In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Kirsty Murphy MBE — trailblazing pilot, proud daughter, and people-first innovator. From growing up on an RAF squadron to becoming the first and only female Red Arrows pilot, Kirsty shares how she carved out her own path in a world where few women had gone before. She speaks openly about building a career that’s more like a climbing wall than a ladder — full of bold moves, challenges, and powerful pivots. From the RAF to Connected Pla...
Jun 30, 2025•27 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Gail Hall, Director of Operational Excellence, and Emma Griffin, Group Chief Security Officer at Royal London - two powerhouse leaders with stories that move from bars to boardrooms, and everything in between. We also explore Royal London’s commitment to empowering others, including their brilliant partnership with our Mentor of the Year category at the 2025 #NPWAwards. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Meet This Week's Guests: The R...
Jun 23, 2025•24 min
What does it mean to work at a company that encourages growth, mentorship, and innovation? This episode, we chat with Richard and Amy from Bank of America, our Co-Headline Partners for the NPWAwards, about exactly that. 🌟 Richard (25 years at Bank of America) shares why he’s changed roles every 20 months and how curiosity has shaped his career. 🌟 Amy (celebrating 10 years) reflects on why she never wanted to leave the North—and how finding Bank of America in Chester was a perfect fit. Plus, we...
Jun 16, 2025•32 min
The brilliant Lisa Allen and Jen Hardy from Shakespeare North join the We Are PoWEr Podcast to explore how theatre can be a poWErful force for healing, inclusion, and community. From growing up in youth theatre to building careers rooted in creativity and connection, Lisa and Jen share how early role models, big dreams, and bold networking led them to where they are today. They open up about the imposter syndrome they’ve faced, the magic of mentorship, and why a chatty café or a board game can b...
Jun 09, 2025•31 min
Empowerment champion and four-time finalist, Ann Stonehouse, joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast to share the journey behind her well-earned recognition at the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards. From starting a podcast club in lockdown to launching a book club to hold herself accountable, Ann reveals how community, creativity, and connection fuel her drive. She opens up about what it meant to be nominated, how mentoring through Northern PoWEr Women helped her grow, and — yes — the time she met the Que...
Jun 02, 2025•28 min
This week on the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we're joined by Nicola Gleave founder of Worn by Us, entrepreneur, and unstoppable force for good, as she shares the moment her life pivoted forever. Nicola’s story is more than inspiring - it’s a reminder that even in life’s hardest moments, there’s space to create, connect, and lead. Chapters: 0:00 – Introducing Worn by Us 1:44 – Breast Cancer Diagnosis 5:37 – Finding Purpose Through Adversity 9:02 – Building a Business Through Networks 14:16 – The Power ...
May 26, 2025•25 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we speak with Marianna Vaszilyiv, the driving force behind United for Ukraine an organisation that supports displaced Ukrainians with employment opportunities, courses, and essential services since the 2022 Russian invasion. Marianna shares how what started as a two-week support initiative quickly evolved into a long-term, high-impact operation. Drawing on her multicultural heritage Ukrainian, Hungarian, Polish, and Jewish, as well as her academic bac...
May 19, 2025•25 min
Dr. Chrissi McCarthy's candid conversation takes us through her story of growing up in a council house in Bracknell to holding a PhD and founding the Centre of Behavioural Equality. Dr Chrissi opens up about mental health struggles that doctors dismissed because she 'was smiling' and an alcohol dependency that society refused to recognise because it didn't fit the stereotypical image of alcoholism. Listen to learn: 👷♀️ Taking a break during her PhD after experiencing miscarriages, business cha...
May 12, 2025•26 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Donna Scully, Joint Owner and Director at Carpenters Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of insurance and legal services. Donna shares her experience of moving from London to Liverpool for a fresh start, and how she built a successful career as a lawyer and entrepreneur. She reflects on key moments along the way including being once called a “Scally” at school which have stuck with her and shaped her perspective. Donna speaks ope...
May 05, 2025•25 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast , we sit down with Jo Milne, founder of Cure Usher Syndrome , to talk about her mission to find a cure and amplify the voices of those living with Usher syndrome. Jo shares her personal experience of being misdiagnosed, only to learn at 29 that she had been living with the condition all along. As someone who grew up partially sighted without a role model to look up to, she is now determined to be that person for others—empowering more people to speak u...
