Andrew speaks about his incredible story, the celebrations and challenges of competing for Team GB and how a single audacious email launched him as the co-founder of DNA Fit, a successful DNA testing company. He discusses the pressure and purpose of leading the Premier Leagues COVID testing programme to now building his own health optimisation company – Stride.  With the belief that societal health will improve from the bottom up, Andrew explains how Stride will offer in-house health tests, tailored interventions and expert support to tackle chronic diseases at a consumer level.

From having no work experience or higher education, to currently bridging the gap between free and private healthcare, this conversation explores the ‘permission to try’, the resilience that is not often learned and the opportunities that arise navigating unexpected detours. 

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Rhodri explains how Everrati masterfully blends timeless design and automotive soul with high-performing, zero-emissions EV powertrains, creating truly bespoke, hyper-personalised electric vehicles. He discusses how Everrati preserves the heritage of these classics, placing customer emotion and nostalgia at the heart of every project, and how their unique approach stands out amidst the growing luxury EV market.

We discuss Everrati's innovative B2B ventures, and how the company is leveraging their cutting-edge technology and expertise beyond direct consumer sales. Rhodri provides a fascinating insight into their rigorous team building and partner selection processes within the UK's "Motorsport Triangle," ensuring unparalleled quality and a steadfast dedication to excellence.

https://everrati.com/

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Michelle shares her remarkable journey, starting her first business at 18 and building a suite of seven complementary companies, including her highly successful mortgage brokerage, IMS Property. She explains the strategic evolution of her businesses, focusing on recurring revenue models and how diversification, like her lettings agency, provided crucial resilience during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michelle also unpacks some of the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, particularly around access to funding and the pervasive issue of impostor syndrome. Drawing from her own experiences, she offers powerful advice on building confidence, leveraging supportive networks, and transforming adversity into motivation. She discusses what it took to be "10 times tougher" as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry in her early career, and how she balances assertive leadership with her authentic self.

Listen now to discover Michelle's drive, her approach to managing multiple successful ventures, and her passionate work with The Empowering Entrepreneur to mentor and support other women in business.

Follow Michelle here - Michelle Niziol | LinkedIn

Homepage - The Empowering Entrepreneur®

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Before starting SOFEA Richard ran his own Education company working with local schools and prior to that Richard had a 20-year career as a secondary school teacher and Assistant Head Teacher. During his time as a teacher, Richard decided he wanted to help those young people that didn’t get on with the traditional schooling system. Richard saw these young people dropping out of school with few skills and fewer qualifications and decided it was time to do something about it.

In this conversation, Richard shares with us the inspiration behind the charity and some of the personal leadership challenges he faced when first getting things off the ground. Richard also talks to us about how businesses can help students in this situation and how they can re-think the early-stage recruitment processes to account for an untapped pool of young talent.

SOFEA - https://www.sofea.uk.com/

Fareshare - https://fareshare.org.uk/

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The company won numerous awards multiple times including the Tech Track 100 award, Deloitte Fast 50 and being named a Sunday Times Best Small Company to work for three times. Piers himself has also won a number of awards, including Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the Queen’s Award for Innovation which he was presented by the Queen in 2014.

More recently Piers has entered the energy market with his company Tewke. Tewke's AI-enabled Automation allows homeowners to boost energy efficiency, save money, and reduce environmental impact by learning from homeowners' routines and encouraging eco-friendly habits. Tewke's objective is to control and optimise energy, by learning, controlling and adapting.

In this episode, Piers shares with us the challenges and lessons from the very early stage of his business career and the significant challenges he faced when selling his first major business Fluidata. We then go on to discuss his new business Tewke and the work it is doing to address the problems of behavioural change in sustainable living, using AI and Automation to build what is in essence a smart grid for homeowners.

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Drawing on his background as an economist and management consultant, as well as his experience at Sport England and BBC Sport, Mihir shares invaluable insights into the complexities of building and implementing a global strategy for a sport with millions of stakeholders.

