Shows
The Impact EquationThe Natural World Roundtable, with Tony Juniper CBE, Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, Jessica Smith and Eva ZabeyIn this episode we are joined by four of the most insightful voices shaping the future of nature: Tony Juniper CBE – Chair of Natural England, veteran campaigner, and author of Just Earth, shares his views on nature recovery and economic reform. Eva Zabey – CEO of Business for Nature, outlines how leading companies are embedding nature into their strategies, and why policy ambition is essential. Merlin Hanbury-Tenison – Founder of The Thousand Year Trust and author of Our Oaken Bones, speaks from the frontlines of Britain’s rainforest restoration efforts. Jessica Smith – Head of Nature at UNEP FI, explains why finance is the hid...2025-07-1945 min
The Impact EquationSam Freedman, Education reformer & co-author of UK's most popular political substackWe're joined by Sam Freedman - writer, policy advisor, education reformer, and the writer of the UK’s most popular politics Substack. Sam’s career spans the frontline and the engine room of public policy. From lobbying on education reform to advising Michael Gove at the Department for Education, to senior roles at Teach First and Ark, he’s always been focused on making systems work better, especially for those with the least power. Now, as a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and co-author of the brilliant Comment is Freed newsletter with his father Lawrence Freedman, Sam brings...2025-07-1341 min
The Impact EquationThe Insiders: Rizwan Naveed, ex-McKinsey; Holly Alpine, ex-Microsoft; Jo Alexander ex-BPIn this special edition of The Impact Equation, we hear from three insiders turned truth-tellers: Rizwan Naveed, former McKinsey energy strategist, who helped advise the world's biggest companies, and challenged McKinsey’s climate position. Holly Alpine, former sustainability lead at Microsoft, who built global green programmes while grappling with how tech services were being used in the fossil fuel sector. Jo Alexander, former BP executive, who believed in the energy transition, but witnessed the company adjust its boldest climate commitments. These three leaders have left the corporate world behind but not quietly. Now they’re shaping a different kind of c...2025-07-0650 min
The Impact EquationAlysia Garmulewicz, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, MateriomWe’re thrilled to announce a brand new series of The Impact Equation in partnership with Fast Forward, the leading accelerator backing tech nonprofits solving humanity’s greatest challenges We kick off with Alysia Garmulewicz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Materiom, whose open platform is pioneering regenerative biomaterials from locally abundant resources. A Rhodes Scholar and systems thinker, Alysia isn’t just reimagining packaging - she’s reimagining the economy. Tune in as we explore what it takes to build for impact at scale, why open data and community matter, and how the tech nonprofit model is changing the rules. Hosted o...2025-06-2942 min
The Impact EquationSir Ronald Cohen, Father of European Venture Capital & Impact Investment We’re joined by Sir Ronnie Cohen - a man whose vision has shaped two industries: European venture capital and global impact investing. Born in Egypt and forced to flee as a child, Sir Ronnie arrived in the UK with little more than resilience and hope. He went on to become President of the Oxford Union, earn an MBA from Harvard, and co-found Apax Partners, one of Europe’s leading private equity firms. But that was only the beginning. Driven by a deeper mission, Sir Ronnie turned his focus to social investment - founding Social Finance, Big Society Capital, and...2025-06-2241 min
The Impact EquationLouisa Mitchell, Co-Founder & CEO, AllChildWe’re joined by someone who’s quietly but powerfully changing how we support children and families across the UK. Louisa Mitchell started her journey seeing up close how the system was letting families fall through the cracks. In 2014, she was part of the team that founded All Child, a pioneering organisation focused on early intervention and holistic, community-based care. Today, All Child is rethinking support from the ground up - from schools to policy - and putting children’s wellbeing where it belongs: at the heart of the system. Louisa’s work earned her an MBE in 2023. 2025-06-1538 min
The Impact Equation28upIn this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-06-1123 min
The Impact EquationJoel Makower, Chair & Cofounder, Trellis GroupThis week we’re joined by Joel Makower, one of the original architects of sustainable business. As co-founder of the Trellis Group, Joel has built the world’s go-to platform for people making capitalism work for people and planet. He’s advised Fortune 500s, authored more than a dozen books, and helped shape the global conversation on sustainability. He is equal parts journalist, strategist, and movement builder. Listen in to the conversation to hear his reflections and lessons over the past 40 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-06-0846 min
