Strive and Thrive

Tom Ahmad is a business recovery and insolvency professional, entrepreneur, and adviser to business owners navigating pressure, change, and uncertainty. As co-founder and Managing Director of BABR, he has spent nearly two decades working alongside directors, entrepreneurs, lenders, and advisers through some of the most challenging moments in business. Join co hosts Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mike Ol...

Jon Anthony is a technology founder, operator and AI strategist. He founded Adappt in 2011 and has grown it into a 200+ person global software, AI and DevSecOps company delivering mission-critical systems for WHO, the UK Government, the British Museum and other major organisations.  With a background in broadcast technology, public-sector AI and secure cloud delivery, Jon focuses on building resil...

James Stockdale has over 25 years of experience in IT support and services in both the public and private sectors, including several years at Apple. Following this appointment, James launched a specialist IT business, focused on the needs of companies using Apple tech. Since selling his share of this business in 2025, he's now working on genzee.it, a platform that will give small business own...

Sarat Pediredla is a technology entrepreneur and founder. Sarat co-founded Hedgehog Lab in 2007 and led it as CEO for 19 years, building it into a globally recognised business.  After stepping down in 2025, he has since founded Thredspan, an intelligence solution for professional services. He also holds NED and Chair roles in the NHS and digital health sectors. Join co hosts Romesh Jeyaseelanayaga...

Gillian Jones-Williams  is an inspirational business leader, author, and motivational speaker who exemplifies how neurodiversity can be a driver of innovation, resilience, and success.  Gillian founded Emerge Development Consultancy, a thriving learning and development firm nearly 30 years ago.  In 2024 she was honoured with the award for Businesswoman of the Decade in the Best Women’s Awards. Joi...

David Bell is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, business leader, and technology consultant, helping ambitious organisations grow, scale, and innovate. As Founder of Simboc, he works with startups and SMEs to unlock opportunities through strategic advice, leadership support, and practical digital solutions.  David is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Anglia Ruskin University, a fellow of sever...

Dan Davies is  an SME champion, innovation specialist, a problem solver and a hands-on business development manager helping companies to develop and bring in more sustainable business.  Regardless of the industry sector, the product you sell or the people who buy from you, Dan believes there is always a way to improve and ensure a healthy business future.  Join co hosts Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mi...

Join co-hosts Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mike Oliver and guest speaker Fiona Scott for our latest podcast/YouTube release  - dropping on 31st March - as they discuss Fiona’s numerous learnings from building her business, and the importance of storytelling to help your business grow. Subscribe and follow us for more Strive & Thrive content at Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get...

We are proud to announce that Strive & Thrive is joining podcasters around the world in raising awareness for causes that we care about - and the organisations that are addressing them -  in #Podcasthon2026!  Podcasthon is the world’s largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable causes. We have dedicated this special episode of Str...

Creating a world full of possibility in a business means constantly balancing vision with reality. Leaders must inspire bold thinking while navigating constraints like budgets, market competition, and operational limits. It requires cultivating a culture where creativity is encouraged, failure is treated as learning, and diverse perspectives are valued, all while still meeting performance targets...

It becomes difficult to step back and work on the business rather than in it, especially when revenue depends directly on your time and energy. Fear of slowing down, delegating, or changing long-standing processes can keep you stuck in familiar patterns, even when they’re unsustainable. Escaping that cycle requires intentional strategy, systems, and often the uncomfortable shift from operator to t...

Moving from an apprenticeship to buying a global business is a leap that comes with steep challenges, from closing massive knowledge gaps to managing financial risk at an entirely new scale. What once involved learning under guidance becomes making high-stakes decisions across cultures, markets, and legal systems, often without a safety net. The shift demands rapid development in leadership, strat...

Join Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mike Oliver and guest speaker John Diack as they discuss how to amplify a founder in growing with their company, and remove stuff they’re not good at by getting them to be self aware and focus on their strengths. They also cover how to build high trust and how governments can encourage entrepreneurship. ​ Subscribe and follow us for more Strive & Thrive content at...

