From South London to the Boardroom: Life Lessons with Neil Lawrence

Undercurrent Stories

Today, I’m joined by Neil Lawrence—someone who’s been at the heart of the UK’s builders merchant scene for decades. From starting out in South London with £20 a week to becoming Chief Operating Officer of Jewson and running some of the country’s biggest brands, Neil’s journey is full of lessons, laughs, and a few hard truths.

If you’re building a career, leading a team, or just want some no-nonsense advice about work and life, this one’s for you.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• Down-to-earth insights on leadership and people management.
• Honest talk about what it’s really like climbing the ladder.
• Stories about learning the hard way—and how to bounce back.
• And plenty of humour, straight-talking, and heart along the way.

Neil doesn’t hold back, and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so good.

So whether you're commuting, walking the dog, or just need a break from your inbox—stick around. You’re in for a real treat.

Insightful quotes from Neil;

🧠 Leadership & Career Growth

1. “I didn’t want to be the chief exec—I wanted to do the job I was good at.”
   – A reminder that leadership isn’t always about climbing to the very top.
2. “You don’t have to know everything. What you do need are good people around you.”
   – On building successful teams and letting go of ego.
3. “If someone’s keeping you up at night, that’s the person you need to deal with.”
   – A powerful truth about people management.
4. “I didn’t want to run a company through fear. I wanted it to feel like it was mine.”
   – On ownership and culture as a leader.
5. “You can’t be soft and cuddly in operations—you need to have a bit about you.”
   – Tough love from a seasoned operator.

💬 Workplace Culture & Communication

1. “Humour is a great strength—until it’s not.”
   – On the fine line between levity and leadership missteps.
2. “Most of our staff are trying to do a good job. It’s the few who aren’t that need managing.”
   – A great mindset shift for leaders dealing with people issues.
3. “I always thought the job was to make decisions. Just get more right than wrong.”
   – Simple but powerful advice for decision-makers.
4. “Don’t be afraid to say you want to get on. If you don’t speak up, you’ll be overlooked.”
   – On ambition and visibility in your career.
5. “If you don’t deal with a problem person, it’s not fair on everyone else.”
   – Leadership is about protecting the whole team, not avoiding conflict.

Links:

Neil Lawrence on Linkedin

Undercurrent Stories; To receive newsletter/notifications of new episodes visit https://www.undercurrentstories.com/

Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee' Bob Wells © 2020

Question or comment? Send us a text message.

www.undercurrentstories.com