Andrew Tallents sits down with Ian Symes, CEO of OnePoint Advisory Services, for a candid conversation about a career built on reinvention — consumer products, white goods at Electrolux, marketing & strategy consulting, two years on the ground in California with Cisco, the London 2012 Olympics sponsorship, transforming Right Management across Europe and North America, taking K3 Capital Group through a PE sale, and now leading one of the UK's fastest-growing mid-market accountancy groups. Ian opens up about the moment a team member told him "you're competing with us" — and why that single piece of feedback rewired how he leads. Expect lessons on personal responsibility, working across cultures, knowing when to walk away, and the shift from driving to coaching.

Ian Symes is CEO of OnePoint Advisory Services, a private-equity-backed group focused on accountancy and wealth management in the UK mid-market. Over a 30+ year career he has led businesses across consumer products, technology, HR and professional services — including senior roles at Electrolux, Cisco, Right Management (Manpower Group), K3 Capital Group and Kinbrook.

• 00:00 — Welcome and intro to Ian Symes
• 01:04 — Career snapshot: consumer products → consulting → tech → professional services
• 01:42 — Outside of work: golf, skiing and the Hampshire countryside
• 02:46 — Childhood, private school, and a competitive environment
• 03:15 — A-level setback: 30 phone calls, 3 university offers, one big lesson
• 04:12 — Father as CEO, sweeping floors at Toronto Airport at 6:50am
• 06:19 — Travelling to New York at five and falling in love with business
• 07:30 — Beating the system at university — the 20-year exam paper hack
• 09:13 — First job in gardening products: £6,500 and the cheapest training of his life
• 10:30 — Five years at Zanussi / Electrolux and learning "Euro English"
• 12:15 — The wrong move into pet products and the limits of big-company thinking
• 15:48 — Coming back to Electrolux to lead the marketing team
• 17:35 — The off-site, the consultant, and "you're competing with us"
• 19:36 — Why he left a fast-track corporate career
• 21:00 — Setting up a marketing & strategy consultancy — and surviving 9/11
• 24:26 — The day his wife said "it's a good day in consulting"
• 25:30 — Two years in California with Cisco
• 27:00 — London 2012 Olympics, $1.1B pipeline, and Henry Kissinger
• 28:13 — Right Management: from sleepy 20M business to European and North American transformation
• 32:40 — K3 Capital Group, the PE sale, and learning the AIM playbook
• 34:30 — Inside UK mid-market accountancy: 40 PE-backed buyers chasing the same firms
• 36:00 — OnePoint's value proposition: "we're a friend, not an aggregator"
• 37:00 — One thing left to achieve: a single-figure golf handicap
• 38:00 — Close

Josh Mastel shares his journey from early life challenges to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the balance between work and personal life, the influence of role models, and the challenges he faced in his early career. Josh also reflects on his leadership development, motivation, and the transition to entrepreneurship. He shares insights on managing professional and personal relationships, seeking advice, and the impact of AI on business. The conversation concludes with a reflection on personal growth and the importance of continuous self-improvement.

Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Drive
• Personal Growth

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Professional Journey
• 05:53 Influential Role Models
• 18:10 Transition to Entrepreneurship
• 24:29 Seeking Advice and Future Plans

In this episode, Mike Greene shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood marked by poverty and violence to becoming a successful entrepreneur and mentor. He discusses the importance of resilience, the impact of early experiences on his business acumen, and the role of mindset in achieving success. Mike emphasizes the significance of giving back to the community and the transformative power of embracing change, particularly with the advent of AI. He concludes with reflections on his legacy and the desire to inspire future generations.

Takeaways

Mike Greene's journey from poverty to success is a testament to resilience.

Childhood experiences shaped Mike's ability to read people and understand behavior.

Success is not just about hard work; it's about systems and mindset.

Giving back to the community is a crucial part of success.

AI is a transformative tool that can enhance learning and business.

Understanding different behaviors can improve leadership and teamwork.

Failures are stepping stones to success, not definitions of it.

The importance of mentorship and belief in others' potential.

Legacy is about imparting knowledge and systems to future generations.

Embracing change is essential for personal and professional growth.

Titles

From Poverty to Prosperity: Mike Greene's Journey

The Power of Resilience in Business

sound bites

"I would work insanely hard."

"I want to leave a mark."

"You are perfect just as you are."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mike Greene's Journey

03:21 Overcoming Childhood Adversity

06:30 The Impact of Early Experiences on Business Success

09:13 Teenage Years and the Drive for Change

12:03 Navigating Early Career Challenges

14:36 The Road to Recovery and Self-Discovery

17:51 Building a Successful Business

20:36 The Importance of Mindset and Systems

23:33 Giving Back and Creating a Legacy

26:24 The Role of AI in Future Success

29:02 Personal Growth and Lifelong Learning

32:07 Final Thoughts on Impact and Legacy