Lunch with Leon

120: Anna-Jane Hunter

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This month, Leon speaks with accomplished rail professional Anna-Jane Hunter, Chair of CILT UK's Board of Trustees and Partner at railway consultancy ...

119: Sam Mullins

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks to historian Sam Mullins, the former director of the London Transport Museum and author of the n...

118: Laura Laker

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Leon delves into the world of active transport in this week's episode, joined by cycling journalist and co-host of the Streets Ahead podcast, Laura La...

117: Gareth Williams

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Leon’s guest is Gareth Williams, General Secretary and Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer at Eurostar. After a twenty-year career in government, i...

116: Marie Daly

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Leon Daniels speaks with Marie Daly, Chief Operating Officer for Transport for Wales and Chair of Women in Rail. Marie covers a range of to...

115: From Freewheeling: a discussion with Thomas Ableman

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Previously broadcast on Thomas Ableman's Freewheeling podcast, Leon and Thomas discuss progress towards the Buses Policy document originally announced...

114: Leon Daniels OBE

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a special Christmas edition of Lunch with Leon, Leon Daniels is in the hotseat! Guest host Simon Lederman grills Leon on his 40+ years in the trans...

113: David Leeder

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the UK's Autumn Budget, Leon explores the UK's somewhat gloomy economic situation with eminent transport expert David Leeder. With soaring n...

112: Karen Dee

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks with Karen Dee, CEO of Aiports UK, the trade association representing the interests of UK airports. Th...

111: Paul Whitnell

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon pops his head out of the transport bubble and speaks with a transport-adjacent guest: Paul Whitnell, pr...

110: Andreas Schörling

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leon learns more about the diverse career of transport leader Andreas Schörling, Senior Managing Director of Flixbus UK. Andreas, who lead the launch...

109: Nigel Holness

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Lunch with Leon, rail veteran Nigel Holness reflects on his 40-year career, from his early days as a signalling consultant on the L...

108: Anna Earl

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leon speaks with nutritionist Anna Earl about the challenges that transport workers face maintaining nutrition, hydration, and wellbeing. Anna shares...

107: Richard Smith

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon talks with Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) about the key issues ...

106: Ben Plowden

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks with Ben Plowden, the new Chief Executive of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). This livel...

105: David Astill

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leon Daniels talks to David Astill, the new chairman of of ALBUM, the Association of Local Bus Managers (and Managing Director of Nottingham City Tran...

104: Bill Hiron

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the organisation's conference on 12-14th May, Leon is joined by former ALBUM chair Bill Hiron MBE to discuss his extensive career in the bus ...

103: Sophie Bancroft

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leon speaks with Sophie Bancroft, HR Director at Network Rail, about her career so far - including various previous roles at Transport for London. The...

102: Shravan Joshi

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On episode 102 of Lunch with Leon, Leon meets Shravan Joshi MBE, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee for the City of London, to discuss...

101: Sean Collins

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode we're taking to the water, as Leon catches up with Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers. Twenty five years ago, Sean co-founded the n...

100: Lord Peter Hendy

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Lunch with Leon podcast is back for 2025, and we’re kicking off the year with episode 100! To mark the occasion, we have secured a suitably impr...

99: Christmas Special 2024

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sharon Kindleysides, Christian Wolmar and Steve Gooding join Leon Daniels in person for their thoughts on the year

98: Thomas Ableman returns!

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Almost four years after his first appearance on the Lunch with Leon podcast, Thomas Ableman is back! Leon catches up with Thomas - founder of transpor...

97: Emma Hignett returns!

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's not often that we have repeat guests on Lunch with Leon, but we've made an exception for the wonderful Emma Hignett - aka the voice of London Bus...

96: David Pugsley & other friends

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An episode of two halves! With Leon due to assume the post of the Master of The Worshipful Company of Carmen (one of the oldest livery companies in Lo...

95: Edward Adoo & Simon Lederman

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Leon is joined by broadcasters and transport enthusiasts Edward Adoo and Simon Lederman, who discuss when their love of buses and trains began, remini...

94: 120 Years of Hong Kong Tramway

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A special episode of the show, with live speakers from the recent 120th anniversary of the Hong Kong Tramway, affectionately known by locals as the 'D...

93: David Boden, Stagecoach East

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The latest guest on the Lunch with Leon podcast is David Boden, Business Development Director, Stagecoach East and Chair of the CP Bus Alliance. Leon ...

