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09:00-09:05
Opening Remarks
09:05-09:50
Opening Keynote: Inside the Mind of a Founder
The opening session lifts the curtain on what it really takes to build and scale a founder led business from the inside. Delivered by a world class operator who has stood shoulder to shoulder with a visionary founder, this keynote explores the psychology, pace and pressure that shape the decisions founders make and the realities operators must navigate to turn ambition into something real.
This is not a tactical session. It is a high energy, expansive introduction to the partnership between vision and execution. It challenges the room to step into the mindset required to lead inside a fast moving business and sets the tone for the summit with clarity and intent.
Key takeaways:
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A deeper understanding of how founders think and why they act the way they do
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How to interpret instinct driven leadership without losing direction
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The mindset shifts operators need to thrive inside high velocity environments
09:50-10:30
Fireside Chat: Insight from the Frontline
This session brings together senior operators who have scaled fast moving founder led businesses and delivered results through intense periods of change. Guided by an expert business journalist, the conversation explores what it takes to succeed in the number two seat, from navigating shifting priorities to building the systems that keep a company moving at pace.
These operators have worked inside the pressure, shaped growth from the inside out and carried responsibility when the stakes were high. This is a grounded, practical look at operating at speed and the decisions, disciplines and judgement calls that make the difference.
Key takeaways:
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How experienced operators handle rapid change and deliver consistency under pressure
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The habits and leadership behaviours that support high performance in founder led environments
10:30-11:00
Reserved for Sponsor
11:00-11:20
Networking Break​
11:25-12:10
1. People, Teams and Performance
This stream focuses on building strong teams, creating clarity during rapid change and sustaining performance under pressure.
Sessions explore hiring, onboarding, motivation, team structure, leadership development and the rituals that support high performance.
2. Finance, Control and Commercial Clarity
This stream covers budgeting, forecasting, reporting and the commercial disciplines that keep a business stable as it grows.
Expect sessions on financial control, spend visibility, profitability, compensation structure and the operator’s role in financial decision making.
3. Systems, Tools and the Operating Rhythm
This stream focuses on the systems and processes that keep teams aligned and moving at pace.
Topics include workflow design, dashboards, documentation, communication, planning cycles and the operational habits that reduce chaos.
4. Marketing, Brand and Go to Market Momentum
This stream explores how marketing drives clarity, demand and credibility inside a founder led environment.
Sessions cover positioning, narrative, customer understanding, team alignment, go to market execution and how operators partner with marketing to accelerate progress.
12:15-1:05
Lunch Break​
1:10-1:40
Afternoon Keynote: When Things Break and How to Fix Them
Every high growth business hits a point where something cracks. A system fails, a team buckles, a decision backfires or a moment of pressure exposes weaknesses no one saw coming. This keynote examines a real operational breakdown inside a fast growing company and walks through the steps that brought it back to stability.
This session is direct and practical. It focuses on what actually works when the stakes are high, the timeline is tight and the responsibility falls on the operator to restore clarity, pace and confidence. It is a rare look at the decisions, conversations and structural fixes that turn a difficult moment into a turning point.
Key takeaways:
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Early warning signs that something in the organisation is about to fail
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How to stabilise teams and processes when pressure spikes
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Practical steps to rebuild trust, structure and momentum after setbacks
1:45-2:30
Rapid Fire Operator Forum: Leading at Pace
This fast moving session brings together a group of senior operators for a high tempo conversation about the decisions, trade offs and judgement calls that shape growth inside founder led businesses. Guided by a moderator who keeps the rhythm tight, each question is answered in sixty seconds or less, creating an energetic, focused discussion with no room for waffle.
The forum shines a light on the realities of leading at speed. From handling pressure to making tough calls, this is a rare chance to hear how experienced operators think in the moments that matter.
Key takeaways:
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Practical insights on rapid decision making and prioritisation
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How operators cut through noise and maintain clarity under pressure
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Leadership behaviours that support pace, alignment and momentum
2:35-2:55
Networking Break
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3:00-3:45
1. People, Teams and Performance
This stream focuses on building strong teams, creating clarity during rapid change and sustaining performance under pressure.
Sessions explore hiring, onboarding, motivation, team structure, leadership development and the rituals that support high performance.
2. Finance, Control and Commercial Clarity
This stream covers budgeting, forecasting, reporting and the commercial disciplines that keep a business stable as it grows.
Expect sessions on financial control, spend visibility, profitability, compensation structure and the operator’s role in financial decision making.
3. Systems, Tools and the Operating Rhythm
This stream focuses on the systems and processes that keep teams aligned and moving at pace.
Topics include workflow design, dashboards, documentation, communication, planning cycles and the operational habits that reduce chaos.
4. Marketing, Brand and Go to Market Momentum
This stream explores how marketing drives clarity, demand and credibility inside a founder led environment.
​Sessions cover positioning, narrative, customer understanding, team alignment, go to market execution and how operators partner with marketing to accelerate progress.
3:45-3:55
Networking Break​
4:00-4:30
Investor Insight: What Really Drives Confidence in a High Growth Company
This interview style session brings an experienced investor or growth advisor to the stage for a candid conversation about what they look for inside a fast moving founder led business. This is not about term sheets or fundraising mechanics. It is about the judgement calls investors make when assessing a leadership team, an operating rhythm and the signals that either build conviction or raise concerns.
The discussion lifts the curtain on how investors think during periods of rapid growth and what operators can do to strengthen the stability, credibility and long term confidence of their organisation. Expect direct answers, practical observations and clarity on the behaviours and decisions that shape investor trust.
Key takeaways:
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The indicators investors rely on when evaluating the strength of an operator team
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Common patterns that raise red flags and how to avoid them
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How operators can influence investor confidence through structure, alignment and communication
4:30-4:50
Closing Keynote: The Modern Operator Playbook
This final session distils the core principles of effective leadership inside a founder led business. After a day of discussions, case studies and practical insights, the closing keynote brings everything together into a clear, focused operator playbook that attendees can take back to their organisations.
This is a direct, structured look at how successful operators think, lead and make decisions when pace is high and uncertainty is constant. It covers the habits, systems and mindset shifts that support clarity, influence and execution, and sets out the foundations of the Operator Playbook that will be shared with attendees after the summit.
Key takeaways:
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The essential principles that define high performing operators
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The behaviours and decision patterns that create trust, alignment and pace
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A clear framework to guide leadership and execution in the next ninety days
4:50-4:55
Summit Close