Change Makers: Leadership, Good Business, Ideas and Innovation
Episodes
95: Phil Libin – Arrivals and departures: forging new roads with a technology trailblazer
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Michael is US entrepreneur, Phil Libin, Co-Founder & CEO of mmhmm. Phil was born in the USSR and lives in the USA, completing the story of...
93: Sir Ken Olisa OBE – Do well, do good: Why it doesn't matter where you start from, it's where you aim to get to that makes the difference
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Queen appointed Sir Ken Olisa OBE as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London in 2015. Sir Ken is a businessman and philanthropist, the f...
92: David Jones – One Young World: the rise of Generation Now
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Honoured by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, David Jones is an industry visionary, proponent of corporate responsibility and social ...
91: Sheree Atcheson – Demand more: how to make change happen
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Listed as one of the UK's Top Most Influential Women in Tech & an international multi-award winner for her services to Diversity & Inclusion i...
90: Kenneth Cukier – Human Advantage in the Age of Turmoil
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kenneth Cukier is senior editor and the host of the weekly podcast on technology, Babbage. He is the co-author of the New York Times Bestselling book ...
89: Gordon Brown – Seven Ways to Change the World: how to fix the most pressing issues we face
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gordon Brown is the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He served as Prime Minister and...
88: Mary Ann Sieghart – The Authority Gap: why are women still taken less seriously than men?
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mary Ann Sieghart is an experienced journalist, broadcaster and author. Today, she makes programmes for BBC Radio 4, is a Visiting Professor at King’...
87: Richard Curtis CBE – Love, actually: why it's all around you
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Curtis is a film writer and director, responsible for some of Britain's best-loved romantic comedy films, such as Four Weddings and a Funeral,...
86: The Women's Association founder Deborah Williams – The 'burdening passion': how to create your own reality
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Deborah Williams founded The Women's Association in 2018, after being "awakened" by the realisation that being a woman in the world and especially in ...
85: Charley Boorman – Life: the ultimate roadtrip
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charley Boorman is a modern-day adventurer, travel writer and entertainer. His charismatic “let’s just do it” approach to challenges has won him...
84: Nick English, Bremont – Live it: if you don't try you'll never know
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nick English co-founded the award winning British luxury watch brand, Bremont, manufacturing mechanical watches in Henley-on-Thames, England alongside...
83: Dr Scilla Elworthy – The business plan for peace: how to transform conflict
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three times Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work with Oxford Research Group to develop effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers worl...
82: Revd Joanna Jepson – Learning to love yourself: living in a world of self-image
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Revd Joanna Jepson is an Anglican priest, author, broadcaster and coach. She trained at Bristol and Cambridge and, following her ordination in 2003, s...
81: Lord Alf Dubs – The test of who we are: finding courage in all circumstances
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lord Alf Dubs was born in December 1932 in Prague, and was one of the Czech children rescued from the Nazis in the Kindertransport. He had no idea of ...
80: Lord William Waldegrave – Following your own path: why resilience and luck matter
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lord William Waldegrave of North Hill is the Provost of Eton College, a post he has held since 2009. He is a Distinguished Fellow of All Souls College...
79: Carl Schramm – Burn the business plan: why the world needs more entrepreneurs
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Carl Schramm is University Professor at Syracuse University and former president of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. A $2 billion endowment, Kauf...
78: Centre for Entrepreneurs CEO Neeta Patel CBE – 'Just do it': paving the way for a new generation'
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Neeta Patel CBE is CEO of Centre for Entrepreneurs and New Entrepreneurs Foundation, and an experienced executive with over 25 years of strategy and o...
77: Sir Charlie Mayfield – Be the business: how to be ambitious
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Charlie Mayfield chairs Be the Business and the Productivity Leadership Group, which focus on stimulating and encouraging competitiveness and grow...
