CEO Corner by Sarah McGrath

“If people knew how hard it was to set up your own business, they wouldn’t do it.”  In this episode of CEO Corner, Stephen Felle—CEO at Fordel and former youngest director on the board of Davy—joins Sarah McGrath to talk ruthless ambition, the Celtic Tiger, and what “real wealth” looks like in Ireland today. From starting in stockbroking as a teenager, to sitting at the centre of Ireland’s boom years, to walking away from a high-paying leadership role to launch a startup weeks before COVID, Stephen shares a rare, candid look inside wealth, risk, and reinvention. Key takeaways include: Ambition needs a channel – how not being good at sport pushed Stephen to find his edge in business and relationship-building. The evolution from stock-picking to wealth management – why “boring” compounding beats flashy trading apps 60% of the time. Celtic Tiger lessons – how visible excess (helicopters to the Galway Races, soaring bank shares) masked systemic risk. The hidden cost of rapid career success – work–life imbalance, stress, and the danger of tying identity to title. Entrepreneurship reality vs romance – why most people underestimate the financial and emotional strain of starting up. Ireland’s new wealth story – business sales, pensions, and high earners replacing leveraged property as the main driver. What good wealth management really is – holistic planning around pensions, gifting, college funds, tax, and family goals, not just “which fund”. Transparency as a differentiator – the importance of clear fees, realistic returns, and saying “no” to opaque 8% schemes with hidden commissions. Continuous mentorship matters – even at CEO level, having seasoned investors as sounding boards is a competitive advantage. Perspective after illness – why Stephen frames leukemia and startup scars through the lens of luck, support, and privilege. All while balancing a young family, big ambition, and the constant pressure of building something from scratch. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, high-earning professionals, and anyone in Ireland wondering how to turn income into long-term, resilient wealth—without losing yourself in the process.

Leadership, Strategy, & Scaling From Startup to Unicorn In this episode of CEO Corner, Sinead Fitzmaurice FCA – first female CEO of an Irish unicorn (TransferMate Global Payments), director of Fitzmaurice Finance and chairperson of Nazaré Point – joins host Sarah McGrath for a rare, candid conversation about private leadership and public success. Sinead lifts the lid on what it took to scale a regulated global fintech to unicorn status while raising four children, including her daughter Sasha, who was given no hope at birth and went on to defy every prognosis. Together they dive into: → Growing up in 1980s Ireland with “tighten the belt” economics and big ambitions → Being the only woman among 30 male managers at PwC and learning to speak up in the boardroom → Scaling TransferMate from startup to unicorn through years of regulation and licensing → The night the New York regulator called at 11pm and changed the company’s trajectory → Unicorn status, staff mortgages, and why valuation is a tool, not an identity → Stage 3 of her career: advisory roles, AI, fintech in emerging markets & Nazaré Point Key takeaways include: • How childhood scarcity can drive ambition and the question “what am I chasing?” • The internal “10 conversations” women often have before speaking in the boardroom • Why quiet belief from one mentor can completely alter a career path • The reality of guilt for working mothers • The importance of product-market fit, regulation and a real moat in fintech • Why “overnight success” usually means a decade of invisible grind • How to give honest feedback, avoid wasted talent, and build a high-standards culture • Designing your career in stages: training ground → scale-up CEO → portfolio advisory

“If you don’t adapt, you’re dead.” – What does it actually take to build and keep a hospitality business alive? In this episode of CEO Corner, Noel Anderson—publican, industry advocate, and co-founder of Grand Slam Bars (The Bridge 1859, Lemon & Duke, and more)–joins Sarah McGrath with a masterclass in operator mindset: → bouncing back from liquidation → settling a TV3 defamation case → bootstrapping Grafton Lounge, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859 → and navigating policy shocks, energy costs, and shifting customer behaviour All without losing sight of people, product, and profit. Noel shares his raw, unfiltered story of resilience: losing everything at 23, starting again with €60k, scaling iconic venues with rugby partners, battling insurers during COVID—and why cash flow and culture beat almost everything else. Key takeaways include:  • Why cash flow is the lifeblood of any business  • The power of resilience after failure and liquidation at 23  • Property strategy: owning vs leasing and how ownership compounds growth  • Spotting & adapting to consumer trends  • Building strong team culture: hiring fast, removing bad fits, and sharing equity  • How Noel and his partners won a landmark COVID insurance case that benefited 1 in 7 Irish pubs  • The pressures of rising government costs, energy prices, and city safety on the hospitality sector  • The future of Irish pubs: fewer, smaller, more innovative, and more occasion-driven Memorable moments:  • “Cash flow is existential. Great ideas die without liquidity.”  • “Rip the plaster off on bad hires—culture is too expensive to waste.”  • “When things are good, don’t stir the hornet’s nest—pay down debt.”  • “Adapt or decline: evolve menus, experiences, and service—constantly.” An unmissable conversation for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone building a business in a fast-changing world. If this episode helped you, please share it with a founder or operator who needs it, and leave a comment—it really helps the show grow! Subscribe for more leadership & operator playbooks. _ Connect With Us Noel Anderson: /noel-anderson-a7a2bb42/ Sarah McGrath: /sarah-mcgrath/ _ Sponsored by 360 Search — Your career, our expertise. www.360search.ie