The Impact EquationCatherine Howarth, CEO of ShareActionIn this episode, we’re joined by one of the most influential voices in sustainable finance: Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of ShareAction.For nearly 20 years, Catherine has been reshaping how pensions and investments serve people and planet - not just profit. Under her leadership, ShareAction has turned quiet shareholder voices into powerful agents for climate action, social justice, and accountability. Before ShareAction, Catherine founded West London Citizens, building power through community organising. Since then, she’s been named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, served on the board of the Scott Trust (owner of The Guardian), and...2025-06-0142 min
The Impact EquationClover Hogan, Founder, Force of NatureIn recent episodes, we’ve explored the power and potential of youth. Few embody that spirit more than this week’s guest, Clover Hogan. At 11, she launched into climate activism. At 16, she witnessed the Paris Agreement being signed. At 19, she founded Force of Nature to help young people turn climate anxiety into action. By 21, she’d delivered a TED Talk seen by millions. Now, still in her early 20s, Clover is a globally respected voice for her generation, equal parts bold, wise, and unafraid. In this episode, we talk about growing up in the climate movement and what it’s like t...2025-05-2551 min
The Impact EquationDr Gail Bradbrook, Co-Founder, Extinction RebellionDr Gail Bradbrook is co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, a global movement that helped force the climate emergency onto the world’s front pages through nonviolent civil disobedience. Her journey starts in a West Yorkshire mining town. She went on to earn a PhD in molecular biophysics, led national work on digital inclusion, and then founded XR. She’s blocked roads, been arrested, raised two kids, and never stopped fighting for a better future. In this episode, we explore how science and activism collide, what it takes to mobilise a social movement and why we need a shift in consciousness to ta...2025-05-1846 min
The Impact EquationBatya Blankers, CEO & Co-Founder, Chancen InternationalWhat if financial barriers in underserved markets didn’t stand in the way of higher education. That’s the bold idea Batya Blankers and her team a Chancen International are scaling across Africa. From Cape Town to Kigali, they’re rewriting the rules of education finance; giving underserved young people the chance to study now and succeed later, with repayments linked to a fair share of future income. Batya’s journey is extraordinary. An MBA grad from the African Leadership University, with roots in tech and nonprofit leadership in South Africa and Germany. She’s building not just a financing m...2025-05-1143 min
The Impact EquationHaroon Yasin, Founder & CEO, TaleemabadOur guest is Haroon Yasin. By 18, Haroon was already running schools in Islamabad’s slums. What began as a one-room refuge for street children has grown into Taleemabad; a groundbreaking ed-tech company reaching over 10 million children across Pakistan. Taleemabad has digitised and localised the national curriculum, turning it into engaging lessons on TV, tablets, and mobile apps, even designing entire days around how kids really learn. Recognised by Malala Yousafzai and even the late Queen Elizabeth, he’s now scaling systems, not just solutions. This one’s about purpose, scale, and redefining what education can be, especially in the age of...2025-05-0552 min
The Impact EquationChris Hook, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at UberThis episode we're joined by Christopher Hook, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at Uber. Chris joined Uber in 2019 to launch its first ever sustainability initiative, the London Clean Air Plan, and now leads sustainability across 70 countries, pushing for nothing less than fully sustainable car journeys and restaurant orders. From building impactful partnerships to helping drivers and restaurants lower their carbon footprint, Chris has become a driving force (literally) behind Uber’s sustainability shift. In this episode we explore; what it means to lead sustainability at global scale, the bold bets Uber is making for the future, how corporate sustainability ca...2025-04-2747 minThe Impact Equation21upIn this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-2430 min
The Impact EquationIan Shapiro, CEO of ReallWe’re joined by Ian Shapiro, a true force in international development and CEO of Reall, an NGO revolutionising affordable housing across Africa and Asia.Ian’s work at Reall isn’t just about buildings; it’s about dignity, jobs, clean water, sanitation, and long-term sustainability for millions of people. Before Reall, Ian’s impact spanned continents: He ran a youth organisation in Nepal, he shaped UK development programmes in India, he led DFID’s global strategy for private investment, and, he managed a £1 billion development fund. From government halls to grassroots partnerships, Ian’s seen what it really takes...2025-04-2036 min
