10 Questions in 10 minutes with Peter Needle, Board Advisor & Head of Sustainability
1. You spent almost two decades at HSBC, working across financial planning, investments, and corporate roles. What initially drew you into the world of finance
"I’d love to say I had a grand master plan, but the truth is, landing a job in a bank was a big deal given my background. At the time, I was still figuring out who I was and what I wanted, and it felt like a solid place to do that while tackling life’s big questions."
2. Over those 19 years at HSBC, you worked across a variety of roles. How did that experience shape your approach to business?
"Nineteen years flew by, but one of the benefits of working in a large organisation was the opportunity to move across different roles and sectors, which kept my naturally inquisitive mind engaged. I was always willing to take on something new-often before I was even particularly good at it! Most of my roles involved working with entrepreneurs in SMEs and larger corporates, and at some point, with a good dose of naivety, I thought, I’m sure I could do that!"
3. Shifting from the corporate world to entrepreneurship can be tough. What was the hardest mindset change you had to make when you left HSBC to start your own company?
"Tough is an understatement-it can be brutal. I liken it to taking the training wheels off a bike or making your first solo flight as a pilot. Every day brings new challenges, and you have no idea what’s coming next. On top of that, few people truly understand what you're trying to achieve, let alone how to help. It’s lonely. It took me a few years, but I eventually made two crucial decisions-to join peer groups and hire a coach. Looking back, I genuinely believe those choices saved my life."
4. You founded Segura Systems over a decade ago with a mission to bring transparency to supply chains. What was the "aha" moment that pushed you to take the leap and start the company?
"It wasn’t just one thing, and it certainly wasn’t just me. Several members of the early Segura team played a key role in shaping the business and its mission. When engaging with large retailers, we kept hearing the same story: beyond placing an order and getting suppliers to sign a contract or commit to certain standards, retailers had little to no visibility into what their suppliers were actually doing. Most of the time, things worked out. But then came the red flags-quality issues traced back to counterfeit components, late deliveries, and, in the most alarming cases, national newspapers exposing child and forced labor within their supply chains. That was the turning point. We knew we could build a platform that would give retailers the visibility they needed to identify and weed out bad suppliers. We secured funding, built a team, and 30 months later, we had a working system and our first client."
5. You’ve worn so many hats - banker, founder, board advisor, and coach. How did each of these roles shape the way you lead today?
"I’ve learned to focus on what I’m good at rather than dwell on what I’m not. Constantly fixating on self-improvement can be exhausting-sometimes, it’s better to recognise that we’re all wired differently, and that’s a strength. My best leadership work happens one-on-one, which is why I was happy to step away from the corporate world and build a smaller business. I believe in hiring great people-people who are better than me-and doing everything I can to help them believe in themselves. I’m not someone who thrives on speaking to large groups or being the center of attention, but I love seeing others grow and succeed. One of my proudest moments at Segura was visiting the home of an employee who started with us as an apprentice. After a few years of saving, he was able to buy his first house before the age of 25. Today, he leads our testing department. Seeing people achieve their goals-that’s what makes the stress and challenges of running a startup worthwhile."
6. With such a rich career across finance, private equity, and tech, how do you decide what projects or start-ups are worth your time and investment
"For me, there are two critical factors:A great idea that addresses the planet’s sustainability challenges.
1. A great team to bring that idea to life.
2. When I first met Bob and Eugene, it was clear that Oii had both. I knew right away it was something special."
7. Reflecting on your career journey - from finance to founding Segura to advising start-ups - what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
"Stop being so self-conscious and self-focused - focus on helping others instead. Looking back, I see how naive I was - young enough to think I knew everything. I used knowledge and expertise to put others down, mostly to hide my own insecurities. There are plenty of people from that time in my life to whom I owe an apology. Fortunately, around the age of 24, I had a road to Damascus moment that changed my perspective- but that’s a whole other story for another time!"
8. After 13 years at Segura, what kept you motivated to keep pushing the company forward? Was there a particular milestone or breakthrough that stands out?
"There’s no short answer to that - it’s been a journey of highs and lows. We always knew this wouldn’t be an overnight success. It could take years, possibly a decade or more, for the market to be ready for mass adoption of what we’d built. So, we had to commit for the long haul. I think we all believed it would work out in the end - we just couldn’t predict when."
9. Supply chain transparency used to be a niche topic, but now it’s a big focus for businesses. How have you seen companies’ attitudes towards sustainability change since you started?
"Massively, especially in the last few years - and you can see that reflected in Segura’s growth curve. It’s been driven by a combination of shifting attitudes among consumers, brands, and retailers, but most importantly, by governments finally implementing hard legislation to clean up supply chains and make them more sustainable."
10. If you could invite anyone, dead or alive, to a private dinner party, who would it be?
"I’m sure you’re expecting a cool answer - maybe a great academic or a fascinating celebrity. But honestly, nothing beats time with my wife and children. So, without a doubt, it would be them!"