76: James O'Brien – How not to be wrong: the art of changing your mind
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
James O'Brien is an award-winning writer and broadcaster whose journalism has appeared everywhere from the TLS to the Daily Mirror. His daily current ...
75: Beatie Wolfe – Create, don't conform: how to break out of the box
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
”Musical weirdo and visionary" Beatie Wolfe is an artist who has beamed her music into space, been appointed a UN Women role model for innovation, a...
74: Brigette Bard, BioSure – Health matters: how to take control
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Founder and CEO of BioSure UK, Brigette Bard has carved a successful, entrepreneurial career in the FMCG sector. Based on her experience with pregnanc...
73: Baroness Nicola Blackwood – Pioneering change: never let the urgent crowd out the important
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Baroness Nicola Blackwood is a leader in health innovation policy and entrepreneurship. She is Chair of Genomics England and a Member of the House of ...
72: Trunki founder Rob Law MBE – Pushing forward: how to find new ways to live your life
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Law MBE is the founder and CEO of Trunki, the brand behind the ride-on suitcase for children. His entrepreneurial journey has taken him from one o...
71: Claire Warner, Æcorn – Wellness: drinking yourself healthy
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Warner began her corporate career in 2003, joining the LVMH owned brand, Belvedere Vodka and was appointed Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology...
70: Arizona Muse – Running out of time: why the planet needs to be in fashion
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Credited as the new face of American fashion by Vogue at the start of her career, Arizona Muse first gained exposure in 2010 when she was chosen to op...
69: Ella's Kitchen CEO Mark Cuddigan – The good stuff we do: how to do it right
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Cuddigan joined Ella’s Kitchen in August 2011, drawn to a company whose founding mission is to improve children’s lives through developing he...
68: Imandeep Kaur – My neighbourhood: why democracy begins at home
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout her career, Imandeep Kaur has focused on convening and building community, the role of citizens in radical systemic change, and how we toge...
67: Paul Drechsler CBE – Good growth: bringing out the best in business
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Drechsler was appointed the Chair of London First in 2018. He is Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC (UK), Non-Executive Direct...
66: Dame Evelyn Glennie DBE – How to truly listen: the art of paying attention
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dame Evelyn Glennie is the first person in history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist, performing worldwide...
65: John Rutter CBE – Living in the moment: the melody of change
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
John Rutter was born in London and studied music at Clare College, Cambridge. He first came to notice as a composer during his student years; much of ...
64: Ara Kusuma – Make a difference: how to be the change you want to see
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Obsessed with cows as a little girl, Ara Kusuma asked for a cow of her own when she was 10. She and her parents set off to Central Java to visit a few...
63: Bill Drayton – Why everyone can be a change maker: lessons from the 'Godfather of social entrepreneurship'
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Drayton is a social entrepreneur with a long record of founding organisations and public service. As a student, he founded organisations ranging ...
62: Richard Walker, Iceland Foods – Doing it right: lessons from the green grocer
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In 2012 Richard joined Iceland Foods, the company established by his parents Malcolm and Rhianydd in 1970. He worked full-time as a shelf-stacker and ...
61: Good-Loop co-founder Amy Williams – Going for good: how to change the conversation
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amy Williams is on a mission to convert people’s attention and data into funding for good causes around the world. She co-founded Good-Loop in 2016 ...
60: Terry Waite CBE – The mind's eye: why love and compassion will win
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Terry Waite has a long and distinguished record as a former hostage negotiator (having been a hostage), humanitarian, and author. Terry comes from Che...
59: Melanie Reid MBE – The world I fell out of: what happens when everything changes?
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest today is the award-winning Times journalist and bestselling author, Melanie Reid. In 2010, a riding accident saw Melanie break both her neck...
58: Law Society Vice-President I. Stephanie Boyce – Injustice in the world: how to correct it
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I. Stephanie Boyce is a solicitor, an experienced general counsel and governance expert. Stephanie has worked in-house at the Association of Chartered...
