March 2025 Gary Crook: Pioneering the Future of Mainframe Modernization In an era where digital transformation is no longer optional, Heirloom Computing is revolutionizing how Global 2000 companies modernize their critical mainframe systems. Under Gary Crook’s visionary leadership, the company is setting new standards in cloud migration, earning him the prestigious title of Cloud Migration CEO of the Year 2024. We explore how his journey from teenage programmer to industry leader is reshaping the mainframe modernization sector.
Welcome to the March 2025 issue of CEO Monthly. We are delighted to bring a selection of news, features, and success stories to our readers around the world. In a world that is constantly changing, we hope to inspire people and spread optimism by sharing knowledge, insights, expertise, and success stories from all around the world. A CEO must be able to quickly adjust in order to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving corporate sector. One of the most significant themes of 2024/2025 is the emphasis on flexibility and agility, as CEOs understand how critical it is to be able to rapidly change to shifting consumer demands and market situations. Adopting new business models and technologies is also essential for enabling effective products and services as well as positive impacts on the industries around us. This issue introduces our readers to a variety of inspirational CEOs from a wide range of industries, including marketing, finance, cybersecurity, and even food delivery service training! We hope you enjoy reading through and look forward to welcoming you back in April. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. News 6. Gary Crook: Pioneering the Future of Mainframe Modernization 10. DataTick Ltd: Protecting Vacant Properties, Fortifying Local Areasr 11. Software Testing Innovator of the Year 2024 (UK): Anil Pande 12. Professional Athlete Alvina Chen Poised to Redefine Sporting Sector 14. Billy Richards: Leading with Determination and Innovation 16. Find the Best Contractors with RenovationFind 17. Cultivating a Purpose-Driven Culture: The Cornerstone of Sustainable Business Growth Contents
NEWS Award Canada Announces Appointment of Mark Little as New CEO
Jagex, a leading UK video game company and developer of the RuneScape MMORPG franchise, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Bellamy as Chief Executive Officer. Jon will succeed Phil Mansell, who has served as CEO since 2017. Phil will remain with the business for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition. Jon enters this role with global strategic and operational experience as well as deep understanding and appreciation of RuneScape. He has served on Jagex’s Board since 2024 and has extensive experience in the gaming industry, including executive roles at Jagex (2015-2018) and Huuuge Games (2019-2023). Jon is also a player of RuneScape for over 20 years and a veteran of the OSRS & RS3 communities. “On behalf of the board, I want to sincerely thank Phil for his leadership and contributions to Jagex over the past 14 years,” said Marc Allera, Jagex Chairman. “Under Phil’s leadership, Jagex has undergone significant transformation, growing into the Company it is today while always staying true to its player-centric focus – with an all time record number of Old School RuneScape players in Q4- 2024. We all wish him the very best and know he will go on to do great things in the future.” Marc Allera added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the Company as we continue to offer a worldclass gaming experience and introduce new content, including the highly anticipated Sailing skill to Old School RuneScape in 2025. We’re confident that under Jon’s leadership, the business will continue to provide players the most fulfilling and engaging gaming experiences possible.” Phil Mansell said “After an incredible 14 years leading RuneScape and 8 years as Jagex’s CEO, I’m stepping back and handing over the baton to Jon Bellamy. Working alongside such a talented and passionate team, we’ve significantly grown the Company and player community, cementing Jagex as an innovator in community-driven games and genuine leader in this industry. As the Company embarks on its next chapter, I am delighted to be handing over to a leader who I know cares about our games and business as much as I do - and I look forward to supporting him as he builds upon the strong foundations we’ve created.” Jon Bellamy commented, “It’s a great honour to assume the leadership of Jagex and to help steward a game franchise that means so much to so many millions, myself included. I am also excited to get to work with the outstanding team, whom I know well from my time on the Board, to ensure our games continue to be the best in the world. I plan to spend some time now with the team, reviewing our ambitions for Jagex, and plan to communicate my broader vision to the RuneScape community in the near-term.” This video about the CEO Transition was shared with all Jagex employees earlier today: https://youtu.be/vX7qNzmqJAo?si=4LUZsVnUxP2H7tNG Jagex announces CEO Transition The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada (Award Canada) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Little as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 2, 2025. Mark succeeds Stephen De-Wint, who will be stepping down after a successful tenure that saw transformative changes within the organization. This exciting new chapter for Award Canada will see Mark, the current Chief Operating Officer, take on the CEO role as the organization continues its expansion and strategic growth. Mark’s leadership will drive the next phase of Award Canada’s mission to provide youth across Canada with the life skills and experiences that are so vital in today’s ever-changing world. An Experienced Leader for the Future of Award Canada Mark Little brings with him a wealth of experience and passion for youth development. With over 15 years in leadership roles at Scouts Canada, coupled with his over 10 years of service as an Award Leader in Calgary and Ottawa, Mark is ideally situated to lead Award Canada into an era of unprecedented growth. His extensive experience in the energy sector, combined with his work in the not-for-profit sector, gives him a diverse skill set and a strong track record of leadership. As a key contributor to the creation of Award Canada’s 2023 strategic plan, Mark has already played an integral role in the organization’s current direction. Mark’s dedication to the Award’s co-curricular approach