193: BPI Europe President Jo-ann Robertson on grit, curiosity and the bravery of big ideas
From Change Makers: Leadership, Good Business, Ideas and Innovation by Seven Hills
April 1, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 193
About this episode
Jo-ann Robertson discusses leadership, resilience, and the importance of brave communication in today's business landscape.
In this episode of Change Makers, Michael Hayman sits down with Jo-ann Robertson , the newly appointed President for Europe and Transatlantic Growth at BPI Group. Self-described as "positivity personified" and fuelled by Glaswegian grit, Jo-ann explores what it takes to lead at a moment of intense global change. From her roots in student politics to leading some of the world’s largest agency networks, Jo-ann has built a career on being a disruptor who values straight-talking above over-intellectualising. In this conversation, she discusses why this is a "bully pulpit" moment for modern leaders and why big ideas require brave communication to drive real progress. As businesses navigate the current landscape, Jo-ann shares her insights on building resilient corporations, the importance of authentic purpose over performative action, and why a "North Star" vision is essential for stability. It's a look at why a bit of "grit in the oyster" is often the necessary catalyst for growth and why the best advisors are those who remain eternally curious.
People in this episode
Host: Michael Hayman
Guest: Jo-ann Robertson
Topics covered
- leadership
- business resilience
- communication
- innovation
- corporate purpose
Keywords
- leadership
- grit
- curiosity
- big ideas
- corporate purpose
- resilience
- communication
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BPI Group
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