Titles can be deceiving. “Global CEO” might conjure an image of suits, boardrooms, and strategy decks, but behind every title is a much richer and more surprising story than what any resume can suggest.

In our latest episode of Not Just A…, we sat down with our very own Mark Nielsen, Talent Global CEO, to chat about Mark’s journey. Born and raised in South Africa, he’s been a judo competitor, a small business owner, and an investment banker. He’s navigated the challenges of coming out in conservative environments, rebuilt his life after major heart surgery, and still finds time for passions like travel, fashion, and his love of dogs.

What emerges is a portrait of a leader who’s defined not just by his title, but by resilience, authenticity, and a restless drive to step beyond his comfort zone.

Roots in South Africa

Mark grew up in South Africa in a lower middle-class family and a public-school education. Nothing about his early years pointed to global leadership, but his curiosity and drive emerged quickly.

“By 16, I was already working my first job at a nursery,” he recalls. “It wasn’t just for the money. I loved the interaction with people and learning new things.”

At university in Cape Town, he studied accounting, maths, and law, but also dabbled in business ventures. With friends, he launched a beach café serving hotdogs, cocktails, and playing (at the time) the latest Milli Vanilli tracks. “We made about $10,000 in two weeks,” Mark laughs. “Not bad for students.”

From judo to jumping career paths

Sports was another constant. Mark represented South Africa in judo under-18s and trained from the age of six right up until university. Though he stepped away for a while, he later returned to competitive training, only to break his arm.

“I’ve always had the philosophy that as soon as you get into your comfort zone, you’ve got to jump,” he says. “That’s how I approached my career, from accounting to investment banking to global leadership.”

Living authentically

Mark’s professional trajectory wasn’t without personal challenges. Coming of age as a gay man in conservative South Africa and later working in finance in the UK in the late 90’s, meant he often kept his identity hidden.

“At work I was pretty much in the closet,” he admits. “Outside, I was having lots of fun but it was difficult to connect with colleagues because I couldn’t be true to who I was.”

Everything changed in one pivotal interview: “In the final round, I told the CEO: ‘I’m gay. Does it faze you?’ He replied, ‘Well, I’m Jewish and I’m married. Does it faze you?’ It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Mark now champions authenticity in leadership. “If you can’t bring your whole self to work, it’s a huge burden. My advice to young people is to find the environment that suits you. Ask questions in interviews, about culture, flexibility, change. It all makes a difference.”

A life-changing wake-up call

In 2025, Mark received news that would alter his perspective forever. A routine medical check-up uncovered severely clogged arteries, leading to urgent open-heart surgery.

“I had a quadruple bypass at 55,” he says matter-of-factly. “It was stressful, but my mindset was: it is what it is. You can’t change it. Just solve it.”

And his recovery became a personal and professional lesson. “It taught me patience and persistence. You don’t go from A to B in one day. You get a little better each day, push yourself a bit out of your comfort zone. That’s true in business and in life.”

Remarkably, just months later, Mark competed in Hyrox (the latest global fitness obsession), “That was my motivator to get out of bed and rebuild my fitness. Incremental steps add up.”

Passions beyond the boardroom

Travel is one of Mark’s greatest joys. He’s visited more than 60 countries and relishes the thrill of new experiences. “Arriving somewhere for the first time is such an amazing feeling,” he says. “Travel is about learning and celebrating differences. Imagine if we all looked the same or wore the same clothes, how boring that would be.”

Mexico City, Portugal, and Chilean Patagonia are among his favourites, and Antarctica remains on his list. “We don’t do camping,” he laughs. “Always a lodge, a suite, a bathroom, and a glass of champagne.”

Closer to home, dogs also hold a special place in his heart. “I just love dogs. Their loyalty, their simplicity. They don’t care about material things; they love you for who you are.”

If life had taken a different path, Mark might have pursued fashion design. “As a kid, I made costumes for friends in plays and fashion shows. Imagine creating clothes that give people the confidence to shine. That would be incredible.” His admiration for designers like Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen reveals his appreciation for creativity, complexity, and artistry.

The CEO lens

So, what does Mark’s role as CEO really involve? Far more than numbers and boardrooms.

“It’s a juggling act,” he explains. “You’ve got to balance short- and long-term priorities, keep stakeholders aligned, and motivate people, even when you don’t feel like it yourself. It’s about emotional intelligence as much as strategy.”

Pre-board preparation, open communication, and building trust underpin his approach. “Everything comes with risk. In today’s business world, if you don’t take risks, you won’t survive. The key is managing risk and starting small before scaling.”

His hidden talent? A photographic memory for numbers. “I still remember phone numbers from when I was a kid,” he grins. “It keeps the finance team on their toes.”

Not just a CEO

Mark Nielsen’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and authenticity. From judo mats in South Africa to investment banks in London, from fashion dreams to Hyrox, from hiding his identity to leading with openness… His path shows the power of stepping beyond comfort zones.

He’s proof that leadership isn’t just about titles or strategies. It’s about bringing your whole self to the role, learning from setbacks, and finding joy outside of work—in travel, dogs, or simply reading the paper at night.

As he puts it: “If you focus on being a little better each day and push yourself out of your comfort zone, in a year you won’t even recognise yourself.”

Mark is not just a CEO. He’s a traveller, a mentor, a dog lover, a would-be fashion designer, and a leader who knows the value of authenticity.

Want to hear more of Mark’s story? Watch the full podcast episode on our YouTube channel.