57: Lord Michael Grade CBE – Make your mark: getting the job done
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For Michael Grade, a distinguished and highly successful career in showbusiness appeared to be in the genes. Born in 1943 in London, England, his fath...
56: Colleen Amos OBE and Baroness Valerie Amos – Pioneering sisters: how to challenge your environment
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Colleen is the CEO of the Amos Bursary, founding the charity due to her passion for education and tackling underachievement. Through her expert skills...
55: Richard Butler and Daniel Nurse – Creating opportunity: how to go far
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since 2009, The Amos Bursary has been helping Britain’s talented young men of African and Caribbean heritage, who attend state schools from challeng...
54: Mark Gatiss – Stories can make us fly: how to see and observe
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mark rose to prominence 25 years ago, as part of the hugely influential team behind The League of Gentlemen. Alongside Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmi...
53: Joseph Galliano – Queer Britain: shining light on a hidden history
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joseph Galliano is the co-founder and CEO of Queer Britain, the charity working to establish the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum – a place as ex...
52: Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE – Love, hope and wonder: how to understand the world
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Michael Morpurgo, began writing stories in the early '70's, in response to the children in his class at the primary school where he taught in Kent...
51: Yanis Varoufakis – Dare to think: always speak your mind
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Yanis Varoufakis is a member of Greece’s Parliament and parliamentary leader of MeRA25, the Greek political party belonging to DiEM25 – Europe’s...
50: Lord Jim O'Neill – Calling it right: the power of prediction
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lord O’Neill is currently the vice-chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, chairman of Chatham House and a member of Shelter Social Housing Co...
49: Dr Pippa Malmgren – Predicting the unpredictable: see what others don't
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Pippa Malmgren is an American economist, policy analyst and best-selling author. She served as Special Assistant to the President of the United Sta...
48: Ryan C. Crocker – Never run from danger: what it takes to serve
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan C. Crocker is a career ambassador within the U.S. Foreign Service. Ambassador Crocker was in the Foreign Service for 37 years and, after retiring...
47: Alison Goldsworthy, The Depolarization Project – Control how you feel: listen, learn and lead
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Alison Goldsworthy is CEO of The Depolarization Project. A former Deputy Chair of the UK Liberal Democrats, she previously led the team that built the...
46: Tamara Lohan MBE, Mr & Mrs Smith – The great escape: how to get away from it all
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tamara Lohan is an entrepreneur and technology strategist who co-founded the boutique hotel travel specialists Mr & Mrs Smith with her husband Jam...
45: Code First Girls CEO Anna Brailsford – Cracking the code for girls: how you can help write history
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Brailsford is the CEO of Code First: Girls, a social enterprise that looks to increase the amount of women in tech, by training women in IT skill...
44: Professor Muhammad Yunus – Bring out the entrepreneur in everyone: how we create a better future
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Muhammad Yunus established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh in 1983, fuelled by the belief that credit is a fundamental human right. His objec...
43: Legal & General's Group CEO Nigel Wilson – Thinking big: be a force good
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel was appointed Group Chief Executive in 2012 having joined as Group Chief Financial Officer in 2009. He is leading the 50/50 by 20/20 gender dive...
42: Sharmadean Reid MBE – Pushing your boundaries: how to see it, how to like it
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sharmadean Reid is the Founder and CEO of Beautystack. Her mission is to use technology to economically empower women in the beauty and wellness indus...
41: Dr Jeremy Silver, Digital Catapult – Bright ideas: how to transform them into reality
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Michael is joined by music maestro turned tech titan Jeremy Silver, CEO of Digital Catapult. He has used his remarkable creativity to boost...
40: Edeline Lee – The search for meaning: how you find it
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Canadian-British, London-based Edeline Lee graduated from Central Saint Martins and launched her eponymous label in 2014. In between her degrees, she ...
39: Lucy Cleland, Country & Town House – A life in balance: why we can live it mindfully
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Founding editor of Country & Town House, Lucy Cleland has been in the glossy magazine business for around 20 years, and divides her time between t...
