In this episode of All Points West , Carl speaks with Ian McDonough, CEO of Blackbird PLC, the AIM-listed pioneer in cloud-native video editing. They discuss Blackbird’s £2.13 million fundraise, its powerful client roster, and how its platform, Elevate.io, is transforming video production for creators and broadcasters alike. With experience at Viacom, BBC Worldwide, and Turner, Ian shares insights on cloud workflows, scaling content, and what’s next for media tech.
Jul 30, 2025•27 min•Ep. 46
What if the future of energy storage didn’t rely on lithium? In this episode, Karl speaks with John Wood, CEO of Gelion - an AIM-listed Anglo-Australian battery tech and recycling company leading the charge in the energy transition. John unpacks Gelion’s Gen 3 sulphur cathode breakthrough, how solid-state batteries could transform EVs and aerospace, and why abundant, low-cost materials like sulphur and zinc are key to the next era of clean tech. We also explore his work with NOAB Ventures and ho...
Jul 16, 2025•33 min•Ep. 45
This week, All Points West welcomes Marcus Yeoman — veteran investor, consultant and chairman with deep experience in the small-cap landscape. Marcus currently chairs listed companies Medcaw Invest and Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group, also serving as a non-executive director at capAI Group. In this episode, Karl explores Marcus's extensive experience in investment and capital markets, focusing on his recent projects including Medcaw's abandoned acquisition of Abyssinian Metals due to political issue...
Jul 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 44
How do you future-proof workforce management in sectors like banking, insurance, and healthcare? In this episode, Karl speaks to Richard Jeffery, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of ActiveOps, the global SaaS company leveraging AI to supercharge operational efficiency. We explore Richard’s 36-year career from PA Consulting to PwC, how he built a globally scaled SaaS business, and why he recently stepped into a new leadership role. From AI-powered productivity to leading through change, this is ...
Jun 18, 2025•35 min•Ep. 43
In this episode, we speak with David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International - the AIM-listed leader in autonomous vehicle technology for the aviation sector. From self-driving baggage carriers to cutting-edge management systems, Aurrigo is transforming ground handling operations at some of the world’s busiest airports. David shares the journey from founding the company with his brother Graham to pioneering automation in a rapidly evolving industry. With over 40 years in automotive and a deep-rooted...
Jun 04, 2025•46 min•Ep. 42
On this episode of All Points West , Karl sits down with James Hickman, CEO of AIM-listed Finseta (formerly Cornerstone FS), a global payments company helping businesses move money seamlessly across 165+ countries in 140+ currencies, all from a single account. With over 25 years in financial services and a career spanning major players in FX and payments, James shares insight into Finseta's recent rebrand, their strategy for growth post-IPO, and what it takes to scale in a fiercely competitive f...
May 21, 2025•28 min•Ep. 41
As the global race for critical minerals heats up, Cornish Lithium is entering a pivotal phase: transitioning from R&D to full-scale operations with a new CEO at the helm. In this episode of All Points West , Karl sits down with Kate DaSilva, corporate lawyer and General Counsel for Cornish Lithium, to unpack what this leadership shift means for the company and the broader UK battery supply chain. With over two decades of experience in M&A, IPOs, and corporate governance, Kate offers rar...
May 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 40
In this episode, Karl sits down with Steen Andersen, CEO of ProBiotix Health, to explore how the microbiome is the next frontier in human health. From blood pressure reduction to cholesterol management, Steen breaks down the science behind their proprietary probiotic strain, and why gut health is key to our overall well-being. Karl West digs into Steen's journey — from military service to his passion for gardening — and the challenges of helming his first publicly-listed company. Steen shares in...
Apr 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 39
In this episode of All Points West , Karl is joined by Shaun Day, Managing Director of Greatland Gold, an AIM-listed gold and copper exploration and development company playing a key role in the evolving metals landscape. With more than 25 years’ experience across mining, infrastructure, and investment banking, Shaun shares his perspective on Greatland Gold's flagship projects, including its strategy to meet growing demand for gold and copper — two commodities central to the energy transition an...
Apr 02, 2025•26 min•Ep. 38
How can technology solve our food security challenges? On this episode of All Points West , we dive into the future of indoor farming, AgriTech, and fire safety with Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies. From vertical farms and poly tunnels to energy-efficient lighting and sensor-driven growing environments, Simon’s company is pioneering scalable, sustainable solutions to help businesses produce more with less energy, fewer resources, and lower costs. With over 30 years in innovation ...
Mar 19, 2025•37 min•Ep. 37
As AI continues to disrupt industries, small and medium-sized businesses are rethinking how they manage essential services. In this episode of All Points West , we sit down with Daniel Gee, founder of Pri0r1ty AI, to explore whether automation can truly replace traditional business services. With SMEs spending over £60 billion annually on external providers, Pri0r1ty AI’s SaaS platform aims to cut costs and boost efficiency, handling tasks like press releases, regulatory news, and social media i...
Mar 04, 2025•35 min•Ep. 36
On this episode of the All Points West podcast, Karl sits down with Cailey Barker—a geologist, seasoned investor, and martial arts master—to discuss the dynamic world of gold exploration in Japan. Freshly appointed to the advisory board of Japan Gold, Cailey brings over three decades of mining and finance expertise to the table. We explore his journey from geologist to portfolio manager at BlackRock, his unique insights into the gold market amidst global economic shifts, and how his martial arts...
Feb 19, 2025•31 min•Ep. 35
In this episode of All Points West , we’re joined by Thomas Abraham James, co-founder and CEO of AIM-listed Pulsar Helium, a trailblazer in the discovery and development of primary helium resources. With 17 years of global experience, including stints at Rio Tinto and Helium One Global, Tom shares his insights on the critical role helium plays in modern industries—spanning medical technology, space exploration, and quantum computing.
Jan 29, 2025•26 min•Ep. 34
In this episode of All Points West, Karl sits down with Rob Marsden, CEO of Anglesey Mining, to explore the future of iron ore and critical minerals at a time when global demand for strategic resources is skyrocketing. With nearly three decades of international mining experience, including 18 years at Rio Tinto, Rob shares insights on how Anglesey Mining is positioning itself to tap into the rising need for secure, domestic sources of critical materials – vital for industries from renewable ener...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min•Ep. 33
In this final episode of the year, All Points West host, Karl West, dives deep into the global offshore energy market with Richard Turner, CEO of Tekmar Group PLC. Richard brings over 15 years of expertise in oil, gas, and offshore wind markets, leading innovative solutions in subsea cable design, manufacturing, and project management. We discuss Tekmar's role in advancing offshore renewable energy, from cutting-edge engineering to its vital impact on the green energy transition. Join us as Rich...
Dec 11, 2024•32 min•Ep. 32
🎙️On this episode of the All Points West podcast, Karl speaks to Paul Hogarth , founder and CEO of Tatton Asset Management , an AIM-listed investment management and financial advisory powerhouse. With over 30 years of expertise in the financial services industry, Paul shares his journey from co-founding Bank Hall Investment Associates —a game-changing service provider that influenced 25% of the UK’s independent financial advisor sector —to establishing Paradigm Partners , a cornerstone of regul...
Nov 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of All Points West , we dive into the world of investment banking and the battery metals market with Andrew Monk, CEO of VSA Capital, a leader in small and mid-cap finance. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Andrew shares his journey from founding Oriel Securities to rebuilding VSA Capital with a strategic focus on natural resources and critical minerals essential for the energy transition. We discuss his insights into today’s high-growth sectors, from renewable energy investm...
Nov 13, 2024•38 min•Ep. 30
Today on the All Points West podcast, we’re exploring the future of sustainable marine adventure with Jasper Smith, founder and chairman of Arksen. As leaders in extreme marine innovation, Arksen designs high-end, all-weather vessels built to withstand the toughest terrains and climates, making them ideal for modern-day explorers and eco-conscious adventurers. Jasper’s 30-year career in disruptive technology and design includes launching Sky’s pioneering media services in the UK, bringing on-dem...
Oct 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of All Points West , we sit down with Andre Liebenberg, CEO of Yellow Cake PLC, one of the largest AIM-listed companies with a market value of £1.24 billion. Yellow Cake offers investors a unique opportunity to gain direct exposure to the uranium market through its physical holdings of uranium oxide concentrate, the primary fuel for nuclear power plants. Andre Liebenberg, CEO of Yellow Cake PLC, shares insights into the anticipated rise in uranium prices driven by supply and dema...
Oct 16, 2024•42 min•Ep. 28
Join us on this episode of the All Points West podcast as we welcome Dennis Edmonds, CEO of AIM-listed Kazera Global, a pioneering investment company focused on early-stage mining assets. With a spotlight on Kazera's diamond production and heavy mineral sands projects in South Africa, we delve into the significance of garnet and ilmenite, both crucial to various industries—from sustainable manufacturing to the booming pigments sector. As ilmenite gains recognition on Australia's critical mineral...
