Open4Business from NLive Radio

Driving industry change and sustainability is the mission of  Deborah Taylor , founder and MD of the Sustainable Leather Foundation CIC, which recently held its annual summit at the University of Northampton, from where Deborah reports on the event, the key issues and the work of the Foundation. See  https://sustainableleatherfoundation.com/

Executive job hunting in mid-career has its challenges, as high flying Oxford graduate  Simon Gilchrist  attests following his career break. Despite a stellar CV and a top Warwick MBA, it is not easy to find a suitable new role - but this story does have a happy ending! 

Entrepreneur and publisher  Martin Lewis-Stephenson  speaks about how he acquired and relaunched Northamptonshire's Business Times, and how his media business, the Pulse Media Group, is expanding - and the strategy and approach behind it. See   https://pulsemediagroup.co.uk/

Guest presenter Rachel Mellows with special interviews all about the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards JA Knight & Son Farmers Ltd is a successful family run business based near Walgrave, Northamptonshire. Since taking over the farm, Matt has transformed the way the land is farmed using both modern technology to reduce chemical and fertiliser additions as well as changing land use to enco...

Guest presenter Rachel Mellows with special interviews all about the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards Kamil Podgorski won the Canapé of the Year award for his ‘Autumn Sonata’ – a cored scone, filled with autumn raspberry chutney and topped with parmesan and mint that was served to guests arriving at the Awards dinner. Originally broadcast on Open4Business on NLive Radio 5th December 2023

Guest presenter Rachel Mellows with special interviews all about the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards The Palmichael has been owned and run by the Palmiero family since 1981. Michael heads the kitchens and sister Maria runs the front of house. Their priorities are clear and simple: fine authentic Italian food and great friendly service. Using the very best quality Italian and British ingredi...

Our series of interviews with local government councillors continues, with an engaging chat with  Cllr David Smith , Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services at West Northants Council. David talks about his varied career as a serial entrepreneur and for the past few years in politics, with a spell in France as wine maker and elite cycling along the way.

Martin spoke to Marco Gundermann the University of Northamptons Head of Economics, international relations and development at the Faculty of Business and Law all about last weeks autumn statement. What does it mean for general public, winners and losers, and what the political implications are for next years expected general election.

Silverstone Technology Cluster's CEO  Pim Van Baarsen  reports direct from STC's annual Innovation and Growth Conference, with details of the keynote speakers and a new initiative to address the skills gap in engineering. See  https://www.silverstonetechnologycluster.com/

With news of an excellent new concept at their Thrapston base,  catering kitchen and equipment specialist WhitCo's CEO  Vita Whitaker  talks about the vision behind this new initiative, and how it will become a base to bring industry and education  closer together to drive skills and innovation. See   www.whitcoltd.com  

The popular and well-known Northants & Milton Keynes Chambers of Commerce Group Commercial Director  Sunny Singh  gives an update on the latest Chamber activities, with a finger on the pulse of the mood  around the region, also sharing details of the Northamptonshire Business Awards and Next Generation initiative. See  https://northants-chamber.co.uk/

West Northants  Councillor Malcom Longley  has cabinet responsibility  overseeing finance and here he talks about how his long career in business has prepared him to bring strong financial and budgeting disciplines to the new unitary authority. See  www.westnorthants.gov.uk  

Musical Director and maestro  Stephen Bell , founder of Red Kite Training, talks about how he is bringing his executive development, management training and motivational skills to bear in Be. Partners Ltd, a new venture and coalition of six partners coming together with a range of products and services to help organisations deliver real, lasting and positive impact in their people, planet, place,...

Recently retired University of Northampton subject head and senior lecturer  Alistair Sutton  and his successor  Tiju Kodiyat  reflect on teaching and managerial duties in a University environment and howe the demands of the job - and the students - are evolving.

Entrepreneur  Emma Rose , landlady of The Coach House Inn and The Royal Oak in Rutland, talks about the transition from teaching business in a university to doing it and how her business philosophy guides her in creating welcoming community inns. See  https://www.thecoachhouseinn.co.uk/  and   https://www.royaloakduddington.com/  

Celebrating the company's 65th Anniversary Cosworth's CEO and Chairman of he Board  Hal Reisiger  talks about the history and success of this jewel in the crown of Northamptonshire, a well-known brand in high performance engineering and motorsport, and reveals some insights into his management approach as an American working in the UK. See  https://www.cosworth.com/

Listen to  Dominic Masterson Chartered MCSI , Chief Exec of the Northants based Commsave Credit Union who treating their role in banking, finance and money as a service, with a high customer service and employee-focused philosophy.

Argentine born  Julian Coronati  discusses his ambitions and role with the Barcelona-based strategic sourcing company  S3 Group , following his Master's degree in Italy, and, despite rising geo-political tensions, talks about the continuing importance and success of China as a source of products and components - and how other countries struggle to match the Chinese speed of response, service l...

On this episode, we hear about life in the fast lane (via Eagles - see what I did there!) from  Dr. Roger Barker , Director of Policy & Governance at the influential  Institute of Directors (IoD)  talking about representing business people in his regular contacts with Government.

We continue our series of interviews with the  West Northamptonshire Council  Cabinet, this time joined by Cllr  Phil Larratt  who is responsible for highways and transport (think potholes!) and waste - with an appeal to litterbugs everywhere.

Julie Abraham , CEO of  Richer Sounds  talks about her career journey to the top of Richer Sounds, a successful now employee-owned business founded by Julian Richer, The Ethical Capitalist. Julie talks about the values and principles underpinning the companies success and her management style.

Continuing our close look at local government, University of Northampton graduate  Cllr Mike Hallam  talks about his career and current political life having cabinet responsibility for Corporate Services at the West Northants Unitary Authority Councillors. Mike is responsible for Customer Services, HR, Legal and Democratic Services and Digital, Technology & Innovation strategies of the local a...

Multi-talented  Dr Johnny Wake DL  celebrates winning the prestigious The Royal Agricultural Society's Bledisloe Gold Medal, awarded for outstanding achievement in the successful land management and development of an agricultural estate. The historic  Courteenhall Estate  has been in his family for hundreds of years and Johnny gave up his medial career to take over the management of Courteenha...

With dual Belgian-US nationality, following his MBA at one of the world's top business schools,  IESE in Barcelona , international digital management expert  Filip Fontaine  has led a full career in large corporate as well as start-up businesses in the tech sector, after packing up everything to head towards Silicon Valley in its early days where he landed on his feet at the start of e-bay - a...

If you want something done ask a busy person!  Miranda Wixon DL  gets things done, including organising 45,000 meals during Covid. To coincide with its launch on 18th October, Miranda talks about her latest project, the  Northamptonshire VCSE Assembly, the voice of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, which is democratically run under 14 thematic areas. See  https://vcse-assembly...