The Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast

Sales & Sales Leadership With Lee Hackett

Lee Hackett · September 16, 2026

Entrepreneur · Leadership · Artificial Intelligence · Wellnessin

Interview with Lee Hackett

Sales & Sales Leadership With Lee Hackett

Podcast: The Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast

September 16, 2026 · 52 min

Listen to Lee Hackett on The Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast.

Listen

Sales & Sales Leadership With Lee Hackett
0:00 / --:--
The Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast

GO TO APPLE PODCASTS →

Key topicsWhy 2025 Is the Year CMOs and CIOs Must Lead TogetherAs customer expectations evolve and tech stacks converge, the need for tight alignment between marketing, IT, and sales has never been greater. Lee explores how Bluprintx helps unify these functions-leveraging data, predictive insights, and connected experiences-and why CMOs and CIOs must co-own transformation to drive meaningful growth. Lessons from 20+ M&A TransactionsLee shares insights from over 20 M&A deals across the buy and sell side-from due diligence to integration. He discusses how leadership mindset, team alignment, and tech strategy play critical roles in whether a deal adds value or erodes it. This is a must-listen for executives thinking about growth, acquisition, or exit strategy. Rewriting the Enterprise Playbook: How Mid-Market Businesses Can Win with AI Before the Giants Catch UpLee shares why mid-market companies are now better positioned than ever to outpace enterprise competitors-if they adopt the right AI-driven strategies. Drawing on Bluprintx’s work across sectors and its partnerships with Adobe and Salesforce, he reveals how to scale fast with agile architecture, personalized experiences, and integrated workflows-without the bloat or bureaucracy. View all topics →

About Lee Hackett

Lee Hackett, podcast guest

CEO of Bluprintx, Digital Growth Strategist and Former Pro Athlete

20+ M&A transactions across buy & sell sideTop 50 UK Most Ambitious Business Leader, 2023Wigan Athletic Former professional footballerBluprintx Group CEO

Lee Hackett is the Group CEO of Bluprintx, a global consultancy helping mid-market and enterprise businesses turn technological complexity into competitive advantage. With a proven track record across the UK, US, APAC, and the Middle East, Lee works at the intersection of strategy, sales, and technology - guiding leadership teams through AI adoption, digital transformation, and scalable growth.

Lee brings sharp, real-world insight to conversations around the convergence of marketing, sales, and service. He advises businesses on how to deliver enterprise-grade outcomes through integrated, data-led strategies. Under his leadership, Bluprintx has become a trusted partner to some of the world’s most influential platforms, including Adobe and Salesforce, further cementing its reputation for delivering measurable business impact at scale.

A former professional footballer, wellness advocate, and father of three, he leads with a balance of performance and perspective. He speaks openly about staying mentally clear while scaling companies, living with intention as a leader, and bringing athletic discipline into the boardroom. With the addition of his personal experience of over 20 M&A transactions across both the buy and sell side, his perspective is especially valuable for founders, executives, and investors alike.

Whether discussing AI readiness, sales enablement, operational strategy, or deal execution, Lee delivers stories and strategies that resonate with forward-thinking leaders.

View profile →

About this episode

In this episode of the Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast, I am joined by Donny Hackett, founder of VeriDeal, to discuss the transformative potential of VeriDeal in the sales landscape. Donny recounts the journey from being laid off from AWS to creating a groundbreaking platform that helps validate and verify sales performance through authentic client feedback. This episode focuses on the challenges faced by sales professionals in today’s job market and how making informed decisions backed by verified portfolios can significantly enhance hiring and job security. The episode delves into how VeriDeal sets itself apart in a competitive market by ensuring accuracy and reliability in the hiring process through verified sales transactions and client feedback. We explore the multifaceted applications of VeriDeal, from assisting buyers in researching and connecting with top sales professionals to enabling sales trainers to validate their program outcomes. With VeriDeal, both sales professionals and organisations can make more informed, data-driven decisions, leading to higher success rates and better alignment in hiring and training efforts.

To learn more about VeriDeal, please go to:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/verideal/

Website – https://verideal.io/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@VeriDeal

Guest: Lee Hackett

Book Lee Hackett for your show

6+ podcast & stage appearances. Remote or in studio, broadcast-grade audio.

Request an interview →