The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Michael Herron, Head of Atos UK&I, Atos Group – a global AI-powered digital transformation provider and European leader in agentic AI, digital sovereignty and cybersecurity; and Giselle Gonzales, Founder and CEO of EqualReach - a social enterprise that connects teams of displaced and host community tech talent with dignified digital work. In this...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by  Malcolm Gomersall , CEO of Grant Thornton UK - one of the country's leading multidisciplinary professional services firms, with more than 5,500 partners and professionals providing assurance and financial advice to organisations across the public and private sectors; and  May Asagba , Founder of CAIN Educational Foundation,...

In a special episode of The Lens, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Ndidi Okezie OBE, CEO of Business in the Community. In Ndidi’s first month as Chief Executive Officer of Business in the Community, we find out who our new CEO is, what she’s achieved so far in her career, and where her passion lies in taking Business in the Community and all of our members forward on the responsible business jo...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Iain Mansfield, CEO of Principality Building Society, Wales’ largest mutual building society, headquartered in Cardiff, providing mortgages and savings products and owned by its members rather than shareholders; and Ronald Mugaiga, Managing Director of Ecomak Recyclers, Uganda, a climate tech Africa-based startup that transforms plastic waste into lo...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by  Peter Harrison, a leading figure in the business world and Chair of Business in the Community.​ In this episode, we discuss how responsible business is a key driver for economic growth, the current challenges businesses are facing and how the 3 Ps – that’s People, Planet and Place, can help organisations shape their business strategie...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Simon Fitzpatrick, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland; and Ahmed Ramy Mebrouk, Chief Executive, Nrecycli – a start-up that encourages recycling by rewarding people who recycle. In this episode, they discuss Environmental Sustainability: Risks, Rewards and Recycling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Rob Heron, Northern Ireland Managing Partner of EY – a global professional services firm providing Assurance, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, and Tax services to businesses; and Bruna Amaral, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Toti – a platform that promotes the inclusion of refugees and migrants in the tech sector and helps organisations gr...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Richard Sykes, SVP and President of one of the UK and Ireland’s largest integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions firms – A BM UK and Ireland ; and Manuella Appiah, Environment, Social and Governance Manager for  Sunrock , a leading European developer of integrated clean energy systems, servicing valued customers across...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Ben Pritchard , CEO of AVK-SEG LTD – a leading provider of innovative power solutions for data centres and major organisations; and Harshit Poddar , Co-Founder of SafEarth - a platform designed to simplify and optimise the solar adoption process. In this episode, we discuss environmental sustainability and how data can make a sustainable world go rou...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Andy Briggs, Group CEO of Phoenix Group – one of the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement businesses; and Girish Ananthanarayanan, Founder and Curator of Raahi , a channel that aims to bridge the worlds of professional management and social development perspectives. He is also a Senior Project Manager, Dalberg , a global group working to bui...

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by John Bason, Chair, Primark and also Chair of BITC’s Hounslow Pride of Place Partnership; and Motunrayo Olaogun, Sales and Business Management at Prada and One Young World ambassador. In this episode, we discuss the importance of bolstering communities across the UK and further afield. Our two guests have seen first-hand the challenges communities are...

This month's podcast episode features an insightful and candid conversation with former Premier League footballer, Clarke Carlisle, who openly discusses his personal journey with mental health challenges and addiction. He shares valuable lessons learned from his experiences, offering practical advice for both individuals and employers on fostering well-being.   Recorded live at the Healthy Wo...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner at Linklaters - one of the world’s leading law firms and Yemisi Isidi, Co-Founder, Strategy and Finance Lead, Triift Africa – an organisation that is making it easier for underserved communities and businesses to access the services they need to succeed. In this episode, we discuss how businesses can get into the...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Sue Whalley, Chief People and Performance Officer at Associated British Foods – multinational food processing and retailing company and Renée Davis, Founder, Out the Box – an organisation that equips Black creative entrepreneurial and professional talent with opportunities and connections. In this episode, we discuss women and race in the workplace. H...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways – a company that probably needs no introduction as one of the world’s biggest airlines; and Mirko Schedlbauer, Founder and CEO, shipzero - Hamburg-based startup dedicated to decarbonising the logistics industry through innovative data solutions.     In this episode, we discuss...

In this episode, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Gregor Mowat, CEO of Loqbox, a financial technology (fintech) company that offers a variety of products to help people improve their credit score and manage their money; and Jude Addo, Group CEO of JA Group, an investment firm focused on the wealth and wellbeing of its clients. They discuss financial inclusion – why this is an important issue an...

In this special one-off episode, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson to discuss the importance of responsible driving. Sam has responsibilities for road safety among other activities. In this episode, we discuss the reality on our roads and what employers can do to encourage their people to be safe whether they’re on the daily commute or driving for their jo...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Andrew Masraf, Senior Partner at multinational law firm, Pinsent Masons; and Kagisho Masae, Co-Founder and CEO of Matric Live – a multifunctional education app that is reinventing the way pupils learn. In this episode, we explore social mobility and ask, how can business open doors for more people in a fair and equitable way? Hosted on Acast. See acas...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Louise Kingham CBE, Senior Vice President, Europe & Head of Country, UK, bp plc; and Clayton Chaparadza, former Customer Business Development Manager at Unilever UK. In this episode, we explore social impact and ask how can businesses positively impact communities? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Martin O’Kane, Vice Chairman of construction company, Heron Brothers; and Katie Harris, Talent Attraction Analyst at Visa.   In this episode, we’ll explore workplace culture and the challenges that two very different businesses are facing in attracting and retaining talented staff, along with the opportunities and benefits that come when organisa...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Steven Cooper CBE, CEO of Aldermore Group. The Group is made up of Aldermore Bank plc and MotoNovo Finance Limited. Aldermore Bank provides finance to business owners, homeowners and landlords, and supports savers. It operates online, by phone and through networks. MotoNovo Finance helps people buy their next vehicle. Aldermore Group is part of FirstR...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Rebekah Wallis, Director - People & ESG at Ricoh UK – a leading provider of integrated digital services designed to create an exceptional employee and customer experience for people and teams wherever they are; and from Toronto in Canada Miranda McKie, Founder and CEO of McKie Consultants, an organisation that optimises people and product strategy...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Catherine Dolton, Chief Sustainability Officer at IHG Hotels and Resorts; and Anouar Ouali, Senior Associate, PwC. IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's leading hotel companies with more than 6,300 hotels across more than 100 countries and around 345,000 colleagues worldwide, and PwC is a multinational professional services brand of firms; th...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Clare Kemsley, Managing Director of Marketing UK&I at Hays ; and Lisa De Wachter, Global Brand Account Lead Food Tech, Google Netherlands - Amsterdam. In this episode, we will discuss how people in underrepresented groups can fair well in the workplace, and we specifically dive in to the issue of age – what’s the reality for workers over the age o...

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Roisin Currie, Chief Executive of Greggs ; and Jessica Garbett, Senior Manager, Workforce Consulting Team, PwC .   In this episode, we’ll explore how putting business at the heart of communities is essential for everyone. We’ll also discuss some of the tough issues out there such as employing those who have a criminal conviction and how businesse...