Grit in the Boardroom - Executive Interviews on Corporate Governance and Risk Management

Recent episodes

1. Building from Nothing: Boardroom Decisions, Governance and the Courage to Lead Differently

   Jul 29, 2026

   The strongest leadership is not inherited. It is built from nothing, in the moments where there is no precedent, no rulebook, and no culture yet written.  In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, sits down with Juergen Maier CBE for an in depth executive interview on leadership decisions, institutional building, and what it truly takes to lead when the stakes are national. As founding Chair of Great British Energy, the UK's publicly owned energy company backed by £8.3 billion of public investment, Juergen built a national institution from a blank page, no staff, no offices, no governance framework, delivering an in-depth masterclass in high-stakes and business resilience.  [More information on Juergen below.]  Together, Erika and Juergen explore the c suite insights behind making boardroom decisions and strategic decision making when your shareholder is a politician with a manifesto, the tension between independence and accountability in state-owned governance, and why authentic leadership in crisis builds more trust than polished authority ever could. This is a director dialogue that moves from corporate governance principles to deeply personal conviction, offering governance lessons that every board needs to hear.  Drawing on 33 years at Siemens, a career shaped by cross-cultural complexity and the courage to speak publicly during Brexit when most CEOs chose silence, Juergen shares chair perspectives on strategic decision making, planned succession, the myths of neutrality, and how boards can either strengthen or erode trust through the decisions they make and the cultures they build.  What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom:  Why building a national institution from nothing requires strategy, culture and corporate governance from day one, and how board effectiveness depends on the framework outlasting the founder.  How boardroom decisions and leadership decisions are made when your shareholder is a politician with a manifesto, and why clarity of purpose protects independence.  What 33 years at one company teaches about long-termism, risk management, and why the best management case studies are those where leaders stayed and built rather than moved on.  Why speaking out on policy, whether Brexit, industrial strategy, or governance failure, is a leadership responsibility, not a political act, and what silence costs when boards fail to challenge.  How company culture change starts when leaders show vulnerability, reject performative authority, and demonstrate that values matter more than performance alone.  Why trade union voices on the board strengthen corporate governance and ensure the worker's perspective shapes boardroom decisions at the highest level.  How planned succession and fixed-term chairmanships create better governance lessons for state-owned organisations and force leaders to build systems that outlast them.  Why hiding your authentic self for 15 years taught Juergen more about board effectiveness than any governance framework, and what changed when he stopped editing who he was.  How navigating cross-border complexity, competing masters, and cultural difference reveals the real mechanics of inclusion and strategic decision making under pressure.  Why growth under pressure demands both boldness and a clear purpose that people, boards, and stakeholders can rally around, and how turnaround stories are not always about rescue but about creation.  Juergen Maier CBE is the founding Chair of Great British Energy, the UK's publicly owned energy company established in 2024 with £8.3 billion of public investment. He is steering the organisation through its startup phase before handing the chairmanship to a permanent successor in 2026. Previously, Juergen spent 33 years at Siemens, rising from production engineer to CEO of Siemens UK and Ireland, where he championed industrial strategy, regional reindustrialisation, and inclusive leadership across a workforce of 15,000. He led the creation of the Made Smarter movement to accelerate digital technology adoption in UK manufacturing and the social enterprise vocL, which supports underrepresented business voices in finding confidence and platform. Born in Germany to Austrian parents, Juergen moved to Leeds aged 10 in 1974. He is openly gay and has spoken publicly about hiding his sexuality for half his career, offering one of the most honest management case studies on authenticity, business resilience, and the cost of self-editing in leadership.  Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.  As Governance Assessor for the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the largest public inquiry in UK history, Erika Eliasson-Norris is helping shape accountability, governance reform, and corporate oversight across the UK. 

