The Human CEO Podcast

Episode Summary In this conversation, Amy interviews Penny McCormick, CEO of MyHealthChecked. Penny shares her journey from marketing to leading a healthcare PLC, navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, and her philosophy on leadership, change management, and personal health empowerment. About My Health Check Founded in November 2019, MyHealthChecked is a PLC headquartered in Cardiff that delivers at-home wellness tests to consumers primarily through retail partnerships. The company started with COVID PCR testing (becoming the first over-the-counter COVID PCR test available in Boots) and has since expanded to offer over 30 different tests ranging from lateral flow wellness tests to DNA and blood tests. With a small executive team of nine members and a strong, diverse board, MyHealthChecked has successfully navigated significant market changes. Leadership During COVID-19 Penny describes the whirlwind of leading during the pandemic, when she had to: Completely pivot the business direction from female health to broader wellness testing Build a supply chain and operational infrastructure at breakneck speed Manage remote working while still enabling critical in-person collaboration Handle unprecedented customer service demands during travel testing surges She emphasizes the importance of embracing ambiguity, making decisions with limited information, and maintaining open communication with the team when everything is being done "for the first time." On Leadership Philosophy Penny's leadership approach centers on: Creating psychological safety for team members to ask questions and challenge ideas Understanding that resistance to change isn't binary—people process change differently Looking beyond the questions being asked to understand the underlying concerns Empowering teams while maintaining clear direction Learning continuously and improving through self-reflection Career Journey Rather than following a predetermined career path, Penny describes making intentional decisions at key moments that led to her current role. Starting in journalism and PR, she moved into marketing where she discovered her passion for the commercial side of business. Her time at BBI International (now BBI Group) was formative, where she worked with entrepreneurial leaders who instilled a commercial mindset and eventually rose to become a managing director. Mentors and Influences Penny credits several key influences: Previous leaders who demonstrated transparent communication and empowerment Amber Rudigal (board member and creator of Pregnancy Plus app), who demonstrated lean business operations, creative problem-solving, and generosity in supporting others, particularly women Recommended Reading While cautioning against putting too much pressure on oneself from leadership books, Penny highly recommends "The Chimp Paradox" by Steve Peters as a simple, accessible framework for understanding behavior and managing anxiety, especially useful in helping team members during uncertain times. The Future of Healthcare Penny sees healthcare evolving toward: More accessible services outside traditional healthcare settings Greater consumer choice and autonomy in health management Initiatives like Pharmacy First that distribute healthcare delivery Retail partnerships leveraging trust and accessibility (noting that 80% of UK residents live within 10 minutes of a Boots store) Personal Philosophy on Health Penny emphasizes: Making intentional choices every day for long-term independence and quality of life Prevention rather than reaction to health issues Living fully while maintaining independence for as long as possible The Human CEO Podcast explores leadership journeys and philosophies of remarkable executives across industries.

Episode Overview In this episode of The Human CEO, we welcome back Amy Burdett, Head of People and Culture at Premier Education Group. Amy shares the remarkable journey of transforming workplace culture, embedding meaningful values, and achieving award-winning recognition. From strategic culture changes to balancing productivity with well-being, this episode is packed with insights for leaders looking to build an authentic and high-performing workplace. Key Topics Discussed ✔️ The Evolution of Culture – How Premier Education reassessed and redefined its core values to reflect who they are today.✔️ Creating a Culture Code – The importance of listening to employees and capturing what truly makes a workplace thrive.✔️ The Power of ‘Lagom’ – How a Swedish philosophy transformed productivity, work-life balance, and employee engagement.✔️ Scaling Culture in a Franchise Model – The challenges and successes of aligning culture across 80+ franchise businesses.✔️ The Role of Psychological Safety – How open and honest conversations shaped a culture where employees feel heard and valued.✔️ Recognition & Impact – The awards, achievements, and business growth that followed their cultural transformation.✔️ Future Ambitions – What's next for Premier Education, including AI integration and continued growth. Standout Moments 🎙️ “Culture isn’t just words on a wall—it has to be embedded in everything you do.”🎙️ “We went from knowing we were doing great things to actually celebrating and communicating them.”🎙️ “People work better when they understand their role in the bigger picture. That’s where transparency is key.” Why You Should Listen If you’re a leader, HR professional, or business owner looking to create a workplace culture that drives engagement, retention, and business success, this episode is for you. Amy’s insights show that cultural transformation is not just possible but necessary for long-term growth. Resources & Links 🔗 Premier Education Group Website

