September
Former David Jones boss on the ideal time to quit as CEO
Paul Zahra, the former chief executive of David Jones, says, as a general rule, there is a minimum and maximum amount of time the leader should be in the role.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
- Exclusive
- BOSS
Disney chief goes retro for AFL finals to reel in streaming rivals
Disney’s Australian boss Kylie Watson-Wheeler is bringing her AFL obsession into her day job as the US giant takes on the dominant players in the local streaming wars.
- Patrick Durkin
What this CEO learnt from Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar
Culture Amp chief Didier Elzinga met the Atlassian duo at an awards function years ago, and got an insight into scalable business models.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
How this former accountant became a top music exec
Sean Warner, the CEO of Universal Music in Australia, thought he wanted to be an accountant, until he realised he didn’t.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
What this exec has learnt from becoming a CEO at 29
In 2022, Rajneen Arora was the GM of Best Gift Group when the hospitality gift card company fielded a buyout offer. The deal was contingent on Arora becoming its chief executive.
- Sally Patten
How this former teacher became CEO of a $540m company
Jon Davey, chief executive of payments provider Tyro Payments, became a teacher after finishing school but realised it wasn’t for him.
- Sally Patten
How a tragic car accident upended this CEO’s life
Rest Superannuation’s Vicki Doyle worked at insurer Suncorp for more than nine years. Three weeks into her first general manager role, she got a phone call.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
August
How this CEO manages his job while raising triplets
In 2012, Business NSW chief Daniel Hunter and his wife, a small business owner, had triplets. To this day, Hunter is unlikely to have watched the latest show on Netflix.
- Sally Patten
How this CEO wins back clients his business has lost
Advertising boss Michael Rebelo is a big believer in being magnanimous when he loses a deal or a client.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
The one question NRMA boss Julie Batch uses to progress her career
She comes from a long line of insurance executives. Earlier in her career she worked in Monaco in the reinsurance industry.
- Sally Patten
Why most executives don’t reach their full potential
Early in his career, a senior colleague suggested Mick O’Brien, now a $900 million company CEO, take on a management role. Luckily his colleague could see his potential.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
July
This top fundie used to peel four sacks of potatoes every Friday
Ausbil Investment Management’s Paul Xiradis says it’s at the fish market that he probably got involved in markets, understanding how they’re priced and cleared.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
Why this top lawyer has a nanny
For KWM chief executive partner Renae Lattey, having home help means that she gets time to herself, as well as time to devote to her family and job.
- Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
What this CEO eats depends how bad the last meeting was
Joy Krige, CEO of Cranecorp Australia in Perth, grazes from her snack drawer during the day, rather than eat a formal breakfast or lunch.
- Sally Patten
Why you shouldn’t set a deadline if you want to be more resilient
The strongest leaders believe in themselves and don’t try to set timelines for when a difficult period will pass, says Macquarie Technology Group CEO David Tudehope.
- Updated
- Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
Why the local CEO of this $26b company likes her commute
When QBE Australia chief Sue Houghton rises at 6am, the self-described introvert relishes a walk on her own.
- Sally Patten
BCG’s local boss Grant McCabe on why he has taken up pilates
Boston Consulting Group’s Australian chief, Grant McCabe, says rookie executives should “remove that baggage” about whether they are going to succeed.
- Lap Phan and Ciara Seccombe
June
Why this CEO doesn’t like flying business class
For Who Gives a Crap co-founder and CEO Simon Griffiths, sitting at the front of the plane doesn’t resonate with the company’s brand.
- Lap Phan and Ciara Seccombe
Why this CEO loves celebrity news
UBank chief Philippa Watson keeps a keen eye on her Gen Z employees, the technology they use and the news they consume.
- Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
Inside Amazon’s art of decision-making
Janet Menzies, Australian country manager for the online retail giant, discusses business dinners and the surprising way decisions are made at the company.
- Sally Patten