People and Pioneers - The Podcast

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeremie Brecheisen from Gallup, who has spent over 15 years helping leaders understand what truly drives high performance. We talked about strengths, leadership and why some cultures thrive while others stall. We also explored why so few CHROs move into CEO roles, how HR can get closer to the customer and where AI genuinely adds value rather than becoming a...

Ever tried to roll out AI in HR and hit the wall of “we’re too busy for that”? In this week’s People & Pioneers - The Podcast , I spoke with Cecily Motley , co-founder of Harriet , about why AI isn’t here to replace HR, it’s here to free it. Cecily’s path has been anything but predictable. From the art world to building a global fashion business, to now leading an AI platform reshaping how tea...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tamir Aldad, an addiction psychiatrist turned founder of Mindful Care, which offers same and next-day in-person or online therapy and mental health care. We talk about his journey from academia into entrepreneurship, the patients whose lives were changed by timely intervention, and why suicide prevention and awareness of warning signs matter more than ever. Tam...

A whopping 80% of AI initiatives failed last year. Not because of the tech. It’s because of how businesses approached it. In this week’s People & Pioneers , I sit down with James Killick to uncover why so many AI projects stall, and what separates the success stories. We cover: Why mindset matters often more than the model. The hidden traps that derail AI adoption. How automation can unlock, r...

In the latest episode of  People & Pioneers , I sit down with Charlotte Ransom, former Goldman Sachs Partner and now Founder & CEO of  Netwealth , the UK wealth manager that combines industry experts with advanced planning technology.    We discuss her journey from the City to entrepreneurship, how transparent fees and a client‑first mindset are reshaping wealth management, and what it rea...

What can you learn from someone who scaled LinkedIn’s EMEA business from 1 office to 9, 20 people to 1,000, and revenue from millions to nearly a billion? On this week’s People & Pioneers podcast, Ariel Eckstein shares his career journey : From consulting → driving market entry at AOL Europe & Asia → scaling LinkedIn EMEA as MD → leading Global Clients as VP → now coaching, teaching MBA at...

You think you know someone, and then you see them in a completely different context. That was the case when I sat down with my friend, Mike Astell, CEO of FCDO Services. In this latest episode of People & Pioneers , Mike and I did a deep dive into his move from corporate to public service, and the mindset shifts that came with it. What stood out for me: How to lean into your team’s cultural in...

Some people lift your spirits the moment you meet them and make you want to up your game. That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jared and John from Sennos for the latest People & Pioneers podcast. For an hour it was pure brain food. We explored: “A-ha” moments that transform innovation into real-world disruption How to get comfortable with the “squishy” world of entrepreneurship Th...

If you're a founder who wants to understand what VCs are really looking for in AI startups, tune into the latest episode of People & Pioneers – The Podcast: Inside the VC Mind: Building, Backing, and Betting on AI. I sat down with Curiosity VC's  Elliot Schouten  to explore what separates standout founders in today’s crowded, fast-moving market - from product to people, ethics to pitch...

If you're a founder navigating the highs, lows, and everything in between, this episode of People & Pioneers is for you. I sat down with Eleanor Ford, Chief People Officer at Zinc VC, to unpack what makes exceptional founders tick: from choosing the right co-founders and building strong teams, to navigating uncertainty and turning pain into growth. Plenty of insight on building with purpos...

Join me in the latest episode of  People & Pioneers: Pitches, Partnerships & Hybrid , where I chat with Luke Shipley, Co-Founder of Zinc. Luke shares his journey as an introverted founder, the investor feedback that forever changed his pitch, the dynamics of co-founding with a partner, and how hybrid work fuels collaborative culture and business success. Whether you're a business leade...

Hostage negotiation & everyday leadership: not as far apart as you think. I had the pleasure of speaking with Nigel Taberner - former Moss Side police officer, hostage negotiator and now, award winning speaker for the latest episode of People & Pioneers. In this incredibly practical and fascinating episode, you'll learn the key tactics and power of mindset, simplicity, authenticy, plan...

From a high-pressure corporate background to championing mental health, Chris Pinner’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of psychological safety and honest conversations. In this episode, we explore: ➡️ How high-pressure environments can drive burnout – and how to prevent it ➡️ Why delegation is key to productivity and trust ➡️ The power of performance conversations focused on strengths...

