The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business

Bonus Episode: The First 100 – The ideas that shaped us

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In The Green Room, we've always set out to answer the biggest questions that matter most in business. Now, as we approach our milestone 100th episode,...

How does supporting families support us all? With Anna Whitehouse and Jackie Henry MBE

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our careers don't happen in isolation.   What we carry from our lives outside of work shapes how we show up inside of it. At certain points in lif...

Is the internet getting safer? With Cosima Wiltshire and James Smith

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Two years ago, in episode #64 of The Green Room, we asked the question 'How do we stay safe online?'    Since then, progress has been made. Busines...

Is it time to reset supply chains? With Dr Alok Choudhary and Sarah Noble

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From the avocados on our toast to the niche blend of coffee that sits on the table next to them. From the medicine waiting to be collected at the phar...

Does regulation help or hinder growth? With Rob Bishton and Sam Walsh

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our days are shaped by rules and regulations.   The expiry date stamped on the sandwich we picked up for lunch. The charge for the plastic bag at the...

How do we move AI from trialling to transforming? With Sanjeev Arya and Sam Roddick

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's the difference between an interesting experiment and a game-changing asset? It's deciding to make the leap from one to the other. It's knowing ...

What will it take to power our AI goals? With Carol Yan and Tom Harris

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you imagine the future, is it powered by clean energy or driven by AI? As the UK works towards its net-zero goals, our energy system is being ...

What's the secret to better business relationships? With Dr Linda Papadopoulos and Nina Gopal

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A lot has changed about how we work and do business. But one truth has remained the same – the importance of relationships.  We've all felt the b...

What if our next decision makers aren't human? With Professor Richard Susskind CBE and Stacey Winters

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're used to using technology to help us make decisions. We research, we report and we act. But are we ready to let technology make those decisions ...

Do we need to think differently about defence? With Rachel Ellehuus and Duncan Farrow-Smith

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For many of us, defence is invisible. As we go about our everyday lives, we rarely have cause to think about it. And that's a good thing. It means tha...

What does it take to build trust? With Ed Williams and Shauna Robinson

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trust influences everything. It helps shape decisions, drives loyalty, and defines reputation. It’s the foundation of strong leadership, lasting r...

Is it easier to start a sustainable business or to become one? With Rory MacFadyen and David Rakowski

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all got a lot savvier about sustainability in recent years. We know the size of the climate challenge facing the planet. And we know that the ...

How can we put more meaning into our metrics? With David Kennedy and Veronica Poole

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a data-driven world, it’s easy to get lost in a maze of metrics. We start by looking for helpful measurements that will allow us to track our pro...

What’s the best way to build a network? With Isabel Berwick and Kirsty Newman

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What you know matters, but who you know matters more.  That’s not quite how the original saying goes, but perhaps it’s time for an update. Wherea...

What do we need to learn about learning at work? With Professor Nick van Dam and Heike Dekker-Schäch

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You learn something new every day. At least, that’s how the saying goes. But it’s not always how the reality goes – particularly when it comes t...

How do we turn words into action? With Paul Van Zyl and Piumi Mitchell

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“Well done is better than well said.”     You might have heard that famous saying from Benjamin Franklin. And it’s one that reminds us of the ...

What does it take to turn things around? With Zak Brown and Pauline Biddle

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sailing a ship is effortless when seas are calm and the wind is blowing in the right direction. And in business, it’s easier to feel confident and i...

Can governments do everything? With Sir John Manzoni and Libby Mason

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Better healthcare and schools. More jobs. A growing economy. Improved infrastructure. Planet-saving solutions and disruptive technology. Anything else...

What’s the secret to doing our best work? With Professor Michael Clinton and Shivani Maitra

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Setting timers. Downloading apps. Standing desks. Getting up at 5am. A new week, a new productivity ‘hack’. But is chasing productivity actually h...

What’s the difference between change and transformation? With Mark Wild and Lorraine Mackin

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all familiar with change. Our schedules change. Projects change. The world changes. It’s the only constant, as they say. And so, we learn ho...

How do you build long term success? With Nikki Doucet and Scott Campbell

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rome wasn’t built in a day. The tortoise beats the hare. More haste, less speed.   We’ve heard the adages. And we know why they’re used. We kno...

Can we all win in the space race? With Brian Cox and Mollie Martin

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After many years of space exploration, what was once science fiction is now a reality – and a thriving industry.   The space economy is predicted t...

Do facts or feelings fuel our economy? With Linda Yueh and Tom Simmons

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard of a ‘vibecession’? It’s when we feel like we’re in a recession, without actually being in one. When there’s a disconnec...

How can companies think differently about people who think differently? With Steve Hill and Matt Stallard

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s estimated that 15 to 20% of the global population is neurodivergent.  1 in 5 people.  But fear of stigma prevents many from disclosing this i...

How can we remodel role models? With Eilish McColgan and Lucy Traynor

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beating the odds. Getting the gold. Staying fearless. Showing strength. Never stopping.    We hear those words used about some of the world’s bigg...

Can we communicate better by saying less? With Ros Atkins and Drew McMillan

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ding. Breaking news. Ding. New email. Ding. Whatsapp group. Ding. New email. Ding. Whatsapp again. Ding. Another email. Ding. Ding. Ding. Studies show...

Are the most important jobs those that shouldn’t exist? With Naomi Sesay and Smruti Naik-Jones

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chief Happiness Officer. Head of Wellbeing. Chief Sustainability Officer. Diversity and inclusion leader. A scroll on LinkedIn will point to many of t...

Will AI stop misinformation? With Georgie Barrat and Paul Lee

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

All day, every day, we can access masses of information at the touch of a button. Or the sound of a voice command.   However, we can access a lot of ...

Can you be kind and high-performing? With David Beeney and Elizabeth Hampson

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”    It’s a famous saying. And it sounds simple enough. But is it? And is there room for it at ...

Bigger Questions: Episode 5 – The Legacy - What’s The Power of Being First?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Success and glory. Blood. Sweat. And tears. A legacy left behind. It’s built on the truth that winning is a win for one. But the reality is that fir...

Bigger Questions: Episode 4 – The Immediate Aftermath - What’s The Power of Being First?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

They’ve done it. They’ve become the first. Now what? Sometimes you have to take a step back to see the impact that you’ve made. But what is it r...

Bigger Questions: Episode 3 – That Special Moment - What’s The Power of Being First?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s what they’ve worked towards. But it’s more than that. It’s a moment not just for them, but for everyone. That moment of realisation. The ...

Bigger Questions: Episode 2 – Doing The Hard Yards - What’s The Power of Being First?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When does a dream become a realistic goal? And once it becomes a goal, how hard is the work to get there? Episode two, in our five-part series, explor...

Bigger Questions: Episode 1 – The Journey Begins - What’s The Power of Being First?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Adams, Natalie du Toit, Sarah Attar and Rose Lokonyen were all first - they share their story in this powerful and emotional documentary. But w...

Bigger Questions: What’s The Power of Being First?

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does being first actually mean? Winning is a win for one. But firsts are a win for everyone. They unlock something in humanity and move the world...

Does how we play as children affect our career? With Christian Pau and Emma Franklin

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we get older, work and play feel worlds apart. But as kids, playing is our job – and many of us played at having jobs.   We set out shops. Opera...

How do we close the funding gap? With Sophie Winwood and Jodi Birkett

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all have good ideas. But some of us have to clear more hurdles than others. If you’re a founder, you want to make your ideas happen and grow your...

Will music festivals ever be sustainable? With Sam Booth and Ed Shedd

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The anticipation as the lights drop. The roar of the crowd. The beat of the music. The feeling that you just had to be there – and you were.    Wh...

What makes a champion? With Hannah Cockroft OBE and Nile Wilson

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Medals. Cheering. Split seconds. Finish lines. Every four years, Olympians and Paralympians come together from around the world and compete on the big...

