'Value people - especially those closest to the customer'

'Value people - especially those closest to the customer'

From Business Leader by Business Leader

April 14, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Phil Bentley, CEO of Mitie, discusses the importance of valuing people close to the customer and shares insights on leadership and technology in business.

Mitie may not be a household name, but its services are woven into the fabric of British life. It outsources key government services, including everything from facilities management of hospitals and data centers to security services for events. Its Chief Executive, Phil Bentley, who previously led British Gas, tells Sir Richard Harpin that the key to his success is 'managing your energy and the energy of those around you.' He says "the people who count the most, are those closest to the customer". As the CEO of a FTSE 250 company, Phil Bentley explains why the London equity market is valued lower than Amsterdam's and why the government needs to promote investment in Britain. He believes a leader's purpose is to make decisions and take risks, even if you make mistakes. Also, how is his company using technology and AI to fight retail crime which costs the UK £4.2bn a year? Business Leader is a membership community for ambitious CEOs and founders of mid-sized UK companies, designed to help them grow with purpose through strategic support, peer-to-peer learning, expert coaching, and high-impact events. Sign up for our Business Leader newsletter here . Hosted on Acast. See…

People in this episode

Host: Sir Richard Harpin

Guest: Phil Bentley

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • customer service
  • business strategy
  • technology in business
  • investment
  • retail crime

Keywords

  • leadership
  • customer
  • investment
  • technology
  • retail crime
  • business strategy
  • Phil Bentley

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mitie, British Gas

Places: UK, London, Amsterdam

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