No Limitations

In Episode 78, “The Fundamental Cornerstone of Leadership”,Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Magnus Nicolin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ansell Ltd, employing over 13,000 people across 55 countries and with customers in more than a hundred countries. In a captivating conversation, dialling in from Brussels, Magnus reveals his key learnings from an extensive international career and speaks about the importance of finding something to like about every situation, inner determination and building trust with all stakeholders, all fundamental in seizing opportunities and inspiring success.
Magnus has led Ansell as CEO for the last 11 years and will in the next month hand over to his successor, Neil Salmon. Under Magnus’s leadership, Ansell has been thoroughly transformed into a focused safety company with fully integrated innovation, manufacturing and global sales. Sales have doubled, EBIT increased threefold, while shareholders have seen an average annual TSR of more than 14 per cent.
As market leaders positioned at the heart of the safety products industry, Magnus provides us with a unique perspective into the challenges that Ansell faced and overcame as the COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on the global demand for protective equipment and apparel. He also shares with us an appreciation of the economic shifts happening across the globe and foretells what a post-pandemic world might have in store.
Magnus is also a Director of industrial holding company FAM AB. Prior to his role at Ansell, Magnus was President, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Esselte which he took private with a PE sponsor. He also held senior management positions with Bayer AG, Pitney Bowes and McKinsey & Company.

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In Episode 77, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Australia’s Team Captain and flagbearer from the 2016 Rio Olympics, two-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Anna Meares OAM in the latest episode of the No Limitations podcast, “Dedication Beyond Comprehension.”
In an exciting conversation, we are treated to Anna’s tales of triumph, perseverance and overcoming adversity. She shares with us her fascinating career on and off the banked tracks of the velodrome: from the moment that ignited her quest for success to the tremendous dedication required to compete on the biggest stage. Despite the setback from a terrible accident early in her career, she defied the odds, recovered and continued her journey to the Everest of her sport. Finally, we hear about Anna’s endeavours after her stellar track cycling career and how she continues to inspire the coming generations.
As the most decorated and successful female track cyclist in history, Anna is the first Australian athlete to win four individual medals at four consecutive Olympic Games. She also set world records and won numerous honours in World Championships and Commonwealth Games in her 22 years in the sport.

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In an Olympic special, “The Never-ending Pursuit of Excellence”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Kieren Perkins OAM, President of Swimming Australia and Chief Executive Officer of Australian Unity Bank.
Kieren takes us through his incredible swimming career, from the accident as a child that led to his passion for the sport, to his triumph at the 1996 Olympic Games, winning the gold medal in the 1500m Freestyle in lane eight, becoming the second Australian to defend an Olympic Championship. From the importance of key support systems and mentoring to endless training and dedication, Kieren gives us an insight into the mind of an athlete at the top of their sport and what it truly takes to succeed. Finally, he shares with us the difficulties of navigating retirement from an athlete’s perspective, his thoughts on the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games and what his life and career look like beyond the eight lanes.
As a freestyle swimmer, Kieren competed and won multiple gold medals across three Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Aquatics Championships and Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Prior to his appointment at Australian Unity Bank, he held leadership positions at National Australia Bank and has served as a Director of The Australian Sports Commission, The Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and the ANZAC Foundation.

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In Episode 75, “Forward with Courage and Curiosity”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to John Lydon, former Managing Partner, Australia and New Zealand of McKinsey & Company. He is currently a Senior Partner of the firm.
We are treated to some fascinating stories from John’s distinguished career, hailing from the quiet and peaceful county of Lincolnshire to traversing the world, advising clients on decisions that impact communities and the greater society, ultimately leading McKinsey & Company in Australia and New Zealand. Following his term as Managing Partner, John took a sabbatical to truly explore how businesses can create more value for all stakeholders and society. Today, he shares with us his key learnings and reveals how true commitment to ESG, social impact and purpose can positively influence not only a business’s bottom line but also the future of the world and generations to come.
During John’s tenure at McKinsey & Company, the Australia and New Zealand practice grew three-fold to over 450 consultants. He also founded McKinsey Implementation globally. He is also Chairman of Generation Australia, Co-Chair of the Australian Climate Leaders Coalition and a member of the University of Technology Sydney’s Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Board.

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In Episode 74, “Where to Now?”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson once again speaks to The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Member for Hunter, New South Wales. In a sobering conversation, Joel reflects on the state of Australian politics, particularly of the Labor Party; the opportunities and challenges in progressing healthy political discourse to best serve not only the party’s base but all Australians. To reconcile a vision of the country with the actions of today, Joel offers a way forward to deliver job security and sustained prosperity.
A member of the Australian Labor Party, Joel has represented his electorate for the last 25 years. He was previously Minister for Defence and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and has served as Chief Government Whip and Chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade.

