​Host Nicky Acuna Ocana’s guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition has had an impressive and fascinating career in Marketing and BD. Starting out as a creative with a love of words, Eddie Bowman explored several sectors early on (including a stimulating and fun experience working for the advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather) before migrating into the world of Big Five accounting and ultimately legal services.

All throughout, as a marketing leader, he was learning lessons daily about how to align teams and make projects happen. His skillsets proved a perfect fit for his role as business development marketing lead at Simmons & Simmons – a fantastic partnership from which he recently stepped down after more than six years. In this episode, Eddie reflects on a variety of topics, including how to combat Imposter Syndrome, lead with quiet, inspiring authority and build trust among peers up and down the firm.

He also shares career lowlights, highlights and thoughts on the traits that are critically important to achieving one’s full potential – in order to derive meaning from as well as success on the job. That certainly describes Eddie’s track record over a long career, but he also has no problem humbly admitting that there were times when he fell short.

“Pursue with rigour and desire each new opportunity and I promise you, the other benefits that you need will follow,” says Eddie. We look forward to seeing where this dynamic leader lands next!

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Change, challenge and growth are all central drivers in the career of Adam Soames, featured guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition. In many ways his 27-year career in professional services reflects perfectly the very things that he avidly loves about team sports: collaboration, creativity, hard work and hard play! With his MBA and executive coaching certification, Adam is well known for bringing a fresh, motivational style, most recently as Global Head of Business Development & Strategy at Hogan Lovells.

The insights he acquired through his world travels early in life and the tireless entrepreneurialism his parents modelled have contributed to Adam's success, working in high-profile roles leading transformation across highly competitive business development and marketing environments within accounting, consulting and legal.

This lively conversation with host Nicky Acuna Ocana highlights the importance of networking, mentoring and – above all else – continually challenging ourselves to stretch and grow. A lifelong learner, Adam has keen advice for young Business Development and Marketing professionals, especially those looking to garner trust in a legal context: “It’s quite tough when you first go into law,” he says, “but the beauty of it is that lawyers respect specialists … and when you’ve demonstrated what you can do and deliver, they really let you get on with things.”

Adam revisits career accomplishments as well as lessons learned while navigating bumps along the way. The episode wraps with Adam sharing six pieces of wisdom – including seeing challenges as opportunities, staying agile when circumstances demand that we adapt and always remembering “the first rule of selling in any world – but particularly professional services: If you don’t ask, you don’t get!”

​Rob Fowler’s career has been defined by grit, tenacity and a powerful commitment to paying forward the mentoring that  has guided him at every juncture of his career, from the braveness of attending law school without a training contract to his current role helping to  shape the leadership agenda at Taylor Wessing as Head of Talent Acquisition.

As he shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana on this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Rob has incorporated a passion for growth and inclusivity into every role he  has played – within both legal and business environments.

He offers thoughts about how to advance meaningful, inclusive leadership agendas, the power of networking at every stage of you career and why we all should consider authenticity  a non-negotiable.

By enhancing our personal brands through education and  awareness, Rob believes, we are also bringing along the wider business brand. You’ll get an inside look at the role ongoing development plays within Rob’s  Talent Acquisition Team as well as a front-row seat on some of the successes and challenges that have shaped his career.

The episode wraps up with a list of development  resources and words of wisdom for anyone in search of the confidence and  support to make a leap – whether in the realm of law, business or diversity and inclusion.

Host Nicky Acuna Ocana’s guest on this  episode of Leaders with Ambition epitomises resilience, both personal and  professional. Sheetal Sanghvi, a Partner specialising in Innovation Reliefs at  RSM UK, has risen through the ranks over the past two decades through a  combination of adaptability, hard work and openness to support.

Her story of perseverance, which starts with the loss of her father at a very young age, will inspire you to meet challenges with optimism, knowing that “you can only achieve if you have experienced failure” When her lack of technical expertise was an impediment, she sought education.

When her career in corporate tax seemed hindered, she pivoted. And when a broken ankle (suffered during the RSM company football tournament!) side-lined her in recovery, she used it as an  opportunity to reassess and re-orient her career path.