92: Paul Comfort & Simon Reed

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Leon is joined by transport evangelist Paul Comfort and technology expert Simon Reed to discuss Paul’s latest book, The New Future of Pub...

91: Stephen Bramall (General Election Special)

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

UK General Election Special: With less than a month to go until polling day, Leon is joined by political consultant Stephen Bramall for a no-holds-ba...

90: Jo Field

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jo Field, Founder of JFG Communications and President of Women in Transport sits down with Leon to discuss the challenges women face in advancing in t...

89: Caroline Pidgeon

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

LibDem London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon comes to Lunch with Leon and talks about the successes of the past and the opportunities for the future...

88: Beverley Bell CBE

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Former Senior Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell talks over lunch with Leon Daniels about her times as the most senior regulator for freight and passe...

87: Will Whitehorn

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We travel into space with Will Whitehorn the former CEO of Virgin Galactic as we discuss how huge an effect the space industry does for transport in i...

86: Siofra Neary

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the Commercial Director for Trustd.net Siofra Neary talks to Leon Daniels about what modern technology can do to make sure the right p...

85: Jason Prince Director Urban Transport Group

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Six months into his role as Director Jason talks about the work of the Urban Transport Group and his hopes for this General Election year and beyond.

84: Nick Reed

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Nick Reed is a world leading expert on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and the human factors involved in road safety

83: Lilli Matson

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Leon Daniels is bringing together safety experts from aviation, marine, rail and r...

82: Candice Mason

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Leon Daniels talks to Candice Mason, ahead of an important event at the House of Commons promoting Women in Bus & Coach as well as her experiences...

81: Australian British Infrastructure Catalyst

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Leon Daniels joins former TfL Commissioners Mike Brown, Lord Peter Hendy and other transport leaders at this event in Australia where we learn that we...

80: Ian Foster and Ian Warr Catlynn Transport Consultants

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Industry heavyweights Ian Forster and Ian Warr talk about their new venture. You can contact them at 07939 677530 or by email ian.foster@catlynn-trans...

79: David Savage

01 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Savage VP UK and Ireland for Geotab discusses with Leon Daniels the huge advantage that on-board data can bring to a transport business

78: Willie Patterson

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we meet the Chief Executive of Asset Alliance Group, a large commercial vehicle finance company. It was recorded before the Prime Ministe...

77: Damian Horton Co-Founder Eloy Ltd

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Leon talking to Eloy's Damian Horton, a winner of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund 150 competition which allowed this company to conduct some interest...

76: Andrew Luckett, Director, BluMarbl

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week's Lunch with Leon is ITT Hub 2023 speaker and Director at BluMarbl, Andrew Luckett. Leon Daniels and Andrew pick up their conversation from ...

75: Natasha Fry, Head of Sales, Mer UK

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 75 of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks to Natasha Fry, Head of Sales at Mer UK about what's new at the business, which is one of the fastest-gr...

74: Norman Baker, Director of External Affairs, Campaign for Better Transport

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Leon talks to Norman Baker, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport. Leon and Norman dis...

73: David Hart, Director, Momentum Transport Consultancy

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of ITT Hub 2023, the UK's most important transport technology event, Leon Daniels catches up with David Hart, Director at Momentum Transport Con...

72: Sharon Kindleysides, CEO, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this epsiode, Leon catches up with Sharon Kindleysides, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT), to discuss the latest n...

71: Richard Dilks, Chief Executive at CoMoUK

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Leon's guest is another friend and expert from the world of transport, Richard Dilks, Chief Executive at CoMoUK. CoMoUK is the nation...

70: Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent, The Independent

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Leon Daniels catches up with Simon Calder, The Independent's Travel Correspondent and news broadcaster, in this episode of Lunch with Leon. Simon disc...

69: Roger Davies

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year, listeners - Lunch with Leon is back with the first interview of 2023. To kick off January, Leon speaks to Roger Davies, a well-respect...

68: Steve Edwards, Chief Executive, Living Streets

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest instalment of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks to the Chief Executive of Living Streets, Steve Edwards, on what the charity has been up to a...

67: Alex Warner, MD of AJW Experiences Group Ltd

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Leon chats with Alex Warner, Managing Director of AJW Experiences Group Ltd, former MD of Tracsis Transport Consultancy. Leon and Al...

