How to be a CEO

In this frank interview, Heathrow’s Chief Financial Officer Javier Echave talks about the addiction to exercise and his mobile phone that contributed to a breakdown in 2016. Since then, he’s been pioneering efforts not just at the airport but across companies in the UK to improve workplace wellbeing policies. He’s on the Business in the Community group which represents around 600 companies and employs around 5.5 million people, and is working on raising issues like dealing with stress in offices. In this episode we talk about:  The factors that led to “the darkest moments” of his mental health Why 51 percent of BiC members don’t feel comfortable talking about mental health 12 percent say they can be demoted or disciplined if they talk about mental health problems Why everyone in the C-suite of a company should prioritise mental health wellbeing The four things companies need to do when changing workplace culture Why there shouldn’t be a “conflict between money and health” What the “mood lift” scale is, and how Heathrow uses it to check-in with manager’s health  Javier’s going to be appearing at the Watercooler event, which is taking place at the same time and the same location as our SME XPO – on the 25th and 26th of April at ExCel London. It’s going to feature more than 100 speakers on how to deliver a healthy workplace culture. For more info and free tickets go to watercoolevent.com 

Levi Roots' success on Dragon’s Den is legendary, and he speaks about it like it’s a tale from mythical times. When he got home that night, he says he held the guitar he’d used in his pitch aloft and told his mum “I slayed the dragon". He's been on a real 'hero’s journey'; his breakthrough coming at 48 years old, when he had to borrow money just to get to the BBC’s studios. Now he's the head of a multi-million food empire, but for how much longer does he want to stay at the top?In this episode we talk about:How fear is the biggest driver for him His responsibility as a powerful brand in the Caribbean community The origin of Reggae Reggae sauce Why the music was so important to the brand’s success Why he’s thinking of selling his company The difficulties of balancing business and family Why he ignored advice not to take his guitar in the Dragon's DenWhat does a Dragon really do with a business once the cameras stop running?The challenge of sustaining public interest in your brand after TV success Levis Roots: The Movie – the Hollywood A-listers being lined up to play him in the biopic Levi will be appearing at the Evening Standard's SME XPO in April where he’ll be talking about the power of a great brand – you can get free tickets by popping over to smeexpo.co.uk 

Clarke Carlisle is a former professional footballer who now uses his own battles with mental health to advise companies on office wellbeing. He’s joined by his wife Carrie to talk frankly about how his problems affected his career and family, and how getting help turned his life around. Please note, this episode contains discussion about the feelings around suicide.We also talk about: Clarke’s upbringing as a mixed-race child in a council estate How his need to please managers and fans in football contributed to his loss of identity How his mood swings and downward spiral affected Carrie during her pregnancy The essential role of therapy in both his and Carrie’s lives Their work helping businesses improve mental health provision The one common factor all companies with good wellbeing culture have Clarke and Carrie Carlisle will be appearing at the Watercooler conference and exhibition being held at ExCel London on April 25th- 26th. There’ll be more than 100 speakers across the days talking about mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing, social and inclusive wellbeing, financial wellbeing and environmental wellbeing. For free tickets and the full line-up go to watercoolerevent.com