Join us for an inspiring conversation with Joe Seddon, the visionary founder of Zero Gravity, a groundbreaking platform transforming the landscape of social mobility. In this episode, Joe shares his journey from coding in his childhood bedroom in Yorkshire to creating a tech-driven enterprise that empowers thousands of students from low-opportunity backgrounds to access top universities and careers. We talk to Joe about the driving forces behind his entrepreneurial spirit, reflections on the cha...
Jun 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 5
This week’s episode features Azeem Akhtar, Field CTO for BT’s International Business From how religion has informed his views on leadership to childhood anecdotes and lessons for the next generation of leaders, listen in for an all encompassing conversation from a leader who has experienced it all. Key takeaways from this episode: 🚨Don't try and be somebody you are not because you’ll get found out 📢 Be clear in your own mind about the value you’re adding to the role you are doing 😀Keep a smil...
Apr 08, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This week’s episode features Sonikka, a journalist with experience working at CNN’s Washington bureau, Indian newspaper The Hindu and incoming producer at Bloomberg. From what it’s like reporting on politics from Washington during a Trump presidency to covering judicial reform in India and producing data-driven journalism, listen in for a deep dive into the highs and lows of a career in multimedia journalism. Some of the topics we touch on: 🌍 growing up as third culture kids grappling with iden...
Mar 25, 2024•59 min
An International Women’s Day special with Bano Sheikh, Parter at KPMG. From Lahore to London, Bano’s journey has been defined by agility, grit and unshakable faith. A trailblazer in many ways, Bano was the first woman to qualify with the ACCA in Pakistan, and is among the first few female Muslim partner in the Big 4. Listen in for an inspiring and motivational tale of courage, values and business success! You can follow Bano on LinkedIn here Learn more about Leadership Unplugged here...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Kevin Ellis CBE is Chairman and Senior partner of PwC's UK and Middle East alliance. As the Big 4 firm celebrates its 175th anniversary, we explore what it takes to lead a business which delivers for its clients, people and society. We delve into Kevin's personal story, his career journey and the sorts of problems which occupy a chairman's time and attention. From championing diversity and inclusion to what really happens at Davos, listen in for a unique insight into a remarkable business, and t...
Feb 23, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Abbas is a Senior Marketing Director at Coca Cola, one of the world's most powerful brands. We delve into creative thinking, marketing strategy and creating successful brands. Listen in on his remarkable journey from Lahore to the Middle East and the USA.
Nov 24, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This week’s guest is Liz Sweigart, ex PwC partner turned entrepreneur and social activist. Liz talks to us about growing up in NYC, life in the Big 4 and the mental health challenges faced during her journey. She also dives into why most organisational leadership is flawed and provides tips on how to cultivate strong leaders for the future. In this episode we talk to Liz about her own Mental Health journey which may be difficult for some listeners. You can find details of charities you can conta...
Nov 17, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Edward Keelan, Partner at Octopus Ventures, shares his experiences growing up with dyslexia, pursuing his passion for entrepreneurship and his career in Venture Capital. With over 13 years of investing experience, Edward talks us through growing up in an entrepreneurial family, the lessons this taught him from a young age and his commitment to mentoring young people who wouldn’t typically have access to such careers. Here are 3 key takeaways from Episode 6: 1) To be the best, you have to outwork...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Hasan speaks to Anishka Prasad, Head of Strategy & Operations at Future VC. Anishka talks about growing up in Fiji, moving multiple times to both New Zealand and the UK, life as a lawyer and working in the VC world. Anishka describes some of the hurdles she has faced as a woman of colour in a predominantly male industry, and the mindset she has adopted to overcome these challenges. She also draws parallels between her childhood and the personal attributes which have contributed to her profes...
Oct 06, 2023•55 min
This week’s guest is Ibrahim Khan, co-founder of IFG and Cur8 Capital. After studying PPE at Oxford, Ibrahim pursued a lucrative career in law at Ashurst, but always knew his true calling was entrepreneurship. We delve into this journey, starting with an educational blog and transforming into what is now IFG and Cur8 capital. Here are our key takeaways: Figure out what you’re good at, passionate about, and can get paid for You owe it to yourself to consistently invest in your vision, no matter h...
Sep 22, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Our latest episode features Michael Gibson, founder of the 1517 fund, co-founder of the Thiel fellowship and self-proclaimed “failed” academic. Michael talks us through the identity crises of his early life, his poetic and philosophical ambitions at Oxford and his mentorship from one of the greatest VC investors of all time, Peter Thiel. Here are some of our key takeaways: Pattern recognition: experience is akin to building a large data set, and decision making is intrinsically linked to pattern...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This week's episode is with Dia Tuncer from BGO, a global real estate investment manager. We speak about growing up in an immigrant household, navigating careers and Dia’s current role as treasurer of IKWRO, a woman's rights organisation based out of London Our three key takeaways from this episode were: Develop a foundational skillset which you can leverage throughout your career. Don’t see mentorship as a relationship ‘cloaked in secrecy’. Instead, just reach out to people. The worst they can ...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Our first epsiode is with Craig Fenton, Managing Director for Strategy & Operations at Google. Craig walks us through his childhood growing up in rural New Zealand and his fascination with technology at the dawn of the internet in the late 90s. Leaving home to pursue an MBA at London Business School, Craig opens up about the challenges faced by young people figuring out their start in life. From how to perceive failure to the importance of creating a professional portfolio, this conversation...
Sep 01, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to Leadership Unplugged. Join us to uncover the lived experiences of a dynamic mix of leaders, from c-suite executives and entrepreneurs, to journalists and educators. Understand what makes them tick, and how to navigate your own leadership journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2023•1 min
