Peter Lederer is a name synonymous with transformation; renowned for revamping Gleneagles hotel into the world-class luxury establishment it is today, and turning the struggling Scottish Tourist Board into VisitScotland, a tourism organisation that has set the bar for others across the globe.

So – how? In this episode Peter explains how he prioritised quality at Gleneagles by turning the hotel management structure upside down and empowering his teams with the authority to turn the customer experience into what it needed to be. He discusses why hiring for personality is key, and what it was like to lead through crisis as Chair of VisitScotland.

Peter also speaks openly about the impact dyslexia has had on him, from his school life through to his career. Having found out he was dyslexic at the age of 42, he reflects on the imposter syndrome he has felt, but how he learned to play to his strengths: the ability to always see the bigger picture, to take calculated risks, to spin lots of plates, and excelling at problem-solving.

With a career spanning a long list of high-profile roles in the UK and overseas – to name but the more recent, Chairman roles at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Hamilton & Inches and McLaren Packaging, and Board roles at Dyslexia Scotland and Baxter’s Food Group – Peter has no end of experience when it comes to leadership and how to make the most out of people’s talents. The episode is less than 40 minutes long, but you’ll finish it with years’ worth of insights that you can take into your own life and career.

Stuart Common, Managing Director at ice cream brand (and JC client) Mackie’s of Scotland, joins this episode of Who’s Steering This Thing? to discuss how he’s leading a family business through growth and change – without losing its heart.

Stuart offers candid insights into the realities of steering a challenger brand in the Food & Drink sector. He talks about why it’s important to recognise when you’re not the expert, how resilience is built through setbacks, and why leadership isn’t always a popularity contest.

He also shares the life experiences that have shaped his leadership philosophy, from supporting employees through illness to prioritising mental health and wellbeing – and how those lessons have influenced how Mackie’s approaches caring for its people.

The conversation also covers the role of AI in Food & Drink, managing change, and Stuart’s challenge for all leaders: take a good look at how you’re spending your time and whether it’s really going on the right things.

Visit our website at www.johnstoncarmichael.com for more insights from our sharp minds and to find out more about what we do as a UK firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

Kath Tetley is the Head Coach of the Scottish Thistles and Performance Director at Netball Scotland - leading Scotland’s top netball athletes on and off the court. Having worked across elite sport in Australia, including with Netball New South Wales and the Netball World Cup in Sydney, Kath knows how to build high-performing teams and the cultures that help them excel.

In this episode of Who’s Steering This Thing?, Kath talks to our hosts Martin and Jude about how an understanding of people is the foundation of every successful team; whether you’re part of it or leading it. You need to know who the lions, otters, beavers and golden retrievers are, and what they need from one another. If that doesn’t make sense now, it will once you listen!

Kath discusses the importance of creating environments where individuals can “find their vibe tribe” - the places where they feel connected, so they can thrive. The conversation also turns to how to balance kindness with competitiveness, what it takes to build trust in high-pressure settings, and how to reframe even negative feedback as a positive.

So, if you want to understand what it means to lead with empathy, energy and a clear sense of team purpose - don’t miss this episode.