2. Leading Under Pressure: Trust, Boardroom Decisions and the Courage to Speak Up

   Jul 15, 2026

   The strongest leadership is not built in comfort. It is forged in the moments where there is no playbook, no precedent, and no time to wait.    In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, sits down with Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce CBE FKC for one of the most compelling executive interviews on leadership decisions, institutional trust, and what it truly takes to lead when the stakes are highest. As the first person of colour and first black president of the Law Society of England and Wales, Stephanie led one of Britain's oldest institutions through the pandemic, political upheaval, and constitutional reform, delivering a masterclass in high stakes strategy and business resilience.    [More information on Stephanie below.]    Together, Erika and Stephanie explore the c suite insights behind making boardroom decisions and corporate decision making with incomplete information, the early warning signs of boards losing their judgment, and why honest leadership in crisis builds more trust than polished silence ever could. This is a director dialogue that moves from corporate governance principles to deeply personal conviction, offering governance lessons that every board needs to hear.    Drawing on decades of experience across public bodies, regulatory organisations, management, and governance roles, Stephanie shares chair perspectives on strategic decision making, the myths of meritocracy, and how boards can either strengthen or erode trust through the decisions they make and the voices they choose to include.    What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom:    Why making executive decision making and boardroom decisions with only 60% of the information requires flexibility, honesty, and the right voices in the room.    How boards lose their judgment when challenge disappears and collective responsibility becomes performative.    Why honest leadership decisions, including publicly admitting mistakes, build more trust than trying to control the narrative.    How corporate governance fails when organisations recruit in their own likeness and ignore cognitive diversity.    The early signs of board effectiveness breaking down and how silence in the boardroom signals deeper problems.    Why the independence of the legal profession matters to every board navigating risk management and ethical accountability.    How personal resilience and four attempts at the presidency shaped a leader who refused to be defined by barriers.    What boards can learn from corporate scandal about values, trust, and the cost of abandoning principles under pressure.    Why company culture change starts with asking who is in the room, who is missing, and whose voice is not being heard, and what that reveals about company culture.    How empathetic leadership and vulnerability can coexist with strength, decisiveness, and growth under pressure.    Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce CBE FKC DL is a solicitor, governance leader, and public servant who made history as the 177th President of the Law Society of England and Wales, the first person of colour and first black individual to hold the role. She led the organisation through an exceptionally demanding period including the pandemic, post-Brexit transition, and significant regulatory reform. Stephanie currently serves as Chair of The Solicitors' Charity, Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Honorary Professor of Law at King's College London, and Commissioner on the National Preparedness Commission. Her career is a management case study in leading with integrity, challenging assumptions about who belongs in positions of power, and using influence as service rather than self-advancement.  —  Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.  As Governance Assessor for the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the largest public inquiry in UK history, Erika Eliasson-Norris is helping shape accountability, governance reform, and corporate oversight across the UK.  —  Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/ 