The Impact EquationDame Helen Stephenson, former CEO Charity Commission, Director of Early Years at DfE & Cabinet Office DirectorThis episode's guest on The Impact Equation is a powerhouse: Dame Dr Helen Stephenson. As the former Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, Helen oversaw 169,000+ charities. She's held top roles across government; from shaping early years policy to championing civil society and innovation at the highest levels.She’s also brought her magic to the National Lottery Community Fund, the Royal Academy of Dance, and somehow found time to earn a PhD in Philosophy too.Helen was awarded a CBE in 2014 and made a Dame in the 2024 Birthday Honours for a career dedicated to purpose, pu...2025-04-1342 min
The Impact EquationDan Garrett, Co-Founder & CEO of FarewillWe’re joined by Dan Garrett, Chief Growth Officer at Dignity Group, which recently acquired Farewill, the company Dan co-founded back in 2015 with a bold mission: to change the way the world deals with death. Under Dan’s leadership, Farewill became an award-winning provider of wills, probate, and funerals - raising over £1.1 billion in pledged legacy income for more than 1,000 charities across the UK. Now, through a powerful partnership with Dignity, Dan is scaling that vision further, transforming an industry that touches us all. In this episode, we explore how to tackle complex, deeply human problems with design-led thinking, why l...2025-04-0643 min
The Impact EquationDr Nick Laing, Co-Founder & CEO of One Day HealthWe’re joined by Dr. Nick Laing, co-founder of OneDay Health, on a mission to solve one of the world’s most overlooked crises: 100 million people lack access to quality healthcare. Nick and his team are changing that, one clinic at a time. With just $4,000 OneDay Health can launch a sustainable primary health centre in sub-Saharan Africa. Each clinic serves 4,000 to 8,000 people, offering comprehensive, high-quality care where none existed before. Using smart AI to identify healthcare black holes, they place clinics where they’re needed most. Over 315,000 patients have been treated including 154,000 malaria cases, with 80% of clinics self-sustaining through $1–$2 fees paid by...2025-03-3037 min
The Impact EquationRicha Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of LabhyaWe’re joined by Richa Gupta, an educator-turned-social entrepreneur transforming education for vulnerable children. As Co-Founder & CEO of Labhya, Richa is leading a movement that impacts 2.4 million+ children in India through social-emotional learning programs. Richa's work has earned her Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, a spot as one of 17 global UN SDG leaders, and a seat on the UNICEF India board. She’s even caught the attention of Selena Gomez, who recently celebrated Labhya’s work!In this episode, we dive into how Richa is reshaping education at scale, the power of social-emotional learning and what it takes to drive...2025-03-2341 min
The Impact EquationBrett Wigdortz, Founder of Teach First & TineyWe're joined by Brett Wigdortz, co-founder and CEO of Tiney, a fast-growing startup transforming childcare. Before that, Brett spent 15 years building Teach First into the UK’s largest graduate recruiter, reshaping education nationwide and earning Brett an OBE for services to education. Brett has also played a key role in expanding Teach For All globally and served as Chair of National Citizenship Service (NCS Trust), the UK’s biggest youth engagement programme. With deep experience in scaling businesses, raising funds, and leading mission-driven organisations, it was a privilege to speak to Brett about all his experiences. Hosted on Acast. See a...2025-03-1643 min
The Impact EquationStephen Critchlow, Founder & CEO of Evergreen LifeStephen Critchlow, founder of Evergreen Life, recently crowned as the UK’s fastest growing software firm in The Sunday Times Tech 100. Evergreen isn’t Stephen’s first rodeo. A pioneering entrepreneur, Stephen started out as a clinical pharmacist and his passion for health drove him to establish Ascribe, a company that revolutionised health IT in 75% of UK hospitals, later selling to EMIS Group. With Evergreen Life, he’s revolutionising patient empowerment by giving users control over their medical records, while also pioneering digital tools for wellness using AI and machine learning. An advocate for preventative healthcare, Stephen’s work is directly...2025-03-0938 minThe Impact Equation14upIn this short episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-03-0607 min
