Have you ever wondered why some businesses go broke and others are successful?
For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.
I was parachuted into some of corporate Australia’s biggest financial crisis, insolvencies and turnaround environments. I have been in Board rooms, Court rooms and on shop floors when all seems lost (and sometimes it was).
Over decades at the coal face of business (often in the most difficult circumstances), I have seen & heard stories that delighted and inspired me, as well as those which serve as a guide of the path not to take.
I also spent years in leadership roles at Ferrier Hodgson and KPMG Australia where I sat on the Board and was the National Consumer and Retail leader.
The purpose of What I learned about Business (that didn’t kill me!) is to share the stories behind some of the world's most interesting business situations, how they unfolded, how my guests dealt with them, and how those experiences changed them and the way they do business.
I hope that my podcast entertains and engages listeners who want to know more about the worlds great business leaders and the lessons that didn’t kill them…….
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever wondered why some businesses go broke and others are successful?
For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.
I was parachuted into some of corporate Australia’s biggest financial crisis, insolvencies and turnaround environments. I have been in Board rooms, Court rooms and on shop floors when all seems lost (and sometimes it was).
Over decades at the coal face of business (often in the most difficult circumstances), I have seen & heard stories that delighted and inspired me, as well as those which serve as a guide of the path not to take.
I also spent years in leadership roles at Ferrier Hodgson and KPMG Australia where I sat on the Board and was the National Consumer and Retail leader.
The purpose of What I learned about Business (that didn’t kill me!) is to share the stories behind some of the world's most interesting business situations, how they unfolded, how my guests dealt with them, and how those experiences changed them and the way they do business.
I hope that my podcast entertains and engages listeners who want to know more about the worlds great business leaders and the lessons that didn’t kill them…….
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Private-equity veteran Patrick Elliott (Founding Partner, Next Capital; ex-Macquarie PE; former Chair of JB Hi-Fi) joins James H Stewart to unpack career pivots, equity investing and what they teach us about risk, governance, and value creation.
Patrick traces his path from restructuring at Ferrier Hodgson to Private equity investing at Macquarie, then the leap to found Next Capital. We dig into the JB Hi-Fi MBI-to-IPO journey, the lessons from the collapse of Topshop Australia and how to approach turnarounds when the exit options are limited.
Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor, you’ll get a playbook in patient investing, strategic pivots, and why great businesses are built around great people.
Practical, candid, and loaded with real examples.
Key Takeaways:
“If you’re not learning or growing, you’re already going backwards.” — Patrick Elliott
About Patrick Elliott:
Patrick Elliott is Co-Founder of Next Capital and former executive at Macquarie Bank. A graduate of IMD (Switzerland), he has led investments across retail, consumer, and industrial sectors — combining analytical precision with entrepreneurial instinct.
Connect with Patrick:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-elliott-374a3214b
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.
What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, exploring the stories behind resilience, reinvention, and leadership.
Connect with James:
🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