Apr 28, 2025•21 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Calvin Eden, founder and brand director of Loud Speaker, an organisation dedicated to empowering young people through confidence-building workshops. Calvin shares how Loud Speaker grew from an idea during lockdown to reaching over 200,000 students, creating life-changing opportunities along the way. He opens up about his personal journey, including the tragic loss of a friend to knife crime at just 15 years old, and how that experienc...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min
🎙️ In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Foluso Falade — last years candidate on The Apprentice UK and founder/CEO of Brandin’ It, the first-ever social enterprise to feature on the show. Foluso shares the story behind her pioneering organisation, which helps young people across the UK create and launch their own brands — a mission that’s rapidly building a platform set to reach 9 million teens. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of her time on The Apprentice ...
Apr 14, 2025•21 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Bentley Motors, our #NPWAwards PoWEr List partner, to explore their commitment to innovation, from electrification by 2026 to a £2 billion investment in sustainability. We also discuss: 🚘 The importance of skills in transforming industries ⚡ The challenges and opportunities of going all-electric 🎓 Bentley’s role in developing future talent through education and apprenticeships Plus, an unexpected twist—Harry discovered during his se...
Apr 07, 2025•30 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Tarifa Simpson from Forvis Mazars, who shares the story of how she built her career and the lessons she learned along the way. Tarifa opens up about how she explored different internships to find her true career path, leading to a graduate role in transactional services. What started as an opportunity turned into a 17-year journey at KPMG, shaping her expertise and leadership skills. She reflects on the mentorship, coaching, and traini...
Mar 31, 2025•24 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Dr Penny Trayner, a neuropsychologist who has discovered a fascinating connection between DJing and brain recovery. Penny shares how her work in neuropsychology led her to explore the impact of music on rehabilitation and why she believes that the only real barrier is what we tell ourselves. She also reflects on her childhood in Abu Dhabi, how her parents’ careers and support shaped her, and the drive to help people that guides her wo...
Mar 24, 2025•21 min
The #NPWAwards isn’t just one night—it’s a movement that keeps growing, inspiring, and driving change every single day. In this special episode, we catch up with some of our incredible 2025 winners and commended to hear what the awards have meant to them, their organisations, and the communities they support. Joined by Natalie from Nuvo Wellbeing, Kirsty from DWF Law, Afra from Savera UK, Julie from Digital Voice for Communities, Susan Mulholland, Catherine Millan, Juliet Sanders, Jo Clarke, and...
Mar 17, 2025•34 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Joe Dent, Chief People Officer at Princes, as he shares his inspiring journey in corporate leadership, mental health advocacy, and fostering inclusion within organisations. With 14 years of experience at Princes, Joe has risen through the ranks from HR Controller to Group HR Director and now Chief People Officer, shaping the company's People Excellence strategy. Joe discusses his role in advocating for inclusion and the importance of ...
Mar 10, 2025•19 min
Join us on the We Are PoWEr podcast as Amy Williams, Managing Director at Barclays and Iwona Schmidt, Managing Director at Bank of America talk about their roles as co-headline partners for the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women’s Awards. 🌟 Amy and Iwona share... ✨ Their excitement for the night ✨ The power of role models ✨ Why the partnership is important to them personally and professionally ✨ Their companies' commitment to diversity and inclusion The 2025 #NPWAwards is on 6th March, don’t miss this e...
Mar 03, 2025•24 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Natalie Reeves-Billing DL, a remarkable woman with an inspiring journey in education, innovation, and leadership. Natalie, a mum of three and co-founder of Builder Book UK, shares her passion for empowering young minds and creating equitable educational opportunities. As an award-winning author, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, and creator of The Animates Project, Natalie discusses her mission to bring educational resources to vulnera...
Feb 24, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Cat Wildman, the founder of Powered by Diversity , talks about her experience of being named Commended Winner of the Agent of Change at the #NPWAwards . Despite the recognition, Cat shares how it triggered imposter syndrome and made her question her own success. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Cat explains the mission behind Powered by Diversity and how its GEC app helps identify and track imbalances in the workplace. Cat also reflects on how her career took un...
