The Downtown Den Podcast

In this special episode of the Downtown Den podcast, Frank McKenna is joined by Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager for Crimestoppers. Crimestoppers are an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime – 100% anonymously. In this interview Gary tells us what Crimestoppers is, how it works and why. Links Website: crimestoppers-uk.org

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. In this episode DIB Director, Chris McKenna chats Denise & Hazel Walker for Glenville Walker. De...

In this special episode of the Downtown Den podcast, Frank McKenna chats with Steven Hesketh from Savvy Hospitality and his new venture The Hospitality Hero. Steven tells us all about the upcoming The Art of Hospitality conference taking place on Wednesday 15th November 2023 at Hilton Liverpool City Centre. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-hospitality-tickets-726755163257

In this special episode of the Downtown Den podcast, Frank McKenna is joined by Liverpool business woman, social media influencer and model Jade Ainsworth. Talking about her career, Jade discusses her way into the modelling world, her career as a magazine columnist, how she became an online personality in Liverpool, and her infamous appearance on Channel 4 show 'First Dates'. Links Website: www.ho...

The latest season of the Downtown Den podcast is all about leaders. In the latest episode Downtown boss Frank McKenna is joined by the chief executive of Manchester City Council, Joanne Roney OBE. In a fascinating discussion Joanne discusses her career, some of the lessons she has learned throughout her career and her tips and tricks for what she believes makes a good leader.

The latest season of the Downtown Den podcast is all about leaders. In the latest episode Downtown boss Frank McKenna is joined by former Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree, Luciana Berger. Discussing a varied career, Luciana reflects on her career working in retail for Disney and in the NHS and what lessons she took from her experiences and finally what led her to a career in politics.

The latest episode in our 'leaders' series hears from CEO at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, John Irving. In this fascinating discussion with Frank McKenna, John discusses his career from Procter & Gamble to LJLA. A Geordie through and through, John discusses his role as Finance Director and Newcastle United Football Club and how he was able to separate being a fan with being a director. John a...

In the fourth epsiode of the 'Leaders' series of the Downtown Den podcast, Frank McKenna chats with the chief executive of Birmingham City Council, Deborah Cadman. Deborah discusses her vaired career, her experiences prior to taking on the chief executive role at Birmingham City Council, the lessons she has learned from leaders and her stint working for Mo Mowlam. Deborah also shares her thoughts...

In the latest episode of the Downtown Den podcast, Frank McKenna chats with CEO of M & Gaucho Restaurants, Martin Williams. Martin shares his pathway into hospitality, which began with a foray into acting, and his subsequent rise to head honch at Rare Restaurants. Martin also shares some tips and advice on what he believes makes a good leader.

As the Linonesses head for a World Cup final (at the time of publishing), Frank Mckenna chats with Chief Executive of Women in Football, Yvonne Harrison. In an extremely interesting discussion Yvonne discusses how she got involed with Women in Football, her difficulties in being a woman in a male dominated field and the growth of womens football. Yvonne also offers her leadership advice and what s...

In the first episode of Season Four of the Downtown Den Podcast, DIB boss Frank Mckenna chats with Managing Director of Make Events, Holly Moore. In a fascinating conversation which looks at Holly's career and personal motivations, they touch on how 'Live Events' coped during and after lockdown, hybrid and virtual events, the struggle of employing the right staff and what the future holds for Holl...

Downtown Den Special. DIBs political Editor Jim Hancock and Frank McKenna analyse the July 2023 by election results – and find out who were the winners and losers.

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. In this episode DIB boss, Frank McKenna chats with Sean Keyes and Billy Baldwin who are Directors at...

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. In this episode Downtown in Business Director, Chris McKenna chats with National Framework Manager f...

This season of the Downtown Den Podcast focuses on The Business of Sport. In episode ten, Downtown boss, Frank McKenna chats with Andy McIntyre from VSI Executive Education and host of a number of season three episode to get this thoughts and opinions on the stories and insights we heard in this series. Reflecting on his conversations, Andy discusses some of his key takeaways from the series, such...

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. Next up in our 'Meet the Partner' series is Elaine Bowker, the Principal and Chief Executive of the...

In episode nine of season three in our Business of Sport series, we take you back to the Downtown in Business Property & Regeneration conference of 2021 at the Belfry. Gary Neville gave a sparking performance, in conversation with Frank McKenna, and talked about a whole range of issues, including business culture, personal motivation and ambition, football, and of course, politics. Gary will b...

In episode eight of season three in our ‘Business of Sport’ series in the Downtown Den, the former chief executive of Manchester City Council Sir Howard Bernstein joins DIB boss Frank McKenna, discussing the economic impact of sport, culture, and sporting events. Sir Howard was one of the chief architects of the hugely successful Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 and led the initial transforma...

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. Next up in our 'Meet the Partner' series is Jayne Moore, the CEO of Moore Media. Jayne and Frank ref...

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. Next up in our 'Meet the Partner' series is Paul Cheetham-Karcz, the chief executive of Sedulo. Paul...

This season of the Downtown Den Podcast focuses on The Business of Sport. VSO Executive Education chair, Andy McIntyre speaks with a series of fascinating personalities who are involved in sport – either as performers, investors, or administrators – and they have some great insights to share. In this episode Andy speaks with newly appointed Vice President of Sporting for the U.S. Soccer Federation...

This season of the Downtown Den Podcast focuses on The Business of Sport. VSO Executive Education chair, Andy McIntyre speaks with a series of fascinating personalities who are involved in sport – either as performers, investors, or administrators – and they have some great insights to share. In episode six, Andy chats with Managing Director of the Barmy Army, Chris Millard. In this discussion Chr...

Downtown Den Special. DIBs political Editor Jim Hancock and Frank McKenna analyse the 2023 local election results – and what the poll might mean for the General Election in 2024.

The latest episode of the Downtown Den Podcast hears from Purple Bricks founder and Larne F.C. chairman, Kenny Bruce. In conversation with co-founder of VSI Executive Education Andy McIntyre, Kenny discusses his success in the estate agency world with Purple Bricks and his subsequent venture into football ownership with Northern Ireland Premiership champions Larne F.C. With Larne F.C. set to compe...

Downtown in Business is fortunate to work in partnership with some of the very best businesses across the country. We wanted to give you the opportunity of getting to know them a bit better, and we have recorded a series of conversations in the Downtown Den with the personalities behind the brands. Next up in our 'Meet the Partner' series is Graham Vidler, the chief executive of CPT. Graham focuse...