From Top CEO to Wheelchair Warrior – Steve Ingham’s Untold Story!

Brave Bold Brilliant Podcast

Jeannette is joined by Steve Ingham, CBE, a former CEO of Page Group, who shares his remarkable journey from leading a global recruitment business to navigating life after a life-changing ski accident in 2019 that left him paralysed.

Steve reflects on his impressive 37-year career, highlighting his achievements in transforming Page Group into a market leader with over 9,200 employees and significant revenue growth. He discusses the importance of resilience, the lessons learned from adversity, and the role of leadership in fostering a supportive company culture. Additionally, Steve delves into his current work with various charities focused on disability, emphasising the need for inclusivity and equity in the workplace.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The journey from a successful CEO to living with a disability highlights the importance of resilience. Embracing challenges and maintaining a positive outlook can help individuals navigate significant life changes.

• In times of crisis or personal struggle, it's crucial to keep a broader perspective. Reflecting on loved ones, future goals, and positive experiences can provide motivation and strength to overcome immediate difficulties.

• Building a strong, inclusive company culture is essential for retaining talent. A supportive environment where employees feel valued and engaged can lead to lower attrition rates and higher overall performance.

• Successful leadership requires a commitment to long-term goals rather than short-term gains. Investing in infrastructure and people, even at the cost of immediate profits, can yield significant returns in the long run

BEST MOMENTS

"I guess it was the growth because I joined when it was 200 people. And I left when it was 9,200 people."

"I knew I was going to be in a wheelchair. And I told them my story and I told them about how my kids had found out."

"If you focus in on just that moment in time, things can look very, very dark indeed."

"You have to create a culture that people didn't want to leave."

This is the perfect time to get focused on what YOU want to really achieve in your business, career, and life. It’s never too late to be BRAVE and BOLD and unlock your inner BRILLIANT. Visit our new website https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/ - there you'll find a library of FREE resources and downloadable guides and e-books to help you along your journey.

If you’d like to jump on a free mentoring session just DM Jeannette at [e-mail].

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Brave Bold Brilliant - https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/

Brave, Bold, Brilliant podcast series - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brave-bold-brilliant-podcast/id1524278970

ABOUT THE GUEST

Steve Ingham was, until December 2022, the CEO of PageGroup, the FTSE 200 international recruitment business.

Following a four-year spell with Johnson Matthey, the precious metals business, he joined Page in 1987. The business was predominantly a London-based finance recruiter of c200 people known as Michael Page. He joined to help with the diversification of the business into new disciplines and new geographies. He was appointed to the plc Board following their successful IPO in 2001 and was appointed CEO in 2006. As CEO he expanded the company's operations from 18 countries to 37, quadrupled gross and operating profit (to over £1billion and £200m). The business now employs over 9,000 people and is market leader in many of the markets it operates, such as most of Europe (including France), China, SE Asia, and Latin America.

In March 2019 Steve had a near fatal skiing accident and is a now permanently in a wheelchair. He returned to work within three months of intensive rehabilitation. Whilst prior to his accident he was a big advocate and driving force for improving EDI in Page, his accident gave him new motivation to do more.

Following 3 out of 4 record years (2019-2022) and achieving the company Vision, he chose, after 17 years as CEO, to retire from Executive responsibilities. He now hopes to focus on improving attitudes towards disability in the workplace and to shine a light on hidden talent pools. He is on the Board of three charities: The Back Up Trust, Whizz Kidz and Wings for Life.

In June 2022 he was awarded a CBE on the Queen’s Birthday Awards, for achievements in business and for people with disabilities. As part of his belief that business and sport can make a huge difference in disabled peoples’ lives, as well as the economy, he joined the board of ParalympicGB and also was appointed Chair of the Business Disability Forum, that represents over 25% of the UK workforce.

ABOUT THE HOST

Jeannette Linfoot is a highly regarded senior executive, property investor, board advisor, and business mentor with over 30 years of global professional business experience across the travel, leisure, hospitality, and property sectors. Having bought, ran, and sold businesses all over the world, Jeannette now has a portfolio of her own businesses and also advises and mentors other business leaders to drive forward their strategies as well as their own personal development.

Jeannette is a down-to-earth leader, a passionate champion for diversity & inclusion, and a huge advocate of nurturing talent so every person can unleash their full potential and live their dreams.

CONTACT THE HOST

Jeannette’s linktree - https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot

https://www.jeannettelinfootassociates.com/

YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@braveboldbrilliant

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jeannettelinfoot

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jeannette.linfoot/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.linfoot/

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@brave.bold.brilliant

Podcast Description

Jeannette Linfoot talks to incredible people about their experiences of being Brave, Bold & Brilliant, which have allowed them to unleash their full potential in business, their careers, and life in general. From the boardroom tables of ‘big’ international businesses to the dining room tables of entrepreneurial start-ups, how to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities and take risks, whilst staying ‘true’ to yourself is the order of the day

Travel, Bold, Brilliant, business, growth, scale, marketing, investment, investing, entrepreneurship, coach, consultant, mindset, six figures, seven figures, travel, industry, ROI, B2B, inspirational: https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot