BSc Business alumnus and US General Manager at sustainable personal care company, Wild, Harry Symes-Thompson, discusses how his placement at HelloFresh led to becoming Wild’s first official employee, contributing to the company's rapid growth and leading their expansion into the US market. Harry explains how Wild has maintained a strong company culture through hiring practices, positive leadership and employee engagement, even as the company scales. Listen and learn more about building and susta...
Jun 25, 2025•32 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode of Management Meets, hosts Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome Executive MBA alumnus Hugo Adams . As CEO of sustainable packaging startup, Kelpi, Hugo shares his stories from his extensive career scaling innovative startups, including roles at The Body Shop, Kraft Foods, Dyson and SuperDry - working closely with entrepreneurs such as Anita Roddick and James Dyson. Listen and explore Kelpi's ambitions to rid the world of plastic, not forgetting the importance o...
May 28, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Want more from your alumni network? Management Meets is back for series three. Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome more business leaders, change-makers and entrepreneurs from the School of Management’s vibrant alumni community. In this series, we unpack themes such as company culture, business values and business in high-end fashion. Tune in, subscribe and get inspired as alumni generously share their tales of success and failure in the Management Meets podcast....
May 21, 2025•59 sec
In this final episode of Management Meets' second season, Steve and Katie are joined by James Courtney , a 2017 BSc Business alumnus and current Bath Executive MBA student. As CEO and co-founder of Lux Rewards, James shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting up during his undergraduate placement to recent acquisition. James looks back on LUX Rewards’ pivotal moments, including the impact of the pandemic, meeting his co-founders, and what led to its acquisition....
Apr 30, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode of Management Meets, host Katie Calvert Jones explores the theme of resilience with Grace Marshall, class of 2002 BSc International Management with Modern Languages alumna, award-winning author, speaker, and coach. Grace shares her experience and philosophy on failure, struggle and resilience, providing practical advice on how to build resilient teams and environments within organisations. With insights into how language, honesty, and culture impact resilience; listen and learn h...
Mar 26, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode of Management Meets, Katie and Steve are joined by BSc International Management graduate Yesim Nicholson, founder of Yes Career Coaching and Executive MBA graduate Gary Keogh, former Global Brand Director and founder of GK Executive Coaching. The discussion explores career pivots, looking at the motivating factors for significant career changes and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Professor Otilia Obodaru shares her insights into the Japanese concept of Ik...
Feb 26, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of Management Meets, Steve and Katie are joined by 1984 BSc Business alumnus and CEO of software development company Cirata, Stephen Kelly. We explore the disruptive and revolutionary potential of generative AI, dubbed as what could be the 'fifth industrial revolution’. Dr. Lukasz Piwek discusses the evolution and impact of AI, highlighting the potential and pitfalls of generative AI and the importance of responsible usage. Please note all information is up to date with the time ...
Jan 30, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Katie and Steve talk leadership with Chair of the FA, Debbie Hewitt MBE. Debbie shares honest insights from her career journey, how she turned challenges into opportunities and the pivotal role her Bath MBA played in shaping her leadership approach. Dr. Juani Swart discusses the evolution of leadership and the importance of leaders re-engaging with the joy of their roles, to enhance well-being and performance in their teams.
Dec 18, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the first episode of the series, we’re joined by 2019 BSc International Management graduate and Sustainability Manager of Canned Wine Co., Marieke Hammes and Class of 1988 MBA graduate, Sustainability Consultant and retired Global Environment Manager for Buro Happold, Tim La Touche. Our guests discuss the trials and tribulations of working in the sustainability sector, exploring the challenges and milestones of a growing start-up and an international organisation. Dr. Annie Snelson Powell bri...
Nov 27, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome to Management Meets, the University of Bath School of Management podcast sharing insight from our alumni community. In series one, Dean of the School of Management, Professor Steve Brammer and alumni relations professional and podcaster, Katie Calvert-Jones spoke to 12 of our graduates to explore topics in the world of business including risk-taking, EDI and entrepreneurship. We heard from BAFTA award-winning producer, Ash Atalla, the founder of e-sports team Orangutan, Jai Shah, world-r...
Nov 15, 2024•52 sec
In the final episode of the series, Katie and Steve are joined by 2022 BSc Business alumna and co-founder of safety app Epowar , E-J Roodt, and 2017 BSc Business alumnus and founder of Bubba Hospitality Group , Rob Huysinga. E-J and Rob discuss the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial journeys. From navigating growth to handling imposter syndrome, listen and uncover the reality of life as an entrepreneur. Dr. Daniela Defazio provides her academic insight highlighting the complex, non-linear n...
Oct 30, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In episode five, Steve and Katie explore the intricacies of boardroom relationships with EMBA graduates, Joy Harcup and Wilf Blackburn. From the difference between non-executive and executive roles in the boardroom to using trust as a power tool, this episode provides practical advice for new and aspiring board members. Dr. Margaret Heffernan, School of Management academic and member of the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, provides her academic insight into the evolving purpose of boards and the importa...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 5
Steve and Katie chat with Ash Atalla, CEO of Rough Cut TV and award-winning television producer who had success with shows like The Office and The IT Crowd. Ash shares his unconventional career journey from finance to television and how his business degree still helps him today. Listen and explore the balance between creativity and business, managing failure in an industry full of it, and the future of creative industries with the rise of AI. Dr. Poornika Ananth provides her academic insight, de...
Aug 28, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In episode three of Management Meets , we explore the business skills needed in sports with graduate guests Serena Guthrie MBE, former England Roses netball team captain, and Flo Ward, world record holder as part of the youngest female trio to row an ocean, Guests discuss values-driven leadership, triumphs, setbacks, the reality of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat and the upcoming Olympic Games. Professor Steve Wyatt offers academic insight into effective leadership and followership, highlight...
Jul 24, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This episode of Management Meets delves into the complex world of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) in business. Bringing together academia and industry, hosts Steve and Katie welcome alumni guests: Holly Simmons, Class of 2020 BSc Business graduate and founder of career management platform, Niya. Ali Kazimi, Class of 1992 BSc Business (then known as BSc Business Administration) graduate and Managing Director at Hansuke Consulting. Prof. Mairi Maclean, Class of 1990 MBA graduate and ...
Jun 26, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the first episode of Management Meets, we explore risk-taking in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. With personal insights from two alumni guests, the discussion covers the challenges and opportunities presented by taking risks in business. Hosts Katie Calvert-Jones, Head of Alumni Relations and External Engagement, and Professor Steve Brammer, Dean of the School of Management, talk to graduates Jai Shah, Co-Founder of eSports team, Orangutan, and Shinarai Idrissova, a Venture Lead at Hen...
May 29, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to Management Meets... the University of Bath School of Management podcast! Hosted by Professor Steve Brammer, Dean of the School of Management, and Katie Calvert-Jones, Head of Alumni Relations and External Engagement. Tune in for riveting conversations, insightful discussions, and valuable takeaways that will fuel your passion for success. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Subscribe now to Management Meets and be part of the conversation that sha...
Apr 04, 2024•1 min
