Nottingham Business School Business Leaders

International businessman Sir Ken Olisa believes post-pandemic Britain offers young entrepreneurs more opportunities than at any point in his lifetime. Sir Ken – Chairman of the Restoration Partners technology merchant bank he founded, and Deputy Chairman of the Institute of Directors – is excited by the business revolution he says is taking place. And he tells the Business Leaders’ Podcast that y...

Theatre executive Stephanie Sirr has seen her leadership role change out of all recognition during the last two decades. “It used to be quite macho… never explain, never apologise,” she says. “Now your people skills and your emotional intelligence are absolutely paramount. It’s no longer about striding around invading small countries. “You’re trying to make something with longevity and relevance....

Shamshad Ahmed is a serial entrepreneur. He’s tried everything from importing cotton bath robes to dabbling in discount retail stores. But it was while working in clinical drug trials that he spotted tens of thousands of potentially life-saving stem cells – used to treat conditions such as leukaemia and cerebral palsy – were being thrown away every year. He immediately recognised parents would pay...

Judy Naake MBE is best known for the St Tropez fake tan empire that she sold for £70m. But she was also one of the first entrepreneurs to use celebrity endorsements to promote her business. Judy told stars like Victoria Beckham and Cat Deeley they could either pay for their new tan or, if they liked what they saw, they could have it free of charge by allowing her to use their names. Her PR strateg...

Jonathan Sims believes green technologies will be a good place to build a career in post-pandemic Britain. And as chief procurement officer with international energy company Engie, in Britain and Ireland, he should know. The Government has decreed its economic recovery plans will be spearheaded by clean technologies. And many big international businesses – including Engie, traditionally a utility...

Sara Blair-Manning  has the job of turning  Nottingham Castle  into one of the biggest visitor attractions in England. The castle is scheduled to reopen in 2021, after a £30m redevelopment. In this episode of  Nottingham Business School ’s  Business Leaders’ Podcast , Sara talks to host  Mike Sassi  about her career – from bingo-caller at Nottingham’s  Goose...

Former banking executive  Robin Foale  enjoyed a hugely successful career with both  Barclays  and  Santander . But, given his time again, he says he would probably follow a different path. He has been inspired by the  young entrepreneurs  he has met in recent years, as he coaches and mentors at universities, including  Nottingham Business School . “If...

Marketing director  Charlotte Cox  is a woman who has had great success in the world of men’s international rugby union. She famously led the team that developed the  Canterbury  shirt worn by  England  in the  2019 World Cup, in Japan . The  Nottingham -based  global marketeer  also helped develop a host of other international kit. Charlotte tells...

Lee Kidger  was made  Managing Director of Raleigh UK  during the first coronavirus lockdown – at the age of  just 31 . He joined the  world’s best-known bike brand  as an account manager, less than ten years ago.  Today he runs a company whose last annual accounts show it turned over £38m.  “The opportunity certainly came earlier than I...