and its integration into the education system across Canada highlights his deep commitment to strengthening the skills and character of young people nationwide. “It’s an exciting time to be part of Award Canada’s journey of transformative and impressive strategic growth. The next few years will see us expand from our strong established base to reach even more communities. Young people in high school and college today are preparing to enter post-secondary education and the job-market in a climate of profound economic, social, and technological change” Mark said. “Award Canada is about unlocking, catalysing and developing infinite potential. We are perfectly, even uniquely, positioned to address the current employability challenges, building indemand skills for the jobs of tomorrow”. The Journey from 2018 to Now Stephen De-Wint’s leadership has been transformative over the last 7 years. Since joining Award Canada in 2018, Stephen has overseen a successful reorganization of the organization, aligning its structure and operations with global standards and setting it on a trajectory of sustainable growth. His work has laid the groundwork for the expansion of the Award into Canadian schools, which will be a key strategic focus for the organization under Mark’s leadership. A Bright Future Ahead The transition to Mark’s leadership comes at an exciting time for Award Canada. In December 2024, the organization achieved a major milestone with the signing of its first licenses with school boards and ministries of education to pilot the Award as an integral part of education pathways in certain regions. This project will continue to be a key focus for Award Canada over the next several years, and it is poised to expand the Award’s reach and impact across the country. “I am especially proud of our updated Award Canada Way. This simplified framework enables us to reach across the entirety of the talent development and delivery pipeline from Grade 9 through high school diploma to trades, college, university and career readiness. I look forward to serving the Award as we take on the challenge to be the leading non-formal education and learning accreditation in Canada.” Mark shared.
Gary Crook: Pioneering the Future of Mainframe Modernization
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 7 Jul23542 In an era where digital transformation is no longer optional, Heirloom Computing is revolutionizing how Global 2000 companies modernize their critical mainframe systems. Under Gary Crook’s visionary leadership, the company is setting new standards in cloud migration, earning him the prestigious title of Cloud Migration CEO of the Year 2024. We explore how his journey from teenage programmer to industry leader is reshaping the mainframe modernization sector. The Mainframe Legacy The story of mainframe computing is intrinsically linked to the evolution of modern business. Since IBM’s groundbreaking mainframe systems of the 1960s, these technological powerhouses have become the backbone of global commerce. Today, they process an astounding 70% of all global financial transactions and underpin two-thirds of America’s GDP, with 70% of Fortune 500 companies relying on IBM mainframes for their mission-critical operations. Yet, while these systems remain fundamental to global business operations, the application model of these critical mainframe workloads has remained essentially unchanged since the late 1960s. In a world where technological innovation accelerates exponentially, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Heirloom Computing: Bridging Past and Future At the intersection of legacy reliability and modern innovation stands Heirloom Computing. Heirloom was built to enable large organizations to reimagine their mainframe applications on modern stacks so they can be activated as agile assets that can accelerate the delivery of strategic business requirements for the decades to come. Heirloom is recognized by the analyst firm ISG as the multi-cloud leader for mainframe modernization software and for its unique pioneering approach to mainframe transformation. The Heirloom platform enables organizations to migrate their mainframe applications to modern platforms, reducing operational expenses by at least 60% while creating agile application environments that can rapidly adapt to changing business needs. What really sets Heirloom apart is its comprehensive understanding that modernization extends beyond technical challenges. The company’s approach encompasses technical, operational, and cultural dimensions, allowing clients to navigate their transformation journey at an optimal pace while maintaining complete control and transparency. Their proven track record of successful implementations, partnering with global system integrators like Accenture, “Transform with confidence, innovate without bounds” Capgemini, and Cognizant, stands testament to their expertise. A Journey of Innovation and Leadership Now that Heirloom is an established company, Gary Crook’s role is focused on how best to scale the business, and he recognizes that in comparison to the challenges of starting Heirloom, scaling is equally as hard. Gary’s path to becoming a transformative leader in enterprise computing began with a moment of inspiration in a school classroom. At age 13, a chance encounter with a Research Machines 380Z computer sparked a passion for coding that saw Crook spending much of his spare time over the following 5 years in his bedroom coding—a transformative time that ultimately would shape his life and career. Gary joined Micro Focus in the mid-1980s and recalls how one of the founders, Brian Reynolds, built the company on the (many would say) crazy idea of bringing the COBOL language to microcomputers (hence the company name). It took off, and consequently, there were many opportunities to learn and adapt. With the humbling realization that he was not a top-tier programmer, Gary gradually transitioned from regularly coding to leading product development teams. By the late 1990s, Gary was global vice president of Product Development, managing 450 staff across 10 geographies. The impetus for founding Heirloom Computing came from Crook’s growing frustration with the pace of innovation and inability to influence the direction
