CEO Stories is a podcast series that delves into the stories behind some of the Greater Birmingham region's leading or up-and-coming CEOs. The series is hosted by Henrietta Brealey, who in 2021 became the youngest CEO in the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce's 208-year history. Listen to find out what makes some of the region's finest leaders tick, who inspired them and what advice they would offer to aspiring CEOs. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is the West Midlands' leading ...
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Two twin sisters, Lisa and Gina Gomez, talk about their thoughts/experiences with the upcoming Max Landis penned, Paul McGuigan film "Victor Frankenstein" starring Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy and Andrew Scott
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Broadcasting world-class sport. Keeping hospitals running 24/7. Your boss knowing that, of course, you can join the Teams meeting from your 2-hour train journey. What do all of these things have in common? Fantastic tech, and even better people. Join us in hitting refresh on The F5 podcast, bringing you amazing stories about the human side of tech, and leaving the jargon at the door.
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I have always been fascinated by people and their stories & love getting to know ones path in life. My podcast was born from the concept of “if only I was able to sit down with my Nan again for 1 hour & record her stories”. Tune in to hear some light-hearted, honest, fun & sometimes serious ‘get to know you’ chats with those people I admire, who inspire me & have enriched my life over the past 40 years.
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The Mind Reels is a Canadian geek entertainment podcast based out of Toronto, ON. Join creators, hosts, and former Guinness World Record-holders, Timothy D Rideout and Sue Maynard, as they chat with TV and filmmakers in talk-show style interviews! Or grab a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy some vintage radio play episodes from the 30’s and 40’s - as read by Canadian artists - in our Ole Timey Radio series! There is something for everyone, with new content being posted all the time. Come get ...
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Professor Aleks Subic | The academic leader inspired by Da Vinci
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In this episode of CEO Stories, Henrietta Brealey speaks with Professor Aleks Subic, vice chancellor and chief executive of Aston University. Professor Subic shares his journey from his early life as a migrant in Australia, through his career transition from industry to academia, to leading significant technological innovations. Highlights include …
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QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS | Battle of the bands, Curry World and Carrie Bradshaw the brand ambassador
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As CEO Stories takes a short summer break, we bring you a bonus episode in which our Series Three guests answer some quickfire questions. Listen to find out: Who would hire Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw as their brand ambassador? Who has the most unusual item on their office desk? Who would call Albert Einstein as their 'Who Wants To Be A Mill…
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Yiannis Maos MBE - Growing digital and social impact in the West Midlands
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Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Yiannis Maos MBE, the Founder & CEO of TechWM. With over 18 years of experience in marketing and technology, Yiannis has played a pivotal role in scaling innovative organisations. TechWM, his not-for-profit initiative, is dedicated to inspiring the next generation and empowering businesses to grow thro…
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Paul Abbott - The reality of experiencing a cyber attack
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Paul Abbott joined Knights of Old, an SME transportation & logistics company, in 1987. The company were proactive with their technology, with an agile IT team in-house and disaster recovery for business continuity in place. However, a ransomware cyber attack in June 2023 saw cyber attackers encrypt all their operating systems and infiltrate tiers o…
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Henrietta Brealey - Steady business in a rapidly changing society
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From intern to CEO, Henrietta Brealey has an unwavering belief in the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce's mission of connecting and empowering local businesses. With a three-year transformation plan post-COVID, find out how the GBCC are driving innovation and global connections for businesses. (00:00) - The F5 Intro (00:50) - Henrietta Breale…
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Declan Allen - Driving change in the automotive industry
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On this episode we welcome Declan Allen, the Managing Director of HORIBA MIRA and Corporate Officer of HORIBA Group. Before revolutionising HORIBA MIRA, Declan played a key role at Mercedes Benz High Performance Engines Ltd, driving innovation in engine assembly and kinetic energy recovery systems for leading F1 teams. With a knack for leveraging c…
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Anthony Allcock - How tech enables business growth and better lives
24:44
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Anthony Allcock became one of the UK’s Top 100 CIOs in 2023, with over 25 years’ experience in business transformation and IT with Rolls Royce, British Airways, and Ingeus. In this episode we discuss how to successfully transform businesses for growth, and how to put your people values at the heart of the strategy. (00:00) - The F5 Intro (00:50) - …
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Wade Lyn | How my Jamaican patties spiced up the UK market
