Vistage CEO Connect 2025: Leadership Lessons Every CEO Needs to Hear

Vistage events bring together the most influential and accomplished business leaders in the region, offering a rare platform for learning, inspiration, and connection. 

CEO Connect 2025 exemplified this, combining world-class keynote speakers with practical breakout sessions designed to accelerate leadership growth, resilience, and organisational performance.

Attendees left with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and actionable insights to strengthen their leadership and drive meaningful results in their organisations.

Here are just some of the insightful key takeaways from the event. 

High-performance leadership starts from within

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Lorraine McDonnell explored the real-world tools and techniques leaders can use to harness mental resilience and perform at their best. Even when the stakes are high. 

“The quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your life,” she reminded the audience. We always have a choice. 

Her message was both simple and profound: mental strength begins with self-awareness, and true leadership starts from within.

She finished with a call to action: “Don’t keep your dreams a secret,” she urged. “Your dreams need to be so big they scare you.” 

Lorraine challenged every leader in the room to own their ambitions out loud and keep pushing towards them, especially when they feel daunting. Because when we choose courage over comfort, extraordinary things happen.

Real growth happens when you embrace setbacks with honesty and resilience

Sara Davies MBE, founder and CEO of Crafter’s Companion and one of the UK’s most recognisable entrepreneurs, pulled no punches about the realities of leadership, running a growing business, and dealing with the inevitable setbacks. 

From managing cash flow and navigating investor relationships to building culture and protecting the values that define success.

“You are the product of the people you surround yourself with,” she stressed.

Sara reminded us that leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about resilience, humility, and learning to adapt when things don’t go to plan. She spoke openly about the importance of empathy, gratitude, and staying grounded, even at the height of achievement.

It was a refreshingly human take on entrepreneurship. One that celebrated vulnerability, authenticity, and the power of staying true to yourself through every stage of growth.

Clarity, preparation, and the right team turn pressure into performance

Tim Peake CMG, British astronaut, author, and STEM ambassador, transported the audience beyond Earth, sharing extraordinary lessons from his time aboard the International Space Station.

Through vivid storytelling and quiet humour, Tim illustrated how the principles of space exploration mirror the challenges faced by leaders back on Earth. His “Three Ps” framework (People, Preparation, and Planning) offered a practical guide for leading under pressure.

Tim shared how NASA’s mission culture is built on selecting the right people, communicating continuously, and balancing discipline with empowerment. The takeaway for business leaders was clear: success depends not on control, but on clarity, trust, and shared purpose.

Despite his extraordinary achievements, Tim’s humility shone through. “Space was amazing,” he laughed, “but parenthood is ten times better.”

It was an inspiring finale. And a reminder that whether you’re leading a company or commanding a spacecraft, greatness begins with people, preparation, and perspective.

Actionable strategies every CEO needs to know

Lasting growth begins with disciplined financial foundations

Leading UK investment bank Cavendish reminded the audience that, if you want lasting growth, you need to master your numbers before chasing your next milestone. 

Because sustainable profit and long-term value aren’t accidents, they’re the result of disciplined financial habits and intentional planning.

AI unlocks smarter scaling without adding headcount

Lindsay Jessup, CEO of AI software development company Geeks, stressed that if you’re struggling to scale, you should let AI handle what your people shouldn’t have to. 

Freeing teams from repetitive work unlocks capacity, improves customer experience, and can drive up to 8x ROI within a year.

Strong teams start with aligned, self-aware leadership

In an interactive, insight-driven session, Omni’s experts reminded the audience that every organisation has blind spots. But the strongest leaders are the ones willing to find and fix them together.

Building leadership strength, enhancing trust, and driving equity value through alignment at the top is key.

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