3. Boardroom Decisions Under Pressure: Chair Perspectives on Governance, Risk and Board Effectiveness

   Jul 1, 2026

   The best boards do not just make decisions. They create the conditions for strategic decision making, stronger challenge, and more effective implementation. In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, sits down with Patrick Dunne OBE for one of the sharpest executive interviews with one of the UK’s leading voices on board effectiveness, corporate governance and leadership decisions. Patrick has the real chair perspectives having spent decades working with boards, chairs, CEOs and investors through growth under pressure across listed companies, private equity-backed businesses, charities and public organisations, helping leaders navigate growth, transformation, risk and complexity. [More information on Patrick below.]  Together, Erika and Patrick explore the c suite insights about what separates effective boards from ineffective ones, how chairs can create environments where challenge is welcomed, and why the quality of decision-making often matters more than the decision itself. Drawing on his experience working with thousands of directors and board members throughout his career, Patrick shares practical insights into leadership decisions, governance lessons and the boardroom dynamics that shape organisational success. What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why the relationship between the Chair and CEO is critical to board effectiveness. How boards can create cultures that encourage challenge, feedback and continuous improvement. Why major boardroom decisions should be approached as a process rather than a single event. The difference between risk appetite and risk tolerance and why boards often confuse the two in risk management. How directors can improve strategic decision making through better preparation and stakeholder engagement. Why implementation failures can be just as damaging as poor leadership decisions. The role of emotional intelligence, listening and constructive challenge in effective leadership. How Next Generation Boards can improve governance, succession planning and organisational insight and business resilience. What CEOs should consider before transitioning into a non-executive director portfolio career. Why board culture and meeting dynamics can have a significant impact on organisational performance. Patrick Dunne OBE is Chair of Board Delta and a recognised authority on board effectiveness, leadership and corporate governance. During more than two decades at 3i Group, he built one of the UK's most influential board development programmes, helping appoint and support thousands of directors across portfolio companies around the world. He has advised organisations across the private, public and third sectors, contributed to major governance reviews, and is the author of Boards, an award-winning guide to board leadership and effectiveness. Patrick is widely respected for his practical approach to governance, leadership development and helping boards perform at their best when the stakes are highest. — Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite. As Governance Assessor for the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the largest public inquiry in UK history, Erika Eliasson-Norris is helping shape accountability, governance reform, and corporate oversight across the UK. — Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/

4. Leadership Under Fire: Values, Belonging and Boardroom Decisions

   Jun 17, 2026

   The real test of leadership is not when everyone agrees with you. It is when your values are challenged, your corporate decision-making skills are scrutinised, and standing by your principles comes at a personal cost. In this episode, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, speaks with Professor Tariq Modood MBE, one of Britain's leading thinkers on multiculturalism, identity, citizenship and belonging. This episode is one of those executive interviews that doubles as a masterclass in business resilience: real governance lessons on leading through scrutiny, division and company culture change.    For more than three decades, Tariq has shaped national conversations on diversity, inclusion and social cohesion, helping policymakers, institutions and leaders navigate some of society's most complex and often contentious issues.  [More information on Tariq below.]  Together, Erika and Tariq explore what leadership looks like when navigating competing perspectives, public scrutiny and cultural change. They discuss the role of values in leadership decisions, the importance of dialogue over division, and why organisations must create environments where people feel heard without losing clarity of purpose.    What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom:  Why standing by your values can sometimes come at a personal and professional cost.  How leadership decisions are shaped by identity, belonging and lived experience.  Why dialogue, persuasion and consensus-building are often more effective than confrontation.  The risks of neutrality when leaders and boards face difficult or controversial issues.  How organisations can balance diversity of viewpoints while remaining true to their values.  Why company culture can act as an early warning system for corporate governance and leadership challenges.  How leaders can remain calm, credible and effective under pressure.  The impact of social media on public discourse, organisational culture and leadership.  Why self-congratulation can create blind spots that limit organisational learning and growth.  Professor Tariq Modood MBE is a renowned sociologist, public intellectual and leading authority on multiculturalism, citizenship and national identity. As the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol, his work has influenced public policy, academic thinking and national debate for more than thirty years.  Drawing on his personal experiences as an immigrant, academic and commentator, Tariq offers a thoughtful perspective on leadership, resilience and the challenges of building inclusive organisations in increasingly complex and polarised environments. His work continues to shape conversations around identity, belonging, governance and social cohesion both in the UK and internationally.  —  Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.  As Governance Assessor for the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the largest public inquiry in UK history, Erika Eliasson-Norris is helping shape accountability, governance reform, and corporate oversight across the UK.  —  Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/ 

