Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Conrad Thorpe grew up immersed in East Africa’s wildlife and communities, which shaped a lifelong intellectual passion for the ethnography and cultures of the region. Conrad served 21 years in the Royal Marines, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and specialising in maritime and amphibious operations. He is very modest about his achievements and operations yet had a highly distinguished career in the Royal Marines, serving on operations around the world, including in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. In 2001, he led the first UK forces team into Afghanistan to secure the British embassy building in Kabul, a high‑risk mission in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and also the Kuwaiti Embassy in Iraq.  After retiring from the Royal Marines, Conrad founded Salama Fikira (now part of the SF Group), a pan‑African and Asian risk management company based in Nairobi. Through this firm, he was responsible for managing the recovery of more than 50 commercial ships seized by Somali pirates during the height of piracy off the Horn of Africa in the 2000s and 2010s. These operations involved complex kidnap‑for‑ransom negotiations, maritime security planning, and coordination with navies and shipping companies, all conducted with a perfect safety record: no fatalities or serious incidents among the crews or his teams. His work in this space is widely recognised as a benchmark in maritime risk management and crisis response, and he continues to speak and advise on the resurgence of piracy threats in the region. Conrad is now Chairman of the Salama Fikira Group, a leading risk management and security provider with a presence across 80% of Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. The company specialises in enterprise risk, operational design, and security in complex environments, often in fragile or conflict‑affected states. He is also deeply involved in conservation and community development in East Africa, particularly in Kenya. In January 2026, he was gazetted by the Government of Kenya as an Honorary Warden under the Kenya Wildlife Service, a practical, frontline role in wildlife protection, anti‑poaching, and human‑wildlife conflict management. He is a director of Tsavo Trust and supports community‑centred initiatives such as a Sikh‑inspired “Zero Hunger for Langar” school feeding programme, reflecting his belief that conservation must be rooted in community engagement. In 2025, he and his team (Stephen White, Craig Howorth and Jamie Gillespie) repeated this feat, becoming the only all‑amputee team in history to cross the Channel twice. The 2025 swim, completed in 14 hours 40 minutes through rough seas and jellyfish, raised funds and awareness for Blesma, challenging perceptions of disability and inspiring other injured veterans.He is particularly interested in the social structures, traditions, and histories of East African communities, and how these intersect with conservation, governance, and development. This deep cultural understanding informs both his business and conservation work, allowing him to design risk and security strategies that are culturally sensitive and community‑led. In conversation, he brings a rare blend of military precision, strategic business thinking, and anthropological insight into African societies, making him a compelling and passionate interviewee.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew founded his Social Enterprise, SaluteMyJob, in 2015. He and his team are on a mission to better connect transitioning and former Service men and women, and their families, with ‘Forces Friendly’ organisations and the wide variety of opportunities they offer. This has led to the recent launch of a new platform, Troopr, to use technology to transform the experience for both organisations and individual members of the Armed Forces community. His former employer, IBM, is an important partner in this venture. Andrew joined Kenexa, a US provider of HR science, technology and services, In 2009, after a full career in the British Army. He was responsible for starting up the company’s government business, achieving $25m in sales and $12m in revenue in 3 years.  For his last 4 years in the Army, Andrew was Director of Army Recruiting, responsible for the recruitment of 17,000 officers and soldiers annually into the Regular and Reserve Army. As part of this work, he led a project to identify how commercial best practices, capabilities, and expertise could help to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Army recruiting. Earlier Army appointments included command of an Army brigade in Scotland; Responsibility for the Army’s UK Training Estate, and 3 years on the Commitments (Operations) Staff in the Ministry of Defence at the height of the Kosovo crisis. In 1996, he achieved his lifelong ambition to command 1st Battalion, The King’s Scottish Borderers. He sits on the board of a US Not-For-Profit, Corporate America Supports You. He is a volunteer mentor for SSAFA and an active supporter of Combat Stress. In 2023, he established and now leads a #JoiningForces initiative to foster and enable collaboration between ‘Forces Friendly organisations.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Omani Carson is the Founder and Chairman of Carson Group, a leading global financial services firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and sought-after keynote speaker. Beyond his professional achievements, Omani is deeply committed to philanthropy, guided by his mission to create “the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people.” Alongside his wife, Jeanie, he co-founded the Dreamweaver Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to fulfilling end-of-life dreams for seniors with terminal illnesses. His charitable work extends to initiatives that provide food, clean water, and mental health support to underserved communities.  