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Wade Lyn gave supermarket bosses food for thought by introducing them to the Jamaican patty. The Jamaican-born entrepreneur owns Hockley-based Cleone Foods which produces Island Delight, the UK’s biggest selling Jamaican patty which is stocked on most major supermarkets. In this episode, he talks to Henrietta about his role in spicing up the UK foo…
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Professor Gino Martini - Tech in enabling science, health, & the economy
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Professor Gino Martini was at the front line of utilising tech to connect and collaborate during the COVID-19 pandemic as Chief Scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Now, he's leading innovation with the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator, impacting jobs and the economy in the West Midlands area. Music created by Ben Chambers (00:00…
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Professor Deb Leary OBE - A Forensic Approach to Digital Security
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From revolutionising the stepping plate after visiting a police conference in Toronto, to being the CEO of Forensic Pathways with a 95% view of ransomware groups on the dark web, Professor Deb Leary takes us on a journey of how the preservation of both physical and digital data is at the heart of her innovation. From her work with the Greater Birmi…
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Martin Ward - Growing tech in the West Midlands
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Martin Ward, the first and only Tech Commissioner in the UK, shares his plans for the West Midlands' tech scene, and what makes the region so unique. We discover his inspiration and plans for Future Fest, a West Midlands-based festival celebrating both tech and the arts coming out of the region, and what makes the West Midlands a tech hub. Music cr…
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Vanessa Eyles - The State of Cyber Security in the UK
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This episode we discuss cyber security, misconceptions businesses may have when it comes to the laws around it, and what businesses can do to protect themselves with Detective Superintendent of the West Midlands Police, Vanessa Eyles. Vanessa understands that the police can’t arrest their way to ending cybercrime, as a result pre-empting attacks is…
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Jas Rohel | Driving change and recognition in education
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Jas Rohel openly admits her younger self would have dismissed the idea of a career in education. Fast-forward to the present day, however, and the entrepreneur and radio presenter is banging the drum for the sector in her dual role as Education Awards founder and co-CEO of charitable organisation the Titan Partnership. In this episode, Jas talks to…
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Barrie Hodge - Empathy in the digital age: The role of tech in human connections
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This episode we're talking to Barrie Hodge, Head of Fundraising and Communications at St Basils. Barrie started his career working in radio, and when moving into charitable work he often asked himself why St Basils had employed him of all people. Now he realises the charity sector is all about communication and engagement with people to form human …
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Abbie Vlahakis | The STEM champion with a passion for people
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Abbie Vlahakis was seeking a career change when Millennium Point “found her”. In this episode, South Wales-born Abbie talks to Henriettaabout how her passion for learning developed into a career in finance, before ultimately leading to her current role as CEO at one of Birmingham’s most recognisablevenues. We learn why Millennium Point’s dual purpo…
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Harvir Sahota | From sweet beginnings to catering for star names
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Mahirs Experience chief executive Harvir Sahota reveals his recipe for success – including how he scaled up his family’s Indian sweet shop business into an award-winning catering and events company that has been used by a string of illustrious names. Harvir and Henrietta discuss the firm’s evolution over the years and how his leadership has been sh…
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Paul Faulkner and Sam Fletcher-Goodwin | Turning the Kids’ Village dream into reality
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Since overcoming cancer as a child, Sam Fletcher-Goodwin and her family have dreamed of creating the UK’s inaugural holiday village for critically ill children. Now, with support from a top team spearheaded by former Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner, plans are gathering pace to build the Kids’ Village in the pic…
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Zoe Bennett | How a Motivational Queen turned trauma into triumph
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Zoe Bennett’s life changed forever when her father Errol was brutally murdered in 2011. After a long battle to achieve justice, she channelled her experiences into forging a successful career as an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author and founder of the Multicultural Business and Community Champion (MBCC) Awards. In this episode of CEO Storie…
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Deborah Cadman | Leading Birmingham City Council through crisis
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Season three of CEO Stories begins with Henrietta Brealey talking to a chief executive who has one of the toughest jobs in local government. Birmingham born and bred, Deborah Cadman has enjoyed a distinguished career in local government – including stints leading the West Midlands Combined Authority, Suffolk County Council and St Edmudsbury Borough…
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Refreshing, amazing stories about the human side of tech where we leave jargon at the door.By Intercity Technology
