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If any one part of Gary Teper’s business goes wrong, on any given day, somebody could find themselves sleeping rough. In the first two of Gary’s three careers, the consequences of failure were far less apparent… and far less immediate.  As Managing Director of The Housing Network, he’s responsible for a team of 330, who house several thousand people every single night. For them, purpose is far more than words on a wall. Pivoting from investment in the city is a huge leap from profit to purpose, and Gary’s all-in.  What we cover in today’s episode brings together the best insights from three very different careers - and why your team, your purpose, and your longevity are among your most valuable assets… You will learn: How Gary Teper pivoted from law and investment management in the City to leading a purpose-driven housing organisation.Why temporary accommodation is a “necessary evil” — and how reframing it around support and care can change lives.What it really means to balance purpose with commercial discipline in a fast-growing, impact-led business.How treating every role “as if it were your own business” can reshape your career and leadership opportunities.The risks and rewards of going into business with a close friend, and how complementary skills can help scale a mission-led company.🔑 Key Themes Career pivots and the courage to leave a successful City careerBuilding a purpose-driven, impact-led business in supported housingBalancing care, purpose and commercial sustainability in leadershipMindset, ownership and treating every role as if it were your own businessThe power and risk of business partnerships with people you deeply trustGary Teper https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-teper-a9747526/ The Housing Network https://thehousingnetwork.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-housing-network-ltd/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

We talk often about the mentors that change your career. This week, we have the pleasure of speaking to one closely entwined with Dave’s journey - John Zweig. Many of Dave’s tenets in leadership can be traced back to John, whose own journey is laden with huge roles, like those at Procter & Gamble, and WPP. The perspective that this offers him is utterly unique - John’s path equips him with a powerful critique of ‘modern conglomerate synergy’... and the solution to it. Join us for a riveting conversation in which John talks through the difference between good product and good identity, how to decode what truly motivates you, and whether the best pivots in your life are rational, or emotional… You will learn: How shared mission outperforms shared metrics when it comes to collaboration and cultureWhy 80% of decision-making is emotional and unconscious – and what that means for leaders and brandsThe difference between good products and a true identity that emanates from the inside outHow neuromarketing tools like Neuro Insight reveal what really sticks in long-term memory🔑 Key Themes Shared Mission in Big OrganisationsBecoming an Inside-Out Driver of Brand and LeadershipUnconscious Motivation and NeuromarketingHow Leadership Styles Impact CultureCreativity & NeuroplasticityJohn Zweig https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-zweig-9394b236/ Neuro-Insight https://www.linkedin.com/company/neuro-insight/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are beloved by so many, from those who visit to the staff who uphold it. So what happens when a new CEO swoops in to enact change on a place steeped in such history? David Harland’s background includes stepping into the CEO role at Eden, working alongside the indomitable Sir Tim Smit. He’s no stranger to the art of bringing together a sound financial background with ambitious, purpose-driven scaling. So, if you’re looking to root your next growth phase in unshakeable principles, or balancing fiscal realities against a visionary mission, David’s story is proof that your most valuable metric might be one that you can’t measure on a P&L… You will learn: How David pivoted from finance and “jobs for life” into leading place-based organisations like the Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of HeliganWhat it really takes to turn around a much-loved, but financially fragile institution without breaking the trust of staff and visitorsWhy reframing Eden as a replicable business plan unlocked global opportunitiesHow mentoring, apprenticeships and programmes like A Band of Brothers shape David’s approach to leadership and social impact🔑 Key Themes Purpose-Led Leadership and AuthenticityTurnaround, Control and Rebuilding TrustMentorship and OpportunityThe Value of Social ImpactThe Power of PlaceDavid Harland https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-harland-865a9a10/ The Lost Gardens of Heligan https://www.heligan.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lost-gardens-of-heligan/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