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 9 of the product roadmap. “It became a ‘put up or shut up’ scenario,” he reflects. This drive for meaningful change, combined with the departure of a much-respected CEO and a second move to California, led to the creation of a company that would fundamentally reshape mainframe modernization. Leadership Through Trust and Empowerment Crook’s leadership philosophy, which he describes as “steer and trust,” has been instrumental in building a high-performing, distributed team spanning multiple countries and cultures. The approach is deceptively simple: hire curious, committed, and brilliant people, make the priorities clear, and empower them to determine the most valuable work to pursue. Gary has been keen to implement trusted leadership initiatives, and he refers to the book “Good to Great”, by Jim Collins, who refers to the most effective leaders as being “an individual who blends extreme personal humility with an intense professional will.” “The most powerful shift in my leadership evolution was the gradual realization that you must let go,” Crook shares. “This means trusting others when you are the one being held accountable.” This philosophy has fostered a unique culture where team members work from wherever they are, at whatever time they choose, with the flexibility to take as much time off as needed. Real Impact, Real Results The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the number of Heirloom in-production clients worldwide today, coupled with the strong team of professionals working with Gary to ensure the success of each customer’s unique journey. Looking ahead, Crook’s vision for Heirloom Computing centers on scaling and innovation. The rise of Generative AI marks a new era for enterprises worldwide, and Heirloom is fully embracing this transformation. Through the release of h/GENAITM, Crook and the Heirloom team are bringing these AI capabilities to their solution and customers. Gary’s advice for aspiring leaders is simple: work with great mentors, embrace personal development through coaching, adhere to your vision, and, most importantly, surround yourself with brilliant people. Under Crook’s leadership, Heirloom Computing has emerged as a pioneer in mainframe modernization. The company’s innovative platform combines the reliability of legacy systems with cloud capabilities and AI integration through h/GENAITM, enabling Global 2000 organizations to transform their mission-critical applications into agile, future-ready assets. With a proven methodology and growing portfolio of successful implementations, Heirloom is showing how legacy systems can drive innovation and create lasting business value for decades to come. For more information visit: https://heirloomcomputing.com
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 10 everaging an exceptional approach that strikes a perfect balance between technology and humanity, Global Guardians Management is forever changing property guardianship – the process where a person lives in an empty building for a low cost in order to protect it – going one step beyond the industry norm to shatter stigmas and fuel community growth. The company is wholly passionate about nurturing heartfelt relationships with customers, affording them the opportunity to not only as live as property guardians, but to thrive. Standing out in the industry as a result of the courage it brings to the table, the resilience and freedom it affords, and its people-led ethos, Global Guardians Management lives its aims day in and day out – with the whole organisation working tirelessly to raise the bar in the field of property guardianship. Integral to this ongoing success is CEO Stuart Woolgar, whose duties at the helm include being responsible for the wider brand, driving its culture, and maintaining the industryleading results that its reputation rests on. With his action-first philosophy to boot – doing something is always better than doing nothing and waiting for the right moment is a fruitless exercise because it does not exist – Stuart has taken Global Guardians Management to great heights since setting up the brand more than a decade ago. Alongside Stuart’s success there have also been failures – but he knows failure is not something to shy away from, recognising its necessity in driving innovation on an ongoing basis. Even from a young age, taking risks is something Stuart has never been afraid of, and he has made a career out of pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. A lover of technology from a young age, a strong educational background – culminating in the study of philosophy, politics, and economics at university – and a natural entrepreneurial streak combined to result in Stuart quickly learning both the power of persuasion and community impact, knowledge that has stayed with him and guided his career. Holding many different jobs upon graduating, Stuart diverted from his initial plan of becoming a software developer and learnt all about property management software from a European company he previously worked with. Analysing that organisation’s systems before using them to create two separate Protecting Vacant Properties, Fortifying Local Areas Fuelling communities and liberating those within them, Global Guardians Management envisions a world where there are no unloved buildings, no people without a place to call their own, and no community with empty, neglected spaces. Working towards this aim, the brand strives to embody honesty and compassion, helping people to both secure and optimise vacant properties. With the company’s Stuart Woolgar being named as the Most Influential CEO 2025 – Vacant Property Security (UK), we take a deep dive into the man behind this leading vacant property protection company. and successful businesses within it, the processes Stuart learnt were then used in the founding of Global Guardians Management. “I founded Global Guardians on the best systems and processes I had created as an entrepreneur at my previous job. Over time I learnt how to build up a company from scratch through a lot of hard and smart work.” Today, the internal culture at Global Guardians Management is one of the most important factors in driving its success, with Stuart basing it off Patrick Lencioni’s Ideal Team Player concept. A highly driven culture geared towards self-starters, nobody is carried and everyone is accountable. As Stuart explains: “A strong culture is one that can be questioned by the people in it, otherwise it is an echo chamber performing no worthwhile function.” A culture of this efficiency has proven invaluable in seeing the company through the sector-based challenges it is currently facing, with these ranging from the knock-on effect lockdowns have had on the property market to overcoming the stigma and prejudices associated with people who have lower incomes. In facing these challenges, Stuart and his team aim to enact change one community at a time, paving the way for a better society with projects like raising funds for social housing and working with homeless charities. Despite being overlooked for the work it does and pushed to the fringes of the property world, Global Guardians Management is making a real difference, and its services should be being utilised by more vacant property owners. Stuart Woolgar hopes that this award will help his company to be seen for the credible, community-focused operation that it is. Those who wish to know more about its work can follow the link below to its website. L Contact: Stuart Woolgar Company: Global Guardians Management Web Address: https://global-guardians.co.uk/
