Shows
The Creative AdventureE20: Laura Tenison MBE: Founder of JoJo Maman Bébé, on how true success lies in doing good as well as doing wellIn this special 20th episode, Greg and Andrew have an inspirational chat with Laura Tenison MBE, founder of JoJo Maman Bébé. Like many born entrepreneurs, Laura's entrepreneurial tendencies were there for all to see from her tender years when she would make a few pennies selling cold drinks and cakes behind her house. 45 years later, JoJo Maman Bébé, the company she founded, was making £70m in annual revenue and employing 1,000 people, on the way to becoming one of Britain's best loved brands. In 2022, Laura sold JoJo to retail giant Next, i...
2024-04-221h 18The Creative AdventureE19: Irene Graham OBE: Creative UK board member, and CEO of the ScaleUp Institute, on how the road to career fulfilment begins with being true to yourselfIn this shorter form episode, Andrew has a one on one chat with the brilliant Irene Graham OBE. Irene was identified as a leader from a young age, with her "can do" mindset and collaborative approach being the cornerstones of a senior career with Standard Chartered, where she harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit to create and lead a range of global projects and businesses, eventually resulting in her being an architect of the UK "open banking" revolution. Irene now sits on the Board of Creative UK, and as founder and CEO of the ScaleUp Institute, has supported for t...
2024-03-1444 minThe Creative AdventureE18: Hanne Kristiansen: Former Head of Innovation at Kellogg's and founder of the Creative ID, on how you need to create the dots before you connect the dotsIn this episode, we chat with the dynamic and creative Hanne Kristiansen. From riding horses at 4 years old, to fixing the farm roof soon after, and wilfully not reading out loud until she was older than 10, Hanne has always done things her own way and proudly so. Her journey took her from being the daughter of hippy parents in provincial Denmark to eventually taking significant corporate roles in the UK including the Head of Innovation at Kellogg's. She then started her own consultancy and has worked with academics over many years to develop an innovative fr...
2024-02-061h 27The Creative AdventureE17: Stephen Page OBE: Chair of Faber & Faber on the opportunities you see out of the corner of your eyeIn this episode, we chat with the accomplished and thoughtful Stephen Page OBE. Starting his working life in a bookshop he soon realised he wanted to be "nearer to the story", and found his way into his first role in publishing. Cutting his teeth in sales and marketing, Stephen's relentless, enterprising approach saw his career rise with successes at Transworld and Third Estate before arriving as CEO of Faber, where he steered the business for 20 years. Now Chair of Faber he is establishing himself as a leadership coach, on the Board of C...
2023-12-191h 38The Creative AdventureE16: Frances Madden: Australian singer/songwriter on how every magic moment begins with a leap of faithIn this episode, we chat with the wonderful Australian singer and songwriter Frances Madden. Described by the Australian Institute of Music as "one of Australia's most talented young singer/songwriters and piano players", we hear about Frances's journey from a six year old who became obsessed with piano, to eventually playing live in front of tens of thousands of people. She tells us about the challenges of truly putting yourself out there, the journey of pursuing a career in music, and how when the magic moments do happen, it makes everything wo...
2023-12-061h 06The Creative AdventureE15: Sandra Schembri: Former CEO of House of St. Barnabas, now leading Nordoff & Robbins, on the power of being perpetually curiousIn this episode we chat with energetic changemaker, and Charity CEO, Sandra Schembri. As the daughter of immigrants, Sandra inherited a fierce work ethic which has been one of the superpowers propelling her inspiring career journey. From a TV runner to Bloomberg and Ronnie Scotts, hard work and an unrelenting desire to learn and grow led her to become the CEO of Soho members club with a social impact twist House of St Barnabas, and now the CEO of Nordoff & Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity. With her boundless energy and curiosity she enjoy...
