Enter the Boardroom with Nurole

Simon Calver is best known for his time as CEO of LoveFilm. He was then CEO of Mothercare plc. Tune in to this episode to hear about: The three choices that most shaped LoveFilm’s growth journey (01:23) How LoveFilm's board dealt with a hostile merger (05:53) Why Chairs should never be an investor directors (09:16) The most empowering thing a board can say to a CEO (11:16) How Simon knows if a business is customer-centric (13:25) Why appointing a customer NED is the worst thing you can do for your customers (15:45) The problem Mothercare was facing when Simon joined as CEO (17:51) Why boards should stress-test assumptions (23:24) The cautionary tale of the CEO couldn’t speak to his Chair (25:30) What the first item on every board agenda should be (27:26) How to fix a broken founder-board relationship (28:42) ⚡The Lightning Round ⚡ (36:42)

Host: Oliver Cummings
Producer: Will Felton
Editor: Penelope Coumau
Music: Kate Mac
Audio: Nick Kold
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Rachel Carrell is CEO of KoruKids, a UK-based childcare company which has delivered 4 million hours of childcare. Previously, she was CEO of DrThom. Listen to this episode to hear about: The most difficult board discussion Rachel has had (00:55) How to guide a founder without overstepping (03:35) Why sharing your experience is more valuable than giving advice (06:49) Three most significant boardroom moments from Rachel’s Koru Kids journey (09:16) The benefits of a PR crisis (11:36) Why emotional support is an important governance tool (15:27) How industry outsiders add value on boards (17:33) Why board members shouldn't stay high level (22:46) The 3 different buckets of board value (25:58) The positives of having only investor directors on your board (28:48) Why boards need to think more about supporting parents (34:43) ⚡The Lightning Round ⚡(37:41)

Host: Oliver Cummings
Producer: Will Felton
Editor: Penelope Coumau
Music: Kate Mac
Audio: Nick Kold
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Adam Warby is Chair of Ocado Group and CEO Emeritus of Avanade. Previously, he was Chair of Heidrick & Struggles and Chair of Softwareone. Listen to this episode to understand Adam's thoughts on: When CEOs should hold their ground against the board (01:01) Lessons from coming in as the first CEO after the founder (04:54) When it’s time to refresh your company values (07:34) What boards get wrong about CEO succession (12:45) What comes after leading a 38,000-person business (16:47) Compensation:The hidden problem with partnership reward models (18:31) Why boards should have internal and external CEO candidates (21:12) The moment Adam was voted off the board as chair (24:47) The importance of understanding shareholder intentions (26:37) What success looks like on the Ocado board (32:30) Where does a chair's authority really come from? (36:16)⚡The Lightning Round ⚡(37:25)

Host: Oliver Cummings
Producer: Will Felton
Editor: Penelope Coumau
Music: Kate Mac
Audio: Nick Kold
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Sim Scavazza is NED at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Vice Chair of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Deputy Chair of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West NH Integrated Care Board. Listen to this episode to hear about: Leading through a 50% cost reduction (01:05) The human side of cutting costs (03:36) Common mistakes when communicating redundancies (09:36) Creating shared culture after a merger (12:58) The importance of time discipline in high-pressure moments  (17:20) Where boards get inclusion wrong (23:34) How Sim built a portfolio career in the NHS (29:24) How to approach an NHS board interview (33:42) The financial reality of NHS board roles (35:17)⚡The Lightning Round ⚡(39:47)

Host: Oliver Cummings
Producer: Will Felton
Editor: Penelope Coumau
Music: Kate Mac
Audio: Nick Kold
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Neil Johnson OBE is Group Chair of QinetiQ. Formerly, he was CEO of the RAC, and began his career in the British Army. Listen to this episode to hear about: The three boardroom experiences that most shaped Neil as a board member (01:450) What trade union battles taught Neil about leadership under pressure (04:03) Bringing military command experience into the boardroom (09:47) Prioritising time with people on the ground over board papers (13:47) Firing the chair: inside the RAC boardroom crisis (17:00) How disengaged boards lose touch with reality (24:09) Imposter syndrome at board level (29:38) Deep dive: Neil’s time as Chair of Qinetiq (30:52) Why chairing a board is like managing a football team (34:09) ⚡The Lightning Round ⚡(38:38)
Host: Oliver Cummings
Producer: Will Felton
Editor: Penelope Coumau
Music: Kate Mac
Audio: Nick Kold
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom