An Unorthodox CEO

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats with Oliver Bowen all about the premium bed world. Oliver has been in the industry for over 20+, listen as they chat about how he got into the industry, the businesses he worked for and what he has learnt along the way.

00:00 Intro
01:50 How Oliver got into beds
05:50 His time at And So To Bed & why the business changed
11:00 Why looking for the ‘why’ is so important
13:10 Olivers role at Feather & Black
14:19 Working out where the brand should sit in the market
18:24 Moving to Hästens - working in the luxury sector
22:30 Olivers job now working with Carpe Diem
23:50 How Carpe Diem design their beds
25:12 How Carpe Diem started
27:15 Biggest challenge of bringing in a premium supplier into the UK
29:30 Your team on the floor make a huge difference
31:30 What has changed most in the bed industry over the last 20 years
35:37 Quickfire Questions
44:30 Outro
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We are back! Its 2026, and season 3 is here! Listen as Steve and Shane chat through why he decided to take the job at Sussex Beds, how he moved through the roles and when he finally found his right seat!

Plus, like cooking steak? Listen for Shane's top tips!

00:00 Intro
01:31 Shanes life before Sussex Beds
04:00 How he ended up at Sussex Beds
05:55 Why did the initial job appeal to him
07:01 Working with Sarah (his fiance)
10:40 Working in sales as a ‘Sleep Consultant’
11:50 Moving on to being a Store Manager
14:31 A move into the office working on the website
18:50 The catalyst of becoming IT Manager
23:30 Benefits of in-house skills
24:17 Working with Matt & Chris in IT
27:28 Learning to train someone
29:30 Quickfire Questions
36:52 Outro

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Its our final episode of 2025! So we thought we would share with you our goals & aspirations for 2026. Listen as Steve and Victoria share their 2025 goals and if they completed them, plus their goals & the office team's goals for 2026. Have you got a goal? You can share with us in the reviews!

00:00 Intro
02:30 Goals & SB Meetings
03:20 Steve's Goals for 2025
03:30 Steves' 1st Goal
06:30 Steves' 2nd Goal
08:02 Steves' 3rd Goal
09:00 What Steve wanted to do as a leader in 2025
11:20 What Steve wanted to spend more time on in 2025
14:30 Steves 3 Personal Goals for 2026
18:25 Steves' 3 Goals as a Leader
22:40 Victoria Goals for 2025
25:20 Victoria's Goals for 2026
28:18 Sarah's Goals
33:23 Grace's Goals
39:25 Paula's Goals
45:15 Matt's Goals
50:39 John's Goals
56:20 Sue's Goals
1:00:56 Lees' Goals
1:08:39 Outro
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This week, Steve is joined by one of his best friends, Sam! Find out more about how they produce the Hastings Gangshow, Sam's family life and their joint love for amateur dramatics. Plus get a Gangshow exclusive!

You can find out more here - https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/whats-on/event/hastings-gang-show-2026/

00:00 Intro
02:05 Sam’s family & work life
06:40 The Hastings Gangshow & what its like to produce
08:50 How Steve & Sam became friends
10:00 Why the arts is so important
12:06 Scouting is so inclusive
13:00 Gangshow dates - 7th, 8th, 9th May 2026! 60th Anniversary
14:30 Gangshow exclusive!
16:30 Stresses, pressures & fun
18:10 Thank you to Gangshow Team
20:48 Am Dram & their escapes!
25:25 Quickfire Questions
35:30 Outro

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Listen this week as Steve chats with Andrea Randall-Smith, the CEO of Little Gate. They talk all about the work and the people who make Little Gate a success, what it's like being a CEO for a charity and her escapes! Plus, find out how you can support Little Gate!

00:00 Intro
01:14 Andreas journey to CEO
04:00 Life & work before Little Gate
07:14 Andreas introduction to Little Gate
10:35 The purpose of Little Gate
13:30 How their work transforms lives & success stories
18:20 How you can find Little Gate
21:00 What are the biggest challenges
25:00 How her family supported her
27:39 Changing from working in the organisation to on it
31:05 How they deal with loneliness in the job
32:30 How Vistage has helped both Steve & Andrea
35:24 Where she would like to see Little Gate in 5 years
38:40 Quickfire Questions
44:36 Outro
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