Along his path to success, and in line with his broadening focus on advancing social and environmental causes, Omani realized he was operating out of fear and scarcity rather than love and abundance. Having made this shift, and experienced the profound joy, success, and opportunities that came with it, he’s dedicated to helping others make it for themselves, and find freedom and fulfillment in their own lives.  Omani aims to inspire people to explore life to the fullest, challenge their status quo, and strive to become the best possible version of themselves—all in pursuit of creating a lasting, positive impact. His mission is to empower people to reach their limitless potential, lead consciously, and create a lasting legacy.  The Dreamweaver Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fulfilling end-of-life wishes for seniors with terminal illnesses, founded by Ron and Jeanie Carson. They make wishes come true as a special way to thank and honour our seniors in their last days. Click to learn more about the Dreamweaver Foundation. http://thedreamweaverfoundation.org Carson Wealth has actively participated in various activities for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation since 2011. Ron & Jeanie Carson chaired the largest fundraiser of the year, the 19th Annual JDRF Promise Gala, "Going Platinum For A Cure," which raised $1.4 million for type 1 diabetes research. Read more: http://jdrf.org/omaha/2016/03/17/jdrf-promise-gala-went-platinum/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Krishnam Thapa Magar, also known as Krishna Thapa or the "Warrior Monk," is a distinguished mountaineer and former SAS Sergeant Major who has achieved international recognition for his pioneering feats in extreme adventure and military leadership. Raised in the Nepal Himalayas, Thapa Magar fuses Buddhist philosophy with military discipline, serving as a motivational speaker and meditation guide focused on holistic wellbeing and modern leadership. He supports team development, mental health, and sustainable adventure, acting as a role model for service, compassion, and personal achievement. Krishnam Thapa Magar is globally respected for blending elite military leadership with world-class mountaineering and inspirational personal development.Thapa Magar was one of only two Gurkhas from the Royal Gurkha Rifles to pass the highly selective entry to the British Special Forces, serving as head of the SAS Mountain Troops. He operated on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating exceptional leadership under pressure, and was the first serving Warrant Officer to summit both Everest and K2. Krishna Thapa holds nine world-first records in mountaineering, including leading the largest summit group ever to Everest, and making pioneering ski descents from peaks such as Dhaulagiri. He has guided and inspired climbers from diverse backgrounds, including amputees, the visually impaired, and Parkinson’s disease sufferers, on expeditions around the globe—it’s not just about the climbing but about enabling others to overcome adversity. As leader of Gurkha Everest Expeditions, he became the first serving Gurkha soldier to scale the world’s highest peak while opening climbing routes and exemplifying teamwork and resilience.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lieutenant General Sir Nick Borton was commissioned into the British Army in 1991. Over a 34 year career, he has served in UK, Germany, Belize, Bosnia, Brunei, Cyprus, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has worked in strategy and policy in the UK Ministry of Defence, and commanded at every level from platoon to corps. His most recent appointments included: Commander 16 Air Assault Brigade; Commander 3rd (UK) Division, and Chief of Staff UK Permanent Joint HQ, where he was responsible for the daily running of all UK joint operations globally. His most recent appointment was command of the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, UK’s senior field formation, focused on NATO deterrence in Europe. He was awarded the MBE in 2002, the Distinguished Service Order for commanding his Battalion in Helmand, Afghanistan in 2008, and was appointed Knight Commander of The Order of the Bath in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours. He is a graduate of: University of Stirling; Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Cranfield University; Joint Services Command and Staff College; National Defence University Washington DC, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute. On leaving the Army, he has pursued various strategic advisory, board and business roles and is a NATO Senior Mentor. He is married to Amanda, and they have two daughters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam is an experienced transformational leader and adviser with 25 years experience in politics, government, policy-making, strategy, sustainability, financial services and running his own business.Sam has undertaken some big roles in politics and Government. He was Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff for the turnaround of the Labour Party and long-serving adviser to Chancellor Rt Hon Alistair Darling's during the Global Financial Crisis. Sam helped Starmer drive the political and professional transformation of the Labour Party in opposition; climbing from -10% in the polls when Sam took on the role to +30% when he left.He has worked across Government: in Whitehall, in