Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE

Ash Alexander-Cooper OBE is a former soldier, world-championship athlete, award-winning international musician and artist. During a 28-year regular and reserve career, Ash served as an airborne soldier, helicopter pilot, jungle warfare and counter-terrorist specialist, spending 82 months deployed on operations. Since retirement, Ash has been a Senior Partner at McChrystal Group, led international business development at Palantir, runs a Leadership Development firm and is VP EMEA & APAC for Dedrone by Axon. Wounded multiple times in combat, Ash is passionate about giving back and is proud to support several veteran and mental health charities. To that end, he has committed to donate all author profits from the sale of his upcoming book - Mindful Soldier: Building Resilience to Overcome Life’s Challenges – which publishes in the UK on 22 January 2026 and is available worldwide from 27 January 2026.

Nick started his career as a nightclub promoter, DJ, and recording artist in Leeds, later moving to his first corporate role at London Records in 1994. He co-founded NorthWestSide Records at BMG, where he signed Jay-Z for the UK market. He served as Managing Director of Epic Records UK and later relaunched London Records for Universal Music. Nick was President of Capitol Records UK from 2013 to 2021, signing and developing Sam Smith, 5 Seconds of Summer, and other major artists. After leaving Capitol, he founded NWS Music Group with Christian Tattersfield, focusing on records, publishing, and sync licensing. Impact and Current Activities - Raphael is recognised for signing and nurturing award-winning artists, with his roster achieving multiple UK No.1 singles and albums - He regularly serves as an executive advisor and mentor, for instance, joining the A&R talent group at Cre8ing Vision where he helps emerging music executives and artists - His entrepreneurial ventures continue to shape the UK and global music scene, with a focus on discovering new talent and maximising artist success Nick Raphael is widely regarded as a dynamic force in the music talent business, blending artist development, strategic vision, and A&R leadership across decades of executive roles

The 400th episode explores The CEO’s Compass as a practical framework of eight quotients – Moral, Purpose, Health, Emotional, Collective, Resilience, Brand and Legacy – distilled from over 400 leaders and 1,500 CEO conversations, to help leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity and courage. Jonathan and Leigh Bowman-Perks discuss vivid stories and tips from leaders such as Horst Schulze, Sherilyn Shackell, Anna Hemmings, Deanna Oppenheimer, Ankur Sinha, Gavin Patterson, Stuart Haire and Lord Dr Michael Hastings, showing how values, purpose, wellbeing, emotional intelligence, diversity, resilience, feedback and stewardship translate into everyday leadership decisions.The conversation closes by inviting listeners to see their legacy as already being written, to use the book as a compass for themselves and their teams, and to “go, live it, lead it” with Inspiring Leadership at the heart.Through the profits of this new book, The CEO’s Compass: How to Navigate Your Team Through Turbulent Times, Jonathan and Leigh Bowman-Perks are proud to support the Inspiring Leadership Foundation charity.This special 400th-episode celebration of the Inspiring Leadership podcast marks a major milestone in sharing stories of courage, authenticity, and service-driven leadership across the world.The conversation behind this episode captures Jonathan’s lifelong mission: to equip CEOs and their teams to lead with clarity and compassion in turbulent times, while directly giving back to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through the Foundation’s work.

Nabeel Kaukab is the Founder and CEO of Jaan Health, a software company transforming chronic disease management with AI-powered virtual care. He brings over 25 years of experience bridging healthcare and emerging technology. Before starting Jaan Health, he spent a decade as a Healthcare Investment Banker at UBS & Barclays Capital, where he advised on and executed IPOs, acquisitions and other financings worth more than $50 billion. Prior to that, Nabeel was an early-stage hire and software developer at Viant Corporation, where he helped build some of the earliest Internet applications and open several offices in the US and Europe, leading to the company’s successful 1999 IPO. He has a BA in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University and attended graduate school for Biotechnology & Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Stuart Atha is a Director with BAE Systems, responsible for the development and delivery of the Air Training Strategy, a remit that includes enterprise-wide multi-domain training.  He is a member of the Air Board, Chair of PPM, a high-tech entity, and Head of the UK delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group.   Prior to joining BAE Systems in 2020, Stuart served in the RAF for 35 years.  His career centred on operations both in the cockpit and command, notably in the Balkans, Libya, the Gulf and Afghanistan.  He commanded at squadron, station and group level before serving as the Chief of Staff at the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters, Stuart completed his Service as Deputy Commander of the RAF, a tour dominated by the counter-ISIS campaign in Iraq/Syria and NATO’s response to a resurgent Russia.   Stuart is an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, lecturing on contemporary air power, and patron of the Jon Egging Trust, a charity that seeks to inspire and develop young people. He is also the RAF Commissioner in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  Married with 5 adult children, Stuart lives with his wife and a variable number of children in Teddington London. 

