As we say farewell to 2022 and welcome in a new year, what is the state of the UK M&A market? To find out, we've spoken to the CEO of specialist M&A advisor BCMS, Jonathan Dunn. With over three decades of industry experience, Jonathan talks all things M&A in 2023, as well as trends to look out for and comparisons to the Great Recession. Here's what we discussed: What were some of the key M&A trends that we saw in 2022? (00:56) How did Trussonomics and the short-lived Liz Truss go...
Jan 12, 2023•28 min•Ep. 69
Our guest is a partner at Local Globe and Latitude and a board member at Innovate Finance. Yvonne Bajela is a founding member and VP at Impact X Capital, a venture capital firm investing in companies led by underrepresented founders at the Seed and Series A stages. Previously a Senior Investment Manager at Mitsui & Co, she led over $200m in investments in companies including TransferWise, and has played a pivotal role in leading a wide range of investments in companies including Predina and ...
Dec 07, 2022•33 min•Ep. 68
Dubbed a child prodigy, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE was the youngest girl to pass A-level computing at 11 years old. She then went on to receive a Master’s in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford at the tender age of 20. Having held positions at Goldman Sachs, Hewlett-Packard and Deutsche Bank, Imafidon is no stranger to having a seat at the table. However, she soon realised the table was far from diverse. In between stints on Channel 4’s Countdown and running her own pr...
Nov 30, 2022•56 min•Ep. 67
Our guest is the founder of Enter the Arena, a business coaching company that aims to empower female business owners in investment. She is a serial entrepreneur and an expert in raising investment and scaling businesses, she is also the recent author of the book RAISE: The Female Founder’s Guide To Securing Investment . Here's what we discussed: Can you tell us a bit about your journey up until this point? (00:56) Did you have any role models in your early business life? (03:30) Was there anythi...
Nov 23, 2022•39 min•Ep. 66
Our guest is the co-founder and CEO of Daaci, an AI music composition platform. Rachel Lyske is a vocal coach at the BRIT School of Performing Arts, having worked with artists signed to record labels including Dirty Hit, Atlantic, Infectious and Square Leg Records and is a music consultant for the music exam body ABRSM. Here's what we discussed: Can you tell us a bit about your journey and how you went into the music industry? (00:58) Did you always know you wanted to be a CEO and founder? (08:0...
Nov 16, 2022•40 min•Ep. 65
Our guest is the CEO of Babbel, a language learning platform and ecosystem that has sold more than 10 million subscriptions and over 60,000 courses for 14 different languages. Arne Schepker joined the company as CMO in 2015 before taking the role of CEO in 2019 and scaling the business from a start-up to a household brand, increasing its headcount from 250 to over 750. Here's what we discussed: Can you tell me a bit about what your life was like growing up and how this has led you to the point y...
Nov 09, 2022•39 min•Ep. 64
Our guest on this episode is a former UK Special Forces operative, best known for appearing on the hit Channel 4 TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins. He is also the Founder and Managing Director at BreakPoint, a training company that utilises special forces techniques to deliver courses and workshops for corporate teams and leaders. This is our conversation with Ollie Ollerton. Here's what we discussed: You definitely need to have a particular personality type to join the special forces – so what was yo...
Nov 02, 2022•51 min•Ep. 63
When some people talk in the business world, you can't help but sit up and listen. Whether he's tackling tough subjects or helping leaders through his speaking and facilitating skills, our guest on this episode is a self-proclaimed compassionate provocateur that you need to take note of. David McQueen is the co-founder of the professional coaching company Q Squared and Black Founders Hub, a network for black-owned high-growth businesses. He is a Non-Exec Director for Forbes Family Group and Our ...
Oct 26, 2022•51 min•Ep. 62
Confused by AI? The metaverse? AR? How will it affect your business? Do you even need to take any of this seriously? This episode's guest is Bernard Marr, a best-selling author, influencer, futurist and strategic business and technology advisor to governments and businesses. His books, which explore data, performance indicators, business management and business trends have been translated into over 20 languages and won multiple awards. One of his most recent books Business Trends In Practice foc...
Oct 19, 2022•50 min•Ep. 61
What can business leaders learn from comedians? Dealing with failure? Speaking to crowds? Relating to an audience? What about using the lessons learnt from a breakup to make yourself a better leader? Our guest on this episode is an award-winning stand-up comedian, best-selling author and host of ‘The Breakup Monologues’ podcast, Rosie Wilby. Rosie's latest book, The Breakup Monologues: The Unexpected Joy of Heartbreak , explores what skills someone can learn from breakups and why they can actual...