devolved administrations and with intergovernmental bodies, and covered briefs including the Treasury, transport, energy, business and trade during the last Labour Governments under Tony Blair & Gordon Brown.Sam spent a decade as a senior executive at the FTSE100 Aviva plc, running a range of teams and advising the CEOs and Board. One of the projects he was most proud of is authoring Aviva's Net Zero 2040 plan, which remains one of the most ambitious and comprehensive climate plans for a major financial services company.Today, Sam is Chair of Foundations: the What Works Centre for Children and Families, advising government on effective interventions in policies affecting children (for example children’s social care, family support etc). He has a long history championing causes including Living Wage Foundation, Climate Change, Gender Equality and Social Mobility.He also acts as a Specialist Partner at the strategic consultancy Flint Global as well as MD of his own advisory business Next Chapter Strategy, working with senior leaders in business, charities and politics. He is on a number of advisory boards, including the Social Market Foundation think tank.He is married, living in Yorkshire with two daughters. And is proud to have been one of the most senior job-sharing dads in the UK.Sam regularly appears on the media to provide insight and commentary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spencer Gore is the CEO of Gorely Group, an investment company with a mission to “create gold medal winners.” The group owns and operates businesses across healthcare and sport, including EMJ, EMJ Learning, AMJ, and Chelmsford City Football Club in the UK.A serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, Spencer has founded and scaled seven businesses across television, travel, publishing, recruitment, sport, and healthcare. In 2012, he founded EMJ, which has grown into one of Europe’s leading digital health communication companies, building relationships with all of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical firms and engaging an audience of over one million healthcare professionals. EMJ has been recognised in The Times 100 and the Financial Times 1000 lists of fastest-growing businesses.Spencer has received multiple awards for his leadership and innovation, including the Queen’s Award, Entrepreneur of the Year at the BDA’s 50th annual awards, and recognition in The Times and LDC’s list of the UK’s 50 most ambitious business leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GSM (Garrison Sergeant Major) Bill Mott was known as Her Majesty (HM) The Queen’s Ceremonial Warrant Officer. The Garrison Sergeant Major London District is the Co-Ordinator and SME (Subject Matter Expert), organizing all State Ceremonial Events. Some of the tasks he helped orchestrate included, HM The Queen Mother’s Funeral in 2002, HM’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2002 and 2012 respectively, the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Funeral of Baroness Thatcher in 2013 as well as all annual State Ceremonial Parades. Since August 2025 he has served as the Deputy Commandant of Operations at the Missouri Military Academy.GSM Mott was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in The Queen’s Birthday Honors 2007. He was presented with a new insignia or badge of rank reviving the original one made for a select group of Sergeant Majors appointed to the Court of King William IV in the early 19th Century. He was awarded the MVO (Member of the Victorian Order) in the Diamond Jubilee Honors in 2012, for his personal service to HM The Queen, organizing the Armed Forces Parade and Diamond Jubilee. Lastly, GSM Mott was granted The Freedom of The City of London in 2013 for his significant service to The City. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Alder is a futurist and strategic consultant who works with organisations to navigate the changing landscape of Talent, HR, and the future of work. He is the host of Recruiting Future, one of the world’s most influential podcasts in this space, and the author of two books, Exceptional Talent and Digital Talent. Over his 25-year career, he has advised global employers on foresight, technology, and strategic workforce capability. Matt is an experienced keynote speaker who has presented in 18 countries, known for offering clear, practical insight into the forces reshaping work and their implications for leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A podcast that arose after a fortuitous meeting on a train, Air Commodore Rich Davies CBE is a retired RAF tornado pilot, Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen and now works as a Defence and Political Advisor (Air), providing strategic input across fast jet integration, future air combat capability, and defence engagement.   In this episode, Rich shares his journey and lessons learned along the way throughout his long and successful career in the RAF and now in the private sector.