SuperConnector Show - entrepreneurs, startups & business growth stories

In this episode, Nicky Jolley (MD, HR2day Limited) talks about some of the common pitfalls & HR problems that business owners & leaders face, the UK Government’s incoming Employment Rights Bill, when & why you should bring in external HR expertise. She also shares how she started out in business & her experience working as an in-house HR manager before that. For more no-nonsense HR...

In this episode, Jane Fisher (Founder, Fresh Perspectives North East) & Paul Lancaster (PLATFORM | UK Startup & Scaleup Week) discuss the benefits of taking yourself, your leadership team or your staff outdoors in order to improve wellbeing, happiness & boost productivity too! Find out more at https://janefisherassociates.co.uk In addition to being Host of the SuperConnector Show podca...

In this episode, Graeme Tennick (Founder & Chief Impact Officer, Tennick Accountants) talks to Paul Lancaster about why he started out in business, why the accounting profession is dying & what accountants can do about it! He also explains the importance of having clear professional & personal goals, the pros & cons of the North East of England as a place to do business versus othe...

In this video, Ivan Hollingsworth talks to Paul (Lancaster) about how he helps individuals, teams & organisations to thrive. And how in a highly complex & challenging world the need for person-centred coaching, mentoring & learning & development has never been more important. In addition to being Host of the SuperConnector Show podcast, Paul Lancaster is Founder, Event Producer and...

In this short episode, Paul talks about how he has personally benefited from coaching & mentoring over the years, explains how his '5 Star Focus' programme (1-2-1 coaching / mentoring for business owners & leaders) works, what the 'PLATFORM Premium' mastermind group sessions he runs with Neil Stephenson are all about, who they are for & how you can get involved. Find out more about the...

After co-hosting & keynoting at our UK Startup & Scaleup Week festival in Sunderland in June 2025, Alfie Joey joins Paul Lancaster for this episode of his 'SuperConnector Show' podcast to discuss what it takes to be a great speaker & the importance of good communication & storytelling in business. Follow Alfie on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/alfie-speakeasyguy-joey/ & Instag...

In this episode, John Forth (Business Adviser, Mentor & Coach for the North East BIC & IS THIS YOU? ) talks to Paul Lancaster about why Sunderland (& the wider North East of England) is such a great place to start & grow a business, the power of networking & collaboration & how coaching & mentoring can help you achieve the success you want in your personal & profess...

In this episode, Okare Shaba (Founder, Padocare) shares his entrepreneurial journey which began in Nigeria & moved to Sunderland in the North East of England where he is now building a HealthTech platform that helps organisations in the care industry streamline operations, save time & money. He also discusses with Paul the power of networking online & offline, how to use LinkedIn effec...

In this video, Roan Lavery (CEO, FreeAgent) shares insights on how he & his co-founders started & scaled the Edinburgh-based company to be the UK’s #1 bookkeeping software for small businesses. He also talks about SaaS / tech product development, marketing, funding, investment, building a team, leadership, AI, the Edinburgh / Scottish tech ecosystem & FreeAgent’s future growth strategy...

Mark Renney (Managing Director, Wubbleyou) & Paul Lancaster (Founder, UK Startup Week | PLATFORM) discuss how & why you might want to productise your services to grow your business, how to save time & speed up processes through automation, AI & much more. You can also sign up for a free, 2hr 'Productisation Workshop' with Mark at https://bit.ly/WubbleyouProductisationWorkshop In ad...

In this epic 2hr conversation originally recorded for our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Michael Owen (Mychael.co.uk / Always Wear Red / 50odd.co.uk) & Paul Lancaster (Newcastle Startup Week / TRYBES) discuss why, when & how to pivot in business or in life (plus lots of other interesting thoughts on creativity, marketing & branding). In addition to being Host of the SuperConnec...

In this interview, Christina Lord (http://www.authenticactioncoaching.com) & Paul Lancaster discuss 'Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life' by James Victore - a brilliant book that encourages you to 'trust your weirdness, do the work & be the best self you can be.' They also share their own thoughts on embracing your creativity & playfulness & finding your purpos...

