20 minutes with...

Building a global food supply chain business from a standing start might sound like a carefully planned journey. For Dean Attwell, it began with survival.In this episode, Dean joins Eimear Andersen to share the story behind Oakland International, from the collapse of the family farming business to spotting an unexpected opportunity in frozen storage and building from there.He reflects on how the business evolved without a clear strategy in its early years, why identifying gaps in the market became central to growth and the lessons learned from both success and failure, including early international expansion and costly missteps.The conversation explores leadership, culture and decision-making from taking calculated risk, the importance of failing fast and learning quickly, and why creating an environment where people feel trusted and supported is critical to long-term success. He also discusses the role of innovation, the changing dynamics of the food supply chain and the opportunities emerging for smaller producers and direct-to-consumer models.A conversation about building from nothing, reinvention and how opportunity often emerges when there is no plan at all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retail technology is evolving quickly, but for many retailers the challenge is knowing which tools genuinely add value - and which simply add complexity. For Darren Nickels, that balance has shaped more than two decades working at the intersection of retail and technology.In this episode, Darren speaks to Eimear Andersen about the origins and growth of Henderson Technology, a business built from the practical needs of retailers within the Henderson Group in Northern Ireland. He explains how systems such as EPOS platforms, self-checkouts and electronic shelf edge labels have evolved from simple operational tools into critical parts of how modern convenience and forecourt stores manage efficiency, pricing and customer experience.The conversation explores how retailers should approach major technology decisions, the importance of choosing long-term partners rather than short-term fixes and why integration between systems is essential if retailers are to realise the full benefits of automation. Darren also reflects on emerging trends, from digital engagement and loyalty to the growing role of robotics and artificial intelligence in stores.A discussion about complexity, partnership and why the best retail technology is often the technology customers never notice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margins are tightening, customers are more price-sensitive and costs continue to rise across the retail supply chain. In that environment, pricing has become one of the most important - and often misunderstood - decisions retailers make.In this episode, Caroline Cookson speaks to Eimear Andersen about the psychology, strategy and practical realities of pricing in today’s retail landscape. Drawing on a career that spans finance, strategy and commercial leadership at global spirits company Brown-Forman, Caroline explains why many businesses fall into the trap of chasing volume rather than protecting value and why cutting prices too quickly can often damage profitability.The conversation explores how retailers should think about value versus price, why premium pricing can sometimes increase trust and where hidden profit often sits within a product range. Caroline also discusses the idea of “reassuringly expensive” pricing, the role of promotions and how understanding customer behaviour should sit at the centre of every pricing decision.A conversation about pricing strategy, customer psychology and why the most successful retailers focus on value rather than simply being the cheapest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Technology, data ownership and the race to control the last mile are reshaping how retailers reach their customers. For Ricardo Amorim, that shift has been more than a trend.In this episode, Ricardo speaks to Eimear Andersen about the evolution of Stuart, the B2B last-mile delivery specialist operating across the UK and Europe. He explains how services such as Iceland’s in-store “cart drop” model are blending physical retail with rapid delivery, allowing customers to shop in person and have groceries delivered within hours. As delivery moves from a “nice to have” to a core strategic function, Ricardo argues that retailers must retain ownership of their customer data and delivery channels to remain competitive.The conversation also explores compliance, including Challenge 25 age-restricted sales, and how improved technology and process design can significantly raise audit pass rates. Ricardo reflects on trust, sustainability and the growing expectation of speed — alongside emerging questions around drones and future infrastructure.A discussion about control, customer promise and why last-mile delivery is no longer optional for modern retail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Family retail heritage, fresh food innovation and a growing obsession with AI might not seem like an obvious combination. For David Sands, they are all part of the same story about how independent convenience retail is evolving.In this episode, David speaks to Eimear Andersen about growing up in a fifth-generation retail family, launching David’s Kitchen in 2014 and reshaping the traditional convenience model around food-to-go, in-store production and constant experimentation. With more than a third of sales now coming from products made within the business, he explains the commercial opportunities, and the operational challenges, of scaling fresh food profitably.David also reflects on leadership and longevity in retail. He talks candidly about lessons learned managing people, the importance of community and local suppliers and why independent retailers still have an edge when they adapt quickly and stay close to their customers.Technology is an increasingly central part of that evolution. From analysing sales data to shaping new product ideas, David describes how AI is now influencing decisions across his business. A conversation about building profitable fresh food, backing your instincts and why there are still huge opportunities ahead for independents willing to rethink what convenience retail can be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surviving a catastrophic