Pivot points powered by Brandpie

Over the course of a remarkable 30-year career, David Boynton has led some of the world's most prominent brands, including L'Occitane, Charles Tyrwhitt, and The Body Shop. 

It’s a journey that’s taken him through transformative moments and challenges at every stage, bestowing him with pivotal learnings around leadership, growth, and culture.

Join us this week to discover the ‘crucible moments’ in which David was thrown into the fire, and emerged reforged…

This episode covers:

• The critical role of a clear, meaningful organisational purpose, exemplified through David’s work with The Body Shop
• Navigating significant changes at huge companies while maintaining core cultural values 
• Culture as a fundamental driver for growth and success, not an add-on
• Willingness to reset strategies and challenge existing operational models when market conditions change
• Balancing heritage and innovation within longstanding brands

David Boynton 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-boynton-a111331/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Sophie Devonshire’s career could be described as ‘squiggly’, but in business she’s a laser-focused CEO with an infallible eye for marketing and team-building.

Drawing on experiences from Coca Cola and Proctor and Gamble, she’s mastered the art of ‘leading with speed’, building purposeful pauses into business, and shaping roles to play into a team’s strengths.

Her leadership now is shaped by countless pivotal moments in her career, so join us as we discover how The Marketing Society’s CEO shaped her entrepreneurial lens.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Navigating a "squiggly" career path from FMCG giants and agency work to international roles
• The power of pace-setting and agility in modern business leadership
• Balancing speed and responsibility in growth
• Building high-performing, complementary teams that can execute at pace
• Finding passion and purpose in your work

Sophie Devonshire 

https://www.sophie-devonshire.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiedevonshiresuperfast/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Investing in a bankrupt business isn’t usually the most appealing option, but for Andrea Mandel-Mantello, it was a stroke of genius…

The Cesare Ragazzi name was known throughout Italy when Andrea took over. Through a strong rebrand, resilience, and passion for improving people’s lives, Andrea’s brand now brings those values to a staggering 26 countries.

Join us on Pivot Points to discover how Andrea brought a household name back from the brink of bankruptcy.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• How Andrea took a bankrupt company and breathed new life into the Cesare Ragazzi brand
• The perseverance required to turn a company around and repay its debts
• How strategic partnerships and innovative marketing are key to internationalisation
• The importance of keeping a dedicated team motivated and aligned with your company's mission

Andrea Mandel-Mantello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mantello/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Before creating one of the largest gatherings of future makers in the UK, John O’Brien MBE has had an incredible career path, from serving as an army officer to leading major initiatives with the Prince of Wales' charities. 

He's now embarked on an ambitious mission to bring together leaders from across sectors to help build a better Britain. 

Join me as we explore John’s perspective on creating new platforms, purpose and impact, adaptability, transferable skills, and the pivotal moments that have shaped his journey.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The many major turning points in John's career, from leaving banking for the Army, to unexpected redundancy and finding new paths 
• How skills and experiences gained in the military became invaluable in John’s later career
• John’s ability to inspire and mobilize diverse stakeholders for noble causes
• Navigating challenges and setbacks, and how John was able to reframe and learn from those experiences.
• The overarching goal of Anthropy, and John’s hopes to bring together leaders and work towards a more positive future for the UK

John O'Brien MBE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthropyfounder/

Anthropy: https://anthropy.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthropy-uk/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Piers Linney is a name you’ll know from Dragons’ Den or Secret Millionaire, but his wider career journey paints the fascinating portrait of a multi-talented, resilient and forward-thinking entrepreneur.

Currently the Co-Founder of Implement AI, he’s a fascinating individual whose expertise on the role of AI in the future should incite CEOs this year to have a pivotal moment of their own.

In this episode of Pivot Points, Piers talks us through the impact of mentors and social capital, the importance of learning from your failures, why AI should be your personal sidekick, and much more.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Embrace AI and start experimenting to boost productivity, creativity, and decision-making
• Cultivate resilience and learn from failures, seeing them as a badge of honor
• Leverage your social capital to create opportunities for others
• Collaborate to inspire change

Piers Linney
https://www.pierslinney.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierslinney/
Implement AI
https://www.implementai.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/goimplementai/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Matthew Wenger’s entrepreneurial story can be traced back to the age of just 8 years old, and from that point, Matt’s journey culminates in his current role spearheading the renewable energy transition.

