UMicast

In this straight-talking, practical conversation, Dave breaks down what business owners need to know: where funding has shifted, what lenders really look for, and how to prepare yourself so you secure the right type of finance at the right time.

From a rat-infested pub basement to creating some of the UK’s most iconic pub brands, David Bruce OBE has lived one of the most unconventional entrepreneurial journeys in brewing. Founder of Bruce’s Brewery and the legendary Firkin pubs, David went on to build or invest in breweries and pub companies across the UK and internationally, eventually scaling to a stock exchange listed group before turn...

As a high-street champion, digital marketing expert, and respected media expert, Graham Soult works tirelessly to revitalise town centres. Listen to the episode below to find out more from Graham Soult about: The current state of retail on the high street. The importance of community feeling in creating a successful high street business. Examples of how to tackle crime. How to effectively market y...

As the Strategy Director and General Manager at CPI, Dr Arun Harish has vast experience in sustainable growth and impact generation. Having previously held diverse roles, ranging from technology commercialisation, innovation consulting, fund-raising, and business development, Arun uses his expertise and passion to make economical and societal impact through innovation.

Emma Jones was appointed Small Business Commissioner in June 2025, after vast experience of starting and growing her own businesses. These ventures included Enterprise Nation, a business dedicated to supporting the flourishing number of start-ups and SMEs in the UK. Now, as the Small Business Commissioner, Emma is responsible for reviewing complaints by small businesses regarding late payments, as...

Digital transformation is rapidly evolving and for many SMEs, it can be difficult to Navigate. Alessandro Di Stefano, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Teesside University, breaks down the practical applications of AI and data-driven tools, giving insight into actionable strategies businesses can use to stay in the game.

Nobody can do business with you if they don’t know you exist. Charlotte Nichols, Managing Director of Harvey & Hugo, explains practical public relations (PR) strategies that can enhance your visibility, establish trust and position your brand as the go-to-choice in your industry.

With a decade in business, Jessica Williams, Founder/Managing Director of Just Williams, has a firm grip on the wheel, being able to pursue a PhD and run 13 marathons on the side. But this sales and marketing B Corp wasn’t built overnight. Jessica reflects on her business journey and shares tips for other likeminded sales-people looking to grow.

Mo Abassi, Senior Sustainability Engineer at Decerna, discusses how individual behaviours can play a key part in creating a sustainable workplace. Whilst new technologies and policies can make a big difference, Mo believes their Sustainable Workplace Wins toolkit can encourage people to adopt small but significant new behaviours, sharing positive messaging, advice and practical activities.

With a background in Corpus Linguistics and a keen interest in Scottish mythology, Steve Erdal found his niche in AI-enabled customer feedback analysis. The Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Wordnerds shares how the company has navigated proof of concept, seed funding and scaling through one of the most challenging times in business history.

Richard Bearman is the Managing Director of British Business Bank and overseer of the Start-Up Loans Programme which aims to help start-up businesses across the UK get access to funding and support. In this conversation he shares details of the funding and support available to new businesses, as well as the value of mentorship from industry experts.

Jim Holland is the CEO and Co-Founder of Carma , a business which partners with veterans and service leavers to plant trees in the UK. After serving in the Royal Navy for 13 years, followed by 16 years in large corporations, Jim was moved to create Carma to support fellow veterans while making a positive impact on the environment. In this conversation, Jim shares key lessons and personal insights...

Steve Pugh is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Management Consultant, author, GB basketball player, and Founder of social impact start-up Roadmap MBA . With more than 20 years’ learning and board-level experience leading organisations through stock market floatation, recession and the pandemic, Steve is passionate about making business education more accessible for all. In this conversation, he...

Kat Sykes has been described by clients as the Mary Poppins of Business Change. As the Founder of GameChanging Outcomes Ltd , Kat has drawn on her varied career as a primary school teacher, construction project manager and digital change manager to create a completely new type of service that encompasses the best of all worlds. In this conversation, she explains why it’s important to understand pe...

Listen to this episode to learn how you can improve your self-awareness and understanding of yourself and colleagues, and ultimately create a more confident and resilient you/workforce.

Ian Kinnery, a multi-accredited business coach, has made it his mission to help entrepreneurs experience what he calls ‘true entrepreneurial freedom’ through a mixture of industry techniques and personal experience. Listen to this episode to hear how you can achieve your goals, grow you business and become a great leader, all whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Amanda Rowan, International Trade Advisor and Caroline Wilson, Strategic Partnership Manager from the Department for Business and Trade delve deep into the exciting world of exporting within the Northern Powerhouse region. The Northern Powerhouse, renowned for its economic vibrancy, encompasses a network of dynamic cities and regions, boasting a diverse range of industries and resources. We shed l...

Jessica Williams, Founder and CEO of Just Williams, launched her business 2015 as a go-to solution to the age-old issues of hiring, training, managing and retaining sales professionals. In 2019 she created The Just Williams Sales Academy during the pandemic to create an entry level for all sales professionals which has now trained over 1000 delegates. Hear about hear journey and learn from her dri...

Elaine Morris is the Founder of Curious Edge, which she set up to make research more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. She’s an experienced leader of high achieving teams, a coach and sounding board for managers and leaders. With demonstrable experience as a researcher, Elaine brings a deep understanding of consumer behaviour to her work. In this conversation, she explains why it’s...

Minister Ivan McKee is a member of Scottish Parliament, and Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise. Prior to embarking on a full-time political career in 2016, Minister McKee enjoyed a 30-year career in manufacturing and consulting where he lived, owned and ran businesses in many countries. In this conversation, he reflects on the progress of Scotland’s trade ambitions and the opport...

Louise Kennedy is Owner and Director of Oculus HR . After 17 years’ experience running HR teams across many different sectors including fast-paced automotive, Louise stepped out into the light as a self-employed HR consultant. In this conversation, she shares stories about some of the challenges of supporting teams through the pandemic and gives her tips for attracting and retaining talent as a sm...

The latest episode is the fifth and final instalment of the special series  UMi  is producing in collaboration with  Innovation SuperNetwork . Hermina Ely is an Innovation Manager at Innovation SuperNetwork leading on  Challenge North Tyne 's mission  to support older people at home, work and play  working closely with Innovation Challenge Programme Director Sarah Cox and Sandi Rickerby, Trustee a...

The latest episode of the podcast is the fourth in the special series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork . Lysa Morrison is an Innovation Manager at Innovation SuperNetwork leading on Challenge North Tyne 's 'delivering energy efficient, low carbon homes' challenge, working closely with Innovation Challenge Programme Director Sarah Cox and David Lynch, Energy Innovation...

The latest episode of the podcast is the third in the special series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork . Estelle Blanks is the CEO of Innovation SuperNetwork and someone who is incredibly passionate about making sure that companies in the North East have the opportunities, finance and support they need to innovate and grow. With that in mind, in this conversation, Este...

Fraser Doherty is co-founder of the world's most popular beer subscription service, Beer52 . Headquartered in Edinburgh, Beer52 allows enthusiasts to taste expertly sourced craft beer from a different part of the world each month and has grown into one of Scotland's most exciting start-ups. Prior to joining Beer52, Fraser Doherty built an impressive 20-year career in business through his company S...