The devil’s in the detail

In our latest People Without Compromise, we speak to our CEO Julian about trust, progress, and what it means to stay relevant – and human – in a fast-moving world.

Hi Julian, what don’t you compromise on?

There are three things I keep coming back to: learning from others, sweating the small stuff, and staying curious.

For me, these aren’t just work principles – they show up everywhere. In how I collaborate, how I lead, and how I keep improving. They’re about taking pride in what you do, staying open to new ideas, and making sure you’re always surrounded by people who raise the bar.

Those three values have guided me through different roles, industries and periods of significant change in my life. And they still hold up – maybe now more than ever.

Learning from others is clearly important to you. What does that look like in your world?

Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from simply being around the right people.

Earlier in my career, that kind of learning happened by osmosis. You’d overhear how someone managed a client conversation or see how they handled a tough meeting. Just by being nearby, you picked up standards, tone, judgment – things you can’t teach in a training session.

I think we’ve lost some of that with hybrid work. You can still get the job done, but the incidental learning is harder to come by. We need to be more intentional about creating those moments, especially for people earlier in their careers. That’s something I care about deeply.

What’s one of the most valuable things you’ve learned about leadership?

That it’s not about being the loudest voice or the person with all the answers. The best leaders I’ve worked with have been the ones who know when to step back, listen, and bring others in.

They’re consistent. They don’t overreact. They create an environment where people feel confident enough to do their best work. That’s something I try to hold myself to. I think the tone a leader sets – even in small moments – really matters.

You’ve said that the little things matter. What kind of impact do you think they really have?

It’s less about perfection and more about pride. I think the small things – whether it’s how a message is phrased or how a document is presented – often reflect the mindset behind the work. When something’s been clearly thought through, you can feel it.

That doesn’t mean everything has to be flawless. But there’s a difference when people bring care and intention to what they do. It lifts the standard for everyone, and it creates trust. Those are the habits that, over time, really shape a culture.

When people see that care in action, they tend to reflect it back. It sets a tone. And over time, that’s what creates a culture people are proud to be part of. It’s not about chasing perfection – it’s about creating an environment where high standards feel natural.

Lets talk about curiosity – how does being curious help you stay ahead in a world that’s constantly changing?

Curiosity is what keeps me moving. The world – especially the world of digital assets – doesn’t stand still. AI, automation, evolving regulation, changing expectations… it’s all shifting at speed. Curiosity is what helps you keep up, ask the right questions, and spot opportunities in the change.

I think a lot about how people stay relevant, especially for people starting out in their careers. It’s not enough to just be good anymore, you have to bring something extra – judgment, creativity, perspective – to make yourself valuable and indispensable. That’s something AI can’t replicate.

The people who thrive, at all levels, are the ones who stay open, stay curious, and never settle into autopilot mode. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about caring enough to keep asking better questions.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Be the person others can count on. It’s simple, but it’s rare – and people remember it.

Then find something you want to be known for. You don’t have to figure it out on day one, but keep moving in that direction. And always keep learning. Not just from books or courses, but from people. Stay close to the ones you admire, you’ll pick up more than you realise, and don’t shy away from a challenge. Some of the biggest lessons come when you push yourself – climbing Kilimanjaro taught me that.

The world of digital assets moves fast, how do you decide what to focus on?

That’s the challenge. There’s so much noise, so much change, but I try to focus on the things that are going to matter in six or twelve months, not just what’s making headlines today.

For me, curiosity isn’t just about chasing trends. It’s about understanding what’s coming, and how it connects to what we’re doing. It’s also about listening – to clients, to the team, to what’s shifting around us. That helps cut through the noise. You can’t follow everything, but you can follow the right things – and that makes a difference.