2023-11-121h 16The Creative AdventureE14: James Scroggs: Chair of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) on innovating the world of work and educationIn this episode we chat with leader, innovator and entrepreneur James Scroggs. We hear both James' own odyssey through the world of work - from Marketing Director at MTV, to re-establishing workwear brand M.C. Overalls, and music entrepreneur - through to his drive now to empower people towards fulfilling careers, as creator of education venture New Working Class. Now also the Chair of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), Chairman of One Question, and lifelong Prince fan, James is one of the UK's cultural leaders, and this is an episode not to...
2023-10-201h 11The Creative AdventureE13: Svante: On the internal battle to find his true path as an artistIn this episode, we chat with the inspiring artist Svante. Discovering an early passion for art, Svante's life took a different turn as he shifted his creative talents towards business. Success came quickly and with all the trappings, but it was soul destroying and through a challenging process of self-discovery, Svante found his way back to art. Now establishing himself as a respected artist, Svante's first major exhibition runs in London on October 4th-5th. This is a conversation about doing what you're meant to do, and the...
2023-10-031h 24The Creative AdventureE12: Ian Nathan: Editor of Empire magazine turned author, on how doing the practical things well is essential to creative successIn this episode, we chat with one of Britain's best known film writers, Ian Nathan. From filling in for the entertainment column at his student newspaper, to just a few years later becoming Empire magazine's youngest ever Editor, and now a successful bestselling author and TV regular, Ian has always had a knack for knowing the right move, and the courage to take it. Now with more than 15 books under his belt, Ian takes us through his amazing life including; His love of film from a young age Bonding with Da...
2023-08-211h 35The Creative AdventureE11: Kate Maxwell: Conde Nast Editor turned award winning novelist, on the journey to realise a childhood dreamIn this episode, we chat with the accomplished journalist and writer Kate Maxwell. From the age of 8 Kate dreamt of becoming a novelist. Leaving Oxford with a degree in English she embarked on a successful career which took her to J Walter Thompson, Conde Nast, Soho House and Facebook, via a start-up in New York. Yet the dream of becoming an author was finally realised in her 40's with the the publication of her debut novel Hush, shortlisted for the Bridport Prize First Novel award. Now working on her next book, Kate...
2023-07-281h 32The Creative AdventureE10: Anna Anderson: Creator of Kindred, on following entrepreneurial footsteps, and finding the mission that drives you forward every day In this episode, we're talking with the brilliant entrepreneur, and all round lovely human, Anna Anderson. Anna has entrepreneurship running in the family, being the daughter of Chris Anderson, the pioneer of Ted Talks. But what drives her day to day is the mission to make the world a better place, spreading more joy and connection through Kindred, the social oasis that she founded in the heart of London. A very special episode with a beautiful soul, Anna takes us through her journey including: The other families often liv...
2023-07-131h 21The Creative AdventureE9: Tom Adeyoola: Tech founder who raised $32m, now Trustee at Channel 4 and Angel Investor, on achieving the clarity to know the right path In this episode, we speak with multitalented entrepreneur, advisor, and investor Tom Adeyoola. An all-rounder from an early age, Tom's early career took him on a steep learning curve through digital media and gaming to found the fashion tech business Metail which he led for 11 years, raising over $32m before exiting in 2019. Tom now has seats on a dozen or so boards, is a Trustee at Channel 4, Governor at St. Paul's School, and has started his own Angel Network, and was instrumental to the Shadow Chancellor's recent Labour Party Start-up review. To name just a few...
2023-06-281h 14The Creative AdventureE8: John Spencer Williams: Author of F**k Work Let's Play, on breaking free to do what truly feels right In this episode, we speak with visionary, author and coach John Spencer Williams. John is best known for his three amazing books "Screw Work, Let's Play", "Screw Work, Break Free", and "F*** Work, Let's Play". He is a standing judge at The Business Book Awards, and Founder of The Ideas Lab, where he has worked with and inspired thousands of entrepreneurs. John shares his journey and insights on inspiration, creativity, and play, including: How he used to be a 'shadow artist' How life is empty and meaningless... and why...
