Confessions of a CEO

Mar 20 2025 17 ep. 60 mins 1
Confessions of a CEO Podcast artwork

Ever wondered what it really takes to succeed in business?

Join Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at Ryecroft Glenton, as he sits down with influential business leaders to explore the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

From the best advice they’ve received to the toughest challenges they’ve faced, these candid conversations reveal the business acumen, strategies, and mindset that drive success.

Each episode is filled with practical insights and fresh perspectives to inspire your business success.

  Business
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The Secrets to Celebrity Service

Mar 20 2025 78 mins  
In this episode of Confessions of a CEO, Carl chats with internationally renowned keynote speaker and author, Geoff Ramm.Geoff’s journey is one of grit, creativity, and an unwavering passion for exceptional customer experiences. From his humble beginnings in the North East of England to running a successful agency, OMG Marketing, and becoming a globally sought-after speaker, he u

From Crafter Den to Dragons’ Den

Mar 03 2025 50 mins  
Ever wished you could get some top business tips from a real-life Dragon? Carl Swansbury sits down with TV star and business icon Sara Davies to delve into her extraordinary journey from launching her crafting business Crafters' Companion, to becoming a household name in our stores and on our screens. Sara opens up about her entrepreneurial triumphs, the challenges she faced in ov

Confessions of an Entrepreneur with Peter Kirkham

Jan 31 2025 73 mins  
In this episode Carl Swansbury sits down with entrepreneur Peter Kirkham. A former professional footballer, Peter built a property portfolio before losing it all and being declared bankrupt due to the ‘credit crunch’. He bounced back to build a successful business which he sold for millions of pounds just a few years later.This is a fascinating insight into the challenges of ov

Confessions of an Entrepreneur/Founder with Jeremy Middleton

Dec 18 2024 59 mins  
In this episode Carl sits down with serial entrepreneur and investor Jeremy Middleton. Co-founder of the multi-billion-pound Homeserve, Jeremy established a private equity business, Middleton Enterprises, supporting founder-led entrepreneurial businesses across a range of sectors including tech, hospitality and leisure. During the podcast Jeremy tells his story and offers insight i

Confessions of a Chair with Lucy Armstrong

Dec 10 2024 74 mins  
In this latest episode, Carl sits down with Lucy Armstrong, one of the North’s most successful chairpersons. She supports CEOs and boards of a range of businesses across the public and private sectors, as well as not-for-profit organisations.She is also CEO of The Alchemists, a boutique consultancy focused on supporting fast-growing entrepreneurial businesses. Currently chair of

Confessions of a Non-Exec with Mark Dixon

Nov 01 2024 61 mins  
In this latest episode, Carl chats with successful businessman and Non-Exec Director Mark Dixon, From the beginnings of his career with Rolls Royce through to starting his own business, which went through two private equity transactions before eventually being sold to Costain.Having then, unsuccessfully trying to retire, Mark continued his business life working as interim chair, a

Confessions of a CEO with Kevin Beales

Aug 20 2024 72 mins  
In this episode, Carl chats with Kevin Beales, the founder and CEO of MySalesCoach, the expert sales coach, which is offered as a subscription service.Kevin gives an insightful look into his entrepreneurial career, providing a very interesting and highly personal view on taking a business from start up to sale and the sometimes emotional stories that come with that process.

Confessions of a Professor with Professor Nick Bacon & Professor Kim Hoque

May 23 2024 61 mins  
In this episode, Carl Swansbury chats with Professor Nick Bacon, Professor of Human Resource Management, Bayes Business School, City, University of London and Professor Kim Hoque, Professor of Human Resource Management, King’s Business School, King’s College London. The academics discuss how leveraged buy outs and not only how they benefit Senior Management Teams and workforces

Confessions of a CEO with Joanna Kingston-Davies

Mar 25 2024 77 mins  
In this episode Carl chats with Joanna Kingston-Davies, the co-founder of the MAPD Group, which powers the growth of local law firms nationally, through acquisition.Following more than 20 years in leadership and management roles within the legal sector in both France and the UK, she set up the MAPD Group in 2020.In her conversation with Carl, she tells a very personal and fascinati

Confessions of a Non-Exec with Andy Leslie

Mar 21 2024 63 mins  
Andy has been an MD and CEO in a variety of businesses throughout his career, before more recently pursue a career in becoming a NED and advise to a number of high growth, predominantly privately owned businesses.He tells Carl about his transition from full time MD to NED, that many people look to try and achieve and in this episode he gives his insight into that journey and what o