In Episode 114 of the No Limitations podcast The Divine Discontent, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with David Kirk MBE, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bailador Technology Investments and a former Captain of the New Zealand All Blacks. David led the All Blacks to victory in the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.

Having gone through a unique journey that has seen him study medicine, lead his country to a world championship, abruptly retire and take up a Rhodes Scholarship, David talks to us about leadership in its varied manifestations as well as the zeal in seeking perfection. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience across sport, politics and business in a multitude of industries, David examines the state of affairs and offers valuable insight into the pertinent matters facing society today.

David represented New Zealand in rugby union, having played 17 Tests and served as the side’s Captain on 11 occasions. He is also currently Chairman of Forsyth Barr and KMD Brands as well as not-for-profits KiwiHarvest, the New Zealand Food Network and the Sydney Festival. He is also President of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Media and PMP Ltd as well as Chief Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand.



Please note: this episode was recorded on 15 March 2023.

In Episode 114 of the No Limitations podcast The Divine Discontent, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with David Kirk MBE, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bailador Technology Investments and a former Captain of the New Zealand All Blacks. David led the All Blacks to victory in the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Having gone through a unique journey that has seen him study medicine, lead his country to a world championship, abruptly retire and take up a Rhodes Scholarship, David talks to us about leadership in its varied manifestations as well as the zeal in seeking perfection. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience across sport, politics and business in a multitude of industries, David examines the state of affairs and offers valuable insight into the pertinent matters facing society today.
David represented New Zealand in rugby union, having played 17 Tests and served as the side’s Captain on 11 occasions. He is also currently Chairman of Forsyth Barr and KMD Brands as well as not-for-profits KiwiHarvest, the New Zealand Food Network and the Sydney Festival. He is also President of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Media and PMP Ltd as well as Chief Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 15 March 2023.

A series regarded amongst the most inspiring and honest conversations with elite world class performing men and women across a broad genre covering the issues, opportunities and challenges confronting them. 
Gregory Robinson, Managing Partner at Blenheim Partners Executive Search and Board Advisory firm discovers the influences that have shaped their destinies, unlocking crucial insights into each guests core character, their motivation, broader thinking, strategies and approach they have taken to succeed. 
In a thought provoking show that breaks with the status quo, the guests and "first among equals", reveal their secrets, triumphs and disappointments with rare personal insight and learnings that you may wish to adopt in today's rapidly changing and competitive global landscape.

Thought provoking conversations with global business leaders

No Limitations

The Divine Discontent | David Kirk MBE

In Episode 146 of the No Limitations podcast Something is Kind of Wrong, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Matt Barrie, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Freelancer Ltd (ASX:FLN), one of the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplaces with more than 77 million registered users and 25 million projects.



In an illuminating discussion, Matt outlines his various businesses and how they have supported new developments in engineering, aeronautics, and computer science. Reflecting on his past experiences, he explains the drawbacks of venture capitalism compared to “bootstrapping” a business, the strategic value of being late to market, and how advancements in artificial intelligence will significantly change approaches to customer engagement and daily operations. He also highlights the importance of fostering high-performing teams dedicated to delivering life-changing work. Finally, Matt discusses how despite a restrictive regulatory environment, Australia produces good business operators who will guide the nation’s next stage of economic growth.



Matt Barrie is an award-winning technology entrepreneur and a prolific speaker on a variety of topics including entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and macroeconomics. He is also the Chief Executive of Escrow.com, a world leader in secure online payments and Executive Chairman of Loadshift, Australia’s largest freight marketplace. Prior to Freelancer Ltd, Matt was an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Electrical and Information Engineering Department at the University of Sydney. He also founded and was Chief Executive of Sensory Networks Inc., a vendor of high-performance network security processors.



Please note: this episode was recorded on 8 October 2024.

In Episode 146 of the No Limitations podcast Something is Kind of Wrong, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Matt Barrie, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Freelancer Ltd (ASX:FLN), one of the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplaces with more than 77 million registered users and 25 million projects.
 
In an illuminating discussion, Matt outlines his various businesses and how they have supported new developments in engineering, aeronautics, and computer science. Reflecting on his past experiences, he explains the drawbacks of venture capitalism compared to “bootstrapping” a business, the strategic value of being late to market, and how advancements in artificial intelligence will significantly change approaches to customer engagement and daily operations. He also highlights the importance of fostering high-performing teams dedicated to delivering life-changing work. Finally, Matt discusses how despite a restrictive regulatory environment, Australia produces good business operators who will guide the nation’s next stage of economic growth.
 
Matt Barrie is an award-winning technology entrepreneur and a prolific speaker on a variety of topics including entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and macroeconomics. He is also the Chief Executive of Escrow.com, a world leader in secure online payments and Executive Chairman of Loadshift, Australia’s largest freight marketplace. Prior to Freelancer Ltd, Matt was an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Electrical and Information Engineering Department at the University of Sydney. He also founded and was Chief Executive of Sensory Networks Inc., a vendor of high-performance network security processors.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 8 October 2024.