Are we asking the right questions about AI? With Sam Everington and Isabel Parker

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Friend or threat? Help or hindrance? Possibilities or problems? The headlines about artificial intelligence often force us to fit the technology into ...

How do we fuel our future? With Alistair Dormer and Susan McDonald

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Getting people to change how they do things can be hard, even if everyone agrees that things need to change. Take energy transition, for example. The ...

Do elections change anything? With Caroline Flint and Ian Stewart

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every five years, we put a cross on a piece of paper – and put it in a ballot box. It’s a democratic right. A civic duty. An opportunity to have a...

How do we stay safe online? With Amanda Storey and Nick Seeber

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you imagine your life without the internet?  It’s a platform that’s brought about enormous benefits over the years.  The internet has opened...

What are the new survival skills? With Bear Grylls and Shilpa Shah

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Once we huddled around campfires, now we huddle around phone screens.   Once we hunted and gathered, now there’s an app for that.   Once we used t...

Are leaders born or made? With Jonathan Mildenhall and Tim Clayton-Ball

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we think of great leaders, influential visionaries come to mind. Pioneers in the corporate world. People who take risks, open doors and inspire o...

What comes first, vision or buy-in? With Sir Clive Woodward and Jess Dooley

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every one of us has dreams. A desire to make a difference on the things that matter to us. A vision for change, from the project we’re working on to...

How do you get to where you want to be? With Aziza Ajak and Ben Newton

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Astronaut. Dancer. Footballer. Pop star. Many of us will remember our childhood ambitions. But then life happens. We get an education. We’re forced ...

How do you make the most of momentum? With Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Bridge

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard to beat the feeling of momentum building around something you care about. That positive energy and progress towards hitting your goals and...

Who's responsible for being responsible? With Mary Portas and Emily Cromwell

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you make change happen? And not just any change. We’re talking about a systemic shift towards living, working and doing business more sustai...

What makes you feel like you belong? With Justice Williams MBE and Josh Graham

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to belong. At school. In our friendship groups. Our gym class. At work. It’s what makes us human. Instead, we often settle for fitting i...

What if we all live to 100? With Professor Tim Spector OBE and Sara Siegel

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Global life expectancy has risen by over 50% since 1950. And one in three children born in 2016 will live to 100. But what will more of us living for ...

Should leaders think more like activists? With Jon Miller and Laura Grootenboer

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Protests. Megaphones. Cardboard messages. Boardrooms. When we think of activism, we imagine protestors on the streets – not C-suite executives.   ...

What's to come in season 7?

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Summer has seen too much rain and too little of The Green Room... we can’t do anything about the weather but at least the podcast is back! After a s...

Season 6 wrap up

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Goodbye Season 6, hello summer break... As we wrap up Season 6 and get geared up for Season 7, we thought that we would take some time to reflect on s...

Does being you get easier with age? With James Barr and Mags Scott

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up is a tough gig. We’re constantly learning about the world around us – and our place in it. What we like. What we don’t like. Who we ...

What does it take to make an idea a success? With Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and Sadia Ahmed

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all have ideas. Even when we say we don’t. They pop up in the shower, on a dog walk or just as we’re nodding off to sleep. It could be an innov...

What’s the truth behind financial crime? With David Fein and Sir Rob Wainright

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We often think financial crime is victimless. Something that affects big banks. And is mainly about losing money. Or is it? What if we told you that e...

Can one person change a big business? With Alan Jope and Sharon Thorne

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Jobs. Anita Roddick. Yvon Chouinard. Mary Portas.  There are many inspiring examples of business leaders who have changed the world through t...

What’s the secret to changing behaviours? With Richard Shotton and Stuart West

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We spend our days reacting, responding, pivoting. To the latest trends, headlines and/or that urgent email in your inbox. It’s not you – it’s yo...

Can AI help us be more human? With Sandra Wachter and Sulabh Soral

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Autocorrect. Chatbots. Social media feeds. E-payments. Facial recognition.     These are just some examples of artificial intelligence we come acro...

