Ambitious Minds

It wasn’t until I started working in the financial industry that I understood how essential investing was for building long-term wealth. This week, I’m joined by Andrew Craig, founder of Plain English Finance and author of the must-read personal finance book How To Own The World . In this episode, Andrew and I dive into how investing can serve as a powerful tool for wealth creation. We explore wha...

In this week’s episode, I’m delighted to welcome back Rory MacFdyen, co-founder of Reflo, a sustainable performance wear brand. Rory was one of the podcast's very first guests, so it was a pleasure to catch up and hear about Reflo’s impressive growth over the past year. We dive into their journey from startup to scale-up, celebrating milestones like winning the Santander Growing Business Award, la...

In this segment, Romy van der Merwe shares actionable steps to help you identify and overcome imposter syndrome. We explore how imposter syndrome manifests, its distinction from self-doubt, and the critical role of consistent effort in building confidence. Discover practical techniques such as maintaining a 'brag book,' setting daily intentions, and embracing mindfulness to regain control and stay...

Nicole Soames is an executive coach and trainer who specialises in helping individuals thrive in their careers and become exceptional leaders. In this conversation we discuss how leadership styles in the workplace have changed over time, how Emotional Intelligence plays a pivotal role for effective leadership, and how this is actually a skill that can be developed with training. Nicole also shares...

After a decade working for a Big 4 Accountant, Jonny made the decision to walk away from the high salary, status, and career trajectory we’re often taught to chase, choosing instead to pursue his own path as an entrepreneur. Jonny, the author of the blog post "How I Quit My Job and How You Can Too," shares the steps he took to prepare himself to quit, and how he now helps others do the same. Wheth...

Colin is a high performer, with a full time job as a sales director, a top 1% podcast host and sales trainer in his spare time, he’s really mastered productivity!  In this discussion, Colin shares his early ambitions, what led him down the path of self development, his passion for productivity, and the lessons he’s learnt from his favourite guests. He also shares his current views on the UK,...

Dan Lipman’s story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship. From working in a corporate environment to joining a startup, and ultimately launching his own venture that was acquired in just eight months, his journey offers inspiration and actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this episode of Ambitious Minds , Dan shares the rollercoaster ride of building a business, the risks he took, and...

Have you ever wondered what it was like to grow up in post-World War 2 London? This week’s episode is a special one - I had the privilege of interviewing my grandparents following 60 years of marriage. Growing up in post-war London, they experienced a world that feels vastly different from today. From playing among bomb sites and strict school discipline to their early romances, family life, and c...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Scott Foley, a long-time colleague and a close friend. Scott is one of the most ambitious and curious people I know. We’re constantly talking about new technology or potential business ideas, and this conversation was no exception.  In this conversation, we cover a wide range of topics, beginning with the impact of high-interest rates on student loans—a c...

Sleep doesn’t need much of an introduction. We all do it, but despite spending nearly a third of our lives sleeping, many of us still wake up feeling drained, which can impact our mood and productivity throughout the day. So how can we improve our sleep? This week, I’m joined by Anna West, a sleep specialist who’s worked with top sports teams, business leaders, and organisations to help them enhan...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Phil Fraser - entrepreneur, angel investor, podcast host, and a sounding board for fellow entrepreneurs.  Phil brings a wealth of experience to this conversation, He’s been there, done it, and even got the multi million pound exit t-shirt.  You can expect to learn how Phil quantifies the benefits of delegating tasks, whether it's better to be an entr...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Nicolò Donà dalle Rose, a friend who works for a start-up in the space industry. This episode really encapsulates the concept of ambitious minds, as our conversation recreates the kind of dinner table chat you’d have with your friends - genuine talk about work, life, and ambitions. In this episode, Nico shares his journey from studying international politics,...

The UK used to be a place where opportunity could thrive, but something feels a bit different recently. In this weeks episode, I’m joined by David Belle, the founder of Fink. Money. In this conversation we discuss a wide range of topics, including social issues within the UK, housing inequality, the real issue with politicians and whether moving abroad is the solution. We also cover the dangers of...