It’s impossible to doubt Emma Dagnes’s commitment to Alexandra Palace. As CEO of Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, she oversees a multi-faceted organisation that sees over 5 million people interact with it each year. ‘Ally Pally’ is about more than just the building - with an ice rink, a pub, an events venue, and a huge park to manage, the survival of Alexandra Palace relies on a monumental, united effort from the entire organisation. What follows in today’s episode is a powerful framework for galvanising vast teams around a radical vision, and building something that lasts centuries, not quarters… You will learn: How Emma turned redundancy, rejection and dyslexia into pivotal drivers of her leadership careerWhy she chose to delay launching a bold new vision for Alexandra Palace – and the steps she took to get the organisation truly readyHow to create a “golden thread” from purpose and vision through to team goalsHow to galvanise an organisation around shared values and exceptional experiencesWhat modern, empathetic leadership looks like when you’re stewarding a cultural “forever asset”🔑 Key Themes Turning Setbacks into Pivotal MomentsLeadership Built from the Bottom UpDesigning and Delaying Vision with IntentGalvanising a Complex, Lean OrganisationBuilding a ‘Forever Asset’ in a Changing WorldEmma Dagnes OBE https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-dagnes-obe-1243b823/ Alexandra Palace https://www.alexandrapalace.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourallypally/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Forbes has labelled Matt Strain as the ‘AI Whisperer’.  But what connects him to the world is not the technology he uses, but the people he keeps closest. Matt is a man of great ambition, always willing to leave comfort in search of something new - his departure from prestigious roles at Apple and Adobe should be proof-enough of that… For leaders trying to find the balance between the safe play and the ambitious one… between embracing technology and prioritising humanity… Matt Strain gives us the roadmap. You will learn: How Matt Strain navigated pivotal career moves from Apple and Adobe to becoming an “AI whisperer”Why culture and relationships often matter more than strategyWhat an ‘AI Readiness Audit’ looks like in practice, and the hidden gaps it tends to revealHow CEOs and executives can start using AI in their own lives and work to model healthy, responsible adoptionPractical ways to use AI to become a more thoughtful, creative and effective human🔑 Key Themes Career pivots and purposeful risk-takingCulture, integration and the power of peopleAI readiness, leadership and organisational cultureBeing more human in an AI-driven worldMatt Strain https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattstrain/ The Prompt https://www.the-prompt.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/thepromptai/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Walking into something you don’t understand is not a punishment. It’s a gift. One of Kevin O’Neill’s formative roles was an epiphany… That everything you know for certain, can actually be false. With a long and remarkable career in Executive Search, Kevin’s dedication to unlocking the full potential of today's leading organisations is unparalleled. This is despite - in his words - missing life’s instruction manual. But what he writes in his own manual is worth its weight in gold. Join us in conversation with the Co-Founder of Acertitude, as we discover the shortest route to getting what you want, the 3 killer questions that everyone should ask themselves, and why you’re at your best when you get out of the way… You will learn: Kevin O’Neill’s trajectory from salesman to Co‑FounderThe three killer questions – and how to use them as a practical framework for your own leadership choicesWhy you often do your best work when you don’t know what you’re doingHow values, generosity, and long-term relationships can quietly compound into a sustainable, values-led businessHow AI is reshaping executive search and why human ‘leadership alchemy’ remains a critical advantage🔑 Key Themes Pivotal Career ReinventionsDecision-Making FrameworksRelationships, Generosity, and Long-Term TrustLeadership in an Age of AI and Unfinished Business🔗 Connect with us Kevin O'Neill https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinroneill/ Acertitude https://www.acertitude.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Sport runs deep in Ricky Paugh’s blood. Beyond his time as a baseball player, he’s the Founder of 1440 Sports, and an entrepreneur whose values are driven by the psychology of team sports. Selfless relationships, measured emotion, and the power of a great coach. All of these qualities make a great athlete.  They also forged Ricky’s incredible career, which now see him as an essential part of some of the world’s biggest sports, from Formula 1 and NASCAR, to the PGA Tour and the European Tour. Ricky’s journey is proof that - with relentless ambition and a deep, genuine interest in human capital - you can fashion yourself a business that serves your dreams. You will learn: How Ricky translated the discipline and pressure of minor league sport into resilience as a founderWhy a small “inner sanctum” of long-term relationships can underpin an entire businessThe pivotal role that coaches and mentors play in accelerating careersWhat it really feels like to bet on yourself🔑 Key Themes Relationships as a Core Business AssetThe Cumulative Power of Coaches and MentorsTranslating Athletic Mindset into Business ResilienceRisk, Control and B2B StrategyEntrepreneurship and ‘Making Your Own Luck’🔗 Connect with us Ricky Paugh https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickypaugh/ 1440 Sports https://1440sports.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/1440-sports/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

