Sheep Inc is a new kind of fashion brand and its knitwear leaves behind zero emissions, zero harm and zero waste. The attention to detail needed to create this kind of accountability is staggering - involving everything from sourcing wool from regenerative farms to solar-powered knitting machines. Even the sheep that produce the company's wool are fed food that makes them burp less – and produce less methane. Sheep Inc is also a radically transparent brand and you can access entire provenance of...
Jul 22, 2021•46 min•Season 4Ep. 3
People who buy from sportswear specialist Rapha don’t just buy product - they buy into a global brand that’s all about connection. Whether it’s a clubhouse, cycling group or via technology, Rapha’s people connect first through their shared passion for sport - before tapping into a far deeper sense of community. In this episode founder Simon Mottram talks about wellness, his devotion to detail and how Rapha is now pushing into new areas to connect with different groups of people. Mary's new book,...
Jul 15, 2021•41 min•Season 4Ep. 2
The frozen food brand Cook is a true family business. Co-founder Edward Perry was inspired by his parents’ frozen cake company to set up Cook and then joined in the business by brother James and sister Rosie, who’s now co-CEO. An early B Corps, Cook has donated two million meals to children living in some of the most poverty-stricken areas of the world and gave away more than 200000 meals to the needy during Covid. Thanks to initiatives to employ ex-offenders, a profit share and the living wage,...
Jul 08, 2021•35 min•Season 4Ep. 1
The Kindness Economy returns this Thursday. Follow us now!
Jul 06, 2021•51 sec•Season 4Ep. 1
Michael Green is CEO of the Social Progress Imperative - an organisation that’s helping national and local government accurately measure what life is like for ordinary people. It’s a fascinating move towards measuring more than just money and ensuring the wellbeing of people is maximised. Plus, Mary chats with two of her key Portas people about what they’ve learned from working with businesses to implement the Kindness Economy, and their hopes for its future. To purchase the Kindness Economy Rep...
Mar 11, 2021•42 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Architecture is not just about what we build - but how we live. And Amanda Levete CBE believes our homes, shops, offices and public spaces can be radically reimagined in the future. In this fascinating discussion she tells Mary how we can apply those ideas to our vacant department stores as much as the new structures we design. Plus, Mary talks to one of the Portas team about The Kindness Economy in action... looking at businesses this week that are making a difference. To purchase the Kindness ...
Mar 04, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Kate Raworth calls herself a rebel economist and it’s true. Now a Senior Research Associate at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute, she was in fact switched off economics at university because it didn’t answer the questions she cared about like protecting the environment and challenging inequality. Luckily, she later reconnected with the topic and her 2017 book ‘Doughnut Economics’ has been published in 18 languages. She talks to Mary about the key principles. Plus, Mary talks to ...
Feb 25, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 6
You’re more likely to get divorced than you are to change your bank. But have you ever questioned how your money is being invested? Join Mary as she talks to Triodos UK CEO Bevis Watts about sustainable banking, the huge potential of the financial sector to create positive change and how we can all get involved. Plus, Mary talks to one of the Portas team about The Kindness Economy in action... looking at businesses this week that are making a difference. To purchase the Kindness Economy Report, ...
Feb 18, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 5
After years of new, new, new, the resale fashion business is booming as more and more of us get savvy about fashion’s impact on people and planet. Vestiare Collective is at the forefront of this movement and in this episode, Mary talks to co-founder Fanny Moizant about what inspired her – and the very feminine values she’s put at the heart of her business.
Feb 11, 2021•43 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Can something as simple as making a cup of tea change the world? Maybe not quite. But it certainly can help if the tea is made by a company like Pukka Herbs – who have put respecting people and protecting planet at the heart of what they do. Join Mary in conversation with Pukka co-founder Sebastian Pole as they talk hope, environmentalism and what each of us can do to create change. Plus the latest updates from the Portas team about the businesses this week that are making a difference. Find out...
Feb 04, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Ethics are at the heart of beauty brand Lush which campaigns on political issues, animal & human rights. Hear co-founder Mark Constantine talk about what his team brings to his business and his passion for the potential that business has to do good. Plus the latest updates from the Portas team about the businesses this week that are making a difference. Find out more about the Kindness Economy report: https://portasagency.com/the-kindness-economy-report/p/the-kindness-economy Get in touch wi...
Jan 28, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 2
James Watt believes business, not governments, are the true drivers of change. And he’s making sure BrewDog, the company he co-founded, is doing all it can to tackle climate change. In the first episode of this new series, Mary talks to James about why it’s time for all of us to think carefully about the companies we buy into. Plus, Mary talks to one of the Portas team about The Kindness Economy in action... looking at businesses this week that are making a difference. Find out more about the Ki...
Jan 21, 2021•38 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Join Mary Portas in this brand new series, as she talks to inspiring entrepreneurs - in everything from fashion to architecture - about how they’re helping make the business world a kinder place and we what we can all do to help. Starts Thursday. Subscribe: https://podfollow.com/maryportas
Jan 15, 2021•2 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Happy International Women's Day! Join Mary and her closest advisers from Portas Agency as they offer advice and guidance for a range of talented women working in UK business today - plus a familar voice surprises the team...
Mar 08, 2020•36 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The founder of Richer Sounds is one of the UK's leading lights of responsible capitalism - in this interview with Mary, he takes us through the way he has run his business, why he decided to give control to his employees, and the launch of the Good Business Charter. Elsewhere in the last episode of this series, we join Mary and colleague Emily Bryce Perkins (Portas Agency's culture director) at the firm's Christmas party preparations, and reflect on a decade of change in UK retail and culture.
Dec 16, 2019•40 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The CEO of Europe's biggest media agency, with a staff of over 4000, Josh Krichefski speaks to Mary and Portas Agency's Culture Director Emily Bryce-Perkins about the stories they share about mental health, and how it's raised awareness and empathy in the company. Plus, there's a surprise guest in the final moments of the show (at least, it's a surprise for him).
Dec 09, 2019•30 min•Season 2Ep. 6
British Jamaican entrepreneur Sharmadean Reid has founded two successful businesses and shows no sign of slowing down. In this empowering conversation, she discusses the origins of WAH Nails, Beautystack and the role family and friends have played in her career. Meanwhile, Mary is live in New York, and Portas' Culture Director Emily Bryce-Perkins has some troubling feedback from a previous episode.
Dec 02, 2019•42 min•Season 2Ep. 5
The first woman in charge of insurer Lloyds of London talks to Mary Portas and Portas Agency's culture director Emily Bryce Perkins about how she got to the top of this 333 year-old financial institution - and what all women can learn from her experience. Discover more about Portas at portasagency.com
Nov 25, 2019•39 min•Season 2Ep. 4
The editor of Men's Health, the UK's best selling men's magazine, chats to Mary Portas and her culture director Emily Bryce-Perkins about the challenges men face in an equal society. Plus, there's talk on Christmas windows, the new Harvey Nichols documentary and why Anita Roddick should have been a Dame.
Nov 18, 2019•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Theatre director and founder of the Women Of The World festival Jude Kelly drops in to Portas to speak to Mary about her new project, the WOW foundation. Also on the show, Mary is joined by Emily Bryce-Perkins, co-host and Culture Director of Mary’s creative agency and consultancy Portas, to discuss Marks & Spencers' latest figures and Microsoft Japan's four-day week experiement.
Nov 11, 2019•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
The UK's most popular psychotherapist joins Mary and Emily Bryce-Perkins, co-host and Culture Director of Mary’s creative agency and consultancy Portas, to learn what parenting techniques can be applied in boardrooms, too. Plus, in this first episode of a new series, we workshop Mary's upcoming TED talk, learn who's doing business with kindness and hear an amazing piece of advice from a 91-year-old.
Nov 04, 2019•36 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Telegraph writer Bryony Gordon had hidden her true self from others, and herself, for many years - until finally, one day, she wrote a column about her experiences of alcoholism, OCD and anxiety. Mary & Emily speak to Bryony about how her colleagues, bosses, friends and family reacted to her 'coming out' and how she came to own the skin that she's in, taking thousands with her as she told her story. This is the last episode of the first series - be sure to listen to the other wonderful peopl...
Jul 09, 2019•44 min•Season 1Ep. 8
What kind of a podcast would we be if there wasn't a little treat every now and then? In this episode, Mary Portas and Emily Bryce-Perkins introduce two extracts from the book, Work Like A Woman, which inspired this podcast. This audiobook extract is published by Penguin. For more information, and to buy your copy, visit their website.
Jul 01, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7
The chief executive of Greggs, Roger Whiteside OBE, joins Mary and Emily to discuss how he's grown the baker, but not at the expense of his workforce. Over his career he's seen the worst excesses of alpha management culture... yet kept true to himself. How did he do it, and what can we all learn?
Jun 24, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Mary & Emily return to The Attic to talk POLITICS... and are joined by a campaigner who, amongst many notable achievements, persuaded the Bank of England to put Jane Austin on the £10 note. Now Caroline Criado Perez - OBE, don't you know - is on a mission to address the huge disparities in scientific research between men and women, and how that affects our everyday life. Her book, Invisible Women, is out now.
Jun 17, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 5
This week we bring you a special edition of Work Like A Woman, where Mary was interviewed by broadcaster Miranda Sawyer in front of a live audience at the Shaw Theatre, London. Together they discuss Mary's roots, her progression through some of the most well-known high street brands, to the highs and lows that brought her to this point. Thanks to Penguin Random House for producing this live event, the staff at the Shaw Theatre, and our sponsors Natwest. To find out more just search NatWest: Reth...
Jun 10, 2019•47 min•Season 1Ep. 4
What does it take to hold a room? The world of stand-up comedy is still dominated by male comedians, but as writer-turned-comic Viv Groskop tells Mary Portas, it's all about finding your voice. Also on the programme, we peak behind the scenes of The Work Like A Woman book tour and Mary reveals the many names she's been called in the workplace. Thanks to the sponsors of this episode, Natwest. Find out more about how they're rethinking business here.
Jun 03, 2019•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Journalist and author Elizabeth Day made, as we all do, some questionable decisions when she started in her chosen career - some were in her power to change... others less so. In our feature interview this week Elizabeth tells us how those mistakes shaped her and how it helped shape her voice. Plus, Mary & head of culture Emily Bryce-Perkins discuss the week in business (including Jamie Oliver's recent misfortune) and we hear about the time Mary tried selling Kinky Knickers to a rather antiq...
May 27, 2019•39 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Everyone in the UK is entitled to ask for flexible working hours - but most of the time that request is denied. Mary and Emily sit down with Flex Appeal founder Anna Whitehouse (aka Mother Pukka) to discover what we can do to change the culture. Plus: Mary delivers her verdict on the week's business news, including the recent goings on at Richer Sounds.
May 20, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Alongside Portas Agency's culture director Emily Bryce-Perkins, and a host of guests from Bryony Gordon to Elizabeth Day, Mary talks work culture, kindness, flexible working, the mental load and much more.
May 09, 2019•4 min
