Episode #10: Clive Ormerod - From Retail Floor to Global CEO

In this invigorating episode of Execs Who Run, we meet Clive Ormerod—a dynamic New Zealand-based executive whose global career has been guided by a love for movement and a deep belief in human potential.

Clive didn’t start out wanting to be a CEO. He wanted to be a pilot. That early dream taught him focus, clarity, and how to navigate complexity—all skills that would prove invaluable as he transitioned into retail, and later into leadership roles across Nike, Spark, Les Mills, and now as CEO of AS Colour. Throughout, running became his constant: a way to clear his head, ground his decisions, and reconnect with his values, no matter what boardroom or timezone he was in.

From building Nike's brand presence in Europe to steering Les Mills through COVID, Clive shares candid insights into managing people, pushing past comfort zones, and fostering resilience—both in life and in business. He explains how endurance sports taught him to embrace discomfort, and how signing up for something hard (whether a 100km ultra or a high-stakes business challenge) can be a transformative act of leadership.

Clive’s story is one of adaptability, ambition, and purpose. He doesn’t just run businesses—he builds momentum, culture, and connection wherever he goes. This episode will inspire leaders to move more, lead better, and trust in the power of consistent, purposeful steps.