66: ITS America Global Congress

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition episode, sponsored by One.Network, Leon heads to Los Angeles Conference Centre for the ITS America Global Congress to discuss ...

65: Lunch with Leon episode 65 - Alex Hornby

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After the summer break, Lunch of Leon returns with a series of guests from the world of transport.  In this episode, Leon chats with Alex Hornby, CE...

64: Lunch with Leon episode 64 - Duncan Burt

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Lunch with Leon, our host is back on the road - this time at ITT Hub in Farnborough, where he enjoyed lunch and a catch up with Nationa...

63: Lunch with Leon episode 63 - Victoria Whitehead & Joy Newton

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Leon Daniels OBE has lunch with Victoria Whitehead (Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure and Transport at Lloyds Bank) and Joy Newton (Associate ...

62: Lunch with Leon episode 62 - Rupert Clubb

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rupert Clubb from Transport for the South East (TfSE) chats with Leon Daniels OBE ahead of the region’s sub-national transport body’s appearance a...

61: Lunch with Leon episode 61 - Paul Jewell

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Will we run out of electricity? That’s the most-often asked question of Paul Jewell, when people discover that he’s System Development Manager...

60: Lunch with Leon episode 60 - UITP Dubai

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve got a pretty good idea about what the post-pandemic recovery for public transport looks like in Britain, but what about the rest of the world?...

59: Lunch with Leon episode 59 - Rees Jeffreys Road Fund awards

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the 59th episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon takes us to the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund awards ceremony - founded in the name of Rees Jeffreys who was bo...

58: Lunch with Leon episode 58 - Glenn Bemment

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Lunch with Leon, our host talks all things Net Zero with Glenn Bemment, who is the Head of Sustainability for SMEs and Mid Corporat...

57: Lunch with Leon episode 57 - Beamish Museum

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s Lunch with Leon, Leon heads to the Northeast of England to visit Beamish - and meet with various members of the museum team.   To...

56: Lunch with Leon episode 56 - Martijn Gilbert

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode sees Leon sitting down for lunch in the North East of England, with Martijn Gilbert from Go North East. During this episode, the t...

55: Lunch with Leon episode 55 - Christian Wolmar

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week sees Leon sitting down for lunch with Christian Wolmar - a noted railway historian who has appeared on TV, Radio, and is a celebrated author...

54: Lunch with Leon episode 54 - Dervla McKay

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon is on a whirlwind trip to Dublin to meet with the Managing Director of Aircoach. Dervla McKay was ap...

53: Lunch with Leon episode 53 - Roger French

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Lunch with Leon, our host sits down with Roger French. Roger may be retired from the day-to-day world of public transport ...

52: Lunch with Leon episode 52 - ITS America

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of 2022, host Leon sits down with a handful of special guests as he makes his way around ITS America. Leon’s first conversa...

51: Lunch with Leon episode 51 - Ian Constance

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this Lunch with Leon - which actually started life as a dinner in Scotland during COP26 - host Leon Daniels OBE chats to Ian Constance, who is the ...

50: Lunch with Leon episode 50 - Ben Plowden

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh from attending COP26, Leon Daniels OBE has lunch with Ben Plowden, formerly of Transport for London, who is one of the country’s leading minds...

49: Lunch with Leon episode 49 - Justin Coetzee & Graeme Inglis

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A very different approach to low-carbon cities and public transport, is what sets GoAscendal apart. The difference for the global mobility advisory co...

48: Lunch with Leon episode 48 - Anthony Smith

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Smith CEO Transport focus – the government-supported independent rail, bus and roads watchdog – chats with Leon Daniels OBE about the prob...

47: Lunch with Leon episode 47 - Ray Stenning

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you understand the message you’re giving to your customers? It seems that many companies don’t, reckons renowned brand and design guru Ray Sten...

46: Lunch with Leon episode 46 - Andy Graham

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are we the last generation? In a face-to-face lunch at Brooklands Museum, Leon Daniels OBE talks with Andy Graham from White Willow Consulting and...

45: Lunch with Leon episode 45 - Chris Cheek

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Studying the data Chris Cheek has spent a large part of his life providing a great service for the bus industry, by analysing companies’ financi...

44: Lunch with Leon episode 44 - Dr Matthew Niblett and Kris Beuret OBE

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is the importance for humanity for its ability to travel? With contributions from many people and casting a totally refreshing view on people...

