Mark Francis visits one of enfinium’s major operating sites for a fascinating conversation with Mike Maudsley, Chief Executive Officer of enfinium, on leadership, operational excellence, waste-to-energy, decarbonisation, carbon capture, innovation, and the future of energy infrastructure.
In this episode of Who’s Your Captain?, Mike Maudsley takes Mark behind the scenes at Ferrybridge to explore how unrecyclable waste is transformed into energy for homes, communities, and businesses. He shares his journey from being told he was “thick” at school because of dyslexia to becoming a CEO, and explains how judo, discipline, persistence, and finding his strengths shaped his approach to leadership.
Mike also discusses enfinium’s three horizons for growth: operational excellence today, major construction projects for the future, and innovation through carbon capture, energy networks, and opportunities to support data centres and AI infrastructure.
The conversation covers:
• Mike Maudsley’s leadership journey and lessons from dyslexia
• How judo helped build confidence, discipline, and resilience
• How energy from waste supports communities
• Operational excellence and infrastructure management
• Carbon capture and decarbonisation
• The potential for energy from waste to support data centres and AI
• Developing employees through apprenticeships and leadership exposure
• Health, wellbeing, and creating a supportive workplace
• Succession planning and developing future leaders
• Working with shareholders, government, and other stakeholders
• Mike’s approach to strategic thinking and innovation
• The future vision for enfinium and its role in UK energy infrastructure
Mike’s leadership philosophy is simple: care about the people, care about the industry, keep improving, and make sure everyone understands where the business is going.
Watch the full conversation to hear Captain Mike Maudsley share his story, leadership lessons, and vision for the future of enfinium.
Connect with Mike Maudsley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-maudsley-5480a417/
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– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team
Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com
Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K
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Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.
What is Who's Your Captain??
Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond.
Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity.
Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship.
Subscribe to join a community of leaders who believe the best lessons come from those who've done it at the highest level.