The Leap Forward Show

Today on the Leap Forward podcast, we welcome Hugh Viney, the founder and CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy, leading a revolution in education through flexible, student-centered online learning. Hugh explores breaking down "happiness barriers" in traditional schools, such as rigid schedules and anxiety-inducing environments, by utilizing a hybrid model of asynchronous study and weekly one-on-one ment...

Today on Leap Forward, we welcome Jared Dowdy, a seasoned learning leader who specialises in architecting digital training strategies for global mobility and automotive operations. Drawing on over fifteen years of retail experience, Jared emphasizes that success relies on using technology to scale "brilliant basics" while prioritizing the human communication skills that tech cannot replace. He enc...

Today on the Leap Forward podcast, we welcome Ian Dunn, Provost of Coventry University Group, leading a radical transformation of higher education through curriculum innovation and widening participation. Ian discusses breaking down educational barriers using a flexible six-week block model and the liberating potential of AI to personalize learning at scale. Drawing from his journey as a "maverick...

Today on Leap Forward, we welcome Ronnie Wilson, Founder and Chief Executive of First Step Trust, leading a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and fostering opportunity. Ronnie discusses using virtual reality to help people with mental health challenges gain confidence and skills in a safe environment, illustrating how innovation can remove systemic barriers to employment...

Today on Leap Forward, we welcome Elspeth Briscoe, CEO of Learning with Experts, leading an award-winning global platform that combines experts with small online classrooms. Elspeth shares her journey from leadership roles at eBay and Skype to the EdTech space, now intensely focused on changing human behaviours, not just providing content. She also shares her views on using AI for efficiency along...

Today on Leap Forward, we welcome Stephen Whitton, founder of [M]enable, who is transforming the conversation around men's mental health and workplace wellbeing. Stephen discusses the vital importance of creating psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces, sharing the personal journey that inspired his advocacy. He offers deep insights into dismantling traditional male stereotypes and fostering...

Today on Leap Forward, we welcome Justin Spooner, Director at Unthinkable Digital. Drawing on his career in fine art, broadcast media, and cultural innovation. Justin shares his philosophy of collaborative intelligence, explaining how the future of work is not about single-player AI, but about multiplayer AI working within multidisciplinary teams to overcome siloed thinking. Let's explore how to d...

Today on Leap Forward, we're joined by Dr. Alex Connock, an Oxford lecturer, serial entrepreneur, and media expert, to discuss how AI is reshaping the creative economy. Dr. Connock shares his journey, from the behemoth magazine industry to the rise of streaming and the creator economy, defining the major shifts as the move from top-down decision-making to the democratization of content distributio...

Today we welcome Sara Sloman, Chief Strategy Officer of Paythru. Paythru solves the "existential problem" of payments being an afterthought in the ecosystem. Sara shares her 22 years in sustainable transport, arguing that EV adoption is underpinned by effective policy. She highlights the "grim" customer experience of public charging and discusses new technology like ISO 15118 for seamless "car-as-...

For this episode of Leap Forward, we sit down with Charlie Cook, CEO and founder of RightCharge, the B2B FinTech that is simplifying complex EV charging payments for company fleets. Charlie details his journey from his roots in clean energy to pivoting his business model, explaining how their technology saves fleets around £1,000 per vehicle per year by optimizing home reimbursement. He also revea...

On this episode of Leap Forward, we welcome Mark Sowerby of Drive, an expert in automotive PR and communications. Mark explores the specialized, high-growth sector of automotive tech suppliers who are revolutionizing dealer efficiency and profitability. He discusses his journey building a niche agency and emphasizes that effective communication is the engine driving these emerging businesses. Let'...

I'm Justin Cooke, and for the first time, I'm the one in the hot seat. In this episode, I'll be sharing my personal experience as the host and chairman of Bridge. This journey has been an incredible learning experience - I've even joked that it's been my personal "mini MBA." I'll discuss how the show originated, what I’ve learned from my amazing guests, and the unexpected insights I've gained alon...

