Pete Fullard FIoL.
Founder and CEO at Upskill People Ltd.
What do you do now?
I’m the CEO of an online learning company, a non-executive director and business mentor. I help people to get the most from their careers and businesses get the most from their teams. This is something that has been the driving force of my company from the very start.
Where did your career start?
I started my career working at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre as a sound and lighting technician but then moved into business analyst and consultant roles. From there, I began my own company, Upskill People UK, over 25 years ago,where I was driven to be innovative in helping people learn skills with new approaches and what technology has to offer. It’s still much the same today with a real focus on showing measurable outcomes.
What obstacles or challenges have you experienced on your leadership journey?
It's all focused on people - they have been the greatest challenge and the greatest support. Surrounding yourself with great people is very important and incredibly rewarding when you grow and achieve as a team.
Has there been a stage in your life where you first appreciated what great leadership looked like?
I was lucky to have a great mentor when I first started my business - that was a pivotal moment. I'd had good managers, but not a true mentor in my career up until then. That is why I get so much out of mentoring other leaders and sharing what I have learned (and the mistakes I've made along the way).
Do you have any examples of what you have done to develop yourself as a leader?
I have completed the Institute of Directors courses / exams, read books, watched videos, listened to podcasts, but above all I have sought feedback from people I trust on how I can be better as a leader.
How do you think Leadership has benefitted you?
Other leaders have inspired me by making me want to always be better, and showed me the leader I don't want to be as much as the one I do want to be.