EP 1: Andrew Banks

This episode is incredibly special as it's our season 1 premiere, The Australian Icons, with none other than Andrew Banks. Andrew isn’t just one of Australia’s most accomplished business leaders, he’s also someone who has shaped the way we think about leadership, culture, and success on a global stage.

Our conversation was an absolute masterclass in life and business. Andrew shared stories about his fascinating journey, from growing up in a military family with five siblings in the 1960s to becoming a global entrepreneur responsible for 4500 staff across 32 countries. We explored his thoughts on building businesses versus buying them and dove into his rituals for creating a happy and healthy family household.

But that’s just the beginning. Andrew has this incredible ability to distill complex ideas into lessons we can all use. He explained why he believes culture always beats strategy and weighed in on whether university is still worth it in 2024. We also tackled some big questions:

• What are the key differences between Australia and the United States in business and life?

• Can someone really be both a founder and an executive?

• Is success about who you know or what you know?

And, of course, we couldn’t ignore the impact of the digital revolution and AI. Andrew’s perspective on the future of work and technology is one you don’t want to miss.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to lead, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing world, or how to align success with personal values, this episode is for you.

Andrew Banks and Sam Hope