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 11 Software Testing Innovator of the Year 2024 (UK): Anil Pande London is home to a plethora of needle-moving businesses in the technology sector, but TestPro Consulting is undoubtedly one of the best. Specialising in software engineering, quality assurance, and testing, the company’s diverse services span everything from business analysis to technical AI model testing. Moreover, thanks to visionary thought leader Anil Pande, who serves as a managing partner and the company’s co-founder, TestPro also delivers thought leadership and management services in this space. Driven by innovation and thought leadership, TestPro Consulting is proud to be the software testing partner of choice when it comes to AI, automation, cybersecurity, and performance. Regardless of the sector they are operating in, those who choose to work with the company will benefit from the more than 50 years of combined experience shared by Jay Sarwar and Anil Pande, its co-founding duo and the two Managing Partners of TestPro Consulting. “All client engagement is guided by our managing partners, giving them direct access to decades of experience. Our clients benefit from transformational leaders who have successfully delivered, many times over.” On the back of the expertise possessed by these two individuals, which is also felt across its team of talented and dedicated individuals, TestPro provides a host of services covering all of the bases for its clients’ software and technology needs. Aside from this, the company’s own Innovation Fund sees the team aid in the development of innovative technology startups, connecting them with the likes of investors and start-up accelerator programmes. The encompassing service delivered by TestPro can be largely attributed to Anil Pande, who we have rightfully recognised as being the UK’s foremost innovator in the field of software testing. Even before he co-founded TestPro in 2020, Anil’s career saw him work at the very forefront of this industry, heading up the global teams behind the complex IT transformation projects of several multi-billion-dollar companies. These highpressure environments would prove invaluable in helping Anil to grow as a leader. Today, Anil believes his leadership style to be defined by its firmness, fairness, and openness. “I believe transparency is one of the key factors in leadership,” he explains, “if something is not working then it needs to be raised and addressed – as a team.” Communication and teamwork are both priorities across the company more widely, with these contributing to the excellent internal culture that TestPro has nurtured – a culture revolving around quality both inside and out. Having witnessed firsthand that many large IT consultancies were leaving a lot to be desired in the quality department, Anil knew things could be done better. This attitude led to the creation of TestPro almost five years ago, which fills in many of these industry blanks by adopting a unique thought leadership approach. Anil himself explains: “At TestPro, we are always looking at tools and partners that can support us in being innovative thought leaders.” TestPro’s rigorous adherence to thought leadership principles also defines its interactions with clients, with the company’s encompassing process ensuring that the root cause of an issue is discovered and that the team take the necessary steps to afford the client a tailored solution to this problem. Once a customer is engaged, Anil takes time to ensure that their unique roadmap remains on track. Furthermore, regular catch-up meetings with senior consultants sees all customer feedback taken on board and expectations continuously exceeded. Even with this textbook approach in tow, Anil has still faced some challenges, as any founder or executive will at some stage. Similarly, like many of his fellow professionals, these difficulties revolved around keeping up pace with the constant advancements in technology, especially AI. Having now strategically invested in an AI testing service, these concerns are no longer warranted, as TestPro has been able to grow its clientele and diversify its solutions. The previously mentioned TestPro Innovation Fund is a great example of this. “We have had an amazing first quarter at TestPro, we are bringing on new high-profile corporate clients and we have facilitated investments for several start-ups and that will continue throughout the year.” Reflecting on the next stage of his journey, Anil Pande tells us that he plans to continue to grow and improve TestPro Consulting for as long as he finds it a rewarding endeavour. Since Anil is constantly learning new skills across his role, he does not expect to tire of it any time soon. Later this year, he even plans to share his knowledge and experiences through some master classes. Whatever comes next, we wish this innovator all the best. Company: TestPro Consulting Web Address: https://testproconsulting.com/ Dec24171