43: Lunch with Leon episode 43 - Paul Sainthouse

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a return visit by Paul Sainthouse, Past President of CILT and MD Dawsonrentals Bus & Coach, a year after he appeared in the launch edition ...

42: Lunch with Leon episode 42 - Garrett Emmerson

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pulling together for a common cause Leon Daniels OBE has worked alongside many people in his transport career, and when he was MD Surface Transpor...

41: Lunch with Leon episode 41 - Claire Haigh

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s great to be back! Having just returned from ITT Hub 2021 – where it was “so great to get back out there and meet real people and talk a...

40: Lunch with Leon episode 40 - Gareth Rogers

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The world loves to meet… Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International – home of the famous biennial international air show – talks about ...

39: Lunch with Leon episode 39 - Nigel Harris

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The long-awaited Williams-Shapps rail review has been published by the Transport Secretary. While its headlines are a new public body – Great Britis...

38: Lunch with Leon episode 38 - Philip Gerhardt

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A prolific writer of articles and visible on social media, Philip Gerhardt is this week’s dining companion on ‘Lunch with Leon’. Currently Ge...

37: Lunch with Leon episode 37 - Prof. John Miles

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“Make it as clean and simple as possible.” That’s the guiding principles that Prof John Miles Director of Research in Transitional Energy Strate...

36: Lunch with Leon episode 36 - Andrew Braddock

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Great Persuader “It’s about kicking down doors and taking people to see things,” says Andrew Braddock, about how to change the views and p...

35: Lunch with Leon episode 35 - Anna Whitty MBE

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Whitty MBE is the Chief Executive of Ealing Community Transport (ECT), which provides safe, accessible and affordable community transport to peop...

34: Lunch with Leon episode 34 - Rav Babbra and Chess Stetson

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Doing amazing things for autonomous vehicles… In a trans-Atlantic lunch – with one guest in California and the other  in the UK – Leon Dani...

33: Lunch with Leon episode 33 - SPECIAL - Thomas Ableman

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone’s take on the National Bus Strategy is different, but who better to comment on it than Thomas Ableman.  With a career in bus, rail and no...

32: Lunch with Leon episode 32 - SPECIAL - Sara Sloman

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The many questions about how we reach net-zero In a special edition, Leon Daniels swaps notes with Sara Sloman, who hosts sister-ITT Hub podcast T...

31: Lunch with Leon episode 31 - Roger Davies

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With a starter about rail, main course about commuter travel and dessert on the bus industry, this week’s Lunch with Leon sees him talking with care...

30: Lunch with Leon episode 30 - Laura Shoaf

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“Public transport is social justice. There’s never a better time to remind us nationally why we’re doing what we’re doing,” says Laura Shoaf...

29: Lunch with Leon episode 29 - Sue Percy

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Highways for all: From careers to automated vehicles. Sue Percy, CEO of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) for past n...

28: Lunch with Leon episode 28 - Steve Gooding

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The big questions about transport use and where to go from here. This week, Leon Daniels OBE has lunch with Steve Gooding, formerly Director Genera...

27: Lunch with Leon episode 27 - Paul Seller

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ricardo has a long history of developing diesel drivelines, stemming from its key involvement in the First World War to reduce exhaust emissions (yes,...

26: Lunch with Leon episode 26 - Gali Bloch Liran

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Challenging the ‘old way’ to get the most out of yourself and your team. Over a long lunch, Leon Daniels OBE chats with Gali Bloch Liran who i...

25: Lunch with Leon episode 25 - Christmas special

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

All the enjoyable bits, plus some garnish…  Our regular podcast about all things transport-related has a different twist this week with a Christ...

24: Lunch with Leon episode 24 - Elizabeth de Jong

13 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Leon Daniels’ lunchtime guest is Elizabeth de Jong from Logistics UK. Their starter sees them mull over working-from-home and its benefits, before t...

23: Lunch with Leon episode 23 - Graeme Cooper

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tools in the toolbox – how many do we need? Graeme Cooper is Project Director / Transport Decarbonisation at National Grid and, fresh from his appe...

22: Lunch with Leon episode 22 - James Haluch

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Stripping off on the roads? The Naked Highway. If you’ve not come across the expression, then the Naked Highway is not what you might think... Cha...

21: Lunch with Leon episode 21 - Steve Norris

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With a long and illustrious career in business and transport, Steve Norris is best-known as Minister for Transport in London (1992-7) “the toughest ...