Kate Griggs is a dyslexic social entrepreneur and Founder of global charity Made By Dyslexia. Kate is the world's leading voice on Dyslexic Thinking, a best-selling author, one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices and hosts the chart-topping podcast - Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking. Kate is also a course instructor on LinkedIn Learning and the University of Dyslexic Thinking - in partnership with Open University.    Kate’s award-winning work is re-defining dyslexia and inspiring a global movement for change. In 2022, Made By Dyslexia saw Dyslexic Thinking added as a skill on LinkedIn and a noun in the dictionary. Kate’s innovative approach to social change and advocacy has garnered global recognition, with her powerful TED talk  inspiring countless individuals and organisations to rethink how they perceive dyslexia. 

With an impressive 13 years of decorated military service, ten within the Special Forces and his last three years as a highly experienced chief sniper instructor and demolitions expert, ‘Staz’ is a distinguished Special Forces Operator who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for Combat Actions conducted in Afghanistan in 2013. Staz moved away from the military and co-founded the multi-million-pound performance outerwear brand, ThruDark - one of The Sunday Times' fastest growing privately owned companies. Business aside, Staz is a published author and was part of the four-man team that set the fastest known time for a speed ascent of Mount Everest, travelling from London to the top of the world and back in just 7 days.  Everest and Recent Achievements In May 2025, Staz completed a record-breaking ascent of Mount Everest, summiting and returning to the UK in just 7 days—a feat that typically takes 8-10 weeks. The expedition aimed to raise over £1 million for veterans' and armed forces charities, including support for bereaved military children. The climb utilised cutting-edge acclimatisation techniques and tested ThruDark's latest high-altitude gear.  Other Notable Work Author of "The Hard Road Will Take You Home," which distils Special Forces lessons for business and personal success. Advocate for veterans' wellbeing and mental health, sharing his journey through public speaking and media appearances. 

What happens when supply chain turbulence, leadership under pressure, and mission-driven business collide?This week’s conversation dives deep into the realities of managing complex supply chains — including the challenges of the wine industry during peak season — and how the right leadership, mentorship, and communication can turn crises into powerful learning moments.I’m joined by Chris Silcock, who was appointed head of Kellanova’s United Kingdom and Ireland business in October 2019.Before stepping into this role, Chris built an impressive career across FMCG and food retail — from ASDA, to Coca-Cola European Partners, and later Kellanova, where he first joined as UK Sales Director.At Kellanova, Chris has focused on strengthening the company’s reputation as one of Britain and Ireland’s most trusted brands by:🔹 Driving healthier food choices through reductions in sugar and salt🔹 Championing sustainability, including commitments to halve food waste and ensure all packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030🔹 Leading efforts to combat hunger by supporting school breakfast clubs that reach 70,000 children every day🔹 Unlocking £500k in additional income for families facing financial insecurity through the Money Matters SchemeThis episode is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, purpose, and the real impact organizations can make when values meet action.🎧 Listen in to hear how Chris navigates challenge, builds strong teams, and leads with clarity and compassion.

Born in a remote village in Kavre, Nepal, Dorje Lama Sir grew up amid simplicity and hardship. At just eleven years old, he left his home and made the brave journey to Kathmandu in search of work and a better future. With no formal education and little guidance, Dorje took on every opportunity he could find, each experience shaping his resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination.His journey eventually led him to Pokhara, where his entrepreneurial spirit truly took root. Today, Dorje Lama Sir is the proud owner of two thriving ventures — Moondance Restaurant & Bar and Dorje’s Resort & Spa — both renowned for their warmth, quality, and authenticity.Dorje’s story is one of courage, grit, and vision — a remarkable example of how perseverance and purpose can turn even the most modest beginnings into extraordinary success.Tune in now to hear Dorje Lama Sir's inspiring journey and the leadership lessons behind his remarkable rise.