What does it take to lead in a high-pressure industry, without burning out your people or yourself?

In this episode, I speak with Lucy Darch, CEO of Wave, a major UK water retailer, about how her leadership style evolved from fast-paced individual contributor to culture-focused CEO. With over 20 years in the utilities sector (including early years at Enron) Lucy shares how adaptability, empathy and trust became cornerstones of her leadership.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How childhood influences shaped Lucy’s independence and drive
2. What it takes to transition from autonomy to collaborative leadership
3. Strategies for navigating culture shifts and organizational change
4. How to build a flexible, high-performing workplace that retains top talent
5. Balancing executive demands with family and personal priorities

Key themes:

• Resilience in high-stakes corporate environments
• The shift from control to trust in leadership
• Evolving leadership through personal and industry-wide change
• Redesigning work cultures for sustainability and performance

Lucy’s story is a practical blueprint for leaders navigating transformation - whether in utilities, startups or large organizations. Join us for an engaging discussion that will inspire you to reflect on your own leadership journey and consider new approaches to leading in today's dynamic business landscape.

📣 If this conversation sparked ideas, hit like, leave a comment with your takeaway and subscribe for more real-world leadership insights from experienced executives.

• Connect with Lucy Darch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-darch-71184413

• Write to Lucy Darch: ldarch@wave-utilities.co.uk

• Check Lucy’s website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/waveutilities/

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00:00:39 - Lucy's background and current role

00:03:38 - Childhood experiences shaping leadership style

00:09:20 - Early career and adapting to different corporate cultures

00:17:45 - Navigating personal and professional challenges

00:22:10 - Strategies for sustainable leadership and work-life integration

00:26:25 - Embracing flexible work arrangements and their impact on productivity

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