#006 Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith former CEO of Mitie Group PLC, Conservative life peer.

Rebekah Hall is the Chief Executive and co-founder of the drinks company Botanic Lab which is based in London. Coming from a well paid finance job at age 30, Rebekah was unhappy and needed a change and so took the plunge to start her own business.  Starting out with cold press juices, Rebekah now supplies over 500 stockists including all major supermarkets.  In this discussion we touch on the challenges faced in the early days, dealing with failure and taking risks.  We also discuss Rebekah’s new product, the very first CBD tea, as well as her advice to anyone thinking about starting a business. https://botanic-lab.co.uk Filmed and recorded at the Houses of Parliament.

The first and only Asian female chief executive of a FTSE 250 company. Ruby McGregor-Smith is as driven and ambitious as they come. Ruby’s views on gender diversity in management have been widely reported in the press, She urges companies to select managers based on talent alone, and asserts that support and flexibility for new mothers is the key to gender equality on the boards of large firms. In this podcast Ruby explains just what it took to excel as a female business leader and be a mum. Ruby shares her advice to help you excel and why moving jobs could be the best thing for your career. This interview was recorded at the House of Parliament, London

Lady Martha Lane-Fox was one of the early .com entrepreneurs having co-founded lastminute.com. Martha is founder of doteveryone.org.uk, an independent think tank and charity championing responsible technology for a fairer future, Martha has served on public service digital projects and sits on the boards of Twitter, Donmar warehouse and Chanel. If that wasn’t enough Martha is also a trustee of the Queens Commonwealth Trust. In our discussion Martha explains the early day challenges, dealing with tragedy and shares her advice for anyone thinking about starting a business. This interview was filmed at the Houses of Parliament. doteveryone.org.uk luckyvoice.com

I have personally admired and known Kelly Hoppen for a number of years and it was a real pleasure to sit down with her and discover what drives her to keep wanting to achieve more and more.   Kelly started her interior design business at just 16 years of age and is now globally recognised for her signature design.  In March 2009,  Kelly Hoppen was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, The award was given for services to Interior Design.  Kelly is an ambassador for the Prince's Trust, the Government’s GREAT campaign and now works with UK Trade & Investment and other parts the government as an adviser and mentor to small businesses.   Having been at the top of her game for over 40 years, Kelly shares her insights into what it takes to run a business, building a brand, trusting your gut and always challenge yourself. www.kellyhoppen.design  I: @kellyhoppen T: @kellyhoppen

If anyone proves that you can have it all it's Helena Morrissey.  Working mum to nine children, Helena is also the successful author of "a good time to be a girl". Having started her career at the New York and London bond desks at Schroders, finding her career path blocked went on to become Newton Investment Management as Chief Executive.   Helena is now Head of Personal Investing at Legal & General Investment Management. Established the 30% club in 2010 to campaign for greater female representation on company boards and she is a trustee at the Eve Appeal, which raises money for gynaecological cancers. In 2010, Helena was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Cambridge and appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2012 for services to UK business and promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2017 for services to diversity in financial services. In this discussion which was recorded at the head offices of Legal & General, Helena shares some of her most shocking experiences in the early days when trying to raise a family whilst developing her career and shares her lessons learnt to anyone who is thinking of starting a family and worried about the impact this may have on their professional career. @morrisseyhelena 

Karren Brady sits down with Elizabeth Truss Chief Secretary to the Treasury and MP for South West Norfolk to discuss just what it takes to rise to the top in a male dominated field and how being assertive is a necessary skill to learn to get ahead. This interview was recorded at the Treasury in London.

We launch our BRAND NEW PODCAST with the every inspiring Jo Malone. In this interview Jo Malone CBE shares how she first got started in business, key advice, dealing with cancer and building her second global business. This interview was filmed at Jo Loves, 42 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9NZ (worth a visit just for the amazing smell’s) https://www.joloves.com

You are ambitious and want to be successful, but is it enough to succeed? Being a woman in business you will know it has its extra challenges, so just how do you rise above, deal with challenges head on and start to make a difference for ourselves and others? Just how can you get what you want and have it all? Baroness Karren Brady CBE knows first hand just what it takes to be successful. Having risen to the top become the First Lady of football, Karren is also a much loved TV personality, successful author, working mum, business advisor and government life peer. Karren is a strong campaigner for gender equity and it is the goal of this podcast series to help inspire woman to take control and support them to help make a positive change. Join Karren Brady every week as she sits down with some of the UK’s top female leaders and entrepreneurs as they share their story. You will learn just how they have dealt with their own setbacks, gain insights into what has made them a success and apply this to your own career with confidence and skill. www.strongfemaleleadership.com