In this episode of The Human CEO Podcast, we explore the unique and inspiring leadership journey of Danny Nelis-Rouse, Managing Director of Tug-E-Nuff. From a corporate career in call centers to running a family business focused on dog training toys, Danny’s story is a testament to the unexpected ways our furry companions can teach us about leadership, resilience, and building meaningful connections. Key Takeaways: Lessons from Tiddly: How Danny’s first dog, Tiddly, profoundly influenced his understanding of customer needs and reshaped Tug-E-Nuff’s direction toward the broader dog training market. Empowering Leadership: Insights into Danny’s leadership style, focused on education, empowerment, and creating tools for success, whether for employees, partners, or customers. Overcoming Challenges: Navigating reputational challenges and learning to trust his instincts in making bold decisions for the business. Community and Connection: The importance of fostering a sense of community within the Tug-E-Nuff team, its extended network of dog trainers, and their customers. Innovation and Growth: How customer feedback and a passion for dogs continue to drive Tug-E-Nuff’s product development and global expansion. Danny also discusses the critical balance between giving back and achieving business goals, sharing how Tug-E-Nuff invests in educational resources and personalised support to build lasting relationships. From his early days working alongside his mother in a backyard shed to managing a global brand, Danny’s journey offers inspiration for leaders who want to combine purpose, passion, and community impact. Resources: Visit Tug-E-Nuff: tugenuff.com Access the Free Power of Play Course: Available on the website Follow Tug-E-Nuff on Amazon and social media for updates  

In this episode of The Human CEO, we welcome Mark Rampolla, co-managing partner and co-founder of Ground Force Capital, a firm specializing in growth-stage investments in health, wellness, and sustainability-focused consumer brands. Mark is also the executive chairman of ZICO, the coconut water brand he founded, sold to Coca-Cola, and later reacquired. Mark shares his journey as a founder, investor, and leader, reflecting on the importance of values, intentionality, and adaptability in business and leadership. Key Topics Covered: Ground Force Capital’s Mission: Investing in growth-stage consumer-facing companies in food, beverage, and tech-enabled supply chains that promote health, wellness, and sustainability. The Role of Values in Leadership: Mark discusses the importance of shared values in guiding decisions and behaviors, both in his investment firm and portfolio companies. Intentionality in Business: How being intentional yet flexible has shaped Mark’s career and decisions, from launching ZICO to leading Ground Force Capital. Leadership Challenges Today: Insights on navigating profitability, economic shifts, and operational efficiency in a complex global landscape. Lessons in Letting Go: Mark shares how he learned to step back, empower others, and focus on his "zone of genius" to enable business growth. Personal Reflection and Growth: The value of meditation, thought time, and self-awareness in achieving balance and clarity as a leader. Quotes from the Episode: "Most of my life has been about intention with non-attachment to the outcome." "Values come to life through the behaviors we exhibit. When tough decisions arise, values guide the way." "Activity alone doesn’t deliver results. Sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way." "Great leaders know what they know, what they don’t know, and they’re intentional about surrounding themselves with the right people." Resources Mentioned: Books: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership – A guide to radical communication and conscious team building. Letting Go by David R. Hawkins – Exploring the power of surrender in leadership and life. Mark Rampolla’s LinkedIn: Mark Rampolla What’s Next for Mark: Mark shares insights into leadership challenges across Ground Force Capital’s portfolio and his ongoing mission to foster conscious, value-driven leadership. Tune in to learn from Mark’s wealth of experience as a founder, investor, and leader navigating today’s business landscape.

Show Notes:In this episode of The Human CEO, we sit down with Kiki McDonough, founder of her eponymous fine jewellery brand, as she reflects on nearly 40 years in business. Starting in 1985 with no prior experience designing fine jewellery, Kiki shares her journey from a blank sheet of paper to building an internationally recognised brand celebrated for its coloured gemstones and timeless designs. Key Highlights: The Early Days: How a surprising request led Kiki to create jewellery that empowered women to buy for themselves. Shifting Buying Behaviours: Kiki explains how women’s habits have evolved—from waiting for gifts to confidently purchasing their own jewellery. Leadership Philosophy: While Kiki doesn’t consider herself a traditional leader, she reflects on the importance of empathy, common sense, decisiveness, and discipline in running a business. Economic Challenges: How the current economic uncertainties are impacting SMEs and why more attention needs to be given to small businesses. The Human Connection: From her fond memories of a childhood “toy shop” to her joy in seeing customers leave with smiles, Kiki celebrates the human element of business. Key Influences: The role of Margaret Thatcher’s ‘can-do’ atmosphere in the 1980s and Kiki’s creative roots in a family of jewellery experts. Memorable Moments: Kiki’s realisation of her success: spotting someone wearing her jewellery in the crowd at Wembley Stadium. “I’ve never put ‘back in 5 minutes’ on my door”—a testament to Kiki’s discipline and commitment to her customers. Celebrating 40 years: Kiki shares plans to revisit designs from her archives and expand further into the UK and US markets. Books Mentioned: Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier Never by Ken Follett Leadership Wisdom: Kiki’s approach to leadership emphasizes empathy, optimism, and the courage to make quick decisions—even when they might not always be right. Her lessons are a powerful reminder for business leaders to remain focused, adaptable, and connected to their teams. Listen as Kiki McDonough candidly shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and passion for bringing joy to customers—one piece of jewellery at a time. 🎧 Tune in to hear Kiki’s full story and what’s next for her business as she approaches this incredible milestone. Website: www.kiki.co.uk