Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions
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What does it take to stay connected to your customers when scale and complexity threaten to pull you away?
In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with David Haines, Group CEO of Flora Food Group, to explore how leaders can keep their focus vertical - anchored in the customer and the frontline, while running global organizations. From his early days at Mars and Vodafone to leading GROHE and Flora, David shares stories of how listening, curiosity, and relevance shaped his approach to leadership. He shows why great strategy starts on the shop floor, how moments of truth can differentiate a brand, and why humility and honesty are the CEO’s most underrated tools.
We’re also joined by Iona Gaskell, Head of Artist Voice at Abubilla Music, who brings a creative perspective on building authenticity and resonance. Together, they unpack how purpose, simplicity, and connection fuel lasting growth, and share the secret tools for staying truly vertical: humanity, transparency, and care.
First published in Januar 2026