We all know LinkedIn is essential for business growth; whether you're looking to land new clients, scale your business, or secure the best talent in the market. Yet, many of us aren't leveraging its full potential.  In this week's episode, I'm joined by James Farnfield, founder of Shake Content, an agency that helps businesses build authority, grow awareness and drive pipeline on LinkedIn. Wh...

In this week's episode, I’m joined by Mitch Hahn, the captain of Team GB football team, who made an unexpected transition into the world of accountancy following his time as a professional footballer. Mitch recounts his accidental journey into accountancy, where he began working with Mark Norden, his boss and mentor who helped him unlock his full potential.  He ultimately rose through the ran...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Kane and Ashley from Progressive Media, the UK's largest podcast agency and hosts of the Podcaster's Podcast. We dive into their personal journeys - from building a successful podcast agency in their 20s to the unexpected way Kane met one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs, who later became his boss. Plus, hear how Ashley skipped university to start a dropshipping...

Did you know that ceremonial-grade cacao, the purest form of chocolate, has a range of health benefits? From improved sleep and heart health to lower stress, better skin, and a natural mood boost.  This product has been used for centuries, but what you find on the shelves today is far from its natural form. In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Adam and Ash, the founders of Nature’s...

In this week’s must-listen episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Harry Kimberley-Bowen, co-founder of Spacebands and the 2022 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. From selling sweets in school to funding his final year at university with a sustainable fruit juice business, Harry is a natural entrepreneurial. When the pandemic hit, Harry and his best friend Ronan acted fast; instead of si...

Booking a physio appointment is one of those things we know we should do but we rarely actually do it. In this episode, I’m joined by David Thomas, the founder of Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance. David’s career has taken some fascinating turns, from working with NHS patients to treating elite athletes, including footballers, rugby players, and Olympic competitors. We dive into what it's lik...

Did you know that 80% of the world’s workforce does not sit behind a desk, and these people are often overlooked by traditional HR platforms that provide necessary functions such as your payslip, holiday schedule, or employee information. Simon Ellis is the CEO and Co-Founder of Jem, an innovative technology company that has developed a game-changing solution that makes essential HR functions acce...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Oli and Ash, the founders of Sipp’d, a craft soda brand that, now that you’ve heard of it, you’ll start seeing everywhere! Their journey is an inspiring one — two accountants who decided to leave their careers behind and launch a business together in November 2019, just before the Covid pandemic struck. We dive into the challenges they faced during that uncert...

In this week’s episode, I’m excited to be joined by Neil Gill, a restaurateur and property developer who has spent most of his career working for himself. In our conversation, you'll get a glimpse into the mind of a natural entrepreneur, as Neil creates 2 business plans on the spot, including how to start a business with ZERO capital. He also shares insights from his experience working alongside A...

In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by Piers Dickinson, founder of Hyde & Hare, a luxury interiors e-commerce brand inspired by the Danish Hygge lifestyle. Piers's entrepreneurial journey began as a teenager buying and selling shoes on eBay. He eventually launched Hyde & Hare after a serendipitous conversation with Liz Hurley at a safari lodge in Kenya. Piers talks about the...

In this week’s episode I’m joined by Joe Haynes, the founder of Penzer Wines, a fine wine importer, and co-owner of Cloth Restaurant, an incredible new restaurant in central London.  I met Joe when visiting the restaurant, and when I discovered he was the owner I wanted to understand how this young man had started his own restaurant.  Joe opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, start...

In this week’s episode, I’m super excited to be joined by Tom Merrick; an online fitness coach and YouTuber with over 1 million subscribers and 100 million views. I've been following Tom’s videos for the last four years during my own journey to improve flexibility since the pandemic. This episode showcases the power of the internet, as I’ve learned so much from Tom’s online content, and now we had...