Conversations at the Summit

Forget everything you thought you knew about learning. It’s not just something you figure out in school, it’s a science. And Dave Tucker, founder and CEO of Genio, has built an entire organisation around that truth. In this episode, Tanya and Gordon dive into the messy, brilliant, deeply human side of learning. From the classroom moments that convinced Dave he “wasn’t a maths kid” to the entrepren...

Think your money can’t make a difference? Think again. In a world drowning in climate crises, social inequality, and geopolitical upheaval, the question isn’t why change matters, it’s how we fund it. Enter impact investing: the movement turning capital into a catalyst for real-world solutions. In this episode of Conversations at the Summit, Tanya and Gordon sit down with global impact-investing pi...

Disclaimer: This live recording includes explicit language and very open discussion from the start. Creating “ WOW ” moments isn’t just about design - it’s about emotion, storytelling, and the art of making people feel like they belong. That’s something Steve Edge has spent a lifetime perfecting. From working on Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark to founding his own acclaimed design studio, Ste...

Everyone talks about “levelling up” investment in the UK, but when it comes to startups, too much money still flows south to London. Meanwhile, the North is buzzing with untapped talent, ambitious founders, and a tech ecosystem ready to explode. In this episode, Tanya and Gordon sit down with seasoned investor Martin Sutton to unpack what’s really happening on the ground in the North of England an...

Making the leap from one industry to another is never easy - but with the right network, a spirit of curiosity, and the courage to bet on yourself, it can be transformative. That’s exactly what happened with Dan Nord , whose career spans giants like Amazon, EA, and Maxar. From designing games on a pocket calculator to navigating the business world, Dan has carried forward lessons in innovation, co...

In this episode of Conversations at the Summit, we explore what it really means to lead, on the field, in business, and everywhere in between. If you’ve ever wondered how lessons from elite sport translate into building thriving teams in the workplace, this conversation is for you. Tanya Arnold welcomes Tony Smith , legendary rugby league coach turned business mentor, who shares what it takes to u...

What does it take to grow a business at speed - without compromising your values? Richard Flint has lived the answer. As former CEO of Sky Betting & Gaming , he helped transform the business from a lean, ambitious team, into one of the UK’s leading tech-driven betting brands - all while staying grounded in culture and conscience. In this candid conversation with Tanya Arnold and Gordon Bateman...

What does it really mean to lead with purpose in your career, your company, and your community? Annabel Tonge has been answering that question for years. As a Director at Q5, she’s helped businesses across the globe sharpen their purpose and boost their organisational health. But her own journey has been just as intentional. Annabel joins Tanya Arnold and Gordon Bateman to unpack: · Why purpose is...

Being a founder often isn’t a choice, it’s a drive. Just ask Rishi Kapoor, whose journey from the film industry to the startup world is anything but ordinary. In this episode Rishi shares the story behind his leap into entrepreneurship, the challenges of securing funding, and the emotional rollercoaster of building, and selling, a business. Now leading North AI, Rishi is at the cutting edge, blend...

This is a very special edition of Conversations at the Summit – Live from the Summit stage at Climb25 with Tanya and Gordon! This episode has an exclusive and HUGE announcement from two of the biggest funds in the north, Par Equity and Praetura Ventures. This is massive news for anyone looking for investment, hit play now to find out how it’s going to benefit you! Giles Moore from Par Equity and B...

Climb25 is only six days away, and we’re so excited for everyone to experience this years’ event. It’s set to be a year to remember and in this episode Tanya catches up with Climb25’s organisers Gordon Bateman and Pilar Rubio. We get a real insight into how the festival is put together, how much it means to the team behind it and glimpses of what’s in store. Do not miss this episode if you want to...

Finding the right investor for your company, or indeed finding the right company to invest in, is full of pitfalls and can be full of frustrations. This is where Mark Bernstein and his company Diligentsia comes in, think of it like speed dating for investors and start-ups. After a bad experience as an angel investor, he and his co-founder decided there must be a better way. Diligentsia is a low-co...

