CEO Corner: Season 4, Episode 1

“I might not have all the qualifications, and there might be gaps. But I will die trying.”

What does it take to lead one of Ireland’s largest talent businesses, and to back yourself into the room before you feel ready?

In this episode of CEO Corner, Lorna Conn, CEO of Cpl, the €800m talent solutions group employing 14,000 people, joins Sarah McGrath for a powerful conversation on leadership, scaling, and backing yourself at the top.

From taking a CFO seat at 27 to succeeding a 31-year founder as CEO, Lorna explains how she has grown Cpl through centralisation, culture, and a relentless focus on building a better business rather than chasing the next sale.

This is a vital discussion on leadership, scaling, and staying human while running a business at scale.

Lorna shares insights on:

backing yourself into roles bigger than your experience
why psychological safety is the real foundation of performance
how private equity can be a growth partner, not a cost-cutter
the grit the recruitment industry actually demands
scaling from a collection of looser businesses into a centralised €800m group
asking for what you are worth, and the homework to do first

An essential conversation for founders, leaders, and anyone building a career with ambition.

About Lorna Conn

Lorna Conn is CEO of CPL, an Independent Non‑Executive Director of Bord na Móna plc and Glenveagh Properties plc and Board Member of UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Lorna is also Chair and an Advisory Board Member of the 30% Club Ireland. A Chartered Director and a qualified Chartered Accountant, having trained with Deloitte, Lorna holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin and a Masters in Accounting from the Michael Smurfit Business School. Lorna has previously held senior roles in several public companies, in both Ireland and America.

Listen on:

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ACyHskyIg0AiF2MOA8FKI?si=LOYm9ZBXStWGTcCO0JVVvQ

Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/from-cfo-at-27-to-ceo-of-an-%E2%82%AC800m-business-lorna/id1699003552?i=1000792552152

Thank you for being a loyal listener, and we hope you find our interview with Lorna Conn useful. If you enjoy the episode, please consider sharing it with your network and leaving a review. Your support means the world to us.

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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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