5. Governing Through Crisis: Risk Management, Resilience and the Future of Higher Education

   Jun 3, 2026

   Leaders who understand this will be the ones who get it right: governance is not just about oversight; it is about knowing when to challenge, when to intervene, and how to lead when the stakes are human as well as financial. In this episode, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, speaks with Professor Sally Wheeler OBE, Vice Chancellor of Birkbeck, University of London. Sally is a distinguished academic and leader in corporate law and governance, with decades of experience navigating transformation, risk and complexity in higher education. [More information on Sally below.] Together, Erika and Sally explore what governance really looks like inside universities: institutions that are centres of learning, major employers, complex businesses, and places where student wellbeing, financial sustainability and public purpose collide. What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why governance in higher education demands both challenge and trust. How university boards can manage financial risk, uncertainty and long-term sustainability. Why strong forecasting, risk appetite and board skills are critical to institutional survival. How leadership teams can create safe spaces for challenge without losing momentum. Why student wellbeing has become a central governance issue, not a side concern. What corporate boards can learn from universities about fixed tenure, rotation and renewal. How AI could change board administration, decision tracking and governance effectiveness. Professor Sally Wheeler - Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck, University of London, a distinguished academic and leading authority on corporate law and governance. Sally has guided major institutions through periods of transformation and challenge, written extensively on company law and governance, and is known for bridging theory with practice.   Her leadership spans academia, law, and organisational governance - shaping how universities respond to financial pressures, regulatory complexity, cultural expectations, and questions of long-term sustainability. She brings a candid, grounded perspective on what governance really looks like inside universities. — Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite. As Governance Assessor for the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the largest public inquiry in UK history, Erika Eliasson-Norris is helping shape accountability, governance reform, and corporate oversight across the UK. -- Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/

6. People-Centric Governance: How to Lead Boards Through Technology, Risk and Change

   May 20, 2026

   Leaders who understand this will be the ones who get it right: The boards that will define the next decade aren’t just governing platforms and processes; they are governing people.  In this episode, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, speaks with Nneka Abulokwe OBE, a governance and technology leader with extensive experience helping boards steer complex digital change. Nneka has served on FTSE-listed and private equity-backed boards, chairs ESG and Responsible Business committees, and brings a rare perspective that sits at the intersection of corporate governance, technology, and people. Her doctoral research into the governance of outsourcing laid the foundation for a career-long conviction that cuts to the heart of C-suite insights on performance: that people are not just a resource to be managed, but the primary success factor for any organisation.  Together, Erika and Nneka explore what it means to govern with humanity in an age of AI, cyber risk, and accelerating change and why board effectiveness depends on intimacy with the organisation, not distance from it.  What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom:  Why corporate governance is a strategic enabler, not a back-office function.  How boards can build AI literacy and maintain human oversight before technology outpaces strategic decision making.  What people-centric governance looks like in practice and why company culture change starts at the top table.  Why risk management and high stakes strategy in the boardroom now demand fluency in AI, cyber, and the human cost of difficult decisions.  How diversity and inclusion become a competitive advantage when embedded into board effectiveness and governance lessons.  What new board directors should focus on in their first 90 days and why humility is the most underrated leadership skill in the boardroom.  —  Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.  --  Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/ 

7. How to Lead a Business Turnaround: Company Culture, Clarity, and Leadership Decisions That Last

   May 6, 2026

   We’re diving into one of the most dramatic turnaround stories in the industry that involved taking on a failing business and turning it into Agency of the Year in three years. That doesn't happen by accident -. it happens through culture, clarity, and the courage to make decisions nobody else wants to make. In this episode, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, speaks with Chris Hirst, award-winning author, leadership coach, and former global CEO of Havas Creative. Chris draws on hard-won experience to show how leadership decisions made at inflection points define everything that follows; from how you build an indivisible senior team, to why company culture change can happen faster than most leaders believe, to what it really takes to keep shareholders, customers, and employees aligned when the pressure mounts. He challenges the myth of the heroic leader and argues that clarity, company culture, and courage are the true engines of performance. What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why business resilience starts with building belief long before results arrive. How company culture change is not a soft concept. It's the hardest, most structural lever a leader has. Why the most dangerous people in a leadership team are those who understand the strategy but quietly refuse to play ball. How to balance long-term vision with short-term investor pressure without losing either. Why strategic decision making under pressure comes down to controlling what you can and ignoring what you can't. What the best turnaround stories have in common, and why talent and culture are always the answer. — Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite. -- Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/

