Hess World The Podcast

In this episode of Hess World The Podcast, I’m joined by Paul Hunter, whose career has taken him from tech sales roles in the UK to the heart of one of the world’s largest technology companies.

Paul shares how an early career in UK tech sales laid the foundations for bigger opportunities ahead, eventually leading him to the United States where he became Chief of Staff to the CEO at HP. From there, he went on to run HP’s North American sales organisation, operating at a level where decisions are fast, complex, and truly global.

We talk about what it’s really like working closely with a CEO at that scale, the pressure and responsibility that comes with senior leadership, and how Paul adapted to leading large teams in the US as a Brit. He offers honest reflections on the cultural differences between the UK and US business worlds, and how those differences shaped his leadership style and approach to sales.

Paul also looks back on the key moments and influences early in his career that helped prepare him for these roles, sharing lessons that will resonate with anyone aiming to step into bigger leadership positions.

A thoughtful and insightful conversation about ambition, adaptability, and building a career on a global stage.

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In this episode of Hess World The Podcast, I sit down with Mike Mudie, whose journey has taken him from professional golf, to door-to-door selling, to leading major IT transformations, and eventually to confronting a level of burnout that completely changed his life.

We talk about what it really takes to build a career from scratch, the graft and consistency behind his success, and the relationship-led approach that helped him win some of the biggest Microsoft-driven deals in the UK. Mike also opens up about the personal challenges that were happening behind the scenes including family illness, multiple losses, and the emotional weight of trying to keep going while life was pulling him in every direction.

He shares the moment everything stopped and how months of burnout and nervous system collapse forced him to rethink who he was and what he wanted from life. That recovery journey became the foundation of Authentic Brew, a functional wellness brand inspired by natural ingredients, holistic healing, and a completely different definition of success.

This episode is a powerful and honest conversation about resilience, identity, starting again, and choosing purpose over pressure.

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In this episode of Hess World The Podcast, I sit down with James Ward, a founder and CEO whose journey has taken him from a successful corporate career to building and leading a thriving tech scale-up.

In our conversation, we talk about what it really takes to make that leap, the mindset shift from corporate stability to entrepreneurial risk, the lessons learned through failure and growth, and the realities of raising investment and leading through change.

James also shares his views on leadership, resilience, and the evolving role of technology and AI in today’s business landscape.

This episode is an honest and insightful look at the challenges and rewards of starting something from scratch and the determination it takes to turn an idea into a success.

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In this episode of Hess World The Podcast, I sit down with my long-time friend and former colleague Steve Howe, whose career has taken him from the graduate intake at ICL to senior leadership roles at HP, and now into work centred on the power of resilience. Steve’s journey is not only about career milestones, but also about the values, leadership principles and people-first approach that have defined his success.

In our conversation, we explore his background in the tech industry, the lessons learned from leading at the highest levels, and why resilience has become such a central theme in both his professional and personal life. We discuss the importance of integrity in leadership, the growing need to manage stress in today’s fast-paced world, and how resilience can strengthen wellbeing, relationships and long-term success.

This episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone interested in leadership, personal growth and finding the inner strength to thrive under pressure.

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In this episode of Hess World The Podcast, I’m exploring the world of strategy formation and leadership. I'm joined by John Caswell - founder and CEO of Group Partners. I first met John several years ago at HP and fell in love with the way John approaches strategy and leadership.

John is known for his ability to look at complex problems from entirely new angles. His approach to strategy blends creativity, holistic thinking, and systems-based perspectives, resulting in solutions that go far beyond the conventional. In our conversation, we explore how this mindset has shaped his work, the importance of asking the right questions, and why breaking away from traditional methods can unlock better results.

It’s a thought-provoking and inspiring discussion that offers valuable insights for leaders, innovators, and anyone navigating change.

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