Does when we’re born affect how we work? With Bobby Duffy and Shivani Maitra

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Baby boomers. Generation X. Millennials. Gen Z. And make way for Generation Alpha… Labels can help us understand the world, but they often become un...

Would more of us thrive in a circular economy? With Hege Sæbjørnsen and James Pennington

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We often say we’re going round in circles like it’s a bad thing. But it might just be the key to a better future for our planet – and the people...

Could my money move the world? With Anneka Deva and Louise Brett

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Money shapes the world – from our savings accounts to big investment decisions. But many of us don’t feel confident when it comes to money. And th...

How can we be better at amplifying underrepresented voices? With Antonia Forster and Tolu Osinubi

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our stories matter. Sharing them is one way in which we can change the world for the better. The trouble is, some stories are represented more than ot...

What makes a great place to live and work? With Andy Burnham and Jo Ahmed

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Beautiful green spaces. Vibrant high street. Good schools. Easy commutes. We all look for different things when weighing up where to live and work. So...

Where do you start when everything matters? With Hannah Jones and Kat Lampen

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn’t love ticking things off the to do list? But when it gets a bit too long, overwhelm can take over. It’s the same when we think of the p...

Could technology make us more active? With Judy Murray and Mark Lillie

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of us spend (too) many hours sitting behind a computer for our jobs. And then spend our free time scrolling on our smartphones. Dropping concentr...

Will the metaverse make work better? With Aigerim Shorman and Ed Greig

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For some, the arrival of the metaverse seems like the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster. It’s exciting but it can be hard to grasp. Is it just the natura...

What did we learn over the past year?

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The power of conversation never ceases to amaze us. After another fantastic year of honest and insightful discussions, we’re feeling a little nostal...

How is the conversation about disability at work changing? With Mark Hodgkinson and Zeinab Chaudhary

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Talking about disability at work isn’t something new. But how has the conversation changed over the years? And is it changing fast enough? There are...

How do you start a movement? With Peter Holbrook CBE and Kalvinder Dhillon

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us are trying to change something. No matter who we are or where we live, we want to make our corner of the world a little bit better for thos...

How do we create work that’s good for our wellbeing? With Jolawn Victor and Jackie Henry

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hybrid working. It sounds like the shiny solution to what the future of work is going to look like. But we wouldn’t blame you if you felt part excit...

What’s the secret to performing at your best? With Laura Kenny CBE and Joanna Lockard

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us can relate to taking pride in performing to the highest level we’re capable of. Writing the best essay we can at school. Running that 5k ...

Can a business make money and do good at the same time? With Natalie Campbell and Claire Burton

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be responsible? There’s no right answer. In fact, it’s easy to get it wrong.   Every day we make decisions. Driven by what w...

Should my next car be electric? With Daksh Gupta and Jamie Hamilton

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vehicles running on clean electricity for miles. It seemed like something out of a movie – until it wasn’t.​ The modern car invented by Karl Ben...

Are women rewriting the rules? With Suzie de Rohan Willner and Katie Houldsworth

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve seen female leaders applauded for their responses to the global pandemic. Female activists driving the agenda on climate change, period povert...

Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all looking for a little hope at the moment. Since we launched The Green Room two years ago, we’ve seen the world around us change in so man...

Does the way we bank leave some people behind? With Jill Jackson and Lucy Traynor

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

They say money makes the world go round. And it’s not untrue. At the very least, it keeps our washing machines going round, the wheels on our cars s...

Is technology our planet’s best hope? With Colin Butfield and Siobhan Gardner

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard to think of a part of our lives that isn’t impacted by technology. It’s made our world more connected. Our work easier to do. Limitles...

Will travel ever be the same again? With Ian Taylor and Andreas Scriven

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hands up if you had a trip cancelled because of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to evolve, spending time abroad, exploring that new city or walkin...

