s perspective on DE&I has evolved throughout her career Why purpose-led culture is essential for innovation and long-term growth The role of authentic leadership in shaping future-ready organisations

In this episode our Senior Client Consultant Megan la Frenais is joined by Jack Simmons, President of Medical Devices at Corza Medical, to explore how leadership shapes innovation in the medical technology industry. Jack brings over 15 years of leadership experience, having joined Corza Medical through the acquisition of Katena Products, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Global Sales. His expertise spans direct selling, distributor partnerships, commercial operations, and global customer service. Together, Megan and Jack discuss how legacy leadership drives innovation and sustainable growth in medical devices. Tune in for exclusive insights on building lasting impact through visionary leadership.

Welcome to Spotlight Sessions: Packaging Through the Lens of a Senior HR Executive – Episode 9 In this episode, Ollie Pearn, Manager of Paper and Packaging, is joined by Amy Peterson, VP of HR at Huhtamaki North America, to discuss Amy's journey of HR leadership in the packaging industry. Amy has been with Huhtamaki for 25 years and has served in a number of HR roles including Plant HR & Safety Manager, Sr. Manager of HR Operations, Sr. Manager of Global Projects and currently as the VP of HR. She partners with the senior leadership team to support the strategic objectives, attract, retain and develop top talent, and build a high-performance culture.

Welcome to Spotlight Sessions: Winning Mindsets – Lessons from Sport & Business Leadership Episode 8 Oliver has led the turnaround of the Gundlach Packaging Group, overseeing operations across Oerlinghausen, Dubai, and Warsaw, including the SiebertHead pre-press and design agency. With a strong background in leadership and transformation, he shares insights into navigating complex business challenges while maintaining a high-performance mindset. In this episode, Leo Gualchierotti, Principal Consultant at Morgan Latif, sits down with Oliver Bruns, CEO of Gundlach Packaging, to explore the winning mindsets that drive success in both sport and business.