We discuss the crucial stages involved in this process and explore effective communication strategies for conveying a vision to so many stakeholders. Mihir also discusses the critical art of engaging diverse stakeholders, a challenge World Rugby navigates on a massive scale.

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Francesca shares how WGSN leverages expert analysis and AI-powered data science to equip global companies with a crucial strategic advantage: understanding future trends.

She discusses how businesses across sectors, not just fashion and retail, can utilise trend forecasting to improve their bottom line, make informed decisions, and strategically position themselves for future growth. Francesca also explores the optimal balance between AI-driven insights and human expertise in navigating the evolving market landscape. Tune in to learn how understanding future trends can be a powerful tool for strategic business planning and risk management.

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Duncan shares how Aistetic’s next-generation 3D body modelling platform, accessible through mobile devices, offers online clothing retailers a significant strategic advantage. By increasing conversion rates and lowering returns & excess inventory, Aistetic ultimately contributes to sustainability and reduces waste.

Duncan, a seasoned marketer with experience launching and commercialising products for giants like L’Oréal, Unilever, and Pepsi Lipton, discusses the strategic implications of this technology for e-commerce businesses looking to optimise operations, enhance customer experience, and embrace sustainable practices. Listen now and learn how Aistetic’s cutting-edge computer vision and deep learning technology is providing a competitive edge in the evolving online retail landscape.

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We discuss the innovative science and technology Modern Baker is applying to transform ultra-processed foods, with plans extending to breakfast cereals, pasta, and more, making them actively healthy. Leo explains the strategic significance of the Modern Baker’s £4 million government grants, including a recent £450,000 award from Innovate UK. He also explores how outsourcing key processes has been vital to their growth.

Listen now to discover how Modern Baker is disrupting the food industry with a purpose-driven mission rooted in the health journey of Leo’s co-founder, Melissa, and hear more about the strategic implications of their innovative approach to food production and market entry.

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Rebecca’s journey is one of exceptional achievement, from being the first Black woman to swim for Great Britain (former British Champion and former number 1 world-ranked), to founding NKG, a social change-focused media and communications agency.

We delve into Rebecca’s diverse leadership experiences and her current pivotal role at the 10,000 Interns Foundation, exploring their vital work in addressing employment disparity for Black and Disabled students. Rebecca provides strategic insights into why diverse workforces are crucial for business success and outlines practical steps leaders can take to foster greater inclusivity within their organisations.

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In this episode, we gain insights from Peter Higgins, Co-Founder and now Non-Executive Director of the renowned multi-channel clothing retailer Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts. Peter, who also brings extensive experience as a former director of luxury fashion retailers MeandEm and Chairman at Cath Kidston and Joe Browns, shares his entrepreneurial journey and strategic guidance.

We discuss the co-founding of Charles Tyrwhitt, navigating the business through challenging periods like the Covid19 lockdown during 2020 – 2022 in the UK, and, crucially, what B2B businesses can learn from the customer-centric approaches that have driven success in the B2C sector. Peter also touches on his role as a Non-Executive Director at Mary’s Meals, highlighting the importance of purpose alongside profit.

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In this episode, we speak with James Wilkes. James is an expert in global shipping, marine, and international trade, specialising in high-stakes problem-solving. With over two decades of experience, James has guided companies through critical issues arising from corporate malfeasance, criminal activity, political instability, terrorism, and other highly complex challenges.

He is the Founder and Head of Gray Page, a specialised investigations and intelligence consulting company providing crucial knowledge, insight, and strategic advice to private and public sector clients worldwide, primarily in the marine, aviation, energy, and commodities sectors. James shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building Gray Page and the challenges encountered to his initial motivation for starting the firm. We also explore the role of big data and AI in the intelligence and security landscape, alongside the enduring and irreplaceable value of Human Intelligence (‘tradecraft’) in navigating complex global risks.

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In this discussion, we delve into the pressing issue of burnout and explore strategic approaches for managers to build resilience within their teams and manage their own well-being.

Jess highlights the importance of a comprehensive strategy for tackling burnout and underscores how a strong sense of purpose at work can be a powerful tool in reducing stress and fostering a more sustainable and productive work environment.

