As a movie lover, I should have opened with this line when I stepped down as CEO in April. Because, well, I’m back!
Before I say more, I’d like to say a big public thank you to Phil. I’ve never met anyone more willing to find answers and stick with things until the job is done. He’s incredibly smart, is one of the nicest people I know and has super strong family values that are important to me also.
So when I was deciding who should be Made Open’s new CEO, I thought far and wide, but my thoughts kept returning to Phil. He truly deserved the opportunity.
The top job is demanding though, and with two children under three, Phil soon realised the toll it could take on family life. That’s when he asked me to step back in.
Let’s just say we are both stronger for the experience – nothing ventured, nothing gained as it were – and Phil is now our Head of Operations.
As for me, the break has done me the world of good.
I’ve been leading Made Open in one form or another since I was 26 years old. From a failed first launch in 2001 due to 9/11, to weathering recessions, the 2008 crash, Brexit, Covid and now more admin and taxes than ever before, running a business alongside raising a family is never easy. I certainly couldn’t do it without the love and unconditional support of Kathryn.
I enjoy many aspects of leading a company though, it’s in my nature tbh, but earlier this year I felt exhausted. Leadership needs vision and clarity. I felt I’d lost mine.
Turns out, I just needed a break.
Made Open is a complex business because we are an enabler – for us to succeed, our clients need to succeed too, and that involves many moving parts.
It’s exciting but it demands responsiveness, even with limited resources. That’s why the quality of our platform and services matters so much to us. Our clients are innovators, and they need a partner who listens, experiments and adapts with them.
Looking ahead, I want us to focus more than ever on quality. Quality is a subjective word but, for me, it means continued platform investments, making the UX simpler, providing better services, trying new approaches, exploring AI, measuring impact more effectively, and sharing our clients’ stories alongside our own.
We want to grow too and with our B Corp certification up for renewal next year, I’m keen to explore whether becoming a CIC could fuel that growth. It would mean recruiting a Board capable of carrying our vision forward and amplifying it tenfold. If this interests you, and you have the CV, please reach out.
In short, I’m excited to be back … and ready to lead Made Open again. Hasta la vista!