Swim Against The Tide

In this podcast episode, Rob Keeping, Managing Director of Bread Holdings, shares his unique journey from a sports-focused youth to a successful career in the culinary world. He discusses his early sporting career, a transition into the army, before discovering hospitality, and following his passion for food. Rob then goes on to discuss his journey at Bread Holdings, the home of Gail’s Artisan Bak...

In this engaging conversation, Nick Gillett shares his journey from what he describes as a privileged upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the alcohol distribution industry.  Nick explains how he took learnings from being on the front line of hospitality industry in the heady West End bar scene, and the importance of team sports, to build his career and develop into an effective and...

In this engaging podcast episode, Teddy Lee shares his inspiring journey from starting his career as a waiter to the owner of a successful chain of Japanese restaurants.  He discusses the challenges and triumphs of building his brand, Maki & Ramen, and how he adapted to the changing landscape of the restaurant industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Teddy emphasises the importance...

In this engaging conversation, Stu Macdonald, founder of ManiLife Peanut Butter, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood illness to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the inception of his brand, the innovative product development process, and emphasizing the balance between taste and functionality. The conversation also delves into the unique positioning of ManiLife...

In this fascinating conversation, Darren Burn shares his unique journey from starting his career as a young, budding ITN journalist to the CEO and Founder of Out Of Office, a luxury travel company focused on the LGBTQ+ community.  He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his early experiences in journalism, the challenges of starting a business, and the importance of resi...

In this engaging conversation, Ed Pyke shares his journey from a young kitchen porter to the CEO of Simpson Travel.  He discusses his early experiences in the travel and hospitality industry, the importance of customer experience, and the unique position of Simpson Travel in the market. Ed emphasizes the importance of building trust and delegating responsibilities in leadership, the significance o...

In this conversation, James Dare shares the journey of co-founding the Salad Project, a restaurant chain focused on healthy, customisable eating.  He discusses the opportunity the COVID-19 pandemic gave him, and his fellow founder Flo in planning for their world domination. Emphasising the importance of trusting gut instincts, having a clear vision, and the organic growth of the business. James sh...

In this week’s episode, Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive of Storyhouse, tells us about commercial realities in the Arts sector. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the challenges faced in different regions, and the balance between commercial viability and charitable goals. She emphasizes the significance of storytelling in fundraising and the need for arts centres to be responsive...

In this week's conversation, Michael Glanville shares his extensive journey in the marine industry, discussing the evolution of MDL marinas under his leadership and the complexities of marina operations. He highlights the growth of the business, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the significance of team dynamics and leadership in navigating these challenges. Michael emphasizes...

In this fascinating conversation, Sean Taylor, Founder and President of Zip World, shares his journey from a challenging childhood and military career to building a successful adventure tourism business.  He discusses the growth and evolution of Zip World, its diverse offerings, and the importance of community impact and sustainability through B Corp certification.  Sean also reflects on the lesso...

In this conversation, Chris Lorenzo shares the journey of Seafarer, a market leader in the yachting and sailing sector, proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025. He discusses his transition from the corporate travel industry (with some interesting insights into life at 18-30 holidays in its heyday) to entrepreneurship, the evolution of Seafarer's offerings, and the importance of sustainabi...

In this conversation, Charlotte Harrington shares her journey from her traditional background in retail to becoming a leader of a growing social enterprise. She discusses the importance of values in business, the impact a social enterprise can have, and the evolving landscape of conscious consumerism. Charlotte also highlights the innovative structure of her leadership role as co-CEO and the chall...

In this engaging conversation, Rob Russell, owner of AC Group, shares his journey in the travel industry, detailing his transition from hotelier to business owner. He discusses the operations of the group, a destination management company, and how they cater to the travel and holiday needs of international tourists coming into the UK and France.  The conversation delves into the challenges faced d...

In this conversation, Huw Owen shares his journey in the travel industry, detailing how he co-founded Travel Local to connect travellers with local experts.  He discusses the vital importance of real local knowledge in enhancing travel experiences, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategic decisions made to ensure growth and sustainability. Huw emphasises the significanc...

This week we meet the brilliant Sara Davies. She shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days at York University, where she launched her first business, to becoming a huge star of the BBC’s Dragon Den. She discusses the challenges and sacrifices of entrepreneurship, the importance of family support, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Sarah also reflects on her experience of...

In this episode we meet the positive lifeforce that is Siddhi Mittal, the co-founder of yhangry - a brilliant service that connects customers with private chefs for unique dining experiences.  She shares her journey from a small city in India to becoming an entrepreneur in the UK, discussing the inspiration behind the brand, and the challenges and successes faced along the way, including their exp...

In this engaging conversation, Simon Gray, CEO of Boost Drinks, shares his journey from young entrepreneur in Leeds to building and leading a successful energy drink brand. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in entering a market dominated by giants like Red Bull and Lucozade, emphasising the importance of timing, innovation and understanding consumer needs. He reflects on the less...

In this episode we meet Dale Smith, CEO of Host and Stay, and he shares his unique journey from the sunny shores of San Diego to a career in the automotive industry and finally establishing his successful holiday rental and management company. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in building the Host and Stay brand, focusing on innovative management practices, sustainability, and na...

In this engaging conversation, James Rutter, Chief Creative Officer of Cook, shares his unique career journey from journalism to the culinary world.  He discusses the growth of Cook, a company specialising in the creation of amazing homemade frozen meals to help busy families serve up great food quickly. Emphasising the importance of steady growth and the joy of building a brand.  James highlights...

In this conversation, Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, shares his journey from the industry to a varied career in global aviation. He discusses the importance of cultural adaptability in business, the lessons learned from his experiences in various countries, and the significance of strong leadership.  Hodder emphasizes the need for a focus on customer experience and employee satisfa...

In this conversation, we meet James Bott, co-founder of Boxbar Tech, and explore his fascinating, truly entrepreneurial, career journey from early experiences in sales and e-commerce to launching game changing innovative solutions in the hospitality industry.  James shares insights on the challenges of scaling businesses, the importance of team dynamics, and the lessons learned from his previous v...

In this conversation, Matt Carr from Carr's Pasties shares insights into the history and growth of the family business, which has evolved from a small bakery in Bolton to a well-known brand in the Northwest and beyond.  He discusses the importance of family dynamics in leadership, the innovative product development strategies they have implemented, and how they maintain their family values while e...

This week we had the pleasure of meeting Brian Reid, CEO and co-founder of Deli Lites, the amazing provider of over 40m food-on-the-go products a year.  He shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to leading a successful food business, discussing the inspiration behind Deli Lites, the challenges faced in the early days, and how he and his partner Jackie navigated their roles within the company...

Today we meet Ricky Flax, Co-Founder and CEO of the Delightful Food Group, and he shares the rich history of his family's involvement in the food industry, the evolution of their business, and the challenges they faced along the way. He discusses the importance of innovation, leadership, and maintaining a strong company culture while navigating the complexities of the food market. The conversation...