On the surface, it took just two lengths of an Olympic swimming pool to change Duncan Goodhew’s life. But as any elite athlete will tell you, success like Duncan’s isn’t about what you do on the day.  What counts is the person that you - and those around you - shape yourself to become before you even compete. The parallels between sport and business are easy to draw, and through the Swimathon Foundation - for which he is the President - he’s combined the best of both worlds to make a monumental impact.  Join us as Duncan shares the architecture that makes a victorious leader, why your hardest work should come on your worst day, and the mental models that’ll transform the team around you. You will learn: How Duncan used dyslexia, setbacks, and self-doubt as fuel to build a winning mindsetWhy the “permission” we receive from mentors, and leaders can be the difference that unlocks our full potentialPractical ways to “work hardest on your worst days” and turn emotional lows into your strongest performancesHow swimming in multiple “lanes” of life can strengthen your confidence, resilience, and leadershipWhat it really means to redefine success on your own terms🔑 Key Themes The Psychology of Winning and Being Given “Permission”Defining Success on Your Own TermsTranslating an Elite Athlete’s Mindset into Leadership and BusinessThe Power of Multiple “Lanes” in LifeGiving Back and Building Something Bigger Than Yourself🔗 Connect with us Swimathon Foundation https://www.swimathonfoundation.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/swimathon-foundation/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Catherine Day is a guest with a journey unlike any other we’ve explored.  After over a quarter of a century at the heart of the UK government, advising 8 Prime Ministers, she’s come to a vital conclusion - there MUST be a better way. Catherine is Co-Founder of the National Strategy Project, a movement born from her lifelong desire to play her part in life.  What happens when you follow your values, and commit yourself to doing something selfless, for the good of all people? You create the antidote to the malaise of modern leadership… You will learn: How Catherine Day chose a career in government over a Steven Spielberg film set, and how that decision shaped everything What it felt like to spend a decade in “flummoxed curiosity” inside one of the most complex human systems in the countryHow serving eight prime ministers across 25 years changed Catherine’s view of leadership, responsibility and valuesWhy pivotal ethical moments pushed her to redefine what integrity looks like in her careerHow leaving the Cabinet Office led Catherine to create the National Strategy Project as the most meaningful work of her life so far🔗 Connect with us Catherine Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-day-9571254/ National Strategy Project: https://www.nationalstrategy.uk/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

We’ve established across the mini-series so far that businesses in the Nordic region have their own, innate perception of how we do business - one which differs from the rest of the world.  The question we’re yet to answer is: How does Nordic leadership hold up when it’s applied at a global scale? Scatec is the perfect case study for a Nordic business who refuses to sacrifice its values, or operate in a manner that’s untrue to itself.  Even if it results in short term pain, the focus is always on the long game. Terje Pilskog has been in the renewable energy sector for two decades, and CEO of Scatec since 2022. His is an intriguing view on what happens when the beloved business practices of the Nordics coalesce with the chaos of global instability… You will learn: How Nordic leadership traits become real competitive advantages when expanded globallyWhy Nordic economies are uniquely positioned to shape the global energy transitionWhat Nordic businesses must do to move beyond their home marketsHow integrity and purpose can anchor company culture across territoriesWhy speed, pragmatism and “good enough” solutions often matter more than perfection🔑 Key Themes Nordic leadership on a global stageTrust not being mistaken for naivetyIntegrated execution in renewablesInnovation, culture and change makersBalancing long-term purpose with short-term pressures🔗 Connect with us Will Bosanko https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-bosanko/ Terje Pilskog https://www.linkedin.com/in/terje-pilskog-8406432/ Scatec https://www.scatec.com/en/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/scatec/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

The Nordic region is rethinking healthcare, cementing its standing as the gold standard. It's more digital. More connected. Closer to the patient. Thor Medical is a pivotal player in the story that's being written. They're world leaders in using alpha emitters for cancer therapy.  In other words, their innovation stands at the forefront of a world in which healthcare systems are under greater pressure than ever. The traits that see them leading from the front are uniquely Nordic, and joining us this week to share how that shapes business in the region is Thor Medical's CEO, Jasper Kurth. You will learn: How high-trust, low-corruption societies in the Nordics create a powerful foundationHow the Nordic welfare model and culture can enable innovation and risk-takingHow Norway’s medical ecosystem is growing, and what that growth suggests about the region’s economic futureWhat policy and market shifts are needed for Norway to host global ‘life sciences champions’The benefits to the uniquely Nordic approaches to resilience, long-term thinking, and partnership-based business models 🔑 Key Themes Uniquely Nordic AdvantagesTrust and Transparency in EcosystemsResilient LeadershipLong-Term Thinking Amid Short Term ChaosThe Nordic Culture as a Competitive Advantage🔗 Connect with us Will Bosanko https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-bosanko/ Jasper Kurth https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasper-c-kurth-35213029/ Thor Medical https://www.thormedical.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/thor-medical-asa/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/SvXkoskJtvw?si=z7iLdUAOz1y7bDgH The Nordics stand at a defining crossroads.  Geopolitical instability, energy security concerns, AI driven disruption and intensifying global competition continue to threaten the status quo. The real question is not whether change is coming - that much is certain - it's how Nordic leaders will shape it. At the forefront of this transformation is a CEO we’ve featured already on Pivot points, ATEA’s Steinar Sønsteby. He joins Brandpie’s CEO of the EMEA region, Will Bosanko, for a special takeover episode of the show, recorded live in the heart of Oslo, Norway. You will learn: How the Nordics turned small populations and harsh geography into a strategic advantage in energy, technology and healthcareWhy trust given upfront is a core operating system for Nordic organisationsHow Atea’s CEO thinks about delegation, culture and mistakes to build a 9,000-person, high-performing organisationPractical ways to lead through geopolitical instabilityWhy AI is pivotal for regions and sectors facing labour shortagesHow to think about brand and reputation as an outcome of internal culture and employees’ actions🔑 Key Themes Trust as a strategic advantageThe Nordics at a geopolitical and economic crossroadsCulture, decentralisation and leadershipAI as the answer to “too few people, too much to do”🔗 Connect with us Will Bosanko https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-bosanko/ Steinar Sønsteby https://www.linkedin.com/in/steinarsonsteby/ ATEA https://www.linkedin.com/company/atea-asa/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