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 12 Professional Athlete Alvina Chen Poised to Redefine Sporting Sector he running track is an iconic setting that has been long synonymous with athletic events. That being said, while the rest of the sports world has advanced significantly through emerging technologies and scientific knowledge, the modern synthetic running track is an aspect that has been largely unchanged since their first introduction in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Then, these tracks revolutionised the sport and provided runners with a more consistent and durable surface in comparison to the cinder tracks used before. In the decades that have followed, the materials and construction techniques have improved to ensure better performance and safety, but the fundamental concept of synthetic running tracks has remained the same. To the keen observer, this seemingly limited field of athletics actually highlights a significant window of opportunity for the innovative; the world of synthetic running tracks is brimming with unbridled potential. With advancing digitalisation, improving performances, and an increasing understanding of wellness, the industry has never been in a better position to transform the field and push athletics towards a new era. Enter Alvina Chen – a creative visionary leveraging her expertise to address this challenge head on. A professional track and field athlete, Alvina fell in love Jan25019 Every element matters in the competitive world of athletics, right down to the flooring. While there have been numerous advancements in footwear, clothing, and accessories to enhance athletic performance, the true potential of flooring remains unrealised. Feldspar is an innovative company revolutionising athletics with cutting-edge flooring and sensor technology to develop the world’s first integrated smart flooring system. The company is helmed by Founder and CEO Alvina Chen, an industry visionary who has been recognised for her ingenuity in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024. We speak to Alvina below to learn more about the CEO’s journey to success. T with the sport when she was just 12 years old and has been melding her love for her athletics with her entrepreneurial spirit ever since. She spent a decade competing around the world as a professional athlete, often working alongside world-class coaches, athletes, and the most cutting-edge technologies available. Throughout this experience, Alvina continually wondered how she could help to create a better pathway for professional athletes and digitise the sport to enhance live fan engagement. Alvina’s athletics career had progressed significantly, but this success was prematurely halted in 2020 with an unexpected diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, or MG. This chronic autoimmune disease causes extreme muscle weakness and impacted Alvina’s daily life for several years. Following three years of dedicated recovery, Alvina decided to reignite her passion once again and re-enter professional athletics. This time, she would explore more ways to train efficiently and reduce fatigue. Being more conscious of her health, Alvina quickly spotted a limitation to the field; while running shoes and training methodologies had certainly improved over the years to allow athletes to run faster and further, the track surface itself had not seen similar evolution. As she unravelled this thought, it became clear to Alvina that there was an unrealised potential in the industry to redefine athletics by reinventing the track, enabling faster speeds and mitigating fatigue to create a better experience for athletes and fans alike. As a result, Alvina founded Feldspar in 2024 and has since worked tirelessly in her mission of revolutionising the global athletics industry through the integration of advanced flooring techniques. The pioneering product combines advanced technology built into the floor, measuring footsteps as runners travel the track. This is combined with camera methods to capture data on stride, speed, and various
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 13 other metrics. This will serve as a pivotal training tool for athletes hoping to analyse their performance and identify their next areas of training. Such a forward-thinking product is certain to totally transform athletics on a global scale and has been made possible by Alvina’s extensive experience in the field and deep understanding of its various complexities. In fact, the CEO continually leverages her background as a professional athlete to influence her leadership style and sustained success, believing in mastering the fundamentals, building strong systems and processes, and trusting the journey. “I lead my team by fostering a culture centred on execution, adaptability, and growth, while fuelling passion for our vision,” Alvina explains. “I encourage collaboration, idea sharing, and accountability, ensuring that every team member contributes meaningfully. My leadership style is also highly strategic, with a strong focus on the long-term vision and the future we are building together. Just like in sports, the key to long-term success is trusting the process, improving every day, and staying focused on the bigger goal.” This has proven to be an effective approach for Alvina, who has led Feldspar to great heights over the last year through her determination to succeed. Under Alvina’s expert guidance, Feldspar is pioneering groundbreaking technology that has never before been developed, setting new records and standards throughout the industry with the world’s fastest track and sensor-enabled smart flooring. The company has been able to achieve so much in so little time for Alvina’s ability to lead innovation, challenge the status quo, and push the limits of what is possible to bring bold ideas to life and drive advancements that redefine the sports industry. Of course, this inspirational journey has not been without its challenges and Alvina tells us that one of the biggest challenges she has faced in her role has been the constant need to make high-impact decisions while managing multiple priorities. With a growing team and expanding responsibilities, many individuals require her time and attention, with each emphasising the urgency of their needs more than the last. To overcome this, Alvina has learned to establish clear priorities and structured decision-making processes to ensure that operations remain streamlined and effective. “Also,” she adds, “since we are pioneering something truly groundbreaking, it can sometimes take time for others to fully understand what we are building. Communicating our vision clearly and consistently has been the key to bridging this gap and aligning everyone towards out long-term goals.” Whilst pioneering the industry may not be the easiest feat, it is certainly rewarding. This mission has allowed Alvina to establish herself as a leader in groundbreaking innovation throughout the sports industry and beyond. Furthermore, embarking on this journey has expanded Alvina’s role, allowing her to be more deeply involved in technology development, industry partnerships, discussions with various sports federations and government bodies, and market expansion. She feels that her ability to navigate uncertainty has been strengthened, enabling her to make important and bold