Gareth Thomas of Track Back, a former telemarketer turned tech entrepreneur, created a platform to fix huge gaps in automotive lead-management and customer experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Leap Forward, we speak with Greg Pile, strategic leadership of Global ATS & Managing Director of Micro Nav, a company in the market of air traffic control simulation. He shares insights on the industry's future, including the role of AI in aviation and the increasing global demand for automation. Join us as we explore the future of aviation from a unique perspective. Hosted...

Today on Leap Forward, we’re joined by Catalina Schveninger, a veteran leader in the future of work and talent. With over 30 years of experience, Catalina pulls no punches on AI's dramatic disruption of the workforce. She argues for the urgent need to redesign jobs with transparency, champions the return of the critical-thinking generalist, and warns of the dangers of becoming lazy with AI. Get re...

In this episode of Leap Forward, we’re joined by Fionnuala Duggan, a pioneering strategist at the intersection of technology and content. With a background spanning experimental physics, multimedia innovation at EMI Records, and digital transformation in publishing, she shares her journey through the evolution of digital content - from early interactive media to today’s AI-driven educational tools...

Penny Weatherup joins us to unpack her 18-year journey shaping Volkswagen’s people strategy through industry upheavals – from emissions scandals to digital transformation. She reveals how data-driven talent programs and bold DEI initiatives became competitive advantages, why ‘People Director’ beats HR, and the stakeholder chess game of German automakers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Today on Leap Forward, we welcome Linda Jackson, a seasoned automotive expert who has recently retired after a remarkable career in the industry. Linda offers a unique perspective on the seismic shifts in the automotive world, from an unplanned start with a holiday job at Jaguar to her later role as CEO of Citroen and Peugeot. She discusses the industry's focus on electrification, autonomous techn...

On this episode of Leap Forward, we're honoured to feature Winston Lee, Managing Director of ETI in Europe and a pivotal figure in the automotive sector. He dives into bridging the gap between original equipment manufacturers and the automotive aftermarket, discussing the vital roles of advanced diagnostic tools, and specialized equipment. His journey highlights innovation and strategic partnershi...

Joining us today is Rachel Kay, Chief Learning Officer at Learning People, a prominent global education provider, specializing in tech and project management qualifications. Rachel delves into the unique approach to curating programs for the tech industry and project management, equipping individuals with professional qualifications for new careers. She discusses how current trends like AI are res...

We’re joined by Rory Henson, a seasoned investment banker and key figure at Ibis Capital. Rory shares his journey from finance to shaping the edtech and media sectors, offering insights on AI’s transformative role, geopolitical challenges, and the future of skills-based education. He highlights the power of community-driven growth and the importance of adaptability in today’s fast-paced market. Re...

Today on Leap Forward, we’re joined by Rebecca Tisdale, a learning and development innovator with a passion for redefining workplace training. From her early days in beauty therapy to pioneering gamified learning programs—like a global retail training app during her time at Lego—Rebecca unpacks how microlearning and play can transform even the most fast-paced industries. Want to turn training into...

In this episode of the Leap Forward podcast, Ann Watson, CEO at Enginuity, discusses how the charity is addressing the critical engineering skills gap in the UK. She shares insights on overcoming challenges like a retiring workforce and rapid technological advancements. Watson highlights Enginuity's innovative solutions, such as skills games and AI-powered training tools, emphasizing collaboration...

Jeremy Evans, founder of Marketing Delivery, brings his deep automotive expertise to the world of dealership technology. In this episode of the Leap Forward podcast, Jeremy reveals how his company evolved from a traditional marketing firm into a data-driven tech provider, helping dealers optimize customer engagement through automation and AI. Jeremy also shares valuable insights on adapting to ind...

Paul Meadows, Commercial Training Manager at Scania, brings his extensive experience from the automotive sector to the premium trucking industry. In this episode of the Leap Forward podcast, Paul delves into Scania's exciting journey towards electrification, emphasizing the vital role of human skills in our rapidly evolving, tech-driven future. Discover how Scania maintains its premium brand promi...