We are excited to announce that our guest speaker for episode 28 is Chris Wilson !!! Speaking with authenticity and impact in an SME can be challenging because leaders and employees often juggle multiple roles, tight resources, and constant change. There is pressure to sound confident and professional while also staying true to personal values and the realities of the business, which can lead to o...

Join co-hosts Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam and Mike Oliver on 1st January, as they discuss the many insights and key learnings they gained from the Strive & Thrive podcast in 2025, and what they hope to achieve with their businesses and the podcast in 2026. Mike and Romesh draw on the huge experience, expertise and journeys of their many excellent guests in 2025.  LinkedIn Event: ​https://www.linke...

AI, storytelling, and marketing intersect in powerful but challenging ways. While AI can analyze audiences and generate content at scale, it often struggles to capture the emotional nuance and authenticity that compelling storytelling requires.  Marketers must balance efficiency with creativity, ensuring AI-generated narratives still feel human and aligned with brand identity. Join Romesh Jeyaseel...

The challenges that arise from the differences between being an entrepreneur and being a business owner often come from mindset and goals. Entrepreneurs typically focus on innovation, taking risks, and building something new, which can create pressure to constantly adapt, secure funding, and navigate uncertainty. Business owners, on the other hand, usually focus on stability, daily operations, and...

The best leaders often face the challenge of balancing authority with connection, and social intelligence is key to navigating that tension.  They must read subtle cues, manage diverse personalities, and adapt their communication style without losing clarity or purpose. At the same time, they must remain aware of how their words and decisions affect team dynamics, morale, and trust. This constant...

The UK government has just released its much-anticipated budget, and every business leader is holding their breath. In this episode, we’ll be diving deep into the key announcements, cutting through the noise and discover exactly what this fiscal statement means for your business strategy, cash flow, and growth prospects in the year ahead. Join Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam (Founder of The FD Consultant)...

Scaling a business often feels like riding a rollercoaster, thrilling, but full of sharp turns and emotional highs and lows. Leaders face the challenge of sustaining momentum without losing strategic focus.  Join Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mike Oliver and guest speaker Raj Thiruchelvarajah as they discuss the challenges business leaders face when scaling up a business.  Subscribe and follow us for m...

AI alone won’t grow your sales. Technology is a powerful enabler, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Yes, AI can streamline operations, uncover data-driven insights, and automate marketing, but it cannot replace the human touch that builds trust, understands customer needs, and forges lasting relationships. Without a clear sales strategy, a strong product or service, and consistent customer en...

Bullying in business is a hard truth that often goes unspoken, yet its impact is profound. It can show up subtly through exclusion, manipulation, or intimidation, or overtly, in toxic leadership or cutthroat competition. Left unchecked, it erodes trust, stifles innovation, and drives talented people away.  Join Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mike Oliver and guest speaker Frances Holmes as they discuss t...

Women entrepreneurs often face significant challenges including securing funding due to biases in venture capital, navigating a male-dominated business network which can limit mentorship and opportunities, and balancing intense professional demands with persistent societal expectations for domestic responsibilities.  Join Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Mike Oliver and guest speaker Debbie Gilbert as the...

Businesses struggle to pinpoint the true value of time because it's often an abstract concept tied to opportunity cost and a complex web of interconnected processes.  The challenge lies in identifying which activities are truly value-adding versus those that are simply consuming time without contributing to the bottom line. Join Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam , Mike Oliver and guest speaker David Ki...

Good processes in business often face the challenge of balancing efficiency with adaptability. While structured processes can drive consistency, scalability, and quality, they can also become rigid and hinder innovation if not regularly updated. In a fast-changing market, businesses must continuously refine their operations to stay competitive without sacrificing reliability.  Join Romesh Jeyaseel...