What does data have to do with diversity, entrepreneurship, and changing the game for underrepresented founders? A lot, if you’re Cecil Adjalo. Cecil is the Co-Founder and COO of Foundervine, an organisation reshaping how large corporates engage with diverse, early-stage entrepreneurs. His unconventional journey, from aspiring med student to data-driven leader, is fuelled by purpose and determinat...

Startups are fast, messy, and thrilling, and Jodie Miller dove in headfirst. Now, at just 29, she’s an Investment Manager at Beringea, supporting the deployment of c.$900m in venture and growth capital across 60+ companies in the UK and US. But how do you go from curious intern to decision-maker in the boardroom, before hitting 30? In this episode, Jodie joins Tanya Arnold and Gordon Bateman to ta...

Is social impact just a nice-to-have or the real foundation of sustainable growth? In this episode, Tanya Arnold and Gordon Bateman sit down with Paula Chamberlain, Head of Social Impact at ClimbUK, to explore how purpose, people, and pink microphones are reshaping how we define success. Paula shares why investing in your community isn’t just good ethics - it’s smart strategy. From boosting local...

Leadership isn’t just about titles, corner offices, or climbing the corporate ladder - it’s about impact. And according to Chris Roebuck, too many leaders make it to the top… without ever learning how to truly lead. In this episode of Conversations at the Summit, host Tanya Arnold and side-kick Gordon Bateman sit down with Chris Roebuck, former military officer and founder of Simply Success, who’s...

From the lab to the marketplace, science and innovation shape our everyday lives. This episode explores how deeptech founders can navigate the complex path of turning bold ideas into thriving businesses. Meet Victoria Garcia – molecular designer, entrepreneur, and relentless innovator – who’s created a game-changing biodegradable glue that can transform everything from your kitchen table to your t...

Sometimes, one person’s decision to care can change everything. Andy Howarth isn’t in it for recognition or profit. After careers in the police and the legal world, he chose a different path, one rooted in compassion. Through setting up the Howarth Foundation, Andy helps people facing homelessness find stable work, rebuild their confidence, and reconnect with society. There are no shortcuts, no ea...

Getting investment into your idea and making it a success is hard. So how do you actually get investors on board, scale smart, and make noise in a crowded market? This week, Tanya and Gordon sit down with James Sutherland , the visionary founder & CEO of Autonomo Technologies , the AI-powered game-changer shaking up retail. Autonomo’s cutting-edge system allows stores to run without staff , un...

In this episode, Tanya and Gordon sit down with Andrew Jenkins , coach, speaker, and former contestant on BBC’s The Traitors , to talk about the long and often difficult path to self-understanding. Buckle up for an unforgettable conversation with Andrew Jenkins , coach, mentor, speaker, and star of BBC’s The Traitors , whose journey from rock bottom to radical self-love will leave you inspired and...

Breaking into the NHS, the world’s largest publicly funded healthcare system, can feel like scaling a mountain, especially for healthtech companies from outside the UK. But what if you had a guide who not only knew the terrain but helped shape the path? Enter Dace Dimza-Jones, a powerhouse at the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, where she serves as a National Life Sciences Inward Investment...

Turning a great idea into a successful product is not an easy or straightforward task, but Michael Crinnion is one entrepreneur who has been there and done that. Michael is the founder of Mind Body Goals, and their ethos is based on 'Wellness by Design' - creating beautifully designed products that integrate proven wellness techniques into daily life to help foster healthy habits. His latest produ...

Your business is only as strong as the relationships you build. So how can you truly understand your clients' needs and deliver what they want? In this episode, Tanya Arnold sits down with Alex Fogal, Partner at EY, who leads their Private Business across the North of England as well as leading the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK programme. With over 20 years of experience helping founders and CEOs...

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been in the headlines a lot in recent weeks. But have you ever stopped to consider the socio-economic diversity of your organisation, or the benefits a diverse workforce could bring? Kathryn Eastwood is Director of Income and Employer Partnerships at EY Foundation. They're a charity who are committed to driving social mobility through programme delivery f...

Getting and keeping the right people into your business is hard, but that's exactly what Kim Wedral is an expert in. Kim is a Partner and Head of Employment Innovate at Mishcon de Reya. She helps innovation focused organisations, from start-up and as they scale, with their global talent strategy and employment law needs. In short, she helps you to get the best from the people who work for you and...