Renowned CEO coach and author Steve Tappin joins me on the latest episode of People & Pioneers - The Podcast . The Awareness Advantage: How Great Leaders Are Made is an honest and insightful conversation about leadership, transformation, and human potential. From his roots in Yorkshire to coaching the world’s top CEOs, Steve’s journey is driven by a lifelong fascination with what makes great l...

Being a founder is exhilarating. It can also be lonely, overwhelming, and mentally exhausting. In this episode of People & Pioneers – The Podcast , Christina Richardson, Founder of Foundology and Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship at UCL, shares her experience of what it takes to survive and sustain the founder journey.  A serial entrepreneur, investor advisor, and builder of founder comm...

Making the leap from academia and clinical practice to launching a global HealthTech startup is no small feat - especially when the goal is to transform chronic disease care. In this episode of People and Pioneers, The Podcast – Reimagining Healthcare: Innovation and Accessibility in Addressing Chronic Disease – we sit down with Salvatore Viscomi, MD, CEO of Carna Health, to hear exactly how he’s...

In this episode of  People and Pioneers  –  Legally Human: Law, Empathy, and Career Evolution  – I speak with Claire Sanders, Co-founder of Being Human, a consultancy on a mission to make the legal profession more human. Claire and I were at university together, and it’s a sign of the times that social media and wiggly career paths have reconnected us decades later. Tune in to hear about: What to...

If you are a CEO or Founder interested in scaling successfully, tune in to this episode of People and Pioneers , the podcast: The Blue-Collar Path to Silicon Valley and a Decade of Scale – Insights from Levi King, CEO & Chair of Nav.com. You’ll learn about: How to develop people leadership skills when they don’t come naturally, and the value of understanding brain science in winning the hearts...

In this episode of People and Pioneers – Daring to Disrupt: The Power of Bold Thinking in Healthcare, I speak with Dr Maureen Baker CBE, Chief Medical Officer of Healthily and Chair of the Professional Record Standards Body. Tune in to hear about: The journey from traditional medicine to digital health Bold approaches to navigating bureaucracy to deliver truly life-altering initiatives in patient...

If you're a founder or CEO who understands the importance of attracting and retaining great talent, tune in to the latest episode (19) of People and Pioneers: The Podcast, featuring Ellis Seder , Founder of Santa Monica Talent . In this episode, you’ll gain insights into: •⁠ ⁠Succession planning for CEOs and founders to ensure long-term company health •⁠ ⁠Talent spotting for the next generation of...

The Power of Authenticity in Life and Leadership: Insights from Glen Travers, Co-Founder of Diabetology, is an episode of People & Pioneers that will stay with me for a lifetime. Glen’s candour and openness shine through as he shares his journey from corporate finance, venture capital, and securities to life as a biotech founder, CEO mentor, and CEO. Tune in to hear: The significance of authen...

It was a pleasure to speak with Cintia Mano, CEO of COREangels, on the latest episode of  People & Pioneers , the podcast -  Founders & Funders . The conversation is packed with helpful insights for founders, their teams, and angel investors. Topics discussed include: The evolution of the founder as a startup scales How to fully utilise your angel investor The importance of choosing the ri...

In this episode of People & Pioneers, Ruth Carter, the powerhouse CEO of CIBSE and NED, shares insights on growing your career with deep focus and intentionality. I, for one, wish I had received this advice when I started my leadership journey. This episode is packed with practical tips. You’ll learn about: The importance of taking control of your own destiny Why having imposter syndrome can b...

To say I enjoyed this thoughtful podcast with Hung Lee, the founder and curator of Recruiting Brainfood, is an understatement. True to form, Hung shared brilliant insights that really get you thinking in episode 15 of People & Pioneers - the podcast - “Solopreneurship & Owning Your Destiny.” In this episode, you’ll learn: Important considerations before embarking on solopreneurship A refre...

Having an ambitious career and a family is a topic close to my heart. It was such a special moment to have Verena Hefti MBE FRSA, CEO and founder of Leaders Plus, on People & Pioneers - The Podcast. Verena and the impressive guests from her podcast, Big Careers, Small Children (https://lnkd.in/eVrR8GyB), would be in my ear as I pushed the buggy with our children on our daily walks. The words o...