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Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and a historic landmark near Oxford, is also a surprising blueprint for modern business. Dom shares his journey to leading this iconic estate and explores how he is maximising Blenheim’s value by prioritising innovation across all operations, embedding a deep commitment to sustainability. Dom shares how he and his team are driving the entire organisation with a clear and compelling purpose rooted in Blenheim’s long-term vision. Listen now and learn how these interconnected strategies are not only preserving a legacy and benefiting the local community but also creating a model for long-term value creation – insights every business leader navigating tradition and future-forward thinking needs to hear.

You can read more about this conversation in our WABChats Readable Insight, here.

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We delve into the extraordinary mental resilience she demonstrated in winning a World Cup Gold medal just days after her breast cancer diagnosis and a European Gold medal during her chemotherapy. Erin discusses how the delayed gratification and ability to compartmentalise, honed through years of strategic focus in competitive rowing, provided her with invaluable tools to navigate and overcome significant personal challenges.

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In this episode, we chat to William Proger, Founder and CEO of William and Partners. We explore the strategic considerations of launching a business during a global pandemic and the unique opportunities it presented William. He shares how this unprecedented time shaped William and Partners’ approach to wealth management. We discuss why and how business leaders should strategically engage with wealth managers before deal completion to maximise value and mitigate potential risks. With over two decades of experience advising high-net-worth individuals and institutions at firms like C Hoare & Co and Barclays Wealth, William offers invaluable insights for those navigating significant financial events. in London.

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In this episode, we discuss the transferable skills that have fuelled their rapid ascent through the English hockey system and discuss how these qualities – strategy, collaboration, and effective leadership – are directly applicable to driving rapid growth and success in the business world. We also touch on the discipline and time management required to excel in elite sport while balancing academic pursuits.

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In this episode, we chat to Karim Sekatt, CEO and Chairman of Oxford Engineering, a company renowned for its world-class engineering capabilities. Karim unpacks what it is that truly defines “world-class” in a high-precision industry. He explains more about Oxford Engineering’s journey to excellence in machining, welding, assembly, and testing for global leaders in the medical, aerospace and nuclear sectors.

Karim shares insights on innovative manufacturing approaches, including the surprising role of Lego in their transition to one-piece flow. He emphasises the strategic importance of fostering a culture where team members are empowered to ask questions and challenge processes.

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Tess shares the fascinating story of setting up and scaling a business that provides training and employment opportunities to ex-offenders and low-category prisoners, with 28% of their current team having lived experience of the criminal justice system.

We explore the strategic considerations of building a successful social enterprise, the benefits of inclusive hiring practices, and practical advice for businesses considering supporting or employing individuals reintegrating into society.ng on the women of the brewing industry.

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Patricia shares her inspiring journey from a successful career as a journalist at the BBC and time spent in the corporate world to establishing the award-winning charity Suited for Success that helps the long-term unemployed prepare, and crucially dress, for an interview and ultimately return to work.

We delve into the crucial elements involved in transforming a vision into a successful reality and explore effective strategies for galvanising support and bringing diverse stakeholders along on that journey – valuable insights for any business leader driving organisational change and growth.

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We delve into how effectively managing hybrid work has become a critical factor for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. Professor Trevor discusses the importance of strategically aligning work type and location and how businesses must strive to intentionally cultivate collaboration. He emphasises the importance of a pragmatic approach to developing flexible working frameworks and explores the pivotal role that managerial skills play in fostering a productive hybrid environment that supports strategic and organisational alignment.

You can read more from this conversation in our WABChats Readable Insight, available here.

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John shares the immense challenges of delivering a major international sporting event, including the significant impact of COVID-19. He explains more about the strategies employed to maintain focus on the overarching vision and overcome the challenges presented by a Global Pandemic. Sir John, a former Lawyer of the Year and Managing Partner at Wragge & Co, also shares insights on the importance of maintaining perspective and a sense of humour in high-pressure environments, particularly within a boardroom setting.

His experience offers valuable lessons in navigating complexity and leading large-scale initiatives. 

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