Something is Kind of Wrong | Matt Barrie

In Episode 145 of the No Limitations podcast A Personal Perspective, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd.



In a relaxed discussion, Christine provides an insightful perspective into the insurance and superannuation industries in Australia today but expresses frustration with the lack of equal gender representation on Boards and Executive Teams more broadly. Christine discusses her significant work in the sporting sector through the Minerva Network, alongside other high profile women such as current Governor-General Her Excellency The Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, and she emphasises the importance of sport as the “glue” that binds local communities together. Christine also laments the recent tendency for companies to take public positions on social or political issues as part of corporate branding and, in relation to the economy, she asserts the need to address housing affordability, inequality and access to necessary technology. Lastly, Christine presents her leadership philosophy centred around accountability, opportunity and strategy.



Christine has had an extensive Executive and Board career over the past two decades. Most recently, she was the Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, and she is currently the Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd, a Director of Cochlear Ltd, and the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network. Christine was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to business, the not-for-profit sector and women. She was also Telstra Businesswoman of the Year. Christine was the Private Sector Representative for Australia for the G20 Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation.



Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 September 2024.

In Episode 145 of the No Limitations podcast A Personal Perspective, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd.
 
In a relaxed discussion, Christine provides an insightful perspective into the insurance and superannuation industries in Australia today but expresses frustration with the lack of equal gender representation on Boards and Executive Teams more broadly. Christine discusses her significant work in the sporting sector through the Minerva Network, alongside other high profile women such as current Governor-General Her Excellency The Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, and she emphasises the importance of sport as the “glue” that binds local communities together. Christine also laments the recent tendency for companies to take public positions on social or political issues as part of corporate branding and, in relation to the economy, she asserts the need to address housing affordability, inequality and access to necessary technology. Lastly, Christine presents her leadership philosophy centred around accountability, opportunity and strategy.
 
Christine has had an extensive Executive and Board career over the past two decades. Most recently, she was the Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, and she is currently the Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd, a Director of Cochlear Ltd, and the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network. Christine was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to business, the not-for-profit sector and women. She was also Telstra Businesswoman of the Year. Christine was the Private Sector Representative for Australia for the G20 Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 September 2024.

A Personal Perspective | Christine McLoughlin AM

In Episode 144 of the No Limitations podcast, A Divided Nation Decides, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Stephen Loosley AM, a former Senator for New South Wales.



In a 2024 United States Presidential election special, Stephen evaluates whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is best prepared to lead the free world for the next four years. He delivers a verdict on which candidate will claim the battleground states and asserts that the economy and reproductive rights will be the most important issues. Recognising that the world is at a critical juncture with rapidly escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as well as rising tensions in the South China Sea, Stephen believes that the decision made at the ballot box in early November will be as important as ever for America, the West, the democratic free world, and the international balance of power.



Stephen was elected as a Senator for New South Wales in the 1990 federal election where he served in the Hawke and Keating governments and chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Thereafter, he left parliamentary politics to pursue a career in the law, but he remained a leading commentator on Australian and United States politics in media outlets such as Sky News and The Australian. He is an Ambassador for the University of Technology, Sydney and previously served as a Visiting Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Chair of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra. He has also been a Board member of leading organisations such as Crescent Capital Partners, National Rugby League and The Salvation Army.



Please note that the views and opinions expressed by Stephen in this podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisations he is involved with.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 18 October 2024.

In Episode 144 of the No Limitations podcast, A Divided Nation Decides, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Stephen Loosley AM, a former Senator for New South Wales.
 
In a 2024 United States Presidential election special, Stephen evaluates whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is best prepared to lead the free world for the next four years. He delivers a verdict on which candidate will claim the battleground states and asserts that the economy and reproductive rights will be the most important issues. Recognising that the world is at a critical juncture with rapidly escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as well as rising tensions in the South China Sea, Stephen believes that the decision made at the ballot box in early November will be as important as ever for America, the West, the democratic free world, and the international balance of power.
 
Stephen was elected as a Senator for New South Wales in the 1990 federal election where he served in the Hawke and Keating governments and chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Thereafter, he left parliamentary politics to pursue a career in the law, but he remained a leading commentator on Australian and United States politics in media outlets such as Sky News and The Australian. He is an Ambassador for the University of Technology, Sydney and previously served as a Visiting Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Chair of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra. He has also been a Board member of leading organisations such as Crescent Capital Partners, National Rugby League and The Salvation Army.
 
Please note that the views and opinions expressed by Stephen in this podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisations he is involved with.
Please note: this episode was recorded on 18 October 2024.

The Divine Discontent | David Kirk MBE

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