8. Purpose Over Performance: Building Leadership That Lasts Across Generations

   Apr 22, 2026

   Creating the scaffolding that outlasts any single leader is the result of purposeful, long-term leadership including the ability to build cultures, strategies, and successions that endure. Most organisations measure success by the quarter. But what happens when that short-termism becomes the biggest threat to long-term survival? In this episode, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, speaks with Sharath Jeevan OBE, founder and Executive Chairman of Intrinsic Labs and leader of the Generational Success Lab at Oxford University's Saïd Business School. Together, they explore how leaders can move beyond the performance game, working not just for the next reporting cycle, but for years to come. Sharath brings a rare perspective: as someone who has advised CEOs, built and stepped away from his own organisations, and now works at the intersection of purpose, company culture and intergenerational leadership. He draws on real experiences - including scaling an educational organisation from 300 to 20,000 schools - to challenge assumptions about what board effectiveness really requires. Erika and Sharath explore why so many boardroom decisions are still driven by short-term pressure, what it takes to build the cultural scaffolding that outlasts any single leader, and why the tension between generations at work is not a problem to be managed, but an opportunity hiding in plain sight. For anyone seeking c suite insights on what purposeful, long-term leadership really looks like, this conversation delivers. What you'll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why short-termism in the boardroom is a strategic decision making failure, not just a culture problem. How leaders can build business resilience and growth under pressure by thinking in decades, not quarters. What founders get wrong about succession and how to leave a legacy that holds. Why board effectiveness depends on cognitive diversity, not just demographic diversity. How company culture change happens when generations stop defending and start collaborating. What the best board meetings actually look like and the governance lessons most organisations are still missing. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite. -- Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/

9. Judgement Matters More Than Data in the Boardroom: Corporate Governance and Decision Making at the Highest Level

   Apr 8, 2026

   Most boardroom decisions don’t fail because of bad data; they fail because of poor strategic decision-making. In this episode, Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, speaks with Sir Andrew Likierman, one of the UK’s leading voices on corporate governance and leadership. Together, they explore why mergers fail, how boards can strengthen risk management, and what separates effective from ineffective leadership decisions. Erika and Andrew discuss how stronger leadership decisions, more effective boardroom debate, and clearer thinking can improve outcomes and strengthen corporate governance at the highest level. In high-stakes moments like mergers and acquisitions, even experienced leaders can make costly mistakes. With experience across more than 20 boards, including the Bank of England and Barclays, and as the former Dean of London Business School, Andrew brings decades of expertise in improving strategic decision making and strengthening board effectiveness in complex environments. What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why boardroom decisions define long-term outcomes. How poor strategic decision making impacts mergers and acquisitions. The role of self-awareness in improving leadership decisions. Why corporate governance depends on challenge and independent thinking. How AI is influencing boardroom decisions and governance processes. What makes an effective chair and how leadership shapes board effectiveness. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite. — Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com/

10. From Personal Networks to the C-Suite: What Aspiring Directors Should Know About Board Effectiveness and Future Leadership Skills

    Mar 25, 2026

    Are you presenting yourself strategically to the people who will let you sit in the boardroom? Networking, communication, and continuous self-reinvention during company culture change is critical to success in senior leadership and non-executive director roles. Host Erika Eliasson Norris – CEO of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry – sits down for one of the show’s in-depth executive interviews with Emma Parry, Founder & CEO of NovaFin Consulting Ltd. Together they explore how emotional intelligence helps leaders navigate complex situations, improve board effectiveness, and build stronger alignment across the C-suite. Drawing from real management case studies, Emma shares practical examples of how leaders handle pressure, encourage meaningful director dialogue, and approach leadership decisions when organisations face uncertainty. We look to understand how corporate governance, leadership, and strategic decision-making shape modern organisations is essential for anyone looking to influence boardroom decisions. The conversation also highlights how strong networks, thoughtful communication, and clear governance frameworks can strengthen business resilience and lead to genuine turnaround stories. What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why gender diversity strengthens leadership and improves decision-making at the top. How professional networks and LinkedIn can support career progression into the C-suite. What aspiring directors should know about entering the boardroom. Why risk management, governance awareness, and strong communication skills matter for future board leaders. Practical insights on navigating company culture shifts and maintaining effective governance during change. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.