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Nasir Awan | How faith, family and determination helped me survive in business
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When Nasir Awan came to England in the 1960s, he could speak virtually no English. Today, Nasir is one of the West Midlands’ most successful business figures – and, on 17 November, 2023, he will become president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. In the final episode of CEO Stories season two, the boss of international wholesale firm Awan …
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Eman Al-Hillawi | Career pivots, driving change and learning to fly
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Eman Al-Hillawi is passionate about driving change. The Entec-Si CEO has experienced several transformational moments of her own – including moving to the UK from Iraq as a teenager, switching careers from science to technology and meeting her business partner Peter Marsden, with whom she created the Birmingham-based consultancy. In this episode of…
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Darren Brealey is an Aussie playwright & self-produced author with a string of One-Act / Full-length plays & books under his belt. His brand new play ‘BROKEN RIVER’ is set to debut at this years Melbourne Fringe Festival in October and is sure to set tongues wagging... Happy ListeningBy Joel King-Mayne
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Chuck Chuck Baby with Janis Pugh and Louise Brealey
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19:15
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Tim sits down and chats with writer/director Janis Pugh and actor Louise Brealey about their fantastic film, Chuck Chuck Baby before they have to race for the plane. Audio is presented raw and without edits.By The Mind Reels
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Jason Wouhra | Continuing the legacy of a family business
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Jason Wouhra has a saying about family businesses – “it’s like being in the mafia – once you’re in, you can’t get out!” Jason is the chief executive of Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd, a ‘carve-out’ of the renowned East Ends Foods brand which was started by his father and uncles in the 1960s. In this episode, he tells Henrietta about building on his family…
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Charlie Blakemore | A telling-off from the MoD to making FA Cup history
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Whether it's “getting a telling-off” from the Ministry of Defence or making history in football’s oldest cup competition, Charlie Blakemore is no stranger to huge challenges. The Intercity Technology managing director’s successes in business and sport have been driven by an ability to bring the best out of his people. He talks Henrietta Brealey thr…
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Sara Wajid | I want to use museums to make the world a better place
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Birmingham Museums Trust co-CEO Sara Wajid’s “twin obsessions” of storytelling and equality set her on a path to becoming a respected cultural leader. The former arts and culture journalist was by her own admission a reluctant CEO with aspirations to “get something done in society”. She tells Henrietta Brealey how a secondment to Birmingham Museums…
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Caroline Miller | Taking risks, Black Sabbath ballet and recruiting a global superstar
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“There’s a reason I work in the arts – because it’s exciting!” Caroline Miller’s passion for her profession is loud and clear as she talks Henrietta Brealey through the fascinating and varied career path that led to her becoming chief executive of Birmingham Royal Ballet. It is a career that has taken her from the box office to the boardroom – driv…
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Raphael Sofoluke | Channelling frustration and inspiration to start the UK Black Business Show
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Entrepreneur and author Raphael Sofoluke founded the UK Black Business Show from a place of "frustration and inspiration". The show has doubled in size since 2017 and has expanded into other parts of the UK - with the Birmingham edition returning to the NEC on Saturday 17 June, 2023. In this episode of CEO Stories, Raphael talks to Henrietta Breale…
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Anastasia and Faye have been fan favourites for the past 15 seasons on the smash hit, Logie awarding winning show Gogglebox Australia. People love to watch their banter & laughter and hear their quick one-liners. Recently I have the delightfully opportunity to chat with the ladies and get an insight into their crazy TV watching lives... Happy Liste…
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Science Friction Ep 010 My Secret Identity
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Sue and Tim are joined by their friend, actor Mike Donis, as they dive into the classic Canadian series, My Secret Identity starring Jerry O'Connell. Do we love it, reboot it, retcon it, requel it? Find out in this week's entry!By The Mind Reels
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Rachel is one of my best friends and some-one I call my sister. I am so inspired by the leap of faith she has taken in her life & admire her passion for adventure, the outdoors and seeing the world in a beautiful lens. You're future is so bright and I'm so excited to see where life takes you next my darling... Happy Listening. Remember to subscribe…
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Sue and Tim check out the family sit-com Small Wonder, and Tim wonders why he's never heard of it. Should they reboot it, requel it, or retcon it?By The Mind Reels
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Mario Mazzocchi | Sharing Wesleyan’s 'mutual' DNA
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43:48