decisions to drive a vision that enhances performance and innovation. Having been awarded the prestigious title of Sports Flooring CEO of the Year 2024 – UK in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024, we ask Alvina if she has any advice to share with budding CEOs who hope to achieve similar levels of success. “For aspiring CEOs, my advice is to embrace uncertainty with confidence and adaptability,” she responds. “The path to success is rarely linear, and being comfortable with ambiguity is what sets great leaders apart. “Build a strong foundation by mastering the fundamentals, but don’t be afraid to challenge conventional thinking and push boundaries. Surround yourself with great people – your team is everything. And most importantly, embrace the journey. Focus on making incremental progress every day. The quality of your input defines the quality of your output.” From a young age, Alvina has been dedicated to athletics, allowing her passion to shape her future into one of prosperity and great innovation. Rather than feeling deterred by her MG diagnosis, Alvina decided to turn her obstacles into opportunities and leverage her deep knowledge of the sporting sector to transform the industry for the better. Following a year of awe-inspiring accomplishment for Alvina and Feldspar, we ask the CEO what she believes the future has in store. “My focus is on scaling our impact and continuously developing our smart flooring high-performance technology,” Alvina tells us. “I plan to strengthen strategic partnerships with sports clubs and government federations while refining our go-tomarket strategy to benefit the entire sports ecosystem – from fans, broadcasters, and the media to athletes and coaches. We believe that this will not only drive technological advancements in athletics but also revolutionise the entire world of sports and expand into industries beyond.” Contact: Alvina Chen Company: Feldspar Web Address: www.feldsparsport.com
Changeblock is a company on a mission to empower businesses to survive and thrive in global markets. By providing trusted, verifiable carbon credits on the world’s first realtime, regulated carbon exchange, the company aims to simplify the entire lifecycle of carbon credits – from project origination to compliance – while fostering transparency and trust. We speak to Billy Richards below, the CEO and Founder of the visionary company, who has been recently recognised for his brilliance in the CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Billy Richards: Leading with Determination and Innovation
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 15 Jan25029 Based in London and Toronto, with plans to expand into the UAE, Zambia and Saudi Arabia, Changeblock seeks to redefine the approach to environmental asset creation and exchange. The company aids businesses in unlocking the true potential of carbon credits, expertly combining a commitment to sustainability with unparalleled financial innovation. Across its operations, Changeblock is steadfastly dedicated to providing clients with transparent, secure, and impactful solutions that accelerate their journey from carbon project conception to revenue generation. Billy Richards is an ambitious scientist with a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, presiding over the Changeblock Global Group as its Founder and CEO at only 27 years of age. He began building and selling computers at the age of 15 and, by 19, had an events company. After studying biochemistry at the University of Oxford and pursuing a PhD, he then left early to establish his first company, an early Large Language Model (ChatGPT) implementation that not only trailblazed but received Y Combinator backing. Here, he met investors who went on to support Billy as founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Halo; the first saliva COVID test in the UK who signed British Airways as their first client. This brought Billy to the opening page of the Spectator courtesy of Bruce Anderson, the former political editor. In 2021, Billy exited his former companies, primarily to an insurance group in Dubai and decided to dedicate himself to founding Changeblock. “Making an exit at 23 gave me the resources at a time when I still had a vast risk appetite and the energy to tackle a task as large as motivation to launch Changeblock,” he recalls. “The distinct similarities in the behaviour of carbon crediting systems and the biochemical processes I studied and modelled at Oxford gave me the dream opportunity to drive progress with my passion. Along the way, I honed my ability to apply scientific thinking, particularly in machine learning for cancer prediction, to complex challenges, which now underpins our approach to building robust, datadriven carbon credit solutions.” Now as the CEO of Changeblock, Billy is focused on driving innovation, advancing scientific approaches, and securing crucial funding. His efforts have led to the adoption of biochar initiatives, the development of data-driven verification technologies, and raising over $2 million throughout the company’s history. By bridging the gap between complex Western finance, science, and developing markets hit hardest by climate change, Billy uses technology and innovation to create impactful solutions. With the personal mantra of “Don’t get distracted”, Billy takes a focused approach to leadership by identifying what truly drives impact for the organisation and ensuring that the team channels their efforts into solutions that solve high-value market gaps. Over the years, Billy has learned that doing fewer things better is much more effective than spreading efforts too thin and has shifted from broad engagement to strategic depth, which has yielded stronger results and clear accountability across the team. The culture at Changeblock is missiondriven and collaborative, fuelled by open dialogue and a shared commitment to solving real problems in sustainability. “I ensure that workloads remain balanced, discussions stay direct, and feedback is openly encouraged,” Billy tells us. “I also invest in competency hiring, which has been crucial in a niche industry like carbon credits. By hiring strong performers and aligning them under a common vision, we nurture a cohesive and forward-thinking team.” With adversity comes prosperity, and Billy has experienced significant triumphs in his time at Changeblock, from forging high-value partnerships with Puro Earth - majority owned by NASDAQ; the Cardano Network (via Emurgo Africa) and Baroness Evans (former leader of the House of Lords), to