Stuart Common, Managing Director at ice cream brand (and JC client) Mackie’s of Scotland, joins this episode of Who’s Steering This Thing? to discuss how he’s leading a family business through growth and change – without losing its heart.

Stuart offers candid insights into the realities of steering a challenger brand in the Food & Drink sector. He talks about why it’s important to recognise when you’re not the expert, how resilience is built through setbacks, and why leadership isn’t always a popularity contest.

He also shares the life experiences that have shaped his leadership philosophy, from supporting employees through illness to prioritising mental health and wellbeing – and how those lessons have influenced how Mackie’s approaches caring for its people.

The conversation also covers the role of AI in Food & Drink, managing change, and Stuart’s challenge for all leaders: take a good look at how you’re spending your time and whether it’s really going on the right things.

Visit our website at www.johnstoncarmichael.com for more insights from our sharp minds and to find out more about what we do as a UK firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

Kath Tetley is the Head Coach of the Scottish Thistles and Performance Director at Netball Scotland - leading Scotland’s top netball athletes on and off the court. Having worked across elite sport in Australia, including with Netball New South Wales and the Netball World Cup in Sydney, Kath knows how to build high-performing teams and the cultures that help them excel.

In this episode of Who’s Steering This Thing?, Kath talks to our hosts Martin and Jude about how an understanding of people is the foundation of every successful team; whether you’re part of it or leading it. You need to know who the lions, otters, beavers and golden retrievers are, and what they need from one another. If that doesn’t make sense now, it will once you listen!

Kath discusses the importance of creating environments where individuals can “find their vibe tribe” - the places where they feel connected, so they can thrive. The conversation also turns to how to balance kindness with competitiveness, what it takes to build trust in high-pressure settings, and how to reframe even negative feedback as a positive.

So, if you want to understand what it means to lead with empathy, energy and a clear sense of team purpose - don’t miss this episode.

Anton Colella is the CEO of Moore Global, leading a vast network of over 37,000 people across more than 228 independent accounting and advisory firms. It’s a big remit. So what does Anton believe makes a great leader? Not titles, or responsibilities, or achievements on a CV - but your character, and the way you bring out the best in others.

In this episode of Who’s Steering This Thing?, Anton and our hosts Martin and Jude discuss what’s at the heart of good leadership: self-awareness, the ability to reflect, and helping people to fulfil their potential. From Anton’s personal experience on how to lead through a crisis, to balancing introversion and extroversion, to the impact of language and tone, this conversation runs the gamut on how to be a leader people want to follow.

Anton also discusses the brand new article series he has recently launched called ‘Leading Life’, to help leaders align all the parts of their lives – work, hobbies, family, friendships – in order to make the most of every opportunity.

So if you want to learn how to lead with true impact, at whatever stage you are in your career – don’t miss this episode.

Find out more about Leading Life here: https://www.moore-global.com/news/anton-colella-launches-new-leadership-series-on-linkedin/