CEO Corner: Season 3, Episode 2

From a Shy Bookish Kid to Leading Europe’s Insurance Powerhouse: Conor Brennan’s Leadership Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Conor Brennan, CEO of Ardonagh Europe, as he reflects on his personal journey and professional rise to leading one of Europe’s fastest-growing insurance groups. Conor shares his insights on scaling internationally, building purpose-driven cultures, and navigating the challenges of leadership across multiple markets.

Discover how Conor transitioned from a shy kid – “the forgotten Beatle” – to an ambitious CEO, why he believes mentorship and listening are game-changers, and how Ardonagh Europe became a powerhouse through strategic acquisitions and values-led leadership.

Episode Highlights:

Building Ardonagh Europe into a pan-European leader.
The role of purpose and culture in scaling successfully.
How to make smart acquisitions while protecting values.
Lessons on resilience, fear of failure, and staying competitive.
Why mentorship and coaching accelerate leadership growth.

Inspiring Leadership Lessons:

Conor offers candid advice on growing as a leader, setting ambitious goals, and surrounding yourself with great people. His story is a masterclass in balancing business performance with cultural integrity and personal growth.

Listen on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hk2rAbA3E0gSDtP6w1PqA?si=77816b17c78040e8

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/ceo-corner-by-sarah-mcgrath/id1699003552

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CEO Corner, With Sarah McGrath

Each month, we deconstruct world-class industry leaders, asking them about their leadership style, the psychological drivers behind their success and how they became who they are today. This platform is for those who want to gain tips and insights from the best of the best and for those who enjoy hearing other success stories.

Sarah McGrath is a Partner and Co-Owner at 360 Search Recruitment Service in Ireland and the UK and a Co-Owner of Vy Nutrition.

Sarah helps ensure senior professionals get access to their employer of choice and obtain their desired objectives while building their careers. She works with some of the most prolific entrepreneurs within Financial Services.

Sarah holds a Degree in Business, a Four-Year Diploma in Nutrition and a Degree in Psychology. She is passionate about organisational psychology and corporate well-being, advising and speaking at many industry associations.

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