The Impact EquationJosh MacAlister MP, Founder of FrontlineIn this episode we're joined by Josh MacAlister, recently elected as the Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington. Before entering politics, Josh dedicated his career to transforming children’s lives, first as a Teach First teacher and then founding the charity Frontline and leading the government’s independent review into the children's services sector. He’s also co-founded SHiFT, tackling youth violence, and chaired Foundations, the What Works Centre for Children and Families. This work was awarded with an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year’s Honours. With deep experience in policy and frontline impact, we were really excited to...2025-03-0244 min
The Impact EquationBranwen Evans, Director of Sustainability and Policy at Places for PeopleIn this episode, we’re joined by Branwen Evans, a leader in housing and social policy. Branwen has held senior roles at the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Homes and Communities Agency, focusing on housing strategy and community development. Branwen is now at Places for People, one of the UK’s biggest social enterprises, managing over 245,000 homes and investing millions into building communities — Branwen’s work focuses on how Places for People can change lives every day, creating homes and thriving communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...2025-02-2333 min
The Impact EquationLord Deben, former Climate Change Chair & Secretary of State in John Major’s GovernmentIn this episode, we welcome Lord Deben. Entering Parliament as an MP at just 30, he rose through the ranks to become a Minister under Mrs Thatcher and then Secretary of State for the Environment in John Major’s Government. In 1995 he introduced the landmark Environment Act and ended up being described by Friends of the Earth as "the best Environment Secretary we've ever had". Created a life peer in 2010, taking his title from his local river, he became Chairman of the UK’s Climate Change Committee in 2012. A position he held for over a decade. In that time, he suppo...2025-02-1633 min
The Impact EquationNeha Verma, CEO of Intelehealth, scaling access to healthcare to millions of peopleThis is the first pod in our "Scaling Social Unicorns" series, in partnership with 100x Impact Accelerator. In this episode, we welcome Neha Verma, cofounder and CEO of Intelehealth, a tele-medicine technology non-profit that delivers health services where there is no doctor. Intelehealth’s approach uses telemedicine and artificial intelligence to bridge critical healthcare gaps in rural and remote regions, connecting patients with qualified healthcare professionals who wouldn’t normally have access to high quality healthcare services. Neha earned an MS in Applied Health Sciences and a PhD in Health Informatics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Neha...2025-02-0941 min
The Impact EquationEd Conway, Sky News Economics Editor and bestselling authorEd Conway is one of the UK's leading journalists and broadcasters. He is the Economics and Data Editor at Sky News, a regular columnist for The Times, and a prolific blogger on Substack. He's also the recipient of the prestigious Wincott Foundation Journalist of the Year Award and the author of two bestselling books, including Material World, a critically acclaimed exploration of the materials and substances driving our economy and the green transition. 🌍 In this episode, Ed shares insights into the future of economics, the role of storytelling in journalism, and how we can make sense of complex issues. You...2025-02-0138 min
The Impact EquationIoannis Ioannou, London Business School, Professor of Strategy and EntrepreneurshipIn this episode our guest is Ioannis Ioannou, a tenured professor at London Business School and a globally recognised thought leader on the role of business in society.Ioannis is a graduate of Yale and Harvard, with a Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard Business School and has been shaping the conversation around sustainability and corporate responsibility since joining LBS in 2009. His groundbreaking research has been featured in top academic journals, offering profound insights into how businesses can deliver for the greater good. Beyond the classroom, Ioannis advises global corporations on sustainability strategies and is a...2025-01-2629 min
The Impact EquationMete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and EnergyIn this episode we welcome Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, to our first live podcast. Mete was born in Northern Cyprus to asylum-seeking parents and moved to London as a child. Inspired to give marginalised groups a voice, aged just 20 he founded My Life My Say, a charity to amplify youth voices and engaging young people from underrepresented communities in decision-making. Mete’s campaigning led nearly half a million people to register to vote in the last general election and he received an MBE for services to young people. Mete entered politics aged just 21, as t...2025-01-1941 minThe Impact Equation7upIn this short episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our first 7 guests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-01-1506 min
