In a world characterized by globalization, digital disruption, and the imperative of sustainable practices, leadership is more than about experience or qualifications. It is about possessing a distinctive combination of strategic vision, cultural dexterity, and an absolute dedication to people and purpose. John Sheehy, CEO of Pottinger, is one such leader. Having worked in cross-border corporate law, finance, infrastructure, and strategic advisory, Sheehy has become a respected global executive and advisor. Now, as the head of Pottinger, he is not only counseling several of the world’s most influential and impactful organizations, but also helping shape the dialogue on equity, sustainability, and corporate culture.
Early Foundations: Legal Expertise Meets Global Exposure
John Sheehy started his career in Australia where he trained as a corporate lawyer. But soon enough, his aspirations took him to wider skies. He moved to London to practice with the high-profile law firm Linklaters LLP, where he specialised in cross-border transactions.
One of the defining chapters of his time in the UK was when Sheehy was seconded to National Grid plc, the FTSE 100 energy utility. There, he was exposed to the regulated, infrastructure-intensive business of energy transmission and distribution. This not only ignited his passion for the energy industry but also gave him an insider’s view of how large-scale systems and investments contribute to economies and societies.
This period proved to be seminal—not only in building his technical skillset as an energy sector advisor, but in establishing his interest in counseling organizations on how to excel where commercial ambition meets public purpose.
Shift to Pottinger: Seizing Strategic Advisory
In 2015, Sheehy made a defining career move by joining Pottinger, an independent international corporate advisory firm co-founded by Cassandra Kelly AM and Nigel Lake. Pottinger was born with a bold vision: to be a trusted advisor to leaders who are addressing the world’s most significant commercial, strategic, and societal issues. It was a natural fit for Sheehy, whose personal and professional values resonated deeply with the firm’s values of integrity, courage, excellence, respect, commitment and passion.
Like Pottinger, Sheehy also had a worldview and an emphasis on positive and progressive change. As CEO, he has been key in evolving the firm into the organization it is today. Now, Pottinger advises leading companies, state and federal agencies, industry organizations, and cutting-edge, growth-stage businesses on strategic M&A transactions, capital raising, corporate strategy and public policy.
What differentiates Pottinger from its peers is its integrated approach to transactional and strategic advisory. Unlike other firms which emphasize only part of the corporate development lifecycle, the company incorporates long term, over-the-horizon thinking on strategy with deal-doing excellence.
Global Expertise: Navigating Complex Markets
One of Sheehy’s greatest professional joys and strengths is his capacity to work across markets, cultures, and industries. His professional journey has seen him live and work in London, Moscow, New York City, and Sydney. He has directed client work in more than 40 countries, with project values exceeding USD 50 billion. From high-risk mergers and acquisitions to nationally significant public policy projects, Sheehy has always provided strategic advice based on local knowledge and global intelligence.
His sector coverage is no less impressive. Though energy is an important area of expertise for him, he has advised clients in the agriculture, infrastructure, financial services, technology, health and care sectors.
Leadership Philosophy: People-Centric
At the core of Sheehy’s leadership style is a deep faith in the potential of people. He believes that every business issue- whether technical, operational or financial- is a people issue at its essence. This philosophy drives his day-to-day leadership, from managing internal teams to clients.
Pottinger’s culture is inclusive, collaborative, and highly values-driven. The firm holds monthly “huddles” to monitor the cultural heartbeat of the company and encourage open communication. The sessions guarantee that feedback loops are tight, morale is kept as high as possible, and everyone is heard in charting the firm’s course.
Mentoring is another foundational element of Sheehy’s leadership. He focuses on experience-sharing as opposed to prescriptive counsel in mentor-mentee relations. “It’s not a matter of telling people what to do,” he says. “It’s sharing new ways of thinking through the power of story-telling.” He attributes his development to both formal and informal mentors and has a point to share those learnings.