Feb 17, 2025•22 min
In this inspiring episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast , we chat with Nicola Wood, founder of the Wonderful Wig Company. Nicola shares her incredible story of building a successful business while battling cancer, highlighting the personal and financial challenges she faced along the way. From overcoming obstacles in entrepreneurship to expanding her reach through franchising and advocacy, Nicola talks about her resilience and dedication to making a difference. She discusses the impact of receivin...
Feb 10, 2025•20 min
Join us as Paul Kallee-Grover MBE shares his extraordinary journey, revealing the unexpected honour of receiving an MBE during the tumultuous times of 2021. From his initial spark of interest in urban regeneration and geography to launching his own venture, Key Partnership, Paul opens up about his evolution from a connector of ideas in international real estate to a trailblazing entrepreneur. Discover how a chance encounter with a former CEO set him on a new path, emphasising the excitement of p...
Feb 03, 2025•31 min
In this episode of the We Are Power Podcast, we delve into the world of entrepreneurship with Ruth Hartnoll, co-founder of Matchstick. Join us as we explore personal stories of growth, overcoming challenges, and the significance of community. Ruth discusses the origins of her business, the valuable lessons learned, and the importance of fostering a strong company culture. We also touch on balancing personal and professional life, as well as the impact of side projects and board roles. Chapters: ...
Jan 27, 2025•29 min
In this special episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE steps into the hot seat, being interviewed for the first time by Anna Davey. Known for her dedication to championing gender equality and leading the Northern PoWEr Women Awards movement, Simone shares insights into her path from receiving an MBE from the Queen to building a movement that now unites over 120,000 people. Simone opens up about how her upbringing in Liverpool and experiences as an honorary captain in the Royal Nav...
Jan 20, 2025•31 min
In this inspiring episode, Ammar Mirza CBE, entrepreneur and community advocate, shares his remarkable journey from his roots in shipbuilding in Newcastle and Liverpool to his dedication to supporting the armed forces community. Ammar talks about his drive to create positive change, living by the mantra of "fixing things and adding value." He also reflects on the importance of giving back and cherishing small moments, like taking a selfie, to spread positivity in a world often filled with negati...
Jan 13, 2025•29 min
In this powerful episode, Kim McGuinness, the first Mayor of the North East, takes us on an inspiring journey from her working-class roots in Newcastle to becoming a trailblazer for the region. Kim shares how her upbringing, shaped by her father’s work in the shipyards and her mother’s dedication to family, fuelled her passion for social change. Encouraged by local MP Catherine McKinnell, Kim defied stereotypes and launched a career in politics, rising through the ranks from council member to Po...
Jan 06, 2025•27 min
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr podcast, we explore the transformative power of prioritising self-worth and the impact of saying no to things that no longer serve us. Join hosts Michelle Eagleton and Rupinder Ashworth as they dive into personal stories of growth, empowerment, and collaboration. Michelle shares how mentorship from Ria Hebden reshaped her career, while Ru reflects on her journey towards self-discovery after leaving a toxic work environment and embracing life as an empty nester...
Dec 30, 2024•41 min
Curious about how an aerospace engineer made the leap into entrepreneurship? In this episode, Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee, a trailblazer in both engineering and small business ownership, shares her inspiring journey. From challenging stereotypes with her unique "This is what an engineer looks like" pin badges to becoming a powerful role model for young women in male-dominated fields, Krystina is proof that representation matters in STEM. Krystina also opens up about balancing professional ambiti...
Dec 23, 2024•20 min
Imagine the version of you who has overcome every challenge, embraced resilience, and is living her fullest life. What does she look like? How does she carry herself each day? Tune into today’s episode to unlock the mindset and habits that will help you step into the empowered version of yourself. Join us as Simone Roche MBE sits down with broadcaster and entrepreneur, Ngunan Adamu, as she shares her inspiring journey of resilience, strength, and self-discovery. In this episode, Ngunan opens up ...
Dec 16, 2024•22 min
In this inspiring episode, Julie Nicholson, Managing Director of Dance Syndrome, and Becky Rich, volunteer dance lead, share the incredible journey of Dance Syndrome — an organisation empowering individuals with and without learning disabilities through the transformative power of dance. They discuss how dance breaks barriers, fosters confidence, and builds a supportive community. Julie also reveals their innovative co-leadership model, celebrated at the Northern Power Women Awards, while Becky ...
Dec 09, 2024•24 min
