Building a $10M Brand from the Ground Up Mark Wright, with Troy Claydon and Ben Hosking on Wheels Up Podcast.
From Aussie Roots to UK Boardrooms: Mark Wright’s Entrepreneurial Leadership & Risk Management Journey
On the latest episode of the Wheels Up podcast, hosts Troy Claydon and Ben Hosking sit down with Mark Wright, renowned entrepreneur, winner of The Apprentice UK, and founder of Climb Online — one of the UK’s leading digital marketing agencies backed by Lord Alan Sugar who went on to be UK Entrepreneur of the year 2018 and listed in Forbes 30 under 30.
Winning The Apprentice UK and Partnering with Lord Sugar
From his humble beginnings in Australia to becoming a household name in British business, Mark shares his journey of scaling a business from nothing in a share house to over $10 million in revenue — a growth trajectory that required not just ambition, but strategic thinking, calculated risk-taking, and resilience under pressure. This Entrepreneurial Leadership & Risk Management planning paid off for Mark.
Founding Climb Online and Going Global
Troy and Ben discuss with Mark the rise of Climb Online and explores how Mark took the company from a startup concept to a globally recognised brand — a journey that, like many successful ventures, relied on safeguarding reputational capital, securing key relationships, and staying mission-focused amid external distractions.
Lessons in Leadership, Mentorship, and Sales
Why the Right Advisors Matter
The conversation dives deep into the pressures of startup life, the power of mentorship, and how having the right advisors can accelerate business growth. As with any protective operation, having trusted advisors around you — those who can anticipate blind spots and provide clear direction — is essential.
The Role of Authenticity in Business Growth
Mark opens up about his philosophy on leadership, sales, and the importance of authenticity in building trust with customers. As a result, trust becomes the true currency of both business and protective services — something that is earned gradually over time and, conversely, easily lost when integrity is compromised.
Mark’s Philosophy on Leading High-Performing Teams
His insight into managing people mirrors principles often seen in high-reliability environments: clear communication, accountability, and cohesion under pressure.
The Digital Marketing Edge Every Business Needs
Building a Strong Online Presence
He breaks down his approach to digital marketing — highlighting why a strong online presence is no longer optional, but essential for modern business success. Just as physical security relies on visibility and deterrence, brand security today demands a digital footprint that projects confidence and credibility.
Practical Tips for Startups and Scale-Ups
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your operation, Mark provides actionable guidance that’s immediately applicable — with parallels to the importance of structured systems and SOPs in both business and protective work.
Navigating Modern Marketing Channels
From SEO and social proof to paid media and content, Mark outlines the must-haves for digital relevance — reminding us that a business not seen is a business not considered. Visibility, in any context, needs to be intentional.
Staying Grounded Amid Success
Adapting to Change and Remaining Authentic
Mark emphasises adaptability, continuous learning, and staying true to your values, these traits that also underpin effective crisis response and operational planning in protective environments. Entrepreneurial Leadership & Risk Management is incumbent to it.
The Value of Lifelong Learning and Balancing Fame Fortune and Values.
Mark’s belief in constant development is a familiar lesson for anyone in high-performance roles. Whether you’re leading a business or ensuring executive safety, growth matters. After all, complacency is often the first breach in any system. Yet despite his public profile, Mark explains how he stays grounded. He continues to lead with purpose and integrity — both personally and professionally. Therefore, it’s a timely reminder that leadership and protection go beyond the physical. They are also reputational, emotional, and ethical.
Connect with Mark Wright & Panoptic Solutions
Open to Feedback, Questions, and Business Opportunities
The episode is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage — from startup to scale-up.
You can connect with Mark on the links below. But in the meantime throw on the headphones, click the Wheels Up Podcast Link below and enjoy!
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