38: Charmian Love, B Lab UK – Kindness and courage: how to make up your own rules
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Charmian believes in the power of business as a force for good and has first-hand experience in what it is like to be an entrepreneur, an intrapreneur...
37: Holly Tucker MBE – Do what you love: how to find your own path
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Tucker MBE is a British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and UK Ambassador for Creative Small Businesses. She is founder and chief inspiration of t...
36: General David Petraeus – Why fortune favours the prepared mind: how to surge your ideas
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
General Petraeus served over 37 years in the U.S. military, culminating his career with six consecutive commands, five of which were in combat. Follow...
35: Sir Max Hastings – Seize the day: reflections from the front line of great events
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Max Hastings is an author, journalist and broadcaster whose work has appeared in every British national newspaper. He now reviews regularly for ...
34: FLOWERBX founder Whitney Bromberg Hawkings – Why to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whitney Bromberg Hawkings is the founder of the online luxury florist FLOWERBX. Her career began aged 23 as assistant to Tom Ford during his time as c...
33: Izzy Obeng, Foundervine – Diversity is the real deal: inspiring future leaders
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As founding director of Foundervine, Izzy provides founders with access to training, mentoring and funding opportunities. Since 2018, 2,000 young peop...
32: Nana Badu – How sport can change your life: transforming the futures of young people
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nana Badu is founder of Badu Sports & Badu Community, providing top quality PE specialists, who mentor and develop the children and young people w...
31: Here East CEO Gavin Poole – Innovators and visionaries: creating a home for the future
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Gavin is CEO of Here East – the 1.2 million sq ft technology and Innovation campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, and one of the fas...
30: Mathieu Flamini – The path less travelled: the journey of a campaigner
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, professional footballer Mathieu Flamini speaks to Michael about his career and co-founding GF Biochemicals, a fast-growing producer of levu...
29: Poppy Jamie – Living a life: make it happy not perfect
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, multi-talented entrepreneur, Poppy Jamie, the founder of wellness start-up Happy Not Perfect and co-founder of fashion accessories brand Po...
27: James Chen – The moonshot moment: how to create impact
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Born in Asia, raised in Africa and educated in Europe and the US, James Chen is a venture philanthropist with a global outlook. The importance of givi...
26: Valerie Keller – Imagine: making hope your strategy
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
IMAGINE Co-Founder and CEO, Valerie helps leaders use their power for good. With deep expertise in transformation, she helps global corporations becom...
25: Maurice Ostro OBE – Doing the right thing: make it your adventure
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Maurice Ostro, OBE, is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and chair of the Business Action Council. He has fused the two major strands of his caree...
24: Anne Sebba – Incredible women: how to live and love
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anne Sebba is a biographer, lecturer, journalist and former Reuters foreign correspondent. She has written 10 critically-acclaimed books of non-fictio...
23: Justin Webb – Newsroom: narrating great events
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Justin Webb is a journalist and anchor for the Radio 4 Today programme. He joined the BBC as a graduate trainee in 1984 working in Northern Ireland fo...
22: Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE – Fearless leadership: fairness, equality and the future of the workplace
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE was appointed President of the British Chambers of Commerce in March 2020. She was the CEO of Mitie Group PLC from 20...
21: Matt Scheckner – The Greatest Showman: why a week is never a long time in advertising
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Scheckner is CEO of Stillwell Partners, a New York City-based boutique consultancy. Stillwell is best known as the producer of Advertising Week, ...
19: Paul Lindley OBE – Get active: the power to make a difference
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Lindley is an award-winning British entrepreneur and children's welfare campaigner. He founded organic baby and children's food brand Ella's Kitc...
18: Kerry Kennedy – Ripples of hope: taking action with a loving heart
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kerry Kennedy is President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. A human rights activist and lawyer, she authored New York Times best seller Being Cathol...