launching biochar projects in Africa that expanded the business’s scope. $2 million was also secured in early rounds that validated his vision, each opportunity enabling Billy to transition from a handson founder to a strategic leader, adeptly bridging finance, policy, and technology. Having established such a successful career at a young age, we ask Billy if he has any advice to share with budding CEOs aspiring to reach his level of prestige. “Stay focused,” he says. “The mantra “Don’t get distracted” is pivotal - pick your battles and align resources to win them. Find your niche, identify what you do best or love the most and make a measurable impact there. Build trust early, whether in carbon markets or any other industry - credibility and transparency set you apart. Finally, hire competencies and train skills; look for problem solvers who thrive in agile environments.” Moving forward, we learn that Changeblock has exciting plans for the next year and beyond, focused on expansion and enhancement. Such plans include growing the team by introducing onboarding origination analysts and sales experts to oversee more than 50 projects; client and market growth, with the aim of servicing its $20 million ARR pipeline; completing necessary audits and licensing to boost market legitimacy; technological innovation through refining and exploring new systems; strategic partnerships to scale operations; and further building out an integrated marketplace for carbon credits to bolster liquidity and user adoption. Ultimately, Billy’s ambition is to scale Changeblock to become one of many unicorns in the carbon markets, providing tangible proof that innovative climate solutions can deliver both societal benefits and strong financial returns. Upon achieving this milestone, he plans to return to academia to finish his PhD and expand his work on nonlinear ordinary differential equations beyond cancer modelling to encompass broader environmental and economic systems. On a larger scale, Billy aspires to utilise his experience and knowledge for good. He is on a mission to enact real change in the world, driven by an envisioned future of sustainability and global equality. To Billy, his work is not just about research and business; it is about stepping up to tackle deep-seated issues in society. “As I’ve seen firsthand, frustrations about inequality, global competitiveness, and educational shortcomings are valid, slogans alone won’t fix them,” he says. “Real progress requires “getting on with it,” thinking critically, reading beyond the headlines, and being willing to dive into the unglamorous details of policymaking. I want to bring that ethos into politics or a mainstream public service role, where I can help shape legislation and economic strategies that align capitalism’s power with genuine social and environmental progress. “Drawing from experiences in carbon markets, where the same capitalist engine that’s driven inequality can be harnessed for climate action, I believe that we can make capitalism serve the greater good if we focus on practical, transparent solutions rather than empty catchphrases. Ultimately, my political ambition is driven by a desire to fight short-sighted policies with smart, informed strategies that provide real opportunities and inclusive prosperity for everyone.” Contact: Billy Richards Company: Changeblock Web Address: https://changeblock.com/
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 16 Helping homeowners to find certified, hardworking, and local contractors for a plethora of jobs, RenovationFind provides a monumental list of services backed by accredited contractors. Connecting its clients with the right person for the job, this company is setting the bar high for its industry as it saves people from paying more than they should or from being on the receiving end of unreliable and incorrect work practices. The business’ platform, RenovationFind.com is a For basement, kitchen, and outdoor renovations, in addition to air conditioning, window coverings, landscapers, plumbers, and more, RenovationFind is a trustworthy avenue for connecting with the most appropriate and skilled workforce for the job at hand. Here we learn more as CEO and Founder Keith Riley wins his title of Home Improvement CEO of the Year 2024 – Western Canada. high-quality platform which is entirely dedicated to simplifying the process of matching homeowners seeking reliable and skilled contractors local to them. CEO Keith Riley is committed to overseeing the strategic direction of the company as it offers a range of solutions including data-driven vetting and monitoring through its system, ensuring only certified contractors are being introduced to those wishing to work on their homes. Keith told us: “As the CEO of RenovationFind.com, my responsibilities encompass overseeing the strategic direction of the company, ensuring that our mission and vision are consistently upheld, and fostering a culture of excellence and trust within our team. I also actively engage with our valued contractors and homeowners to ensure that their needs are met effectively through our platform.” Serving homeowners and contractors, to facilitate a seamless partnership between them, RenovationFind continues to seek trusted contractors via its platform so that it can benefit homeowners across Canada. By finding the best local contractors near their location, its platform makes a huge difference to the efficiency and ease of contractors’ work, as well as the convenience of local individuals and teams getting to homeowners on time. Built on the core values of trust, transparency, convenience, credibility, and more, including its all-in-one solution approach and marketing expertise, RenovationFind’s work is always streamlined and handled with utmost confidence and care. For the future ahead, RenovationFind’s days look bright, especially as Keith is always laser-focused on growing the business, Keith adds a huge amount of dedication to the expansion of RenovationFind.com – to guarantee the perfect match between brilliant contactors and homeowners. He shared: “By leveraging my experiences and resources, I hope to contribute to the growth, learning, and innovation within the entrepreneurial community and the broader industry. I am passionate about sharing my experiences and insights with aspiring entrepreneurs and startups.” Previously awarded with Home Improvement CEO of the Year – Alberta, in 2023, Keith has been bestowed with a prestigious accolade for the second consecutive year now. We’re proud to name him our Home Improvement CEO of the Year 2024, but, this time, for Western Canada as a whole. If you’re a dedicated contractor looking to sign up for more work, or a homeowner searching for the best local contractor for any project, reach out to RenovationFind today. Contact: Vivian Riley Company: RenovationFind Website: www.renovationfind.com Find the Best Contractors with RenovationFind Jan25133
