Jazz Shapers

Will Pearson is the co-founder of Ocean Bottle, a company dedicated to enabling individuals around the world to make a global impact on ocean plastic. Will joins Elliot to talk about how witnessing the side effects of plastic consumption while working as a deck-hand in the Indian ocean, led him to co-launch a business where each reusable water bottle sold, funds the collection of 1000 ocean-bound...

Jonathan Simmons is the co-founder of digital agency Zone, co-founder of experiences marketplace Yuup and CEO of NPC - New Philanthropy Capital - a think-tank and consultancy helping philanthropists. Jonathan joins Elliot to talk about how although there's a culture of giving in the UK, there needs to be a culture of talking about it

Matt Harris is the Founder of Thunderbird Chicken (the fried chicken restaurant), Stripshack, (it's baby sister), and the pickle brand, Pickle Project. Matt joins Elliot to share how his dream of a professional motorsport career led to a scholarship to race NASCAR in the US and an obsessive scientific approach to recreating the fried chicken he loved in the Southern states.   

The brand new season of Jazz Shapers kicks off with guest Louise Hill,  the Founder of GoHenry, the money app helping kids learn to earn, save, spend and invest.  Louise joins Elliot to share how she created not just a business, but a whole new category of business,  and how GoHenry's 5 year campaign has led to financial education officially becoming part of the primary school...

For the last Jazz Shapers of the season, Elliot is joined by James Hirst, the Co-Founder and COO of Tyk, an API Management Platform on a mission to connect every system in the world. James joins Elliot to talk about leaping on the internet's potential and the joy and surprise of developing your ideas with a global community.

Dr Mick Donegan, MBE, is the Founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, a charity helping people with severe physical disabilities access and enjoy technology for leisure, creativity and communication. Dr Mick joins Elliot to chat about the very moving impact of this life-changing work and the battles won to make it possible. 

David Mansfield is the ex-CEO of Capital Radio and the creator of The Monday Revolution, aiming to help you seize control of your business life. David joins Elliot to talk about his journey from being the worst chocolate salesman in the UK to building Capital Radio into a multimillion-pound company, and the  'privilege' of  helping people reach their potential.

Renée Elliot is the founder of Planet Organic, the UK’s first organic supermarket. Renée joins Elliot to talk about the shock realisation that changed her life and the impact of getting pushed out of her own company and then returning to rescue it from administration

Oli Broom is the Founder of The Slow Cyclist, a cycle tour operator leading adventures across Europe and Africa. Oli joins Elliot to share how he left his uninspiring desk job in London, to cycle 28,000 km (over 14 months) to Brisbane,  to watch the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia. And how this life-changing adventure led to a belief that great travel experiences mean takin...

Alice Wainwright and Ben Charalambous are the co-founders of RISE, a B Corp certified coffee subscription club. Alice and Ben join Elliot to share how frustration (during lockdown) at the lack of sustainable, ethical coffee options led them to launch their own multi-brand business, as well as their 'Friendly Coffee Fund', supporting coffee-growing communities in Uganda.

Lisa and Alana Macfarlane are founders of The Gut Stuff, a multi-industry platform democratising gut health education. The former DJ's join Elliot to chat about how taking part in Twin research with Professor Tim Spector, led them on a mission to shake up the confusing, elitist communication around gut health and make it accessible and fun.

Ben Branson, Founder of Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit; and the Founder of Pollen Projects, a venture studio that have so far created Seasn, (a range of cocktail bitters) and Sylva (a distillery and maturation lab making non-alcoholic spirits from trees).  Ben is also the Founder of neurodiversity charity The Hidden 20%.

Ryan Edwards is the Founder and CEO of Audoo, a music technology company, tracking the music played in public spaces so artists and songwriters are paid fairly.  Ryan joins Elliot to talk about the soul destroying impact of his band being dropped after coming off stage to 80,000 people, and how hearing his band's song in a department store led Ryan to launch a now global company backed by Pau...

Amelia Christie-Miller is the Founder and CEO of Bold Bean Co. on a mission to make people obsessed with beans.  Amelia joins Elliot to talk about the hangover in Madrid that led to a game-changing moment and how (she says) beans can change the world!

Kimberlee Perry is the founder and CEO of Bouncefitbody, the resistance-based fitness class company. Kimberlee shares with Elliot how loneliness (and a missed promotion at work) led her to buy 8 second-hand trampolines and launch her now global business. 

Nick Hird is the Co-founder & Managing Director of Vidrate, the natural hydration supplements, created to help you drink more water. Nick joins Elliot to talk about his drive to create a hydration product that wasn't loaded with sugar, calories and artificial ingredients despite 30 factories telling them their ‘holy grail’ was impossible to create.

Serial entrepreneur Heather Frankham is the Founder of Lifetime Training, (an apprenticeship provider) and Origin Workspace (a co-working space), as well as the co-founder of Bud, an apprenticeship management company. Heather joins Elliot to share the make or break moment while growing her first business, and her drive to connect with people and make a positive impact on their lives.

Sidney Neuhaus is the co-founder of Kimai, the lab-grown diamond jewellery brand. Sidney joins Elliot to share how she's disrupting an industry that for hundreds of years has created a huge environmental and social cost.

Ahti Heinla is the co-founder and developer of Skype, the internet communication platform, And co-founder of Starship Technologies, a robot delivery business. Ahti joins Elliot to talk about revolutions - how he changed the world of communication and is now reshaping delivery with a fleet of over 2,000 "much loved" robots. 

Kicking off the new season of Jazz Shapers and recorded live at Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2025, Elliot Moss is joined by Gary Crosby and Janine Irons,  Founders of Tomorrow’s Warriors, the creative producer and talent development agency, increasing opportunity, diversity and excellence in and through jazz.  

Joe McDonald is the co-founder and CEO of tem, a clean energy company changing the way renewable energy is bought, sold and powered. Joe joins Elliot - for the final Jazz Shapers of the season -  to chat about disrupting the stagnant energy market, and the myths around renewable energy that hold back its potential.

David Abrahamovitch is the Founder and CEO of coffee brand Grind.  David joins Elliot to talk about turning his late Father's mobile phone shop into a side-hustle coffee store,  that he's since grown into a chain of “café by day, cocktail bar by night”  venues and a thriving Direct-to-Consumer and grocery business.  

Joining Elliot is serial entrepreneur Flavilla Fongang, founder of 3 Colours Rule, a branding and marketing agency;  the Founder of GTA Black Women in Tech, a non-profit organisation improving representation, diversity and opportunities in the technology industry and Founder of Black Rise, an AI-powered platform aiming to 'bridge the gap between businesses and the immense...

Elizabeth Rossiello is the founder and CEO of AZA Finance, an African payments and foreign exchange fintech company.  Elizabeth joins Elliot to talk about her journey from Queens, New York to Nairobi and how she overcame the volatility of new Presidents and fights with governments to drive her mission of powering trade in Africa and beyond.   

Ed Currie and Andy Coxon are the co-founders of AKT London, the natural deodorant brand.  Ed and Andy share with Elliot how performing in costumes under hot lights in West End theatres, led to them spending 3 years experimenting with ingredients on the hob in their tiny Camden kitchen, as they tried to create a superior deodorant.