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Mario Mazzochi was all set to return to his native Italy when he spotted a newspaper advert that changed the course of his career. The appeal of a top job with financial services giant Visa was too good to turn down for the Turin-born business leader, who would end up extending his stay in the UK. That decision would eventually lead Mario to his cu…
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The delightfully talented Katie Underwood is BACK - writing, producing & independently releasing her brand new solo music. Her new hit 'Feels So Good' has the kind of reinvigorating energy to it that’ll get your whole body and soul moving. I had the privilege again of sitting down with the disco dance diva to talk new music, old new music & play a …
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Sue and Tim tackle their first interview since 2019, and catch up with their friends director April Mullen, and producer Tim Doiron to chat about their new film Simulant, the heavy sci-fi and humanist themes that are woven into it, as well as the creative forces behind their new film. From a discussion of AI and manufactured intelligence to the pla…
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Science Friction 008 Something Is Out There
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Science Friction 008 Something Is Out There by The Mind ReelsBy The Mind Reels
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Sue and Tim are joined by Mike Donis and Lindsay Lewis as they debate on whether the Starman television series, a sequel to the John Carpenter film needs to be revived, rebooted or retconned?By The Mind Reels
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Ian Reid | Life before, during and after Birmingham 2022
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Ian Reid is the man who oversaw delivery of Birmingham’s golden summer. The chief executive of the 2022 Commonwealth Games joins Henrietta Brealey to provide his perspective on leading an organisation which mushroomed from a start-up into a workforce of thousands in a short space of time - before dissolving in the aftermath of the sporting extravag…
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Sue and Tim head back to Saturday Mornings of 1986 to check out the classic Chris Columbus cartoon, Galaxy High? Reboot? Requel? Retconn? Find out on this episode of Science Friction!By The Mind Reels
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Is it Tron? Is it better than Tron? Tim and Sue take a look at the short-lived 80s series, Automan, and decide whether to revive, reboot or retocon it.By The Mind Reels
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Tim and Sue travel to some Otherworld to explore the 1985 pilot for the short-lived television series. Do they wanna hang around or find a way home?By The Mind Reels
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Tim and Sue check out the classic 80s show, the short-lived The Wizard!By The Mind Reels
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Oli Hills | Talking TikTok and turning social media on its head
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Entrepreneur Oli Hills pivoted his business to embrace a social media revolution that has turned the world of content creation on its head. The CEO of social media publisher Updates Media - parent company of thriving social media news source Birmingham Updates – identified an opportunity to help businesses capitalise on the seemingly limitless pote…
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Science Friction 003 Misfits Of Science by The Mind ReelsBy The Mind Reels
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Science Friction 001 The Powers Of Matthew Star
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Tim and Sue dive into some classic and not-so-classic television and decide whether it needs a revisit, a reboot, or should be retconned out of existence. This week, The Powers of Matthew Star starring Peter Barton and Louis Gossett Jr.By The Mind Reels
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Saira Demmer | I want everyone to love their jobs
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SF Recruitment chief executive Saira Demmer kicks off Season Two of CEO Stories by talking Henrietta through the forensic detail that has gone into building her firm’s award-winning culture. The specialist recruitment business has earned a string of accolades for its workplace practices – including a place in the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Compani…
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Season One recap (Part II) | The TV chef, taking centre stage and going viral
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This bonus episode of CEO Stories focuses on business leaders who have been thrust into centre stage - sometimes in unusual circumstances. In a recap of Season One, Henrietta looks at instances when some of her guests have found themselves in the limelight. We hear from a CEO turned stand-up comedian, a chef who earned his shot at TV fame and a pro…
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Season One recap (Part I) | Trailblazers, one step journey and inspired by Fergie
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In the first of two bonus episodes of CEO Stories, Henrietta Brealey explores who or what inspired some of the Greater Birmingham's business leaders. We hear from four high-profile Season One guests who tell us why they were influenced by life-changing experiences and key figures from the worlds of sport, media and the military. Listen to this epis…
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Paul Thandi | How we woke a sleeping giant
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In the final episode of Season One, NEC Group chief executive Paul Thandi discusses his distinguished career in the leisure and entertainment industry. Thandi tells Henrietta Brealey that joining the organisation – initially as commercial director – was like “lifting the lid on 1,000 flowers and letting them bloom”. We hear about his role in transf…
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