2023-06-181h 26The Creative AdventureE7: Dan Kieran: Publishing founder described by Richard Branson as a 'true disruptor', on using fear as a compass In this episode, we chat with author and entrepreneur Dan Kieran. Through a magical twist of fate he found himself on the doorstep of the Idler magazine in 1997, embarking on a journey that took him from work experience to Managing Editor. In 2010 he conceived Unbound – bringing an innovative crowdfunding model to publishing - as co-founder and CEO he led the business for 11 years, being described as 'a true disruptor' by Richard Branson, Dan is also the editor of 14 books including his latest, Do Start: How to create and run a bu...
2023-06-021h 29The Creative AdventureE6: Meredith Pierce Hunter: Kew Gardens Executive Board member on life being too short not to do what you love In this episode, we chat with Kew Gardens Executive Board member, and Kew Foundation lead, Meredith Pierce Hunter. Meredith's international path has included senior fundraising roles at Harvard, London Business School, and a Trusteeship at Bernado's, and she takes us through her winding journey with warmth and insight. Meredith shares with us all the steps in her adventure, including: Growing up in Perry Georgia, in the US 'Bible Belt' The subconscious 'intentionality' behind everything she does How she has helped young female entrepreneurs from around the world Being an American wo...
2023-06-021h 14The Creative AdventureE5: Alan Rousso: Former Head of Carnegie Moscow Centre, and Managing Director at EBRD, on seizing the opportunities that feel uncomfortableIn today's episode, we chat with Alan Rousso. Alan's early career took him from academia to Russia where he became the head of the prestigious Carnegie Moscow Centre. From there he moved to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (or EBRD) in the UK where over 20 years he made a significant contribution as a senior leader. He is now working as an executive coach where he combines an emotional intelligence from his own journey with his understanding of what it takes to develop individuals, learnt from three decades as a lea...
2023-06-021h 38The Creative AdventureE4: Tom Shone: Sunday Times film critic turned author on what happens if you let the walls come down In this episode, we chat with Tom Shone. A movie buff from a young age, Tom has been intricately involved in the world of film ever since including being the Sunday Times film critic, and writing for publications such as Vogue, The New Yorker, and the New York Times. He is now also a prolific author having written multiple books ranging from retrospectives on Tarantino, Scorcese and Woody Allen, to the brilliant "The Nolan Variations", a collaboration with Chris Nolan, and even a novel, set in the literary world of New York, where he now s...
2023-04-291h 23The Creative AdventureE3: David Lough: Founder of UK's original wealth management firm, turned historical author, on listening to the ideas that get hold of youIn this episode, we chat with David Lough. David followed an adventurous spirit to begin his career in overseas shipping, where he spent three formative years in Japan. Bringing insights from this experience to a career in the City, he followed an idea that had "got hold" of him to start Heartwood, the UK's first wealth manager in 1988. After 25 successful years, David found himself once again following a compelling pull, this time towards writing about Churchill, developing into an acclaimed author with books that explore Churchill through his letters and through his money. David blends a cur...
2023-04-291h 23The Creative AdventureE2: Hannah Chappatte: On raising a million pounds in your twenties, and fixing the student rental market In this episode, we chat with Hannah Chappatte. At a young age, and frustrated by the toxic rental market for students, Hannah conceived and founded Hybr, a student accommodation platform that connects students with landlords, of which she is now co-founder and CEO. Since then Hybr has raised significant funding, built a large presence in the market and goes from strength to strength. Hannah is the perfect modern founder and during the episode shares her personal and career journey, including: Growing up with dyslexia, in a super-high-achieving family The importance of storytelling The 'psychometric' t...
2023-04-291h 34The Creative AdventureE1: Cambridge Jones: Celebrity photographer, actor, and producer on the power of not always blending inIn this episode we chat with celebrity photographer and film producer Cambridge Jones. Cambridge Jones (real name Paul Barrow) is a British celebrity photographer, entrepreneur, actor and movie producer. He has photographed several British Prime Ministers, Royalty, and has had exhibitions all over the world from Doha, to New York and Moscow. He has acted in TV shows such as The Bill, Soldier Soldier and Succession, owns his own very successful TV testing agency which he runs with his cofounder, and now is a successful film producer. Cambridge is the very emb...
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