How do you evolve a founder-led agency into a truly global business - without losing the entrepreneurial spirit that made it successful?

Toby Southgate is Global CEO of We Are Social, the socially-led creative agency. Having taken over from the founders, he now leads 1200 people across 16 offices worldwide, helping the business mature into its next stage of growth while protecting the culture that fuelled its success.


In this episode, Toby shares how he:

• Turned 16 independently operating offices into one connected global agency through structure, communication and shared leadership
• Introduced the idea of a global constituency, so everyone sees themselves as part of something much bigger than just their local team
• Believes leaders should communicate change relentlessly, explaining not just what's happening but why it matters
• Protects teams by absorbing commercial pressure rather than passing it down through the organisation
• Preserves an entrepreneurial mindset by giving teams space to adapt inside clear behavioural frameworks
• Embeds culture throughout the employee journey instead of relying on values written on office walls

Toby offers a thoughtful perspective on leading after founders, building trust through transparency and creating an organisation where people feel connected, supported and able to do their best work.