CEO Monthly January 2023 - Nov22764 - updated
The document profiles Alastair Wallace, MSc, MInstLM, FCMI, FLPI, CEO of Brainfood Ltd, highlighting his 25‑year leadership and consulting career across organisations such as KPMG, Centrica, The AA, Hemsley Fraser and Halifax Bank. It outlines his philosophy that effective leadership hinges on connection, flexibility, pragmatism and a deep understanding of neuroscience and psychology. Brainfood Ltd delivers ‘learning that works’ through blended, evidence‑based programmes that combine face‑to‑face and virtual delivery, psychometric testing, structured interviewing and real‑world simulation for selection and development. The profile discusses how the COVID‑19 pandemic forced a rapid shift to virtual training, which the company navigated by adapting core principles to a blended model. It also addresses recruitment challenges, citing the high cost of poor hires and advocating rigorous, values‑based selection. Wallace’s achievements include developing over 22,000 leaders in 78 global organisations, receiving the CEO of the Year 2022 (London) award, and holding fellowships with the Learning & Performance Institute, Chartered Management Institute and Institute for Leadership & Management. Looking ahead, he announces the 2023 launch of “Leadership Hacked”, a programme that fuses his extensive experience with the latest psychology and neuroscience to define the DNA of successful team leadership.
Topics
Leadership Philosophy: Connection, Flexibility, and Neuroscience
Wallace’s core belief that effective leadership is built on connection, flexibility, pragmatism, and a scientific understanding of the brain and behaviour.
Brainfood Ltd’s Evidence‑Based, Blended Learning Model
The company’s approach to leadership development that combines face‑to‑face, virtual, psychometrics, ability testing, structured interviewing and real‑world simulation.
Pandemic‑Driven Shift to Virtual Leadership Training
How COVID‑19 forced a rapid re‑thinking of service delivery, leading Brainfood to adapt its core principles to a blended virtual format.
Recruitment Challenges and Rigorous Selection Practices
Discussion of the high cost of poor hires and Wallace’s evidence‑based selection methodology using psychometrics, values‑based assessment and simulations.
Recognition and Professional Accreditations
Wallace’s receipt of the CEO of the Year 2022 (London) award and his fellowships with leading management and learning institutes.
Leadership Hacked: 2023 Programme Launch
The upcoming flagship programme that integrates 25 years of global leadership development experience with cutting‑edge psychology and neuroscience to define the DNA of successful team leadership.