In this episode, we sit down with Bridie Cunningham, Director and co-founder of Portman Scott, to unpack what it really takes to build credibility, create influence, and make meaningful impact - without needing the “top seat” to do it.
Bridie’s career began on a graduate training scheme at Marks & Spencer, where she spent 15 years progressing through senior sales, operational and leadership roles in the UK and overseas. She then moved to Carphone Warehouse as Head of UK Retail Productivity, becoming part of the team that helped drive the business into the FTSE 100. After later running her own fashion business, Bridie spotted a gap in the market: growth businesses - particularly privately owned and private equity-backed organisations - needed search partners who truly understood the pace, pressure, and nuance of senior hiring.
That insight led to the founding of Portman Scott in 2012 with business partner Bernard - built on a simple but powerful idea: create the recruitment firm they always wished they’d had. One that understands a client’s strategy, culture, and challenges quickly, works flexibly, and consistently delivers high-calibre candidates who can contribute immediately.
Our conversation focuses on two key themes:
Influence is earned through experience. Bridie shares why building depth - through varied roles, real responsibility, and learning the hard way - creates the foundation for making a genuine difference later on.
Your role doesn’t have to be “number one” to matter. We explore how high performance and real impact often come from understanding your strengths, owning your lane, and recognising that leadership and influence show up at every level - not just at the top.
A grounded, practical conversation about career progression, self-awareness, and the long game of influence - with plenty of insight for anyone navigating growth, change, or ambition in their work