From a Shy Bookish Kid to Leading Europe’s Insurance Powerhouse: Conor Brennan’s Leadership Journey In this episode, we sit down with Conor Brennan, CEO of Ardonagh Europe, as he reflects on his personal journey and professional rise to leading one of Europe’s fastest-growing insurance groups. Conor shares his insights on scaling internationally, building purpose-driven cultures, and navigating the challenges of leadership across multiple markets. Discover how Conor transitioned from a shy kid – "the forgotten Beatle" – to an ambitious CEO, why he believes mentorship and listening are game-changers, and how Ardonagh Europe became a powerhouse through strategic acquisitions and values-led leadership. Episode Highlights: Building Ardonagh Europe into a pan-European leader. The role of purpose and culture in scaling successfully. How to make smart acquisitions while protecting values. Lessons on resilience, fear of failure, and staying competitive. Why mentorship and coaching accelerate leadership growth. Inspiring Leadership Lessons: Conor offers candid advice on growing as a leader, setting ambitious goals, and surrounding yourself with great people. His story is a masterclass in balancing business performance with cultural integrity and personal growth. Timestamps: (00:00:01) Separating personal and professional identity (00:03:21) Work-life balance and timely advice (00:20:25) Joining at a senior level without experience (00:28:00) The lifecycle of growth and the importance of change (00:32:46) Purpose-Driven Business (00:50:52) Advice for Ambitious Professionals   Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it, subscribe, and leave a review — your support helps us grow. Sponsored by 360 Search — Your career, our expertise.

Embracing Uncertainty in Leadership and Industry Transformation Join Sarah McGrath as she delves into a candid conversation with Robert Kennedy, CEO of Howden Ireland. Discover how Robert's competitive spirit and resilience have shaped his leadership style and guided him through the challenges of the insurance industry, from starting as a van driver to becoming CEO of Howden Ireland. Please note: This episode was originally recorded in July 2024. Since filming this interview, Robert has been appointed to succeed Carl Shuker as CEO of Howden UK and Ireland. We wish Robert all the best in his new role, which will commence in October 2025. Episode Highlights: From humble beginnings to CEO: Robert’s career trajectory. Strategic leadership: Navigating Howden through times of crisis. Personal insights: Balancing family commitments with professional demands. The future of the insurance industry and the role of consolidation. Building a resilient and culturally aligned workforce. Leadership Insights: Robert emphasises the significance of adaptability and strategic thinking in leadership. He offers advice on achieving a sustainable work-life balance and underscores the value of cultural alignment in mergers and acquisitions. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Early Life 01:24 College Years and Early Career 02:29 Entering the Insurance Industry 04:02 Finding Focus and Motivation 05:01 Career Ambitions and Achievements 07:15 Leadership and Challenges 09:44 Balancing Work and Family 12:22 Overcoming Doubts and Fears 15:06 Leadership and Personal Responsibility 15:36 Evolving Work Environments and Learning Challenges 17:24 Balancing Work, Family, and Friendships 19:25 Work-Life Balance and Remote Work 21:54 The Competitive Landscape of the Insurance Industry 25:33 Advice for Aspiring Professionals 26:13 Future Plans for Howden 28:10 Fun Questions to Wrap Up Connect with Us: Robert Kennedy: /robert-kennedy-4541a518/ Sarah McGrath: /sarah-mcgrath/ Thank you for listening! If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with friends or leaving a review. Your feedback is appreciated. Sponsored by 360 Search, your career, our expertise. www.360search.ie