The Creative Adventure

In this special 20th episode, Greg and Andrew have an inspirational chat with Laura Tenison MBE, founder of JoJo Maman Bébé.   Like many born entrepreneurs, Laura's entrepreneurial tendencies were there for all to see from her tender years when she would make a few pennies selling cold drinks and cakes behind her house. 45 years later, JoJo Maman Bébé, the company she founded, was making £70m in a...

In this shorter form episode, Andrew has a one on one chat with the brilliant Irene Graham OBE.  Irene was identified as a leader from a young age, with her "can do" mindset and collaborative approach being the cornerstones of a senior career with Standard Chartered, where she harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit to create and lead a range of global projects and businesses, eventually resulting in...

In this episode, we chat with the dynamic and creative Hanne Kristiansen.     From riding horses at 4 years old, to fixing the farm roof soon after, and wilfully not reading out loud until she was older than 10, Hanne has always done things her own way and proudly so. Her journey took her from being the daughter of hippy parents in provincial Denmark to eventually taking significant corporate role...

In this episode, we chat with the accomplished and thoughtful Stephen Page OBE.     Starting his working life in a bookshop he soon realised he wanted to be "nearer to the story", and found his way into his first role in publishing.   Cutting his teeth in sales and marketing, Stephen's relentless, enterprising approach saw his career rise with successes at Transworld and Third Estate before arrivi...

In this episode, we chat with the wonderful Australian singer and songwriter Frances Madden.   Described by the Australian Institute of Music as "one of Australia's most talented young singer/songwriters and piano players", we hear about Frances's journey from a six year old who became obsessed with piano, to eventually playing live in front of tens of thousands of people.   She tells us about the...

In this episode we chat with energetic changemaker, and Charity CEO, Sandra Schembri.   As the daughter of immigrants, Sandra inherited a fierce work ethic which has been one of the superpowers propelling her inspiring career journey.   From a TV runner to Bloomberg and Ronnie Scotts, hard work and an unrelenting desire to learn and grow led her to become the CEO of Soho members club with a social...

In this episode we chat with leader, innovator and entrepreneur James Scroggs.   We hear both James' own odyssey through the world of work - from Marketing Director at MTV, to re-establishing workwear brand M.C. Overalls, and music entrepreneur - through to his drive now to empower people towards fulfilling careers, as creator of education venture New Working Class.   Now also the Chair of CALM (C...

In this episode, we chat with the inspiring artist Svante.   Discovering an early passion for art, Svante's life took a different turn as he shifted his creative talents towards business.   Success came quickly and with all the trappings, but it was soul destroying and through a challenging process of self-discovery, Svante found his way back to art.   Now establishing himself as a respected artis...

In this episode, we chat with one of Britain's best known film writers, Ian Nathan. From filling in for the entertainment column at his student newspaper, to just a few years later becoming Empire magazine's youngest ever Editor, and now a successful bestselling author and TV regular, Ian has always had a knack for knowing the right move, and the courage to take it.   Now with more than 15 books u...

In this episode, we chat with the accomplished journalist and writer Kate Maxwell.   From the age of 8 Kate dreamt of becoming a novelist.   Leaving Oxford with a degree in English she embarked on a successful career which took her to J Walter Thompson, Conde Nast, Soho House and Facebook, via a start-up in New York.   Yet the dream of becoming an author was finally realised in her 40's with the t...

In this episode, we're talking with the brilliant entrepreneur, and all round lovely human, Anna Anderson.   Anna has entrepreneurship running in the family, being the daughter of Chris Anderson, the pioneer of Ted Talks. But what drives her day to day is the mission to make the world a better place, spreading more joy and connection through Kindred, the social oasis that she founded in the heart...

In this episode, we speak with multitalented entrepreneur, advisor, and investor Tom Adeyoola.     An all-rounder from an early age, Tom's early career took him on a steep learning curve through digital media and gaming to found the fashion tech business Metail which he led for 11 years, raising over $32m before exiting in 2019.   Tom now has seats on a dozen or so boards, is a Trustee at Channel...

In this episode, we speak with visionary, author and coach John Spencer Williams.   John is best known for his three amazing books "Screw Work, Let's Play", "Screw Work, Break Free", and "F*** Work, Let's Play". He is a standing judge at The Business Book Awards, and Founder of The Ideas Lab, where he has worked with and inspired thousands of entrepreneurs.   John shares his journey and insights o...

In this episode, we chat with author and entrepreneur Dan Kieran.   Through a magical twist of fate he found himself on the doorstep of the Idler magazine in 1997, embarking on a journey that took him from work experience to Managing Editor. In 2010 he conceived Unbound – bringing an innovative crowdfunding model to publishing - as co-founder and CEO he led the business for 11 years, being describ...

In this episode, we chat with Kew Gardens Executive Board member, and Kew Foundation lead, Meredith Pierce Hunter.   Meredith's international path has included senior fundraising roles at Harvard, London Business School, and a Trusteeship at Bernado's, and she takes us through her winding journey with warmth and insight.   Meredith shares with us all the steps in her adventure, including: Growing...

In today's episode, we chat with Alan Rousso.   Alan's early career took him from academia to Russia where he became the head of the prestigious Carnegie Moscow Centre.   From there he moved to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (or EBRD) in the UK where over 20 years he made a significant contribution as a senior leader.   He is now working as an executive coach where he combine...

In this episode, we chat with Tom Shone. A movie buff from a young age, Tom has been intricately involved in the world of film ever since including being the Sunday Times film critic, and writing for publications such as Vogue, The New Yorker, and the New York Times.   He is now also a prolific author having written multiple books ranging from retrospectives on Tarantino, Scorcese and Woody Allen,...

In this episode, we chat with David Lough.   David followed an adventurous spirit to begin his career in overseas shipping, where he spent three formative years in Japan.   Bringing insights   from this experience to a career in the City, he followed an idea that had "got hold" of him to start Heartwood, the UK's first wealth manager in 1988.   After 25 successful years, David found himself once a...

In this episode, we chat with Hannah Chappatte. At a young age, and frustrated by the toxic rental market for students, Hannah conceived and founded Hybr, a student accommodation platform that connects students with landlords, of which she is now co-founder and CEO. Since then Hybr has raised significant funding, built a large presence in the market and goes from strength to strength.   Hannah is...

In this episode we chat with celebrity photographer and film producer Cambridge Jones.   Cambridge Jones (real name Paul Barrow) is a British celebrity photographer, entrepreneur, actor and movie producer. He has photographed several British Prime Ministers, Royalty, and has had exhibitions all over the world from Doha, to New York and Moscow. He has acted in TV shows such as The Bill, Soldier Sol...