Oct 12, 2022•39 min•Ep. 60
Chris Donnelly is the co-founder of Lottie, the care home comparison platform that has changed the sector forever. Previously the founder of VERB, a digital marketing agency for luxury and premium brands, Chris has been on the receiving end of numerous accolades, including being named in Forbes’ 30 under 30 in 2020. He hit the headlines across the country for giving staff the day off to go to the pub when the world opened up after a lockdown. But Chris Donnelly has a strong track record of culti...
Oct 04, 2022•44 min•Ep. 59
When you talk to Steve Oliver, the Founder and CEO of musicMagpie, you can see, hear and feel how the upbringing he received from his parents and the links they built between the business they ran and the community they serve, has influenced him. Operating with a sense of purpose and duty, we met with him at his office to talk about his business, his recent IPO and his views on a whole host of topics. Here's what we discussed: Could you tell us about your upbringing? (00:31) Your father owning a...
Sep 28, 2022•49 min•Ep. 58
Our guest on this episode is an award-winning leadership coach, speaker, educator, and author of the book Real Wins, which draws on her experience coaching in sport, government, and education. She has had roles spanning across these sectors and has transformed the lives of professionals, young people, athletes, and the internal culture of many organisations. Her pioneering work and coaching and leadership programmes have transformed the lives of professionals, young people, athletes and the cult...
Sep 20, 2022•47 min•Ep. 57
The business world's attitude towards mental health has undergone a sizeable transformation in the past decade. But one young entrepreneur is refusing to accept the slow rate of change and "one-size-fits-all" approach. Our guest for this episode founded an app offering 1:1 therapy, counselling and career coaching sessions after suffering depression due to an undiagnosed health issue. MyndUp now services over 50,000 employees from global brands, including Savills, Dentons, CVC, The Prince’s Trust...
Sep 13, 2022•39 min•Ep. 56
The world of investment. The confusing old boys club - or at least that's the perception. Is that a fair characterisation? In this episode, we talk to a renowned chairman and non-executive director who's literally written the book about the world of investors. David Pattison cut his teeth in the world of advertising and has now become one of the UK's leading voices for young businesses. A graduate of Harvard Business School, David has been on all sides of the M&A process, including leading t...
Sep 06, 2022•45 min•Ep. 55
From being a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel to founding an innovative cyber security and data analytics company, Oz Alashe MBE has solidified his place as one of the UK's leading voices in the tech sector. A man who's made a name for himself walking the walk, Oz has a passion for cyber security, impactful leadership and social equality. His background has given him a unique insight into the socio-technical realities and human aspect of cyber security. He also has a decorated track record of d...
Aug 30, 2022•44 min•Ep. 54
You're 26. You've just founded your own company. You've just met the love of your life. And then you find out you're going blind. Liz Jackson MBE is not your usual entrepreneur. Today is Co-Owner and Sales and Marketing Director and Co-Owner of global mergers and acquisitions company BCMS, but there is so much more to her story than that. This is her story in her words and an episode of The Business Leader Podcast you will not want to miss. Here's what we discussed: What has your journey been li...
Aug 23, 2022•45 min•Ep. 53
Vegan. A polarising word that has divided people for decades. No matter where you stand on the spectrum of feeling toward veganism, it's largely accepted that the cause has an image problem. Confrontational. Angry: these are just a few of the terms regularly associated with the movement. Earthling Ed, aka Ed Winters, is well aware of this and has become a beacon for the cause with his speech and debate style. His viral debates and stream of content have amassed millions of views online. Ed has s...
Aug 16, 2022•51 min•Ep. 52
What can the man who helped orchestrate the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan teach you about improving your business? The answer is quite a lot. The guest on this episode is Chris Paton, who has had roles in the French Ministry of Defence, UK Ministry of Defence, and the Royal Marines before founding a consultancy that supports businesses to become more effective and improve their culture and performance. Here's what we discussed: Can you tell me a bit about your path to founding and now wo...
Aug 09, 2022•47 min•Ep. 51
Thursday. The company that’s stolen a day of the week and reinvented the way that dating apps work. Imagine creating a business model where your product only works one day a week. It’s not exactly the recommended strategy in any business manual but for the past few years, dating app Thursday has taken social media by storm with their viral stunts and unique personality. The company is happy not fitting in with the norm and founders George Rawlings and Matt McNeill Love have serious ambition. If ...