Strategic Vision: The Power of the ‘Three Es’
A hallmark of Sheehy’s strategic agenda for Pottinger is the ‘Three Es’ paradigm: Energy, Environment, and Equity. These three pillars act as both moral compass and strategic lens for the firm’s advisory practice.
By structuring business strategy on these topics, Pottinger makes certain that its counsel is not only business-savvy – led first and foremost by economics and science – but also socially and environmentally conscious. Be it advising on renewable energy investing, climate technology development, or corporate strategy, the firm keeps impact at the forefront of its advice.
This is especially critical within the climate change and energy transition context. Through Sheehy’s leadership, and leveraging the firm’s long history in renewables, Pottinger has emerged as a go-to advisor to clients looking to traverse the economic, technological, and regulatory transformations needed to construct a cleaner future of energy.
Notably, the ‘Three Es’ also ring true internally. Pottinger’s diverse gender leadership group—involving its co-founder Cassandra Kelly AM and veteran female executives COO Amanda Samson and CFO Eleonor Dressler—testifies to the firm’s investment in gender equity.
Innovation and Technology: Adopting AI and the Human Touch
In an age dominated more and more by artificial intelligence and robotization, Sheehy remains forward-thinking. Instead of seeing AI as a threat to human work, he believes in employing technology to augment humanity in business.
At Pottinger, it translates into automating lower-value, process-oriented work to allow human advisors to concentrate on what really counts: empathy, insight, and creativity. It’s a vision that is consonant with Sheehy’s vision of technology as a means to elevate—not eliminate—human potential. He attributes his views on this topic to the pioneering work of Pottinger’s co-founders, Nigel and Cassandra.
It also applies to the firm’s client engagements, where Sheehy and his group assist organizations in embracing AI responsibly and strategically so that technological progress helps to reinforce long-term business objectives.
Recognition and Awards: Honoring Excellence
Sheehy’s leadership has not been overlooked. In 2020, he received two CEO Awards from Business Worldwide Magazine: ‘Corporate Advisory CEO of the Year –Australia’ and ‘Growth Strategy CEO of the Year – Australia’. The awards are a testament to his capacity to advise on both sides of the growth coin – strategy and finance.
But Sheehy is typically modest about such success, always deflecting attention to the Pottinger team. To him, acclaim is a seal of approval for group effort, not individual achievement. “The best leaders,” he declares, “create fulfilling environments where others can do their best work. “
Personal Life: Making Space for What Matters
In spite of the pressures of global leadership, Sheehy puts great importance on his family life. He is a proud husband and father to two daughters, Scarlett and Vivienne. His wife, Beck, is a senior funds management lawyer at leading Australian law firm, Allens, and a continuous source of inspiration for John.
Instead of going for illusive “balance,” Sheehy espouses conscious choices and prioritization. He views life as a series of decisions regarding where to allocate energy and when. “Sometimes you just have to let a few of those spinning plates smash,” he says, a philosophy that acknowledges the unattainability of perfection and instead celebrates vulnerability.
Future Vision: Scaling Purpose, Impact, and Innovation
In the future, Sheehy is all about scaling up Pottinger’s impact and reach. On his to-do list are growth in new markets, supporting new clients, doubling down on Pottinger’s support for existing clients, greater leverage in climate tech, and extending Pottinger’s influence in its other areas of expertise.
Meanwhile, he is also intensely committed to Pottinger’s internal development—growing the next generation of leaders, fostering a dynamic company culture, and keeping the firm grounded in its mission to be leaders in positive and progressive change.
Whether mentoring new professionals, guiding leading companies, or promoting sustainable economic models, Sheehy’s priority is always the same: lead with integrity, think globally, and always put people first.
A Legacy Built on Vision and Values
John Sheehy’s career represents the path of a leader who has straddled continents, sectors, and concepts in order to usher in positive transformation. His gift for combining legal acumen, strategic thinking, and a humane touch has driven Pottinger’s transformation into a global-first advisory firm.