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ash Alexander-Cooper OBE is a former soldier, world-championship athlete, award-winning international musician and artist. During a 28-year regular and reserve career, Ash served as an airborne soldier, helicopter pilot, jungle warfare and counter-terrorist specialist, spending 82 months deployed on operations. Since retirement, Ash has been a Senior Partner at McChrystal Group, led international business development at Palantir, runs a Leadership Development firm and is VP EMEA & APAC for Dedrone by Axon. Wounded multiple times in combat, Ash is passionate about giving back and is proud to support several veteran and mental health charities. To that end, he has committed to donate all author profits from the sale of his upcoming book - Mindful Soldier: Building Resilience to Overcome Life’s Challenges – which publishes in the UK on 22 January 2026 and is available worldwide from 27 January 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick started his career as a nightclub promoter, DJ, and recording artist in Leeds, later moving to his first corporate role at London Records in 1994. He co-founded NorthWestSide Records at BMG, where he signed Jay-Z for the UK market. He served as Managing Director of Epic Records UK and later relaunched London Records for Universal Music. Nick was President of Capitol Records UK from 2013 to 2021, signing and developing Sam Smith, 5 Seconds of Summer, and other major artists. After leaving Capitol, he founded NWS Music Group with Christian Tattersfield, focusing on records, publishing, and sync licensing. Impact and Current Activities - Raphael is recognised for signing and nurturing award-winning artists, with his roster achieving multiple UK No.1 singles and albums - He regularly serves as an executive advisor and mentor, for instance, joining the A&R talent group at Cre8ing Vision where he helps emerging music executives and artists - His entrepreneurial ventures continue to shape the UK and global music scene, with a focus on discovering new talent and maximising artist success Nick Raphael is widely regarded as a dynamic force in the music talent business, blending artist development, strategic vision, and A&R leadership across decades of executive roles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 400th episode explores The CEO’s Compass as a practical framework of eight quotients – Moral, Purpose, Health, Emotional, Collective, Resilience, Brand and Legacy – distilled from over 400 leaders and 1,500 CEO conversations, to help leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity and courage. Jonathan and Leigh Bowman-Perks discuss vivid stories and tips from leaders such as Horst Schulze, Sherilyn Shackell, Anna Hemmings, Deanna Oppenheimer, Ankur Sinha, Gavin Patterson, Stuart Haire and Lord Dr Michael Hastings, showing how values, purpose, wellbeing, emotional intelligence, diversity, resilience, feedback and stewardship translate into everyday leadership decisions.The conversation closes by inviting listeners to see their legacy as already being written, to use the book as a compass for themselves and their teams, and to “go, live it, lead it” with Inspiring Leadership at the heart.Through the profits of this new book, The CEO’s Compass: How to Navigate Your Team Through Turbulent Times, Jonathan and Leigh Bowman-Perks are proud to support the Inspiring Leadership Foundation charity.This special 400th-episode celebration of the Inspiring Leadership podcast marks a major milestone in sharing stories of courage, authenticity, and service-driven leadership across the world.The conversation behind this episode captures Jonathan’s lifelong mission: to equip CEOs and their teams to lead with clarity and compassion in turbulent times, while directly giving back to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through the Foundation’s work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nabeel Kaukab is the Founder and CEO of Jaan Health, a software company transforming chronic disease management with AI-powered virtual care. He brings over 25 years of experience bridging healthcare and emerging technology. Before starting Jaan Health, he spent a decade as a Healthcare Investment Banker at UBS & Barclays Capital, where he advised on and executed IPOs, acquisitions and other financings worth more than $50 billion. Prior to that, Nabeel was an early-stage hire and software developer at Viant Corporation, where he helped build some of the earliest Internet applications and open several offices in the US and Europe, leading to the company’s successful 1999 IPO. He has a BA in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University and attended graduate school for Biotechnology & Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart Atha is a Director with BAE Systems, responsible for the development and delivery of the Air Training Strategy, a remit that includes enterprise-wide multi-domain training.  He is a member of the Air Board, Chair of PPM, a high-tech entity, and Head of the UK delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group.   Prior to joining BAE Systems in 2020, Stuart served in the RAF for 35 years.  His career centred on operations both in the cockpit and command, notably in the Balkans, Libya, the Gulf and Afghanistan.  He commanded at squadron, station and group level before serving as the Chief of Staff at the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters, Stuart completed his Service as Deputy Commander of the RAF, a tour dominated by the counter-ISIS campaign in Iraq/Syria and NATO’s response to a resurgent Russia.   Stuart is an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, lecturing on contemporary air power, and patron of the Jon Egging Trust, a charity that seeks to inspire and develop young people. He is also the RAF Commissioner in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  Married with 5 adult children, Stuart lives with his wife and a variable number of children in Teddington London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Griggs is a dyslexic social entrepreneur and Founder of global charity Made By Dyslexia. Kate is the world's leading voice on Dyslexic Thinking, a best-selling author, one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices and hosts the chart-topping podcast - Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking. Kate is also a course instructor on LinkedIn Learning and the University of Dyslexic Thinking - in partnership with Open University.    