Positive Leadership in a Chaotic World: Natasha Frangos on Culture, Growth, and Leading a Partnership Welcome to What We Don't Know with Matt Brittin & Hayaatun Sillem. The show about better leadership in a truly chaotic world. Across the series, episodes are hosted by Matt and Hayaatun as well as a range of other leading figures, bringing different perspectives to each conversation. Subscribe to not miss an episode! ▶️ ⚡️ Powered by Boxlight.io https://www.boxlight.io/ ------ Recorded at the Anthropy Conference at the Eden Project in Cornwall, Hayaatun interviews Natasha Frangos, managing partner of accountancy firm Haysmac, about leading with energy, authenticity, and optimism amid industry headwinds. Natasha shares how her Greek Cypriot upbringing, resilient grandmother, and accountant father shaped her leadership and view of trusted advisory relationships. She traces her path from leading the firm’s Creative Media & Tech sector to a firm-wide corporate role during COVID, then being elected as the firm’s first female managing partner in its first contested election. We cover partnership leadership and governance, culture as a driver of growth, developing and retaining homegrown talent, mentoring outside the sector, AI and automation strategy, competing as a mid-tier firm, staying independent amid PE consolidation, and sustaining energy through family, yoga, and theatre. 00:00 First Female Managing Partner 00:33 Rainforest Podcast Setup 02:27 Natasha Role Overview 03:47 Family Roots and Resilience 08:18 Ambition and Peer Support 09:45 Ant Trail Interlude 10:14 First Leadership Sector Focus 12:22 Founder Lessons and Investors 15:29 COVID Board Leadership 18:03 Chief Herder of Cats 19:47 Election and Imposter Feelings 23:03 Mentors and Outside Perspective 24:37 Growth Is Never Done 25:43 Creating Shared Momentum 27:31 People Over Numbers 29:24 Defining Culture In Practice 31:49 AI Anxiety And Upskilling 34:51 Mid Size Edge And Partnerships 37:22 Staying Energized As Leader 39:03 Role Model Pressure And Legacy 41:53 Big Priorities For The Year 44:25 Quickfire Leadership Round 47:50 Consolidation And Career Loyalty 51:25 West London And Final Takeaways 53:59 Closing Reflections And Wrap Credits: Producer: Sunny Winter Producer: Thuy Dong Producer: Jimmy McLoughlin OBE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices