High Beams

What makes a good leader in 2026? According to Prof. Chris Bones, it’s not brilliance — it’s choices. In this conversation with Sir Trevor Phillips, Chris (Chair of the CIPD and former Head of Henley Business School) argues that organisations are sleepwalking into a new kind of risk: AI is already being used inside your business — even if leadership hasn’t approved it. That makes “use and abuse of AI” a governance issue, not an IT project. His suggestion is simple but powerful: make AI use visible — disclose prompts, show validation, and treat it like any other evidence. If AI isn’t on your corporate risk register yet, Chris has a blunt view on what that says about your risk appetite. They also dig into what diversity really means at the top. Chris makes the case that social mobility is often the missing ingredient in boardroom perspective — and that focusing on outcomes achieved (not “activity”) is one of the best ways to spot talent.

What does leadership look like when certainty disappears — and growth depends on people, not playbooks? In this episode, Raj Tulsiani sits down with Tim Pointer, Operating Partner – Human Capital at Three Hills, and ranked #1 on the 2025 Most Influential HR Leaders list, to explore how organisations actually scale successfully in today’s unpredictable business environment. Tim shares why he rejects the idea of “best practice” in favour of good practice, arguing that leadership cannot be copied and pasted because context is queen. Drawing on more than 30 years working across global brands, private equity, and high-growth businesses, he explains how culture, talent strategy, and organisational design must evolve alongside ambition.

In this episode of High Beams, Michael Burgess of Amey sits down with Green Park Founder & CEO Raj Tulsiani to talk about the power of diversity of thought and the importance of authentic leadership. Michael left school before turning 16 and began his career as a farm labourer. Through persistence, education, and experience, he worked his way up to lead the people strategy for a global infrastructure business employing more than 12,000 people. The conversation explores how organisations can build inclusive cultures that genuinely create opportunity, from leadership programs for underrepresented groups to initiatives that bring people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the workforce. Michael also discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, the challenges of navigating polarization in modern workplaces, and why strong organizations focus on stewardship rather than short-term results.

From being raised by a Holocaust survivor to leading one of the world’s most powerful energy companies, Lord John Browne reflects on how difference, caution, and curiosity shaped his approach to leadership. In conversation with Sir Trevor Phillips, Browne shares deeply personal lessons about self-reliance, reading people carefully, and why minorities are often most vulnerable when pressure rises — insights that later shaped how he built teams and led at scale. The discussion ranges from his decades at BP to his work today in climate investing with BeyondNetZero, exploring what truly drives performance inside large organisations. Browne argues that productivity is not just about talent, but about tools, trust, listening, and purpose — and why leaders must stop talking long enough to hear what people are really saying. This is a thoughtful, humane conversation about leadership as human development: choosing people well, creating future leaders, embracing diversity, and ensuring that work means something beyond the balance sheet.

Broad sector experience is a major asset for a CFO: transferrable skills and adaptability are key. That’s especially true in 2025 where the role of the CFO is no longer just based on financial acumen.  David Sayers, Partner at Green Park and Financial Officers Practice lead, sits down with Jan Gooze-Zijl, an accomplished Chief Finance and Operations Officer, to explore the significant impact of diversity of thought and versatile leadership in today's business landscape. Jan talks us through the advantages of bringing a broad sector experience to a CFO role, enhancing openness, and avoiding assumptions about business operations. Currently CFO at Alpha FMC, Jan’s career includes key roles at UKTV, Ashurst, and Premiership Rugby, where he successfully managed financial and operational responsibilities. Plus, listen in for key insights into the dynamic relationship between CFOs and CEOs – a collaborative push towards top-line growth.