Hi Steve, it’s a pleasure to have you here. Could you please start by sharing a bit about your background and journey that led you to establish Perpetual?

Thank you for having me. My journey has been quite diverse, but it all comes down to a passion for people and transformation. My background as a Royal Marines Commando Officer in the UK instilled in me a sense of discipline, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for teamwork. After transitioning to the corporate world, I found myself drawn to executive search. Over the span of 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of placing top-level executives in various industries across both sides of the Atlantic. This international experience led me to establish Perpetual, where I could leverage my insights and cultural agility to bridge talent gaps across different geographies.

Your focus on human-centric, high-performance cultures is intriguing. How do you collaborate with CEOs and CHROs to support their executive search assignments and overall talent strategy?

Collaboration is key in the world of talent strategy. When working with CEOs and CHROs, I first aim to understand their organization’s unique challenges, values, and aspirations. This involves not just understanding the roles they need to fill, but also delving into the broader talent strategy that aligns with their business goals. By working closely with these leaders, I’m able to identify agile executives who can drive transformative change and nurture the desired culture. It’s about finding leaders who not only possess the required skills but also resonate with the organization’s values.

Your mention of transformative change is intriguing. How do you help organizations accelerate their performance through talent?

Accelerating performance through talent involves a multi-faceted approach. First, it’s about placing leaders who have a track record of driving change and innovation. These leaders inspire their teams to embrace change and push boundaries. Additionally, I assist organizations in designing and implementing talent development programs. These programs focus on enhancing the capabilities of existing teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and providing growth opportunities. When the right leadership is combined with a motivated and skilled workforce, organizations can achieve exceptional results.

Can you elaborate on your approach to designing and leading talent development programs?

Certainly. Talent development is an ongoing journey. I believe in designing programs that are tailored to an organization’s specific needs and challenges. This begins with a thorough assessment of the existing talent pool, identifying areas of strength and areas that need improvement. From there, we create targeted learning experiences that could involve workshops, coaching, mentoring, and even cross-functional projects. It’s crucial to blend individual development with collective growth, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose within the team.

Your career spans both sides of the Atlantic. How does your cultural agility play a role in your work?

Cultural agility is invaluable in today’s interconnected world. Having worked extensively in both the UK and the US, I’ve gained insights into the nuances of business cultures, communication styles, and leadership expectations on both continents. This allows me to offer a unique perspective when helping organizations navigate talent challenges across the transatlantic divide. I understand the importance of aligning leadership styles with cultural norms while also promoting diversity of thought and experience.

To wrap up, what legacy do you hope to leave through your work at Perpetual?

My ultimate goal is to leave a legacy of thriving organizations that prioritize people and innovation. I want to be remembered for helping organizations build enduring, human-centric cultures that inspire individuals to perform at their best while collectively achieving remarkable results. If I can contribute to the growth and success of organizations while also positively impacting the lives of individuals, I’ll consider my work at Perpetual to be truly fulfilling.

Thank you, Steve, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It’s been a pleasure learning about your approach to talent strategy and development.

Thank you for the engaging conversation. It’s been a pleasure discussing my passion for transformative talent initiatives and their role in shaping the future of organizations.