Where Sharp Minds Compete

In episode four of Where Sharp Minds Compete, host Paul Shields , Partner and Head of Johnston Carmichael’s Newcastle office , is joined by Paul Blake, owner of Newcastle Eagles, and Sam Blake, Chief Executive Officer, to explore the story behind the most successful professional basketball club in British history. The conversation unpacks the club’s takeover journey, the role of the local communit...

In episode three of Where Sharp Minds Compete, host Paul Shields , Partner and Head of Johnston Carmichael’s Newcastle office , is joined by Shaun Hudson, EFL assistant referee and experienced leader in the sporting and business worlds, to explore leadership, culture and the realities of performing in high-pressure environments. Drawing on his career across elite sport and leadership roles beyond...

In episode two of 'Where Sharp Minds Compete', host  Paul Shields , Partner and Head of Johnston Carmichael’s  Newcastle office , is joined by Iain Nairn MBE, former England Physical Disability cricket captain, to explore leadership, resilience and high performance in the face of sustained challenge. Drawing on his experience captaining England to victory in the first global physical disability cr...

In the opening episode of ‘Where Sharp Minds Compete’, host  Paul Shields , Partner and Head of Johnston Carmichael’s  Newcastle office , is joined by ex-Olympic swimmer Chris Cook to explore what high performance really looks like beyond medals, titles and results. Drawing on his journey from South Shields to the Olympic stage and into business, Chris reflects on leadership, resilience and identi...