SE01E16 Lead with belief build winning teams I Simon Hawtrey-Coombs

SE01E18 Powering the Electric Future I Steven Meersman

In this episode of Who’s Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Steven Meersman, Founder Director of Zenobe Energy Limited, to explore one of the most important shifts happening in global energy today. Steven shares the story behind Zenobe Energy Limited, from its early days connecting batteries to the UK grid to becoming a major force in electrifying transport systems across multiple countries. What started as a bold idea between three co-founders has now grown into a business operating at the intersection of renewable energy, battery storage, and electric mobility. Mark Francis and Steven Meersman discuss how Zenobe Energy Limited is helping solve real-world infrastructure challenges, from stabilising energy grids to enabling electric bus fleets and reusing second-life batteries in powerful new ways. Steven also breaks down how the company works closely with transport operators, including Big Bus Tours, to make electrification practical, scalable, and financially sustainable. The conversation goes deeper into leadership, decision-making, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven business. Steven reflects on building high-performing teams, raising capital step by step, and the importance of combining engineering, finance, and operational expertise to drive meaningful change. Key themes include renewable energy innovation, battery storage systems, electric bus infrastructure, grid stability, and the future of electrification across transport and heavy industry. Steven also shares insights from expanding Zenobe Energy Limited into international markets including Australia, Europe, and North America. This episode offers a clear look at how long-term thinking, disciplined execution, and strong leadership can turn a complex energy challenge into a global opportunity. Host: Mark Francis Guest: Steven Meersman, Founder Director Zenobe Energy Limited Connect with Steven Meersman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencgmeersman/  I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/ Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

SE01E17 How to Build a High Growth Team Culture That Wins I Brian Dyer

What does it take to build a company culture where growth, innovation, and accountability happen every day?  In this episode of Who's Your Captain?, Mark Francis speaks with Brian Dyer, President at Sterling ATM, about leadership that works in the real world. From leading in the trenches with employees to building systems that drive momentum, Brian shares the exact mindset and methods that helped transform Sterling ATM into a dynamic, growth focused business.  Brian explains how daily team huddles create ownership, improve communication, and uncover new ideas across the company. He also breaks down his Four Beasts leadership framework - Lion, Owl, Cheetah, and Honey Badger - and how each mindset helps leaders take action, solve problems, and stay resilient under pressure.  The conversation also explores how Sterling ATM successfully expanded into new markets, developed innovative products, and created a workplace culture where every employee contributes to growth.  In this episode:  Brian Dyer leadership philosophy  How Sterling ATM drives growth through culture  The power of daily huddles in business  Building accountability and feedback systems  Innovation and product expansion strategies  Leadership lessons for CEOs and managers  How to create resilient high performing teams  If you are a business owner, CEO, entrepreneur, or team leader looking for practical leadership strategies, this episode delivers real insights you can apply immediately.  Featuring:  Brian Dyer - President at Sterling ATM  Hosted by Mark Francis  Connect with Brian Dyer on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandyer/  #BrianDyer #SterlingATM #MarkFrancis #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamCulture #Entrepreneurship #CEO #Management #Innovation  I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.  – Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team  Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/  Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com  Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K  Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706  Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain  #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.  If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

SE01E16 Lead with belief build winning teams I Simon Hawtrey-Coombs

In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis is joined by Simon Hawtrey-Coombs, Head of Happiness, Co-Founder @ peer2peer Boards & President of Bournemouth Rugby Football Club, for a powerful conversation on leadership, belief, and building high-performing teams. Simon shares his journey as an entrepreneurial leader across industries including property, logistics, and sports. From transforming one of the lowest-performing depots into the number one in the UK, to helping shape a winning culture in rugby, this episode is packed with real-world leadership lessons that actually work. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea: great leadership starts with clear expectations, strong belief, and a shared purpose. Simon explains how success leaves clues and how small habits, like showing up early or setting higher standards, can create extraordinary results over time. You’ll also hear insights on:  • How to lead change and build a culture of ownership  • Why handing over responsibility creates stronger teams  • The role of belief in entrepreneurship and risk-taking  • How to remove negative energy and build winning environments  • Why systems and processes are essential for scaling  • Lessons from elite teams like the All Blacks and top football clubs  • How peer2peer Boards help business leaders grow through shared experience Simon also shares a powerful perspective on life, success, and slowing down to focus on what truly matters. This episode is not just about business, it’s about leadership in every area of life. Connect with Simon Hawtrey-Coombs on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonhawtrey-coombs/  If you found value in this episode, like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are shaping the future. #MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PeerToPeer #RugbyLeadership #TeamBuilding #Mindset #StartupLife I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/ Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

SE01E15 Scaling in a volatile market I Jay Zapata

In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Jay Zapata, CEO & Co-Founder of Satokie, for a deep dive into leadership, scaling a startup, and building in a fast-moving industry. Jay shares the journey of growing Satokie from a small startup into a rapidly expanding data center and infrastructure company. From Bitcoin mining and colocation services to AI and high-performance computing, this conversation explores how the company is evolving and where the future is headed. The discussion goes beyond business strategy and gets into what leadership really looks like inside a growing organization. Jay talks openly about learning through failure, building strong teams, and creating a culture where people take ownership and grow into leadership roles themselves. Mark Francis brings his leadership framework into the conversation, covering vision, mobilization, development, and enablement. Together, they unpack how founders can scale not just their business, but their people and systems. You’ll also hear insights on:  • How Satokie expanded from Bitcoin infrastructure into broader data center services  • Why powered land and energy access are becoming critical assets  • The importance of systems, processes, and communication in scaling  • Building leaders from within through structured development plans  • Balancing growth, capital, and operational efficiency  • What it takes to lead in a volatile and fast-changing environment This episode is packed with practical takeaways for founders, operators, and anyone interested in leadership, startups, and the future of data infrastructure. Connect with Jay Zapata on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-zapata-117286b8/  If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future. #MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #JayZapata #Satokie #Leadership #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DataCenters #BitcoinMining #AIInfrastructure #BusinessPodcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/ Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

SE01E14 Floating Wind Energy and the Future of Offshore Power I Dominique Roddier

In this episode of Who’s Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Dominique Roddier, CEO at Ocergy, to explore the future of offshore and floating wind energy and what it really takes to scale renewable power on a global level. Dominique shares his journey from engineering and offshore oil and gas roots to leading innovation in floating wind technology. He explains how energy from the ocean works, why floating wind farms are becoming a major breakthrough, and how industrialisation, cost reduction, and long term investment models are shaping the clean energy transition. The conversation goes deep into how large offshore projects are developed, from securing site control and permits to financing and building multi-gigawatt infrastructure. Dominique also breaks down the realities of capacity factors, grid contracts, and why offshore wind is becoming increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. Beyond technology and business, this episode highlights leadership, resilience, and purpose. Dominique speaks openly about teamwork, decision making, and what it really means to lead in a complex and fast moving industry that has a direct impact on the planet’s future. Mark and Dominique also explore the human side of leadership, passion driven careers, and how innovation in renewable energy is creating long term value not just for companies, but for society as a whole. If you are interested in renewable energy, offshore wind, engineering, sustainability, or leadership in complex industries, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the future of global energy is heading. Connect with Dominique Roddier on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-roddier-691499/ I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/ Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.