Steve Tappin

Through Xinfu, Tappin works with FTSE100, Fortune500 and 'Unicorn' companies.

The BBC CEO Guru is broadcast worldwide on BBC World News. The programme is in its eighth series so far. It features interviews with business leaders.

Tappin is a co-founder and CEO of Xinfu.

The series features Tappin interviewing CEOs, sharing CEO best practice and the latest advancements on the global CEO agenda.

The format consists of several short films, plus associated web articles for BBC World News TV, BBC.COM, BBC Capital and BBC News online. These networks reach an audience of hundreds of millions across the globe.

Previous interviewees include: Richard Branson, Jeff Immelt (GE), Liu Chuanzhi (Lenovo), Ryan Holmes (Hootsuite), Sir Martin Sorrell (WPP), Walter Robb and John Mackay (Whole Foods), Guo Guancgchang (Fosun), Wang Shi (Vanke), and Paul Walsh (Diageo).

Several episodes have featured specific CEOs and their organisations including, WholeFoods (from the USA) and FoSun (from China).

In 2008, Tappin co-wrote "The Secrets of CEOs – 150 leaders on business, life and leadership", with Andy Cave. The updated addition includes interviews with 200 CEOs including: John Browne, Baron Browne of Madingley, Ben Verwaayen, Michael Dell, Narayana Murthy, Liu Jiren, Sir Martin Sorrell and Carolyn McCall. Richard Branson wrote the foreword for the book.[1]

Tappin began his career with the chemical giant ICI, on a fast track management scheme. ICI's fortunes turned around under the leadership of Sir John Harvey-Jones. After he left, Tappin was mentored by Sir John Harvey-Jones.[2]

Tappin also set up his own company, Edengene, which helped large corporations set up new businesses. During this time Edengene helped British Telecom set up BT Broadband. Edengene work Management Consultancy Association Awards for Best small business and best assignment.

In his late 20s and early 30s he worked as a consultant and managing partner in KPMG, PA Consulting and Heidrick and Struggles. It was here he noticed these global professional services firms faced similar challenges to the major corporations they advised. This motivated Tappin to create Xinfu - a professional services firm.