Oct 02, 2024•32 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of All Points West , we sit down with Brian Goodman, CEO of Golden Matrix Group, one of the leading names in the iGaming and sports betting world. From their groundbreaking casino and sportsbook platforms to their global expansion with iconic brands like Meridian Bet and MexPlay, Brian shares insights on the future of online betting. We also dive into the rise of competition products and how Golden Matrix is setting the pace in the high-stakes world of regulated gaming. Don’t mis...
Sep 18, 2024•38 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of the All Points West podcast, we sit down with Lindy Durrant, the founder and CEO of AIM-listed ScanCell. Since co-founding ScanCell in 1997, Lindy has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. With over 25 years of experience in translational research, she has played a pivotal role in bringing monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines from the lab to clinical trials. We discuss the rapidly growing immuno-oncology mar...
Sep 04, 2024•28 min•Ep. 25
When Craig Foster was asked to set up an innovations lab at HomeServe to answer the question: "is this an opportunity or is this a threat?" He never expected they would develop something that would lead to him turning down a promotion, and starting his own business. LeakBot is the flagship product of Ondo InsurTech plc, and Craig is on a mission to get it installed in every building with indoor plumbing across North America and Western Europe. In this episode of All Points West, Karl explores th...
Aug 21, 2024•57 min•Ep. 24
On this episode of All Points West, MicroSalt CEO Rick Guiney talks about healthcare and flavour innovation. Salt is a major cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide and costs the NHS roughly £7.4 billion annually. According to Guiney, reducing average salt intake by just one gram per day could save up to 4,000 lives in the UK each year.
Jul 17, 2024•34 min•Ep. 23
In this eclectic episode of the All Points West Podcast, we delve into the entrepreneurial journey of Jonathan Straight as he takes us through the founding and growth of Straight PLC, a trailblazing waste management and recycling company. Straight shares the challenges and triumphs of starting his business in 1993, the strategic decisions leading to its floating on AIM in 2003 and his successful exit in 2014 after a landmark deal. Tune in to discover valuable lessons in innovation, resilience, s...
Jun 26, 2024•48 min•Ep. 22
Join us on the latest episode of the All Points West podcast as we welcome Gary Wallace, CFO and Jason Moody, COO, of Time To ACT, the innovative engineering group at the forefront of the green transition. Fresh from their successful IPO on the AQUIS stock exchange, Gary and Jason explain how Time To ACT's Diffusion Alloys division is a market leader in high-temperature metal coatings for the hydrogen sector, and its innovative GreenSpur division is looking to use ferrite magnets and aluminium t...
Jun 12, 2024•39 min•Ep. 21
Mark Bartlett joined Strix in 2006 as its CEO; leading the company to a successful IPO in 2017, and shaping it into a powerhouse whose products are used more than 1.2 billion times a day in 100+ countries. In this episode of All Points West, Mark shares his journey with Strix, the surprising intricacies of the kettle market, and how this Isle of Man-based company has become an essential part of daily life. Tune in to discover how this unsung hero of a company has managed to make so many remarkab...
May 29, 2024•26 min•Ep. 20
Today we sit down with Jennifer Sundberg, co-founder and co-chief executive of Board Intelligence, a pioneering consultancy and technology firm revolutionising boardrooms worldwide. With over a decade of experience, Jennifer and her team have empowered over 3,000 organisations and 40,000 directors, spanning Fortune 500 giants to grassroots charities, to elevate their decision-making prowess. Discover the secrets behind their success as Jennifer discusses the pivotal role of consultants in transf...
May 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 18
Despite high energy storage levels in the UK, global events have led to less competitive rates - highlighting how distant geopolitical issues can affect UK energy costs. David Mirzai, SP Angel's Director of Equity Research and Energy Sector Specialist, discusses the influence of global politics on UK energy policy and pricing. Drawing from over 15 years of investment banking experience and expertise in petroleum geology, Mr. Mirzai provides valuable insights into recent crises. Nothing in this p...
Apr 24, 2024•35 min•Ep. 17
Can we trust Artificial Intelligence? Recently, siMa.ai, a leading edge computing chip firm, secured $70 million in funding, with significant backing from Dell, underscoring the growing investment in AI and edge computing technologies. While AI chatbots continue to evolve at an accelerated pace, advancements in algorithms are driving faster performance, shaping how we interact with technology. At OcaiPipe, Eric Topham and his team are committed to delivering trustworthy AI solutions for the Inte...
Apr 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 16