11. From the Dot-Com Boom to the AI Era: Why Rapid Innovation is Key to Business Resilience

    Mar 11, 2026

    What if innovation wasn’t a side project, but a tool your teams could use every day to make better decisions, solve problems faster, and drive growth? With board roles at British Airways, Chanel, and the British Chambers of Commerce, guest Baroness Martha Lane Fox brings sharp chair perspectives and grounded C-suite insights into what really happens in high-stakes boardrooms. From the dot-com boom and bust to helping steer Twitter through its sale to Elon Musk, she shares candid reflections on leadership, risk management, and navigating scrutiny under pressure. In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, sits down with Martha to explore how corporate governance must evolve in an era of rapid digital change. This executive interview goes beyond theory. It challenges boards to rethink strategic decision-making, strengthen director dialogue and build board effectiveness that supports long-term business resilience rather than short-term optics. At its core, the conversation is about embedding innovation into governance systems, not isolating it in committees. What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why innovation and AI cannot sit in a side department if you want meaningful growth under pressure. Boards must hardwire experimentation, cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy into incentives, oversight and everyday boardroom decisions. What healthy challenge looks like in practice and how to avoid performative confrontation. Strong corporate governance depends on constructive tension, not point-scoring or silent groupthink. How clarity of purpose strengthens company culture and improves execution. Clear expectations and individual accountability reduce micromanagement and improve business resilience. Why trust between chair, non-executive directors (NEDs) and the CEO transforms meetings. High-trust environments enable sharper leadership decisions, more honest debate and better governance lessons drawn from real-world management case studies. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.

12. Execution Over Ego: The Boardroom Decisions That Make-or-Break Governance

    Feb 25, 2026

    Drawing on decades of experience advising organisations including General Electric, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo and Nike, Ram Charan knows that the most important job of any board is selecting, coaching and, when necessary, replacing the chief executive officer (CEO). The truth is that boardroom decisions rarely fail because of a lack of intelligence. They fail because of hesitation and ego, and they depend on courage and disciplined execution. In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris - CEO of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry - sits down with Ram Charan - Global Advisor to CEOs & Corporate Boards and Best Selling Author - to explore what really drives corporate governance, strategic decision-making and tough leadership decisions inside the C-suite. From risk management and high-stakes strategy to company culture and business resilience, he explains why board effectiveness depends on differences in chair power, especially during corporate scandal or growth under pressure. Clear chair perspectives improve oversight, align strategic decision-making and reinforce long-term business resilience. What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: Why boardroom decisions stall even when warning signs are obvious, and how sharper director dialogue strengthens accountability. How leadership decisions at the C-suite level hinge on fit and timing rather than polished succession plans. Why governance structures in different markets shape accountability in different ways. These structural differences directly influence risk management and long-term performance. How reducing hierarchy and redesigning operating models can support meaningful company culture change. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.

