From Frontline Cashier to CEO: James Knight on Mastering Performance Without the Burnout

Air Supply is back with a powerful and brutally honest conversation with executive coach and former CEO, James Knight.

James's career path is anything but traditional. After leaving school at GCSE level, he eschewed the classic academic route, starting in frontline retail banking before quickly moving through senior roles at companies like O2 Telefonica and the RAC, culminating in his role as CEO of Innserve (the joint venture between Heineken and Carlsberg responsible for installing and maintaining 75% of the UK's beer supply systems—from pubs to Glastonbury).

In this candid discussion with host Joshua O'Connor, James pulls back the curtain on the "success trap" and why the external veneer of high-powered corporate life often masks deep personal emptiness.

What You'll Learn:

• The Foundations of High Performance: James reveals the non-negotiable habits and foundations (sleep, movement, recovery) that he believes are more critical to sustained success than hours worked.
• The Cost of Ego: Why James asserts that "your ego is the most expensive thing you'll ever own," and how a willingness to be humble and seek help is the fastest route to unlocking your potential.
• Redefining Success: Hear why the ultimate goal isn't "more" (more hours, more pressure) but actually less (less noise, less distraction) and how to design a life that is Built for More—high performance aligned with high fulfilment.
• Private Equity vs. PLC: Get an insider's view on the cutthroat, fast-paced nature of PE-backed environments and the unique leadership challenges they present.
• Finding Purpose: James shares a profound exercise (writing your own eulogy) that helped him re-evaluate his life and ensure his choices align with the legacy he wants to leave.
• The Ultimate Leadership Skill: Learn why self-regulation and emotional intelligence are the keys to staying grounded and creating psychological safety for your teams, particularly in times of chaos.

This episode is essential listening for any current or aspiring leader looking to achieve extraordinary professional results without sacrificing their health, relationships, or joy in the process.

James Knight is now an executive coach helping leaders perform at the highest level without burning themselves out.

Find James's work at: www.builtformore.uk

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Rory Shedden – CEO on Leading with Empathy, Cultural Add, and the Road Less Traveled in Private Equity.

Host Joshua O'Connor sits down with Rory Shedden, the CEO of MPLC, a global company protecting content rights for the world's best entertainment companies. Rory shares his unique journey from auditor to CEO of a Private Equity-backed business, a path that has seen him live and work across Europe, Asia, and the USA, always focused on value creation.

In this powerful episode, Rory offers invaluable insights on:

• Cultural Add, Not Fit: Why leaders must look beyond 'fit' to empower people to bring their whole selves and unique perspectives to a company.
• Leading with Empathy: How he led a successful turnaround of a 500-person operation by prioritizing people and self-belief.
• The PE CEO Role: What it truly takes to run a high-growth, mid-market business backed by Private Equity, and managing the relationship with investors through honesty and clarity.
• The Road Less Traveled: Rory’s wisdom on self-development, finding your own path, building resilience, and why great leaders need to invest time in deep, strategic thinking.

This is essential listening for ambitious professionals and leaders interested in leadership, private equity, self-development, and driving transformational change in business.

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In this episode, Joshua O'Connor chats with Simon Rouse, the CEO of Impact Futures, a leading education company recently acquired by private equity firm August Equity. In this episode, Simon candidly shares his unique career trajectory, from his beginnings as a Barclays graduate to his decision to transition from banking into businesses providing services with a social value.

• Career Pivots and Purpose: Discover what motivated Simon to shift his focus from a successful 17-year banking career to leadership roles with a strong social impact.
• The Private Equity Journey: Get an inside look at what it takes to prepare a business for acquisition and the challenges of managing a team through a high-stakes sales process.
• Leadership and Resilience: Hear Simon's insights on effective leadership, the importance of building trust, and how he navigated crises like a critical Ofsted inspection during the sale of his company.
• The Human Element of Business: Learn why Simon believes that in a world obsessed with technology and AI, a leader's focus should always remain on their people.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in business leadership, career development, and the intricate world of private equity.

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