What does it really take to grow a business across sectors and ownership models, while staying grounded in clarity, culture, and commercial focus?

From private equity to listed companies, Colin’s approach to growth is shaped by structure, listening, and putting the right people in the right seats.
 
In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, Colin Sykes shares what he's learned from leading at the highest level across global businesses, scale-ups, and private equity-backed ventures. From circular economy innovations to methodical transformations, Colin’s approach is calm, practical, and rooted in deep experience.

It’s calm, clear, and full of lessons that apply whether you’re early-stage or established.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why the fundamentals of scale don’t change, whether you’re small or global
• What great leaders do differently (hint: they listen more than they talk)
• How to build teams that can actually deliver the next stage of growth
• Why due diligence and structure matter more than charisma
• How to spot waste and turn it into value, operationally and commercially
• Why circular thinking is becoming central to smart business strategy

From manufacturing to tech, from M&A to innovation, Colin brings a rare breadth of leadership insight, grounded in governance, transparency, and people-first execution.

🎧 Listen in if you're a founder or board leader looking for sharp, sustainable thinking on what scale really takes.

Who is Colin Sykes?

Colin is an international business leader whose career spans four continents, multiple industries, and a mix of public, private, and PE-backed organisations. He’s led transformations, steered M&A deals, and driven innovation across a range of sectors. Now, he brings that expertise to boards looking to unlock long-term value and sustainable growth.

You'll find Colin here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-sykes-0a19353/

Contact us: Hello@scalingstoriesunfiltered.com

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