plane crash and building a global technology platform to reduce food waste might seem like very different stories. For entrepreneur Mike Osborne, they are deeply connected.In this episode, Mike speaks to Eimear about how his long-term recovery shaped his sense of responsibility, resilience and purpose, and how that mindset now drives his work with Gander, a technology platform helping retailers sell reduced food in real time rather than throw it away.Gander takes data from in-store price reductions and delivers it directly to consumers within seconds, enabling supermarkets to clear short-dated stock more efficiently, improve margins and significantly reduce waste. Now operating in multiple countries, the platform is tackling a global issue that affects retailers, suppliers and the environment alike.Mike reflects on the scale of food waste worldwide; the technical and cultural barriers retailers face and why better use of real-time data could transform both profitability and sustainability. He also speaks candidly about recovery, personal responsibility and the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and innovation.A conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience and the practical steps needed to waste less food in a rapidly changing retail landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Eimear Andersen sits down with Mandi Leonard, Welfare Director and Megan Harrison, Marketing Director of GroceryAid, to explore how the charity is breaking down barriers and reaching people when they need it most.Mandi explains the breadth of support available to anyone working in the UK grocery sector—from manufacturing and warehousing to independent retailers and convenience stores. With three pillars of support—financial, emotional, and practical—GroceryAid offers everything from non-repayable grants and 24/7 counselling to legal advice and debt support. The service is free, completely confidential, and available not just to grocery workers but to their families too.Megan discusses the charity's fresh rebrand and why tackling stigma is at the heart of their new campaign. She explains how they are using real grocery and convenience workers in their communications to show a friendly, human face that people can trust, encouraging them to ask for help earlier before reaching crisis point. The conversation covers the unique pressures facing independent retailers, why early new year can be particularly difficult and how businesses across the sector can spread the word about this vital support.Whether you are a grocery worker, a family member or an employer wanting to support your team, this episode makes clear: no problem is too small and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.GroceryAid Day: 30th AprilWebsite: groceryaid.org.uk24/7 Helpline: 0808 802 1122 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 20 minutes with, Eimear Andersen speaks to Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty’s, about building one of the UK’s most trusted free-from food businesses.Kirsty shares how the company began after her son was born with multiple severe food allergies, at a time when free-from options were limited and uninspiring. She reflects on pitching on Dragons’ Den, the realities of scaling a specialist food brand and why free-from is not a trend but a responsibility rooted in trust and safety.The conversation explores how retailers’ understanding of free-from has evolved, the complexity of allergen control, and why owning a dedicated factory has been a critical advantage. Kirsty also discusses innovation across ready meals and takeaway-style products, her partnership with Myprotein and the importance of balancing commercial growth with genuine social impact.A grounded look at leadership, resilience and what it really takes to build trust in food retail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this final episode of Series 1 (we’re back with Series 2 soon!), Eimear talks to Jonathan James.From a small farm shop in a disused barn to a thriving multi-site retail estate spanning the country, he has built quite the journey in convenience retail.In this episode, host Eimear Andersen sits down with Jonathan to explore what it’s really like running a family business alongside his wife Rebecca and their children Joshua and Emily, where family dinners often double as business strategy sessions.Jonathan reflects on navigating major industry changes, the challenge of moving from a hands-on retailer to a corporate leader and why community engagement matters more than ever.He also shares why a few quiet hours on his tractor are his version of agri-therapy, his pride in chairing Soham Town Rangers FC and the piece of advice from his grandmother that still guides him today: “Every day is a school day.”With warmth and candour, this is a conversation about resilience, family dynamics and why independent retailers are truly in a league of their own.This episode marks the final one for Series 1 of 20 minutes with … but we will be back very soon with Series 2 with more inspiring conversations. Make sure you click on Follow to be notified when the next episode comes out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Lawson – Making form-filling a distant memorySometimes the simplest ideas are the most transformative. Victoria Lawson, Founder and CEO of Wholepal, has created a platform that’s quietly revolutionising how suppliers and wholesalers share product data — removing the spreadsheets, the errors and the hours of wasted time that once defined the process.In this conversation, Victoria shares her journey from FMCG account manager to tech founder — and how a single frustration sparked an industry-changing idea. Victoria talks about:How a daily admin headache led to the creation of WholepalWhy 99% of new-line forms come back inaccurate or incompleteHow AI and machine learning can transform efficiency without replacing peopleOvercoming fear of change in a relationship-driven industryBuilding a tech team based on talent and fit, not gender, in a traditionally male spaceFacing personal and professional challenges on the road to growthAnd her mission to make form-filling a distant memory for goodA fresh, inspiring and practical discussion about innovation, resilience and why the human touch will always matter — even in an AI-powered world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.