It was a pleasure to chat with Gregory Robinson of Blenheim Partners for their No Limitations podcast series. In this long-form conversation we chatted about a whole range of topics, with a particular focus on my corporate career, as well as some of my earlier sporting and study highlights. This podcast series has featured a whole range of Australians who have made significant contributions, so it is an honour to join the list. I would highly recommend subscribing and listening to a range of the past episodes.
Podcast shownotes
In Episode 43, "Down the Line", Blenheim Partners' Gregory Robinson speaks to Ian Pollard, Chairman of RGA Reinsurance Company of Australia and Director of Milton Corporation Ltd and the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists. He was also the Chairman of Billabong International and Managing Director of Development Finance Corporation. Ian coaches CEO's and Senior Executives and authored numerous books on corporate finance, self-help and human capital.
In these challenging times, Ian shares lessons on how to cope with pressure, highlighting his experience at Billabong International, where the Board had to meet around a hundred times in a period of one year. He provides valuable insight and words of wisdom to new and aspiring Directors to enable them to leave a mark on the company.
Ian talks us through his fascinating youth as a Rhodes Scholar, Captain of the Australian Junior Davis Cup team where he faced an up-and-coming Bjorn Borg and being appointed Chair of a company at 25 years of age. An actuary by background, Ian's early career was in investment banking. He also founded the investment company Development Capital of Australia and is a pioneer of Australian corporate finance.