17: RPO musicians Benn Cunningham and Charlotte Ansbergs – Releasing the power of imagination: hitting the high notes
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The mission of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence an...
16: Rory Bremner – Learning to laugh: how to keep upbeat
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rory Bremner is widely regarded as Britain’s top satirical impressionist. As a mimic, he’s provided definitive impersonations of PMs and President...
15: Eileen Burbidge MBE – Finding the future: the tech story
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Eileen Burbidge is a Partner at Passion Capital, the pre-eminent early-stage technology venture fund based in London. She brings extensive operational...
14: Sir Anthony Seldon – The art of happiness: what history teaches you about yourself
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham since 2015, is one of Britain’s leading contemporary historians, educationalists...
13: Natalie Campbell – How to make your purpose count: the thirst for change
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Natalie Campbell was appointed CEO of Belu Water in 2020. She is an award-winning social entrepreneur and HarperCollins author. She is co-founder of A...
12: Dell Technologies' Dayne Turbitt and Margarete McGrath – Making progress: how you can do it
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As a Senior Vice President of Dell EMC’s Enterprise Sales Division, Dayne Turbitt is responsible for leading the transformation of the UK and Irelan...
11: Cephas Williams – Fighting stereotypes, tackling racism and changing the narrative
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Cephas is the founder and photographer of the 56 Black Men movement and Drummer Boy Studios. After taking a series of portrait photographs of 56 black...
10: Russ Shaw CBE, Tech London Advocates – Campaigning for the future of tech: rallying a community
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Born in the USA, today Russ Shaw is the man on a mission to turn London into the world-beating home of tech. Launching Tech London Advocates seven yea...
9: One Young World's Kate and Ella Robertson – Make your voice count: building a global movement
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One Young World’s mission is to create a better world, with more responsible and more effective leadership. Every year, One Young World achieves thi...
8: Wayne Hemingway MBE – Make it good: top tips for a life well led
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Wayne Hemingway is the fashion founder who shook up an industry with the socially conscious label Red or Dead. Founded with his wife Gerardine, to thi...
7: Caroline Casey, The Valuable 500 – Why disability is our business: how to make change happen
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline Casey is an activist with a global call to action, who says if disability is not on your board agenda, then neither is diversity. With The Va...
Coming soon... Caroline Casey, Wayne Hemingway, and Kate & Ella Robertson
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Change Makers will be back next week with more brand new episodes with the mission-driven leaders making a difference. Coming soon you'll hear from Th...
6: Brompton CEO Will Butler-Adams OBE – Ideas to live by: we're more than a pandemic
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Will Butler-Adams is the CEO of the folding two-wheeled wonder Brompton Bicycle. Since jumping into the saddle as the company’s managing director in...
5: Planet Organic founder Renée Elliott – Why mindset matters: make it positive
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In 1995, Renée Elliott founded Planet Organic, the first organic supermarket in the UK and now a successful multi-million-pound brand. From an early ...
4: Stephen Welton, BGF – Going for growth: re-writing the art of possible
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the the world's largest active growth investor, BGF. The company believes...
3: Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE – The guts to go for it: bring out the best in yourself
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In parliament he’s a peer of the realm, in business he provides beer for the nation, Lord Bilimoria is the founder of one the UK’s most iconic bra...
2: Baroness Helena Morrissey DBE – Is it "a good time to be a girl"? Thoughts from a campaigner
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dame Helena Morrissey has a mission to level the playing field. With the 30% Club, she is helping to bring more women into boardrooms and as the 'unof...
1: David Richards, WANdisco – Life on your own terms: lessons from a contrarian
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since co-founding WANdisco in Silicon Valley in 2005, David Richards has led the company on a course for rapid international expansion, opening office...
Change Makers: The Trailer
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODES 1-3 OUT FRIDAY This is Change Makers – the brand new podcast from the campaigns firm Seven Hills. Hosted by Michael Hayman MBE DL, this i...