13. Ethicability: The Leadership Lever That Transforms Company Culture

    Feb 11, 2026

    How to avoid corporate scandals, improve board effectiveness, and foster company culture change that drives business resilience and growth under pressure is the focus of this first episode of Grit in the Boardroom. Host Erika Eliasson-Norris - CEO of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry - is joined by Roger Steare - the “corporate philosopher” to explore the humanity in boardroom discussions and what ethical factors are made in the C-suite. From navigating pension dilemmas worth £300 million to guiding boards through crises and beyond, Roger shares rare C-Suite insights, management case studies, and governance lessons that reveal what true strategic decision-making looks like under pressure. He shares his experiences having advised heavyweight organisations, including BP, HSBC, Barclays, and Nationwide. His insight into governance stems from a deep-rooted understanding of moral reasoning, showcased in his publication, Ethicability. This insightful executive interview on moral clarity in leadership touches on the reality of boardroom decisions, the role of fear and politics in shaping leadership decisions, and how organisations can build cultures of fairness, truth, and accountability. What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: A pivotal board decision involving pension schemes and the importance of fairness and transparency in resolving corporate dilemmas. Fear and internal politics that can sanitise and mask true issues in corporate governance and decision-making. Strategies for boards to engage with ground-level truths through meaningful engagement with diverse workforce perspectives. The ethicability model to ensure good governance through adherence to rules, integrity, maximising good, and embracing truth. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.

14. Poor Boardroom Decisions: What the Wirecard Board Failed to Hear

    Feb 11, 2026

    Former FinTech general counsel and whistleblower behind the Wirecard scandal, Pav Gill, joins Grit in the Boardroom to explain how to navigate the intimidating reality of corporate scandal and how to avoid being complicit. Host Erika Eliasson-Norris - CEO of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry - talks to Pav about what governing boards can learn from scandals like Wirecard, how to build trust and accountability in corporate governance, and the role of empathy and courage in real boardroom decisions. From turnaround stories and company culture change to governance lessons drawn from one of Europe’s most infamous collapses, this episode delivers powerful management case studies, chair perspectives, and practical guidance for leaders navigating growth under pressure and the demands of high-stakes strategies. What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom: The challenges and risks associated with whistleblowing, including personal and professional repercussions. How the tone from the top influences corporate culture, the convenience of blaming upper leadership, and the responsibility of creating a positive subculture. What can be learned from corporate scandals like Wirecard and 1MDB, including the warning signs of fraud and the necessity for effective governance practices. The role of non-executive directors (NEDs) in safeguarding corporate governance and acting as a genuine check on leadership practices. A platform for improving compliance and governance processes, stressing the need for a single source of truth to handle ethical violations effectively. -- Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.

15. Trailer - Grit in the Boardroom

    Jan 28, 2026

    Expect breakdowns of leadership decisions, open director dialogue, and governance perspectives from across industries on Grit in the Boardroom. Bi-weekly episodes of Grit in the Boardroom bring together voices from across leadership, including executives, chairs, and directors, who have stood on the edge of critical calls, felt the weight of risk, and lived with the outcomes. Host Erika Eliasson-Norris – CEO of Beyond Governance, Founder of a multi award-winning consultancy, and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry – guides listeners through management case studies, turnaround stories, and candid executive interviews. With nearly 20 years inside the C-suite, Erika highlights the strengths, shortcomings, conflicts, and strategic decision-making that define modern corporate governance. Guests include: Roger Steare, British Ethicist and Corporate Philosopher – on morality and humanity in leadership decisions. Pav Gill, Founder & CEO of Confide Platform – on navigating the Wirecard whistleblowing corporate scandal. Emma Parry, Founder & CEO of NovaFin Consulting Ltd – on gender diversity and company culture change in corporate governance. Professor Sir Andrew Lewis Likierman, London Business School – on mergers, acquisitions, and AI’s impact on board effectiveness and boardroom dialogue. Explore how high-stakes strategy turns into business resilience on Grit in the Boardroom from 11 February wherever you get podcasts, with new episodes releasing bi-weekly on Wednesdays. -- Erika Eliasson-Norris is a respected voice on board effectiveness and strategic decision-making. She works with boards and leadership teams to transform governance into a strategic advantage. As author of The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary, Erika provides a candid account of life inside the boardroom – a foundation for the honest conversations she now brings to Grit in the Boardroom. -- If you enjoy podcasts like How I Built This with Guy Raz or Worklife with Adam Grant, you’ll find Grit in the Boardroom to be your go-to source for real boardroom decisions, authentic executive interviews, and the unfiltered stories of leaders navigating complexity with grit.