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2025 17 Cultivating a Purpose-Driven Culture: The Cornerstone of Sustainable Business Growth Medium-sized businesses approaching rapid growth face a critical inflection point in their cultural evolution. Our experience working with UK organisations has shown that success hinges not just on what these businesses do, but on how their teams work together to achieve it—a finding that echoes Google’s groundbreaking ‘Project Aristotle’ research on team effectiveness. The Performance Flywheel Think of organisational culture as a flywheel, where each element - communication, relationships, alignment, execution, and capacity drives the next. This framework, influenced by Google’s research, reveals that highperforming teams share key characteristics: psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning and impact. When these elements work in harmony they create unstoppable momentum. The Next Generation’s Imperative Gen Z’s emergence in the workforce has amplified the importance of purpose-driven cultures. Recent studies show that 82% of Gen Z workers prioritise an organisation’s purpose when choosing their employer, and 75% would consider leaving a role that didn’t align with their values. This isn’t merely idealistic thinking, it’s reshaping how successful businesses operate. A technology scale-up we partnered with recently discovered this firsthand. Their challenge wasn’t attracting young talent it was retaining them. By embedding purpose into their daily operations and decision-making processes, they saw retention rates among Gen Z employees increase by 40%. More importantly, these employees became their most vocal champions for innovation and positive change. Beyond Values Statements Building a purpose-driven culture requires more than aspirational statements. It demands practical and systematic approaches that connect daily actions to larger organisational aims. ‘Project Aristotle’ demonstrated that team effectiveness isn’t about personality types or skills alone, it’s about creating environments where people feel safe to contribute and feel connected to their work’s impact. Organisations need simple but effective ways to evaluate choices against their purpose, making it easier for teams to navigate complex situations autonomously. Creating spaces for honest conversation about challenges and opportunities fosters an environment where purpose can be questioned and refined, a key factor in psychological safety. Building reflection and adaptation into operational rhythm ensures culture evolves intentionally rather than accidentally. The Alignment Challenge Alignment emerges as a crucial factor in cultural transformation. When a business doubles in size or prepares for investment, maintaining alignment becomes increasingly complex. However, those who master it gain significant advantages in both performance and adaptability. For Gen Z employees particularly, this alignment between stated purpose and actual practice is nonnegotiable. They expect transparency and consistency, quickly identifying when actions don’t match words. This generational shift is forcing organisations to become more authentic in their approach to purpose and values. Building Cultural Resilience Cultural resilience (the ability to maintain purpose through change) becomes particularly important during rapid growth or transformation. This resilience stems from how deeply purpose is woven into organisational fabric. Practical approaches we’ve seen work include: • Regular purpose-focused discussions in team meetings • Integration of purposerelated metrics in performance reviews • Leadership development programmes that emphasise cultural stewardship • Mentoring programmes that pair experienced staff with Gen Z employees, facilitating two-way learning about purpose and impact The Investment Perspective For businesses preparing for investment or sale, culture increasingly features in due diligence processes. Investors recognise that strong cultures correlate with sustainable performance. This makes cultural development not just a ‘nice-to-have’ but a crucial element of business value, particularly given the growing influence of younger generations in the workforce. In service based businesses for example, PE investors can attribute as much as 70% of the intrinsic value of the company in people and culture. Getting it wrong can be costly! Looking Forward As businesses navigate complex market conditions, purposedriven cultures will increasingly separate high-performing organisations from the rest. The insights from ‘Project Aristotle’, combined with the clear preferences of Gen Z, provide a compelling roadmap for cultural development. The most successful organisations understand that culture isn’t a destination but a journey of continuous refinement. They focus on building systems and practices that naturally reinforce their purpose, while remaining flexible enough to evolve with changing circumstances and generational expectations. For medium-sized businesses approaching significant change, the message is clear: investing in cultural development isn’t just about creating a better workplace, it’s about building a more valuable, sustainable business that attracts and retains the next generation of talent. The path forward requires patience, commitment and careful attention to how different elements of organisational life interact. However, those who successfully navigate this journey create something truly valuable: organisations that don’t just perform well today but are equipped to thrive long into the future. Bio: About Kate Davis: Kate Davis is the founder of Meraki People, an organisational health consultancy specialising in team dynamics and culture change. As a 5 Voices Master Practitioner, she helps leaders and organisations harness the power of different voices to drive better performance. She is the current Paseda360 National Coach of the Year www.merakipeople.co.uk www.linkedin.com/in/ katedavisleadership https://katedavis.giantos.com/ store/5-voices Oct23629 By Kate Davis | Executive Coach, National Coach of the Year | Founder, Meraki People
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