Leadership Signals - Explore The Archive
Leadership insight. Market evidence. What we're seeing.
Douglas Jackson Leadership Signals brings together our research, executive market data and observations from conversations with leaders across the markets we serve.
11 December 2024
Each day, CEOs and senior leaders face immense pressure to drive results, inspire their teams, and deliver on ambitious goals. The stakes are high, with every decision impacting employees, customers, and the bottom line.
The most successful leaders understand one simple truth: you can’t do it alone. Exceptional leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people and creating an environment where they can thrive.
27 June 2024
What is of importance to the Operational Support Director and the COO, whilst Operational Support functions now are doing much more in a modern business, AI, tools Tech, Analytics etc you might be surprised at what comes out top in this research
19 March 2024
One of the most significant contributions of a CCO is their ability to cultivate a customer-centric culture throughout the organization. By championing the importance of customer satisfaction, a CCO encourages every team, from marketing to product development, to prioritise the needs and preferences of customers.
19 March 2024
As artificial intelligence (AI) advances it's reach across our activities and lives, job applications and how job seekers apply for positions is coming clearly into view
19 March 2024
Chyrels career spans over two decades, marked by her transformative role as the Chief Operating Officer at One Housing and now as an Executive Leadership Consultant and Non-Executive Director for the NHS. Chyrel's dedication to fostering inclusive environments where every individual can thrive is not just commendable; it's a blueprint for how leadership can ignite systemic change.
19 March 2024
“ABI data shows the urgent need for action in order to increase diversity in the insurance and long-term savings sector. Ethnicity, age, gender, ability, socioeconomic backgrounds, there is a need to boost the attractiveness of the industry to people of all backgrounds. The Black, Asian and minority ethnic employees make up 10% of those holding entry level positions. At Executive and Board level this drops to just 2%. Improving diversity needs to be seen as a major long-term programme of cultural change that is properly resourced, planned, measured, monitored and supported by senior leadership.”
19 March 2024
AI : The future of Insurance Welcome to the future of the insurance industry, where the integration of cutting-edge technologies is poised to revolutionise the landscape. Join us on a journey into the possibilities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds for insurers and their customers.
19 March 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of the UK insurance industry, characterised by digital transformation, shifting customer expectations, and dynamic regulatory changes, the pivotal role of Chief Operating Officers (COOs) cannot be overstated. As stewards of operational efficiency, these executives are tasked with orchestrating processes that drive success to new heights.
19 March 2024
The landscape of the insurance sector in the United Kingdom is in a state of evolution. This article focuses on the profound impact of the Consumer Duty, exploring how insurers can align their operations to not only meet the Duty's standards but to drive Customer Experience/
19 March 2024
This was a great opportunity to learn more about both the current and future Hydrogen landscape and it's importance in the journey to Net Zero.
19 March 2024
Hiring Directors in the Utilities industry: are soft skills or technical skills King?
19 March 2024
9 June 2023
Is a Chief Customer Officer Right For Your Business?
9 June 2023
When about 40% of new CEOs fail within the first 18 months and the odds that a CEO will lead an average company to become a top-quintile performer are only 4 percent, what does separate the top performing CEOs?
21 October 2026
Genevieve Kangurs joins Michelle Ansell in The Impact Room to explore one of the more difficult transitions in a senior leadership career: what happens when the […]
14 October 2026
Why Salary Benchmarking Can Still Leave You Unable to Hire The gap between market averages and the salary required to attract the people you actually want […]
5 October 2026
The Impact Room Leadership Podcast – Satia Rai Satia Rai has spent around 30 years in the security sector, starting on the frontline and progressing to […]
1 October 2026
A practical framework for diagnosing leadership capability gaps in investor-backed businesses Investor-backed organisations often begin with a job title. “We need a COO.” “We need a […]
25 September 2026
Organisations are investing heavily in transformation, but Executive sponsorship is often still passive. Transformation is being pushed by programmes and teams rather than pulled through the […]
25 September 2026
Case Study – Customer Experience Director Recruitment A leading UK online grocery and technology enabled logistics business was preparing for the retirement of a long standing […]
17 September 2026
What does a Chief Customer Officer do, what should you pay them, where do the best CCOs come from and how do you appoint the right […]
14 September 2026
Executive roles are getting broader. But when accountability expands faster than authority, does a bigger job really create better organisational outcomes?
9 September 2026
Executive roles are getting broader. But when accountability expands faster than authority, does a bigger job really create better organisational outcomes?
3 September 2026
A bad leadership hire doesn’t always look like a bad hire. That’s part of the problem. The obvious failures are relatively easy to recognise: somebody leaves […]
10 August 2026
Executive roles are getting broader. But when accountability expands faster than authority, does a bigger job really create better organisational outcomes?
6 August 2026
Skills and experience still matter. But at senior level, they are increasingly not enough. What separates a credible candidate from the leader most likely to succeed may be the part of the requirement that never made it into the job description.
2 July 2026
A successful executive career doesn't automatically translate into a successful Board career. The shift from operator to NED requires a different proposition, one built around judgement, perspective, challenge and the value you bring to the Boardroom.
2 June 2026
The Investor backed leadership trigger points founders should recognise as Utilities and Infrastructure businesses scale. Technically strong founding teams can secure investment, but scaling into a […]
9 May 2026
As Executive Leaders are asked to do more, they are increasingly turning to a trusted advisor hence the rise of the appointments of a Chief of Staff
9 April 2026
Executive Career Services: How to Position Yourself for Senior Roles, NED Opportunities and C-Suite Progression
2 April 2026
Case Study NED Board appointments Douglas Jackson was appointed by a membership and skills organisation supporting the UK energy and utilities sector to recruit a new […]
18 March 2026
Each day, CEOs and senior leaders face immense pressure to drive results, inspire their teams, and deliver on ambitious goals. The stakes are high, with every decision impacting employees, customers, and the bottom line.
The most successful leaders understand one simple truth: you can’t do it alone. Exceptional leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people and creating an environment where they can thrive.
5 March 2026
Case Study – Building Society Chief Transformation Officer A mid sized UK Building Society appointed Douglas Jackson to recruit a newly created Chief Transformation Officer, a […]
25 February 2026
The ChallengeScaling business, regulated environment, system migration, data-led leadership. The Search StrategySalary benchmarking, role shaping, 80-person longlist, sector mapping. Assessment and SelectionBehavioural profiling, six-person shortlist, interview […]
6 February 2026
Thomas Moore, COO of Custom Connect, joins Michelle Ansell in The Impact Room to discuss what modern operational leadership really looks like in a fast-moving customer […]