Aug 02, 2022•48 min•Ep. 50
Our guest for this has held executive roles at Barclays, Barclaycard, and American Express. Now, Sarah Webb is the President for UK & Europe at OFX, where she is responsible for all commercial growth in the region. She has a wealth of experience in leadership and 20 years of experience in bank payments. In this exclusive interview, we discuss imposter syndrome, how to encourage women to get into the finance sector and much more. Here's what we discussed: Did you always know you wanted to wor...
Jul 26, 2022•29 min•Ep. 49
The common view is that business people are just... different. They have things figured out. They're in an exclusive world of VCs and angels. Or are they? One man has made it his mission to break down barriers and show that anyone can become an entrepreneur. Roy Ledgister, founder of proptech investment firm Convivia Group, grew up in Shepherd's Bush and relied on free schools in his youth. He started a car wash business at 14 and, after doing his law degree, became the UK's youngest senior part...
Jul 19, 2022•41 min•Ep. 48
Jamie Dixon is a leadership coach, trainer, and author who works with business leaders in over 160 multinational companies across the world. He is the author of the books Overcome and Get It Done and Shaping Paths . His new book The Story Habit reveals a practical approach to helping leaders tell and shape stories. We speak to Jamie about the differences between leaders in China and Europe, the differences between Chinese and European markets, and the power of storytelling in persuasion and lead...
Jul 12, 2022•46 min•Ep. 47
Who is Bassim Haidar? Not only is he a Lebanese national and Nigeria-born self-made billionaire, but he is also on the forefront of innovation and financial inclusion on a global scale. Starting his first business at just 20 years old, Haidar has gone on to establish Optasia, a large telecoms provider which operates in 19 countries and plays a major role in infrastructure in Africa and the Middle East. He now has a stake in a variety of industries including fintech, logistics, energy, engineerin...
Jul 05, 2022•48 min•Ep. 46
We sat down for a conversation with psychiatrist and author of The Chimp Paradox , Professor Steve Peters. With over 20 years of experience in psychiatry, he has shared his knowledge through the books he's authored which explore the nature of the mind and help readers become healthier, happier, and more successful. His most recent book, A Path through the Jungle , further explores self-development and explains complex neuroscience in a digestible way. We speak to Professor Steve Peters about how...
Jun 28, 2022•48 min•Ep. 45
Our guest is an Army veteran, specialist leadership coach, and facilitator for senior leaders in higher and secondary education. He's also the author of The Leadership Book and has set up the charity Michelle Jurd Trust, which supports initiatives that encourage young people to benefit from outdoor adventures. Here's what we discussed: Could you tell us how you ended up becoming a leadership coach? (00:53) How did you end up joining the army? (02:07) Were there any skills that you picked up in t...
Jun 21, 2022•35 min•Ep. 44
We sat down for a conversation with Emma Sayle. In 2005, Emma founded a global events business that aims to sexually empower and liberate women, now Killing Kittens has over 180,000 members worldwide. She has also started Safedate, a safe dating app, and the Sisterhood Group, a group of women that take part in sports adventures and challenges. Here's what we discussed: What is Killing Kittens? (00:46) What can someone expect to happen at a KK event? (01:27) What motivated you to create Killing K...
Jun 14, 2022•36 min•Ep. 43
We sat down for a conversation with Mark Wilson. Mark is a business strategy expert who founded Wilson Fletcher, an innovation consultancy that helps to transform digital companies through strategy and design. He has recently released a book, Futurestate Design, which aims to help entrepreneurs think differently about the future of their business. Here's what we discussed: What does a digital strategist do? (00:49) How did you decide that you wanted to be a strategist? (03:42) Are there similari...
Jun 07, 2022•43 min•Ep. 42
Our guest on the podcast is Kike Oniwinde; the Founder and CEO of BYP Network, a digital platform that connects black professionals with each other and corporations. She has been recognised as a leader in tech and won many prestigious awards including Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Financial Times' top 100 BAME leaders in technology. Here's what we discussed during our discussion: Can you tell us a bit about your story leading up to starting BYP Network? (00:56) What barriers are stopping black student...
May 31, 2022•37 min•Ep. 41
Our guest on the podcast today is Tom Moore; an ex-platoon commander who founded a talent incubator to help war veterans break into the tech sector. Now, WithYouWithMe has expanded to find work for neurodivergent and gender diverse communities, military spouses, and indigenous populations. Tom speaks to us about being a CEO transparent about mental health, the power of hiring neurodivergent candidates, and having humility as a leader. Here's what we discussed during our discussion: Could you tel...
May 24, 2022•43 min•Ep. 40