Kate’s award-winning work is re-defining dyslexia and inspiring a global movement for change. In 2022, Made By Dyslexia saw Dyslexic Thinking added as a skill on LinkedIn and a noun in the dictionary. Kate’s innovative approach to social change and advocacy has garnered global recognition, with her powerful TED talk  inspiring countless individuals and organisations to rethink how they perceive dyslexia.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With an impressive 13 years of decorated military service, ten within the Special Forces and his last three years as a highly experienced chief sniper instructor and demolitions expert, ‘Staz’ is a distinguished Special Forces Operator who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for Combat Actions conducted in Afghanistan in 2013. Staz moved away from the military and co-founded the multi-million-pound performance outerwear brand, ThruDark - one of The Sunday Times' fastest growing privately owned companies. Business aside, Staz is a published author and was part of the four-man team that set the fastest known time for a speed ascent of Mount Everest, travelling from London to the top of the world and back in just 7 days.  Everest and Recent Achievements In May 2025, Staz completed a record-breaking ascent of Mount Everest, summiting and returning to the UK in just 7 days—a feat that typically takes 8-10 weeks. The expedition aimed to raise over £1 million for veterans' and armed forces charities, including support for bereaved military children. The climb utilised cutting-edge acclimatisation techniques and tested ThruDark's latest high-altitude gear.  Other Notable Work Author of "The Hard Road Will Take You Home," which distils Special Forces lessons for business and personal success. Advocate for veterans' wellbeing and mental health, sharing his journey through public speaking and media appearances.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when supply chain turbulence, leadership under pressure, and mission-driven business collide?This week’s conversation dives deep into the realities of managing complex supply chains — including the challenges of the wine industry during peak season — and how the right leadership, mentorship, and communication can turn crises into powerful learning moments.I’m joined by Chris Silcock, who was appointed head of Kellanova’s United Kingdom and Ireland business in October 2019.Before stepping into this role, Chris built an impressive career across FMCG and food retail — from ASDA, to Coca-Cola European Partners, and later Kellanova, where he first joined as UK Sales Director.At Kellanova, Chris has focused on strengthening the company’s reputation as one of Britain and Ireland’s most trusted brands by:🔹 Driving healthier food choices through reductions in sugar and salt🔹 Championing sustainability, including commitments to halve food waste and ensure all packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030🔹 Leading efforts to combat hunger by supporting school breakfast clubs that reach 70,000 children every day🔹 Unlocking £500k in additional income for families facing financial insecurity through the Money Matters SchemeThis episode is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, purpose, and the real impact organizations can make when values meet action.🎧 Listen in to hear how Chris navigates challenge, builds strong teams, and leads with clarity and compassion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born in a remote village in Kavre, Nepal, Dorje Lama Sir grew up amid simplicity and hardship. At just eleven years old, he left his home and made the brave journey to Kathmandu in search of work and a better future. With no formal education and little guidance, Dorje took on every opportunity he could find, each experience shaping his resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination.His journey eventually led him to Pokhara, where his entrepreneurial spirit truly took root. Today, Dorje Lama Sir is the proud owner of two thriving ventures — Moondance Restaurant & Bar and Dorje’s Resort & Spa — both renowned for their warmth, quality, and authenticity.Dorje’s story is one of courage, grit, and vision — a remarkable example of how perseverance and purpose can turn even the most modest beginnings into extraordinary success.Tune in now to hear Dorje Lama Sir's inspiring journey and the leadership lessons behind his remarkable rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Inspiring Leadership Podcast: We sit down with Toby Gutteridge, a former Special Forces operator whose life journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From a turbulent childhood in South Africa to elite service with the Royal Marines and Special Boat Service, Toby led high-risk missions in Afghanistan until a life-altering injury left him paralyzed from the neck down. Pronounced clinically dead, Toby defied all odds to survive, recover, and rebuild a life of purpose.Now the founder of Bravery, an extreme sports brand supporting children in poverty, Toby speaks candidly about trauma, resilience, and the inner strength required to face both physical and emotional battles. His story confronts difficult truths about war, identity, depression, and healing—with unflinching honesty and inspirational courage.His message is powerful: “Trust yourself. Take moral courage. Believe in your heart, if you follow it, you won't go far wrong.”Tune in now to hear what it really means to lead with bravery when everything else is lost. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.