In this interview originally recorded on Day 3 ('Funding & Finance') of our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Paul Lancaster interviews Richard Blakesley (CEO, Capital Pilot - 'The Investability Rating Agency') about the difficulties of finding investment for your business & how they are levelling the playing field by helping startups outside of London find the funding & investors...

In this interview originally recorded for our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Cindy Moy (Founder & CEO, mySysters) talks about how she came from Minnesota, USA to Newcastle upon Tyne for our very first Newcastle Startup Week festival in 2017, fell in love with the North East of England region & found the support she needed to turn her idea into mySysters - the #1 app since 2017 for...

In this interview originally recorded for our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Alan Hodgkiss (Director, Business Doctors) interviews Paul Lancaster (Founder, Newcastle Startup Week) about how to build a valuable business, the coaching he was given & strategic plan they developed together to take his business forward. To learn more about Business Doctors & how they can help you, go to...

In this interview originally recorded on Day 1 ('Inspiration') of our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Paul Lancaster talks to the wonderfully talented singer songwriter Luna Bec about creativity, where inspiration comes from (& how to find it again when it is lost), love, relationships, spirituality & more! Learn more about Luna & listen to her music at https://www.lunabec.com I...

In this interview originally recorded for our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Paul Lancaster & Andrew Esson discuss coping with unexpected events, disaster recovery & growing your business through leadership & innovation. Andrew also talks about how since COVID-19, businesses seem to have split into 3 types - Innovation, Hibernation & Liquidation & how even when things g...

Having worked in sales for major enterprise software companies like Oracle & SAP in London & Dublin, Hali-ma now wants to bring her knowledge, skills, expertise & network back to Newcastle where she was born & raised. Her business, MARKETAI, uses technology ‘intelligently’ to enable sales staff & executives to focus on closures & human-centric sales excellence. The MARKETAI...

In this interview, Teresa & Paul discuss the differences between a consultant, a mentor, a therapist & a coach, when & why you might want to receive some coaching in your personal or professional life & how Teresa helped Paul get a clearer understanding of himself & where he wanted to be after some major changes in hi life at the start of 2020. If you're interested in working w...

In this interview originally recorded during Day 1 ('Inspiration') of our Startup Week ONLINE event in May 2020, Paul Lancaster talks to Dr Maurice Duffy - a high-performance coach, motivational speaker & best selling author about the impact of COVID on individuals & businesses & how best to cope with massive change. With a client roster that includes Olympic athletes & world top p...

In this episode, Christina Lord (http://www.authenticactioncoaching.com) & Paul Lancaster discuss 'The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream' which has been read by over 62 million people & topped bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide! They talk about how the story of a young shepherd finding the courage to follow his dreams in far off lands can be related to our own personal...

Hilary has worked in the events industry for over 25 years project managing & delivering everything from children's birthday parties to some of the UK's biggest & best conferences & awards ceremonies. During this time she has developed an enviable network of experts including business leaders, entrepreneurs, sports pro’s, adventurers, explorers, military personnel, media & ordinary...

Simon is a professional trainer, coach & public speaker on the science behind creating & delivering highly effective presentations & talks in business meetings or at major events. In this podcast, Paul & Simon discuss the dos & don'ts of public speaking & share some practical things you can start doing today to communicate better tomorrow! In addition to being Host of the S...

Victoria Fleming is an Energetic Sales Trainer, Dynamic Speaker, Sales Success Consultant & Super Sales Coach based in the North East of England! Whether you're new to sales or just want to improve what you're doing, this interview is jam-packed with top tips & advice on how to 'Spark up your Sales' & grow your business. In addition to being Host of the SuperConnector Show podcast, Pau...

Ideas that spread win. In this episode, Paul chats to Varun Singh, Head of Marketing for Zoho Books at Indian tech giant Zoho Corporation about how & why they decided to support business startup activities in Newcastle upon Tyne, England & the importance of taking your time when forging new partnerships & exploring new international markets. In addition to being Host of the SuperConnec...