What’s at stake if you fail in business? For some, it's a reputational risk. For others, it's a financial risk. But if Fredrik Ruben’s company fails, millions of disadvantaged families will no longer be able to communicate with their loved ones. Failure is not an option for Fredrik and Dynavox - commerciality is key, and such an ultimatum might make some leaders try to be heroes. Fredrik is quite the opposite. Join us as we discover why being the ‘tour guide’ removes a single point of failure, why a CEO’s self-care isn’t selfish, and how Fredrik has solved how to be in two places at once… You will learn: How mission-driven leadership works when stakes are highWhy “tour guide” leadership beats the hero CEO modelHow to build a team that doesn’t depend on you for every decisionHow to balance commercial discipline with deep purpose in a publicly listed companyWhy self-care, health, and life outside work are non-negotiable foundations for sustainable leadership🔑 Key Themes Mission-Driven Leadership at ScaleThe Tour Guide CEO vs Hero LeadershipBalancing Purpose and Commercial RealityBuilding a Decision-Making CultureSelf-Care, Identity, and Sustainable Leadership🔗 Connect with us Fredrik Ruben https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrikruben/ Dynavox Group https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynavox-group/ https://dynavoxgroup.com/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

What does it mean to make your own luck? Dan Vahdat’s persistence planted the seeds in people’s minds that healthcare can change, and that Huma is the business to lead the revolution. He saw through his vision until it rained, and those seeds became growth - Huma’s $1bn valuation is driven by a bold embrace of calculated serendipity. Dan challenges the standard CEO playbook, navigating the pivot points of Huma’s journey without all the answers, leaning on his razor-sharp instinct.  After all, in his eyes, perfect things are made by imperfect people… If Dan’s leadership style resonates with you, then join us as we explore why he ‘adores crazy’, how to graduate from being an underdog, and when to follow intuition, rather than information… You will learn: Why Dan Vahdat thinks of entrepreneurship as planting seeds and waiting for rainHow one unexpected email unlocked NHS, pharma, and global growthHow Huma’s values shape a culture that embraces unconventional thinkers and intuition‑led decisionsWhy celebrating mistakes is essential for innovationHow promoting people into roles they’re “not ready for” can build a strong internal talent pool🔑 Key Themes Building the Operating System for HealthcareMaking Your Own LuckIntuition, the “Sixth Sense,” and Imperfect LeadershipCulture That Adores Crazy and Celebrates MistakesGrowth and Entrepreneurial Resilience🔗 Connect with us Dan Vahdat https://www.linkedin.com/in/danvahdat/ Huma https://www.huma.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/humaforhealth/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Did you know what career you’d be in when you were in 9th grade? Alan Whitman did. He’s a dreamer who challenges convention. He’ll embark on a mission to make things happen, even when the path can’t be seen. He spent nearly 8 years at Baker Tilly’s CEO, transforming it into a global advisory powerhouse - and at the heart of that transformation is his radical leadership philosophy. Whether it’s his approach to candid, uncomfortable feedback, or taking pride in coaching and enabling the next generation, Alan represents the blueprint of a leader who transforms all that he touches. You will learn: How a self-described “late bloomer” tax accountant became a transformational CEO of a global professional services firmWhy emotional leadership, candour, and uncomfortable feedback prevail at senior levelsHow executive coaching can radically improve both individual leaders and the effectiveness of a senior leadership teamPractical strategies to reframe change as progress to reduce resistanceHow to think about AI and automation as tools to eliminate frictionWhat young professionals can do now to build a future‑ready career in leadership🔑 Key Themes Breaking the mould in professional services leadershipThe power of coaching, candour, and uncomfortable feedbackEmotional vs rational leadershipReframing change as progressAI, automation, and eliminating friction🔗 Connect with us Alan Whitman https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-whitman-357ab91/ Nichols Cauley https://nicholscauley.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/nicholscauleyllc/ Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/ Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/