Bryan Leach’s Post

What makes an effective board? At Boardwave Live, we had the privilege of hearing from WeTransfer’s Chair, Martha Lane Fox, and CEO, Alexandar Vassilev: two leaders who have steered their company through challenging times, including a pulled IPO and a successful acquisition just a few years later. Their session, Effective Boards: Building the Right Engine for Success, highlighted key lessons for founders, CEOs, and board members alike: 1️⃣ Support during tough times: A board’s role isn’t to criticise from the sidelines. As Lane Fox put it, "Pick the CEO, back them, or replace them. Undermining is corrosive." 2️⃣ Long-term stability: Boards must balance shareholder interests with the company’s future relevance, ensuring leadership stays focused on the bigger picture. 3️⃣ Deep bonds and shared goals: Building strong relationships between board members and management is critical, especially in moments of transition or crisis. WeTransfer’s story shows how a symbiotic Chair and CEO pairing can transform a company, providing resilience and clarity even in turbulent times. Catch the insights from their full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/ez5ZbmMH #Boardwave #MakingWaves

Given all the 2025 M&A conversations and speculations—whether from discussions with investors in our network or headlines in the news—it’s a timely moment to reflect on the possibility of navigating these transitions.   We asked Alexandar Vassilev, ex-CEO of WeTransfer to share his top leadership lessons from leading an acquisition.   Top takeaways: ▶ Focus is key. Keep teams small to avoid distractions. ▶ Stay engaged. An acquisition isn’t the finish line—keep the business thriving. ▶ Balance stakeholders. Aligning employees, shareholders, and users is critical. ▶ Think beyond price. Culture, strategy, and long-term vision matter too. Alex’s reflections are invaluable for any founder considering or going through a sale. We’d love to hear any other important leadership lessons our network has.   Bending Spoons #LeadershipLessons #MergersAndAcquisitions #FounderInsights #ScalingSuccess

Given all the 2025 M&A conversations and speculations—whether from discussions with investors in our network or headlines in the news—it’s a timely moment to reflect on the possibility of navigating these transitions.   We asked Alexandar Vassilev, ex-CEO of WeTransfer to share his top leadership lessons from leading an acquisition.   Top takeaways: ▶ Focus is key. Keep teams small to avoid distractions. ▶ Stay engaged. An acquisition isn’t the finish line—keep the business thriving. ▶ Balance stakeholders. Aligning employees, shareholders, and users is critical. ▶ Think beyond price. Culture, strategy, and long-term vision matter too. Alex’s reflections are invaluable for any founder considering or going through a sale. We’d love to hear any other important leadership lessons our network has.   Forme Partners Bending Spoons #LeadershipLessons #MergersAndAcquisitions #FounderInsights

VP roundtables are an essential part of our #portfoliomanagement approach - through these intimate sessions we leverage our in-house #experts to cover common #scaleup challenges and facilitate #knowledge sharing amongst peer leaders within our #portfolio. It was brilliant to see so much experience and interactions amongst #sales #leaders. Looking forward to our next session bringing together our #CTOs. Leveraging the #expertise and #knowledge across our ecosystem can provide valuable insights and #accelerate growth. Pi Labs Barrie Heptonstall

Exiting a family business isn’t just about stepping away - it’s about paving the way for continued success. Whether transitioning leadership, selling, or exploring hybrid options, a well-thought-out strategy minimizes drama and maximizes value. At Acuity Partners, we go beyond financial advice to address the emotional, operational, and strategic complexities of family business exits. In this insightful article, our Associate Richard Enoch explores various solutions—from governance models to succession planning and deal structuring. Your exit is not the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Let’s help you plan a future that sets the stage for sustainable success. Click the link to read the full article https://bit.ly/3VyNSZi #FamilyBusiness #ExitPlanning #LegacyMatters

Private equity dynamics can lead to an us-versus-them mentality, but pointing at the board can diminish a CEO's credibility and authority. Discover more pragmatic leadership lessons in our Art of Leading interview with Michelle Noon, founder and Managing Partner of Clearhaven Partners. 🔗 https://hubs.la/Q02MMgkc0 #BoardRelations #LeadershipCredibility #PrivateEquity

The opportunity - but not the guarantee - that comes with starting a new firm in an established industry is to reinforce what we know works well (partnership, alignment of interests, “win together” ethos) and aim to leave behind things that work less well (us vs them, intention guessing) with our companies and management teams. We at Clearhaven Partners are humbled each day to work with thoughtful portfolio company leaders with whom we share strong alignment on our companies’ next stage growth objectives. #tech #privateequity #partnership

Do not miss this one if you are nearby #siliconvalley Living legend Dan Warmenhoven will share his experiences, lessons learned, and perspectives on the future of technology and leadership in a fireside chat. Join Louis Lehot and André Thiollier in Menlo Park, #siliconvalley, on September 11th at 4:00 PM for an insightful conversation with one of the #tech industry’s most influential leaders. Limited seats. #mergerandacquisitions #techlaw #innovation #venturecapital

To my Procurement & Supply Chain professionals, join your peers and thought leaders with Emmitt Smith and Amazon Business in Dallas this September. Reach out with questions on the event as we'd love to host you! #Procurement #SupplyChain #StrategicSourcing Amazon Business

Acquiring or selling a business is a powerful opportunity to unlock new growth, but with that opportunity comes the need for long-term stability. Whether you’re a buyer looking to scale or a seller planning for the business’s future, strategic foresight is essential. Acquisitions can be a launchpad for incredible success, but they demand a proactive approach to ensure that success is lasting. Before making your next move, ask yourself: Do I have the right support system and strategy to secure the future of this business? #BusinessAcquisition #LongTermStability #StrategicPlanning #GrowthMindset #Leadership