#91 Life After Being a Successful CEO w/ Beatrice Lafon, Former CEO of Claire’s

Beatrice Lafon is a top retail troubleshooter, having been CEO of Claire’s Accessories, NED of SuperDry, a board member of Pizza Express and many more powerful retail brands. She is here to tell you about the life and sacrifices of a successful CEO and how to become one.

Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or even an aspiring one, and are interested in gaining insights into the world of retail, the hard choices you make as a CEO and how to live with them, or just want to reflect on your own leadership journey, then this episode is a must-watch.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Trailer
02:52 - Joining Marks & Spencers
08:51 - Deciding to Go Down the Business Route
15:56 - Moving From a Big Business to a Small One
18:54 - The Hardest Thing About Working With Private Equity
22:14 - What Beatrice Was Most Proud of in Her Role at Claire’s
25:00 - The Retail Business Then vs. Now
29:54 - What the Younger and Older Generation Take for Granted
33:57 - What is Required Now to be a CEO?
37:06 - Why the Ability to Listen is the Best Quality a Leader Can Have
44:07 - Why Beatrice Stepped Down as Claire’s CEO
49:12 - Have You Sacrificed Your Personal Life as a CEO?
51:16 - Advice For Your Younger Self
53:43 - Making Mistakes
55:41 - Planning for the Unexpected: Death and Divorce
01:02:31 - Defining Success and Failure
01:06:45 - Sports and Leadership
01:12:04 - Why Life Doesn’t Have to be Hard
01:18:04 - The Best Piece of Business Advice You’ve Been Given

With 40 years of experience in retail, spanning from executive roles in blue chip companies like M&S and J Sainsbury's to leading turnaround efforts for PE-backed businesses such as Claire’s and Kondor, Beatrice is a seasoned expert in financial restructuring and operational leadership. She’s currently serving on multiple boards and driving restructuring efforts for companies like Pizza Express Group PLC.

Beatrice Lafon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorbeatricelafon/

Maria Hvorostovsky:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycareerwithmaria/?img_index=1
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo
X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky
HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com

Podcast filmed, edited and produced by:
https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com

Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com

SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT AND GIVE IT THE THUMBS UP

LEAVE A REVIEW:

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.