Lava lamps: a British export success story – Cressida Granger from Mathmos

Coffee entrepreneur Will Little shares insights on building a challenger consumer brand, dealing with supermarkets and working with family members. He discusses his experiences running two businesses: flavoured instant coffee specialist Little’s Coffee Company – founded by his parents 35 years ago – and speciality coffee roasters Roastworks. So why not grab your favourite brew and listen to his entertaining story from inside the coffee revolution?

High-profile chef and entrepreneur Michael Caines shares his career story, from the origins of his passion for food to his numerous business ventures. His journey from talented but wayward college student to acclaimed TV chef sheds light on the ingredients needed for success in the hospitality industry. Having worked with Raymond Blanc and the Williams Formula One team among others, Michael is now chef owner of Lympstone Manor Estate in Devon, as well as being a consultant to ambitious hotels and restaurants.

Working with small-scale family farms to develop a route to market for food produced in harmony with nature has been Pipers Farm’s mission for 35 years. Abby Allen, farms director and co-author of the Sustainable Meat Cookbook, shares her passion for food and farming as she discusses the value of local supply chains and collaboration between rural businesses. Her story sheds light on challenges for family businesses, including succession planning and working with external investors, as well as how consumer habits have changed since the pandemic.

Robin Hutson OBE worked at some of the world’s best hotels before launching the successful Hotel du Vin and The Pig hotel groups. Telling the story of his career in hospitality, from starting out as a waiter to pioneering the boutique hotel movement, Robin offers insights on starting, growing and selling businesses. He also shares his views on working with investors, changing trends in hospitality and why culture is key to success.

The next series of Business Noodles is starting on 4 September so we wanted to let you in on a number of the guests that we will be talking to! Listen to this quick trailer to find out more.In this new series, we will be covering topics such as working with investors, managing succession in a family business, purpose and mission, selling your company and how they have all successfully grown their businesses.

More and more businesses are becoming B Corp certified, with over 7,000 across 160 industries in 90 countries now part of this global movement. In the UK, there are now over 1,500 B Corps, employing more than 85,000 people. All have been recognised for prioritising people and planet in the way they approach making a profit. We have talked to a number of guests about B Corp – explaining what it is, the process of becoming certified and what their businesses have learned. Now we’ve collected some of these insights in one special episode. 

Wildlife conservationist Matt Walpole discusses the challenge of balancing conservation, economic development and rural livelihoods.Matt chats about his varied career and why he returned to the South West to join Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which works to conserve and restore nature and wildlife on land and at sea. He also explores how we can all make a difference.His career highlights include leading a UN programme focusing on biodiversity and the value of the ecosystem being at the heart of decision making. 

Recruitment and executive search specialist Anna Jay shares insights on how employers can attract the right candidates in the post-pandemic jobs market. Drawing on her 20 years’ experience, she explores the role of technology and artificial intelligence in the recruitment process and how the Covid pandemic has changed employees’ priorities. She also discusses the growing focus on purpose and ethical leadership.Anna is founder and managing director of Public Leaders Appointments, a boutique executive search firm specialising in the public and third sectors, and a founding board member of Cornwall Women’s Fund, which aims to support women and girls in Cornwall.

An icon of the swinging ‘60s, the lava lamp continues to win fans around the world. Cressida Granger shares the highs and lows of her business journey as owner of Mathmos, the original lava lamp manufacturer, as well as revealing the key to export success for this enduringly popular British product.

With health services under growing pressure as more people live with multiple conditions, is technology the answer?Richard Wyatt-Haines has been pushing boundaries and finding innovative solutions throughout his career. In his current role as founder and chairman of Health and Care Innovations (HCI), he reveals how digital information and apps are reducing costs, increasing capacity and improving patients’ quality of life. Drawing on his varied experience in banking, consulting, insurance and now digital health, Richard also shares insights on leadership, the challenges facing the NHS and his advice for anyone thinking about doing an MBA.