Episode 141: Leigh Coppin and Iain Shedden | No Slow Maybes: Leadership, Clarity & Growth in FMCG

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In this episode, Leigh Coppin and Iain Shedden from Real Pet Food, share their career journeys and leadership lessons from within a fast-paced FMCG environment.

Both highlight the value of non-linear careers—where calculated risks and unexpected moments often shape the biggest growth opportunities. Leigh’s path is defined by pivotal “sliding doors” decisions, while Iain’s takes a particularly wild turn—literally—when he recounts the moment he rolled his car on a country road, climbed out in a full suit, and decided on the spot it might be time to move to Australia. Not your average career pivot.

A central theme is decisive leadership, captured in Iain’s line: “fast yeses, fast nos, and no slow maybes.” Creating clarity, moving quickly, and removing ambiguity are critical to enabling high-performing teams.

They also unpack what leadership roles really involve day-to-day: balancing strategy with execution, staying close to customers and teams, and focusing on removing roadblocks to drive progress.

The conversation explores how organisations can evolve from simply hiring talent to actively building it, fostering a culture of agility, collaboration, and continuous development.

With a rapidly changing FMCG landscape, success comes down to staying consumer-led, adapting quickly, and empowering teams to deliver—while individuals are encouraged to embrace risk and seek stretch opportunities.