“I know that whatever comes my way I can deal with, personally or professionally,” she says. That’s self-evident in the super-sized confidence that Sheetal brings with her into any situation. She shares career achievements as well as challenges  and wraps up with valuable advice.

By her example Sheetal is showing younger  women – especially Asian woman – that they, too, can bring their authentic  selves to work and find a niche that they love. “And if you do that,” she says, “you never have to work a day in your life.” Sheetal is certainly a testament  to that!

​Cultivating and nurturing relationships with contacts as early as possible in our careers is key to the kind of success and longevity enjoyed by Nicky’s guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition.

Kristina Kicks, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory, entered a traditionally male-dominated sector that she has navigated successfully, thanks to her work ethic and the robust network she has cultivated throughout her career.

Having decided early on to specialise in insolvency, Kristina never stood down from challenges. To the contrary, she fundamentally believes that there is something positive to learn from every challenge.

This engaging conversation highlights how Kristina has balanced her commitment to family and friends with a robust career path, including nearly two decades of steady advancement and leadership roles at Grant Thornton.

She shares career peaks as well as insights into how best to manage the inevitable stumbling blocks, thoughts on the importance of diversity and her dedication to serving professional organisations supporting the growth of newcomers and established peers alike.

Words of wisdom from this pioneering role model will undoubtedly resonate, as will Kristina’s fundamental commitment to fairness and a values-driven approach that has helped her and the teams she leads to reach ever greater heights.

​Careers are long and so are memories! Host Nicky Acuna Ocana’s guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambitions is Owen Williams whose career demonstrates why it’s so important to cultivate – and maintain – healthy work relationships.

Over the course of his busy and highly successful career, Owen has been afforded the opportunity to circle back repeatedly to former employers to take on exciting new roles.

​As Director of Marketing & BD at Simmons & Simmons, Owen’s skill sets are an amalgamation of leadership and growth opportunities at multiple firms.

The common denominators throughout his career:

He and his teams are all about working hard and to the highest standards, delivering on-time and generating good will. As a leader, Owen’s focus is on hiring the right people, supporting creativity and growth – then getting out of the way.

At this stage in his dynamic journey, Owen can clearly see the many workplace mentors who have shaped his path and is gladly paying it forward, providing guidance to others coming up through the ranks. Learn about Owen’s career highlights as well as the challenges he has encountered while driving change within the professional services space. He also offers words of wisdom for those who aspire to greater leadership roles and opportunities.

Above all, Owen leaves us with a vivid example of the power of networks to build meaningful, fulfilling careers in which professional relationships are rich and recurring. (Hint: Don’t burn bridges!)

“Careers are long. And memories are maybe even longer,” says Owen. “So it’s vitally important to maintain healthy relationships and leave on good terms.” The dividends are real!

When all is said and done, the basis of any successful career is believing in ourselves. That’s the message shared by Sadie Baron, Chief Marketing Officer at Reed Smith, who shares her fascinating journey on this episode of Leaders With Ambition. Without a university degree, she has climbed through the ranks of professional services firms due to her relentless work ethic, intuitive communication style and an array of savvy management practices.

Host Nicky Acuna Ocana elicits Sadie’s thoughts on everything from the difference between mentoring and coaching to strategies for combatting Imposter Syndrome. The conversation also covers the personal toll taken by the pandemic and how Sadie’s willingness to be vulnerable inspired solidarity and gratitude among her team.

You’ll learn about Sadie’s approach to work-life balance – which includes embracing the fact that there won’t always be equilibrium. It’s about choices, she says, and accepting inevitable consequences with grace and a sense of humour. Although her career took time away from some of her two children’s activities, she recognises that she has given her son and daughter an enduring and inspiring example of the power of growth, curiosity and engagement.