Do we care more about a brand or what they stand for? With Johan Bello and Annabel Rake

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Humans are funny creatures. We wake up and brew ourselves a cuppa, using only our favourite teabags of course. We butter our bread using our favourite...

What’s it like to be Black in Britain today? With Sandra Kerr CBE and David Wallis

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you think about race? If you’re white, chances are – rarely. That’s because you’re unlikely to be the only person in a room who l...

One year on: did anything go to plan? With Richard Houston

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When our CEO Richard Houston took on the role in 2019, he spoke to our hosts about starting a new job and preparing for his next step. He was prepared...

Can we finally stop talking about Brexit? With Raoul Ruparel and Amanda Tickel

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At 23:00 on January 31, three years and four months after the EU referendum, the UK officially stopped being a member of the EU.  In that time, we’...

Are we buying less because we care more? With Philli Boyle and Ben Perkins

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last few decades, businesses have struggled to keep up with our demand for more. Supermarkets provided us with a dazzling selection of afford...

How much are we prepared to share for an easy life? With Peter Gooch and Susie Sharawi

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a data-driven world. And it would be pretty difficult to exist in it without sharing information about who we are and what we like. But are...

Why do the experts keep getting it wrong? With James Ashton and Ian Stewart

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Back in 2016, economists said Brexit was unlikely to happen and the media reported that Hillary Clinton was a safe bet for the US presidency. Since th...

Is technology really making our lives better? With Paul Lee and Libby Cousins

19 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From smarter healthcare to remote working, there’s no doubt that technology has had a positive impact on our lives. But there are downsides too. In ...

Why aren’t we taught how to adult? With Gemma Tetlow and Dan Lyons

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tax forms. Mortgages. Pensions. Most of us have to deal with them at some point in our lives, but do we really understand them? We all know we’ll ha...

Are we taking young voices seriously enough? With Kate Robertson and Annie Wong

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s younger generation are the most informed, educated, connected generation in human history, with a lot of ideas too. Every day, we’re seein...

Do working fathers have it easy? With Han-Son Lee and Jim Bloomfield

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Comical stereotypes of dads often show fatherhood as a bit of fun. Think dad dancing, dad jokes, dad bods and daddy day care. But with more dads than ...

Why do we think about mental and physical health differently? With Geoff McDonald and Steve Larke

17 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We all have mental health, in the same way we all have physical health. So why do we only talk about it when something goes wrong? Why don’t we look...

Does starting a new job ever get easier? With Richard Houston

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Starting a new job can be daunting, as our new CEO Richard Houston knows only too well. As he approaches his first 100 days on the job, we’re talkin...

Should we be teaching kids to code? With Michael Kolawole and Sheree Atcheson

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a modern world dominated by software, has coding become the most important language of all? Or are we focusing on tech skills at the expense of all...

Are our cities ready for the future? With Jasmine Whitbread and Simon Bedford

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Over two thirds of the global population will call a city home by 2050. This growth brings with it some major challenges, and some big opportunities. ...

What’s stopping us from making the most of international markets? With Ryan Duffy and Angus Knowles-Cutler

11 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a global world, the most successful companies need to be open to considering opportunities in other markets.  But where do they start? Are UK busi...

Can creativity change the world? With Andy Sandoz and Debapratim De

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Creativity matters. Without it, we wouldn’t have science or medicine. We’d have no solutions, no innovation. Our economy needs new ideas to surviv...

Does the high street have a future? With Matt Ward and Colin Jeffrey

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Once a bustling hub of activity, the high street as we know it is under threat. With 20% of all retail sales coming from online shopping, it seems tha...

Does having a side hustle make you more productive at work? With Nick Philpot and Riteesh Mishra

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Research estimates that one in four of us run at least one business on the side. And, as usual, it seems millennials are the top culprits. For those a...

Is it tough at the top? With David Sproul

09 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

David Sproul has been the CEO of Deloitte UK for the last eight years and was the first ever CEO of Deloitte North West Europe. It’s safe to say he ...