The Green Room
What does it take to turn things around? With Zak Brown and Pauline Biddle
Published: 25 March 2025 at 03:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Sailing a ship is effortless when seas are calm and the wind is blowing in the right direction.
And in business, it’s easier to feel confident and in control when conditions are idyllic, profits are high and growth is steady.
But what do you do when a storm hits? How do you turn things around and not only weather the storm, but emerge stronger?
Turnarounds are challenging - in fact, within business, 70% of them fail. And the weight of expectation can test even the most experienced leaders and teams. So, what can we learn about the mechanics of managing a successful turnaround from the people who’ve done it?
That’s what we’re exploring with Zak Brown, CEO at McLaren Racing, and Pauline Biddle, partner in M&A at Deloitte UK, in this episode of The Green Room as we ask: What does it take to turn things around?
Tune in to find out:
- The essential first step all leaders must take when beginning a turnaround.
- How cultural change affects commercial success – and vice versa.
- Zak’s advice to leaders who find themselves under pressure.
- What kind of mistakes are important to make while turning a business around.
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Guests: Zak Brown, CEO at McLaren Racing, and Pauline Biddle, partner at Deloitte
Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Annie Wong
Original music: Ali Barrett