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In Episode 73, “The True Ally Amongst Friends”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to April Palmerlee, Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce Australia (AmCham).
April transports us to Washington, D.C., into the world of American politics and foreign policy, with insights to figures including President George W. Bush, Secretary Colin Powell and Dr Henry Kissinger. We are taken across borders, from her time advocating for women’s issues on the ground during the War on Terror in Afghanistan to fostering United States business and investment relationships with Australia. From the innovative American entrepreneurial mindset to the challenges limiting greater business investment in Australia, April brings to light the endless possibilities available to Australia through its strong and unique alliance with the United States.
With a quarter of all foreign direct investment in Australia coming from the United States, AmCham is one of the most significant international business organisations in Australia, promoting two-way trade and investment and standing up for business for over 60 years. April is also a Director of The Centre for Independent Studies and Georgetown University’s Centre for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies and Founder of Pink Skirt Productions, an organisation that established easily accessible ultra-marathon races. She previously held roles at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre, the Lowy Institute for International Policy, the Council of Foreign Relations, the United States Department of State, and worked closely with renowned couturier Oscar de la Renta.

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In Episode 72, Pressure Is a Made-up Word, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Robert Millner, Chairman of investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd. Having been listed in 1903, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd is the second oldest publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange and is one of the few companies that has been successfully managed by the same family from the outset, with Robert representing the fourth generation. He is also Chairman of Brickworks Ltd, BKI Investment Company Ltd, Milton Corporation Ltd, New Hope Corporation Ltd and a Director of Apex Healthcare Berhad Ltd, TPG Telecom Ltd and Tuas Ltd.
In an open discussion, we gain insights and cover the experiences of one of the doyens of Australia’s investment industry and broader business landscape; from joining as a Director at a young age, upholding the family legacy and market reputation, and to never failing to pay a dividend to shareholders. With investments across manufacturing, property, mining, bulk handling, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications, Robert speaks about the savviness required to navigate different and complex business environments all over the world and affords us a glimpse into the mind of someone known for his ability to turn bargains into big returns.

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In Episode 71, “Head, Heart and Soul”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Emily Chang, Chief Executive Officer of McCann Worldgroup China, joining us from Shanghai. In a spirited and compelling conversation, Emily draws open the curtains and allows us a view into the breathtaking scale of consumerism in China and the dynamics at play. Talking through her international career spanning the East and West with some of the world’s most iconic brands, including her time looking after the Apple brand in China, Emily brings to our attention the realm of possibilities and relentless focus on creativity and innovation in capturing the hearts of the modern consumer. From mindsets and obstacles to the pace of competition, we are treated to a unique view into the revolution of commerce in China and what it could mean for the rest of the world.
Emily also touches on the concept of social legacy with her recent book, , to inspire us to live and lead with renewed intention and authenticity, to break down walls and do extraordinary things.The Spare Room
Prior to her role at McCann Worldgroup China, Emily held a variety of senior leadership positions at Starbucks, InterContinental Hotels Group, Apple, and Procter & Gamble. Emily is also on the Board of SOS Children’s Villages and the author of .The Spare Room

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In Episode 70, “Think Without Barriers”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to John Rothwell AO, Founder and Chairman of Austal Ltd. As the world’s largest aluminium shipbuilder, Austal owns and operates industry-leading shipyards in Australia, the United States of America, the Philippines and Vietnam, with a joint venture in China and a global support network. John was also previously Chairman of the Australian Shipbuilders Association and the State Training Board of Western Australia.
From two boats out of a backyard to leading Australia’s first ASX-listed shipbuilder, John gives us a view through the lens of an entrepreneur; the tenacity and thinking required to overcome obstacles, expanding and opening new markets offshore, and building a legacy. He also shares his views on the stark contrast between business conditions in Australia and the United States, and making deals in China. Finally, John imparts some advice to the entrepreneurs who see the world’s limitations.

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In Episode 69, “Comfort in Change”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Ed McManus, Chief Executive Officer of Deliveroo Australia. Deliveroo Australia has a network of over 8,000 riders and drivers and works with over 14,000 restaurants across the country. Previously, Ed was Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Energy Australia, the owner-operator of the Powershop retail electricity brand and a number of electricity generation assets. He also held a variety of roles with REA Group and GlaxoSmithKline after beginning his career as a medical research scientist.
In an open conversation, Ed shares with us his fascinating story, one fuelled by curiosity, that has seen him work and lead across different industries. We hear of the COVID-19 experience in the food delivery sector, which provided a lifeline to restaurants all over, and the opportunities ahead. Eager for challenges and comfortable in change, Ed brings to light the real reform required to inspire confidence amidst ambiguity, from small businesses doing it tough to the world as a whole for generations to come.

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