Welcome to Leaders in Focus, featuring exclusive conversations with prominent figures shaping industries and driving positive change. In this episode, we welcome David Bird, Retail Director at Thames Water. David has been a key player in one of the UK's biggest corporate turnarounds since he took on the role in 2022. With a background in leading large-scale transformations across healthcare, telecoms, and transport, David brings a wealth of experience to Thames Water.

During our conversation, David shared some fascinating insights into the cultural changes happening at Thames Water. He talked about the importance of operational efficiency, reducing customer complaints, and building trust within the organisation through open and honest communication. Despite facing intense scrutiny and dealing with legacy issues, David's leadership has led to significant progress in areas like reducing leakage and improving service delivery.

David also touched on his strategies for retaining and attracting talent in a high-pressure environment. He emphasised the purpose-driven mission of Thames Water, which serves 16 million customers, and the need for investment in digital infrastructure. He outlined their ambitious five-year regulatory plan designed to prepare the organisation for future environmental and population challenges.

In conversation with Boyden’s Nick Robeson, David reflected on maintaining personal resilience, the importance of a structured turnaround strategy, and how a strong sense of purpose can inspire teams to achieve great results. Join us for this compelling dialogue as we explore David’s journey of leadership, innovation, and transformation at Thames Water.

Welcome to Leaders in Focus, featuring exclusive conversations with prominent figures shaping industries and driving positive change. In this episode, we welcome Paul Ludlow, the President of Carnival UK & P&O Cruises, who over the last 23 years has become a driving force in his organisation, leading operational excellence, customer-centricity, and employee wellbeing.

During the conversation, Paul shared his insights on what it's like leading one of the world’s largest and most complex entertainment companies. Under Paul’s leadership, the company continues to evolve, adapting itself to dynamic customer expectations and cultivating a challenger mentality that encourages constant growth.

Paul’s leadership style is built on trust, communication, and empathy. He is a firm believer in empowering his team, giving them the autonomy to thrive whilst maintaining open channels of communication. He emphasises proactive engagement from his leaders, valuing transparency and initiative to ensure alignment across the organisation. His high-trust approach allows his team the freedom to excel, provided they keep him informed of key developments.

Built on trust and communication, his leadership style also centres heavily around employee wellbeing. Responsible for over 15,000 people working both on-ship and shoreside, Paul stresses the need to create a supportive and enriching environment for each team member. He considers their wellbeing and success as integral to the company’s success and believes that without a motivated and energised workforce, it would be difficult to deliver memorable holiday experiences to guests.

Join us as Paul Ludlow, in conversation with Boyden’s Nick Robeson, shares his transformative leadership journey at Carnival UK and P&O Cruises. This insightful dialogue highlights how Paul places customer satisfaction, innovation, and employee wellbeing at the heart of his vision for the company’s future.

Welcome to Leaders in Focus, featuring exclusive conversations with influential figures driving innovation and progress in critical industries. In this episode, we welcome Geraint Evans, CEO of the UK Major Ports Group. With a unique blend of experience from both the public and private sectors, Geraint is well-equipped to manage one of the most strategic sectors of the UK economy.

Since becoming CEO, Geraint has been pivotal in aligning private sector investment with government initiatives, all while navigating the complex intersections between infrastructure, logistics, and energy. During our conversation, Geraint shared insights into UK ports' crucial role in national development, particularly in the context of energy transition, new fuels, and the green economy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the private sector, government, and international investors to unlock future opportunities.

Join Boyden's Nick Robeson as he dives into a thought-provoking discussion on Geraint's leadership journey, the strategic vision for UK ports, and their vital role in shaping the future of the UK's economy.