In her role both as a Chief Marketing Officer and board member at the Legal Marketing Association, Sadie motivates others through her emphasis on authentic communication and candour with kindness. She has also developed a well-articulated set of management principles that include:

​In wrapping up the episode, Sadie reflects on her career’s many highlights, as well as challenges. She encourages a growth mindset to keep things fresh (up to and including a change of job venue) and emphasises the critical importance of seeking help from mentors and coaches. The networks we cultivate in many ways determine the quality of our professional journeys. “I’m a girl from Norfolk with no degree who looks after a $1.4 billion+ global law firm with a team of 100+ around the world,” says Sadie, whose future is clearly boundless!

The career of Francis Mainoo, Head of Sales at Moore Kingston Smith, illustrates the power of possessing a growth mindset. Whether out on the field as an Army Cadet or as a candidate at Harvard’s Executive Programme, Francis embraces every challenge as an opportunity to grow. Francis has also been willing to fail, knowing that his support network will always be there to lift him up - as he too lifts up others coming through the ranks.

On this episode of Leaders With Ambition, we learn about Francis’ focus, determination, positivity and vision for what might be achieved, not just on the job, but across society. It has all been part of a learning journey that has taken him through a series of demanding roles at firms such as EY and Merrill Lynch. Francis’ many successes have been achieved by challenging existing sales channels and strategies and identifying ways that businesses can enhance their marketable activities.

One of the superpowers that Francis shares is his openness to vulnerability, whether in playing the role of trusted advisor to clients or himself relying on advice from others. “Don’t try to be the smartest person in the room,” says Francis, who was raised by strong, wise women who guided and empowered him. “You should want to be in a room where you can learn and grow.”

Francis has reached one career peak after another by working hard and – as importantly – bringing his most authentic self to every interaction. You’ll enjoy hearing about his passion for serving as a mentor to others, fostering equity, diversity, inclusion and a rich web of colleagues who, like Francis, will go on to pay it all forward again and again.

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, Nicky’s guest, Moira Slape, Chief People Officer at Travers Smith, shares lessons learned over a highly successful career.

From legal secretary to the highest ranks of decision-makers, Moira has carved her own path by leveraging several key traits - most notably an incredibly strong work ethic. It has been a journey full of constant learning and development, which Moira unpacks over the course of this fascinating discussion.

Moira explains why trusting one’s instincts is critically important and why hiring people from diverse backgrounds is a corporate super-power - something she understands intuitively because of her own working-class roots.

In this episode, you will appreciate Moira’s practical tips for navigating career transitions as well as her thoughts on the importance networking and mentorship (both giving and receiving).

Above all, it’s clear that Moira loves what she does and has thrived in the management of people because she brings to her work both a great capacity for empathy and an unwavering authenticity.

​If you’re someone for whom the traditional university path hasn’t been the right fit, then this episode of Leaders with Ambition will speak directly to you.

Nicky’s guest, Caroline Allen-Monaghan, shares the unique route she took to managing a global team as Director of International Accounting at a premier law firm. It’s a success story that Caroline could not have anticipated when she dropped out of University with no career plan or preparation in place.

You’ll enjoy sharing the inspiring journey that this mother of four has navigated on her way to Arnold & Porter. Caroline built her credibility incrementally, one step at a time, from one firm to the next. At every juncture, however, two things remained consistent: An abiding belief in herself and willingness to knock down barriers.

Caroline shares some brilliant words of wisdom about the power of bolstering ourselves in those moments of self-doubt and, she says, make no mistake, we all experience wobbly confidence from time to time.

Today, one of the things Caroline enjoys most is paying forward the kind of mentoring she received early – support without which she might never have stuck with her dreams and completed the 14 exams necessary to secure her coveted ACCA qualification. It was a moment in which – after all the tireless work – Caroline felt the gratifying power of having achieved something that no one could ever take away.

In addition to talking us through her career highlights, Caroline also shares thoughts about work-life balance and lessons learned during pandemic. She offers practical advice about defining one’s roadmap to success, even if it’s not based on a traditional trajectory, and committing to doing the hard work, even when it requires sacrifice.

Caroline's story offers us permission to break from narrow, traditional paths in order to claim our best and most authentic selves. Or, to quote Caroline: “Don’t face barriers. Run through them!”