He’s Harvard-educated, musically gifted, and a fantastic CEO of Relevate Power, so join us for this episode of Pivot Points to discover the moments that shaped his path to leadership, and the vision of a cleaner future for energy.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Matthew Wenger's early entrepreneurial spirit
• Lessons learned through music, theatre, and early business ventures
• The importance of building engaged and aligned teams, like you would assemble a cast or a musical ensemble
• Relevate Power's mission to revitalize rural communities through renewable energy
• The challenges of finding the right investors and navigating the complexities of the hydroelectric industry

Matthew Wenger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwenger/
Relevate Power: https://www.linkedin.com/company/relevatepower/
https://www.relevatepower.com/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

This week’s podcast guest is one whose biggest pivot was finding a way for businesses to better fulfil their potential, but shifting from the corporate world to academia - Griffith University’s, Nick Barter.

Nick talks Dave through the need for narrative and purpose beyond profit, bringing emotion into decision-making, and why your demography is your destiny.

This episode covers:

• Professor Nick Barter's career journey from business to academia, driven by his desire for long-term value creation
• The importance of an organisation's narrative and purpose beyond pure profit
• Incorporating emotional and purpose-driven decision-making in business, and where it often competes with more technical solutions
• Generational changes in decision-making based on our growing need for long-term sustainability

Nick Barter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-barter-a50775/

Griffith University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/griffith-university/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

When you’re driven by a personal purpose, as Paul Donovan has been, then the focus that you pour into a business becomes so much more powerful.

Now in what he describes as his ‘third career’, Paul’s philanthropic endeavours give him the drive to change lives - one such endeavour being The Artis Foundation, of which he’s a Patron.

Paul’s illustrious career is studded with fascinating stories of turning around companies and finding his own mission, particularly through his prior CEO roles at ODEON, Arqiva and Eircom.

His is a journey well-worth exploring, as he joins Brandpie Founder Dave Allen for episode 3 of Pivot Points.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Paul’s self-described ‘third career’ proving the power of personal pivots in writing your story
• Shift from a "me" to a "we" mindset in approaching leadership
• The power of mentorship, with advice for young professionals on proactively seeking out experienced guides
• The inspiring story of how Paul led the turnaround of Odeon Cinemas, revitalising the company's culture and customer experience
• Paul's passion for philanthropy and his current mission to revolutionise primary education

Paul Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-donovan-643136/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

When you take on leadership in a new business, the people you rely on might not be sitting in the same places you’re used to.

Our latest Pivot Points Podcast guest is Baker Tilly International’s CEO, Francesca Lagerberg - a leader whose experience with handling changes within a firm is equally as shrewd as with personal change.

Francesca joins Brandpie’s Founder, Dave Allen, to discuss the fusion of tech with humanity, the role of joy in being an effective leader, embracing cultural shifts, and how you find your advocates in the midst of a change programme.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Learning to handle cultural shifts between firms
• How to handle the emotional spectrum that comes with new roles
• Making ‘big dog’ vs ‘small dog’ decisions
• Fusing technology with the human side of business
• Finding change advocates and allowing for naysayers

Francesca Lagerberg
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescalagerberg/
Baker Tilly International
https://www.linkedin.com/company/baker-tilly-international/
https://www.bakertilly.global/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

There are few jobs cooler than Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, but with that comes a responsibility to uphold its culture, legacy, and long-term vision.

That tall order has been a responsibility and a pleasure for James Ainscough, being a part of the Royal Albert Hall for over a decade. The fascinating pivotal moments he shares with us in this week’s podcast come from both his journey, and that of the hall itself...

Join us as we break down James’ golden balance of creativity and business savvy, his total devotion to collaboration, and why passion is the first step to great leadership.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• James’ perfect balance of business and creativity serving him throughout his career
• The Royal Albert Hall’s ability to make its team feel at home
• Why you should derive genius from the best of those around you
• The Royal Albert Hall’s long-term view, and its aim of making the world a better place
• Passion being an irreplaceable, core quality in leadership

James Ainscough
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesainscough/
Royal Albert Hall
https://www.royalalberthall.com/
https://www.instagram.com/royalalberthall/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/