104 | theceomagazine.com
PARTNER.”
“WE’LL NEVER
WALK AWAY
FROM A
MARSH THAILAND CEO SIMON COOLING WANTS
TO IMPROVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE COMPANY- ITS INDUSTRY, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERSHIPS
AND LEADERSHIP.
WORDS OLIVER FEATHERSTON • IMAGES JONATHAN TAYLORW
here most executives might take inspiration from superstar
business leaders like Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates, Simon Cooling,
CEO of insurance broking and risk management solutions
company Marsh Thailand, is influenced by a hero closer to
home. For inspirational leadership, Simon looks to former
Sydney Swans coach and fellow Australian, Paul Roos.
“I thought he was transformational in the way he led the football club from
a period of being runners-up into being one of the best teams in the competition,”
says Simon. “He’s no longer the coach, hasn’t been for many years, but the legacy
he left behind is still being followed. And they’ve really maintained a very good
culture within the club, and other clubs have sought to emulate the same model.”
For Simon, the qualities of leadership demonstrated by Roos transcend
Australian rules football, and are informative for leaders in any field. For example,
patience, sharing responsibility and rewarding good work are all qualities Simon
has learned from the AFL coach. “It’s about being inspirational, having people want
to work with you and want to follow your plan,” he says. »INNOVATE | Interview