The Impact EquationDr. Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at UCL and Climate ActivistIn this episode we welcome Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London and Director of the Centre for Human Health and Performance. A distinguished scientist, clinician, and teacher, he has published nearly 600 research papers, discovered the first human fitness gene, and explored survival in extreme environments. Beyond medicine, Hugh is a skydiver, ultramarathon runner, mountaineer, world record holder, and author. A prominent advocate for addressing climate change's health impacts, he co-chairs the Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and founded Real Zero to advance climate action in healthcare. Hugh has also contributed...2025-01-0941 min
The Impact EquationTony Hawks, Comedian and Fridge PhilosopherFor this very special holiday episode, Adam and Rafi are joined by comedian Tony Hawks, a regular on TV and radio panel shows. Tony came to national prominence with his first book, Round Ireland with A Fridge and has since enjoyed a wonderful and wacky career, finding different ways to bring joy to the world. For his second book, Tony travelled to Moldova in an attempt to beat each member of the national football team in a game of tennis, and ended up establishing the Tony Hawks Centre, a pioneer in children's care provision. Back in the UK, Tony also...2024-12-2134 min
The Impact EquationTzeporah Berman, Chair of the Global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation TreatyRafi and Adam are joined by Tzeporah Berman, a trailblazing environmental activist, who founded the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Tzeporah was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the World’s 100 most influential climate leaders in business in 2024, alongside Bill Gates, Greg Jackson of Octopus, and Niels Christensen, CEO of Lego. Previously, Tzeporah co-directed the International Climate and Energy Program at Greenpeace and negotiated major policy victories like the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement and the Canadian Boreal Forest Initiative, which together protected over 40 million hectares of old-growth forests. Tzeporah’s journey began almost by accident in the early...2024-12-1242 min
The Impact EquationJack Prevezer, Co-Founder & COO of Ezra Coaching, world's leading coaching platform We welcome Jack Prevezer, Co-Founder and COO of Ezra Coaching, a leading global virtual coaching and learning provider changing the game in professional development. Ezra has been on an incredible growth journey since starting in 2019, and now operates across six continents, 87 countries and has delivered over 600,000 coaching sessions for employees of some of the biggest companies around the world, including the likes of Spotify, Microsoft, AstraZeneca and Kraft Heinz. This year, as part of their mission to improve lives in the workplace, Ezra announced a new, exciting partnership with NY Times bestseller and global leadership guru Simon Sinek, to gi...2024-12-0233 min
The Impact EquationTessa Clarke, Co-Founder & CEO of OlioIn this episode we welcome Tessa Clarke, Cofounder and CEO of Olio, a free app that connects users with unwanted food in their neighbourhood. Olio now has over 8 million users who have together shared over 200 million portions of food, achieved in large part due to the passion of 125,000 volunteers who are spreading the word in their local communities, and collecting and re-distributing unsold food from local businesses via the app. A farmer’s daughter from North Yorkshire, prior to founding Olio, Tessa’s career started at Boston Consulting Group, and has an MBA from Stanford Business School. 2024-11-2435 min
The Impact EquationAnu Bajaj, Chief Innovative Finance and Investment Officer of the Earthshot PrizeIn this episode we welcome Anu Bajaj, Chief Innovative Finance and Investment Officer of the EarthShot Prize, founded by Prince William in 2020 to search, spotlight and scale solutions that can help repair and regenerate the planet in this decisive decade. Prior to the EarthShot prize with a background in banking, Anu founded Baytree Ventures, a marketplace to help grow the market for impact investing in India and led the UK Department for International Development's global policy and interventions in the financial sector, from mobile banking to microfinance and development of capital markets. Hosted...2024-10-2231 min
The Impact EquationKieron Boyle, CEO of 100x Impact and Chair of the Impact Investing InstituteIn this episode we welcome Kieron Boyle, a true leader in the impact economy. He’s now Chair of the impact investing institute, the UK's foremost authority on impact investing, and CEO of 100x, the world’s largest impact venture accelerator, dedicated to helping visionary entrepreneurs improve the lives of billions of people through innovative, scalable solutions.Kieron has established numerous initiatives, including Big Society Capital, now Better Society Capital, and helped to bring the B-Corp move ment to the UK. These contributions have earned him recognition as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and an O...2024-10-2235 min