Unity Thursday

As women working in the city, we know what it’s like to spend your day surrounded by people who don’t look like we do, speak like we do, or think like we do. On Unity Thursday we bring together women in business and the workplace. Every episode we invite guests to share with us their story and recommend books and podcasts that they’ve enjoyed. Join the community wherever you get your podcasts. Unity Thursday’s mission is to inspire, empower and build a community of knowledgeable and supportive women… and have some fun along the way!

Last refreshed: August 25th, 2025 at 3:00 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Impact of Honesty: Lily Shippen, Owner and Managing Director of Lily Shippen Recruitment

This week we speak to the incredible Lily Shippen, Owner and Managing Director of Lily Shippen Recruitment. Lily has a wealth of experience in the recruitment sector and is an advocate for the business support and HR industry. We talk about how Lily Shippen became a brand, how Covid-19 impacted the future of the company and how Lily worked out the ‘why’ of her company. Lily tells us about how she became a young business owner with the support of her family, the impact of mentor’s honesty and emp...

Aug 10, 2023•40 min•Ep. 8

The Power of Role Models: Mariam Crichton, CEO & Co-Founder of 7 Satya

This week we speak to the incredible Mariam Crichton, CEO and Co-Founder of 7 Satya, Advisory Specialist for MBodha, Forum member of TNFD and Scientific Committee Member of Axless Impact . Mariam has been the entrepreneurial driving force of the growth of many tech start-ups, over the last 16 years. We talk about starting 7 Satya as brand of integrity, how coaching as helped Mariam overcome imposter syndrome, the challenges that women face in fundraising and and Mariam's experience of starting h...

Jul 13, 2023•49 min•Ep. 7

The Importance of Passion: Portia Patel, Co-Founder of ESGmark

This week we talk to Portia Patel, Director of Diversified Financials Equity Research at Canaccord Genuity and Co-Founder of ESGmark. Portia has a wealth of knowledge in the financial services sector. We talk about what equity research actually is, the fun days of being a research analyst, and how MiFID II has changed the industry. We discussed how ESGmark was founded, the objective, and small changes that we can all make in our every day lives to help the planet. Thank you so much to Portia for...

Jun 15, 2023•44 min•Ep. 6

How to be Authentic: Julie-Ann Haines, CEO of Principality Building Society

This week we talk to Julie-Ann Haines, CEO of Principality Building Society and Board Trustee for Wales Millennium Centre. Julie-Ann has a wealth of experience in the retail and financial services sector. We discuss Julie-Ann's upbringing and hear about learning the ropes in the family petrol station business, her role as Chief Executive at Principality, and the career steps between the two. We also discuss how to be authentic, growth mindsets, the value of coaching and how to juggle the sometim...

May 18, 2023•52 min•Ep. 5

Inspiration and Motivation: Sheila Hogan, Founder & CEO of Biscuit Tin

This week, we talk to Sheila Hogan, Founder and CEO of digital vault company, Biscuit Tin. Sheila has a wealth of experience, including being a serial entrepreneur and three decades in technology facilitating digital transformation. We discuss Sheila's entrepreneurial spirit, and how it led her to start a clothing line whilst still at school, motivation and sacrifice when juggling home and work life balance and unfair criticism from Steven Bartlett in the Dragon's Den. We talk about Sheila's mot...

May 04, 2023•54 min•Ep. 4

The Power of Wing Women: Sue Unerman, Author & Chief Transformation Officer at Essence MediacomX

This week, we speak about the power of wing women and the importance of speaking up for one another with the incredible Sue Unerman, co-author of one of our favourite business books, The Glass Wall . Sue is Chief Transformation Officer at EssenceMediacomX and Global Head of Relevance for EssenceMediaCom Global and has a wealth of experience, including 25+ years in advertising and media. Sue, Sophie and Emily discuss Sue's career and upbringing and what inspired Sue to write. Sue talks about the ...

Apr 20, 2023•52 min•Ep. 3

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You: Julia Linehan, CEO and Founder of The Digital Voice

This week we trade mantras, celebrate differences and talk about the power of positive ++ energy with the amazing Julia Linehan, Founder and CEO of T he Digital Voice . Julia has worked for over 25 years in media and advertising and is an official member of the Forbes Agency Council and an Advisor and Founding Member of UKSAFC. She is also a Founder of Digital Leading Ladies, an organisation for women in the digital advertising and technology industry. Julia, Sophie and Emily discussed Julia's i...

Mar 23, 2023•51 min•Ep. 2

This is not a TrEpisode! Welcome to Unity Thursday

Is it a Trailer? Is it an Episode? We aren't sure but please but give it a listen. If you've ever felt like you don't see enough female role models in the workplace, join us, we're launching a podcast. We're here to give you access to some seriously impressive women, and ask all the questions you'd love to ask. We are your DELIGHTFUL hosts Sophie Weal and Emily Thomson. It's the business podcast no one asked for but maybe that's because us women need to be better at asking for what we need. (Tha...

Mar 07, 2023•17 min•Ep. 1

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