The Pacecast

“Learn to say no a little bit more.”In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita is joined by Steve Puckering, Founder and Chief Executive of Smart Technology Advisors.Steve talks about building a Hull-based business that grew to 126 employees at the centre of the super yacht electronics world, reflecting on the clients he has worked with and how honesty won him one of his biggest contracts.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an engineer or a business owner, this episode is for you.

"What you can conceive and believe, you can achieve." In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita is joined by Jon Elvidge, otherwise known as Jon Gadget, the entrepreneur behind two of the UK's best-loved gadget retailers, The Gadget Shop and Red5. Jon shares the extraordinary story of how a phone call made on a whim led to him remortgaging his house, getting fired from his job, and opening the UK's first Gadget Shop in Hull's Princess Quay in 1991. He talks about scaling the brand to 50 stores nationwide, the collapse of a planned stock market float during the dot-com crash and a bruising High Court battle that followed. Jon also reflects on ventures that didn't work out, including wearable tech company MoodBeam and how a video of his new Land Rover Defender, filmed on his phone during lockdown, sparked an unexpected new chapter as a full-time YouTuber with a quarter of a million subscribers.Whether you're an entrepreneur, retailer, content creator or just love a story of resilience and reinvention, this episode is for you. Chapters 1:13 – Introducing John Elvidge and The Gadget Shop6:01 – Electrifying his bike and winning Young Engineer for Britain13:14 – Moving into sales and finding a natural talent for it15:13 – The idea for The Gadget Shop takes shape25:17 – Signing a 25-year lease31:26 – Opening day of The Gadget Shop35:13 – Rapid expansion to 50 stores nationwide41:42 – The failed stock market float and dot-com crash54:45 – Starting again: launching Red 51:04:53 – Selling Red5 to Menkind1:08:11 – MoodBeam, Monocle Madness and other new ventures1:12:34 – Reinventing himself as Jon Gadget on YouTube1:28:34 – Career highs and the biggest lesson learned1:33:56 – Life's big questions: purpose and legacy🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers from Hull, Yorkshire and beyond.#ThePacecast #GadgetShop #Red5 #Entrepreneurship #Retail #YouTuber #BusinessPodcast #Leadership #Hull #YorkshireBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #HullBusiness #UKBusiness #PaceCommunications

"My values are think big and make a difference."In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita is joined by Jack Latus, CEO and Co-Founder of the rapidly growing occupational health and wellbeing provider, Latus Group.A former professional rugby player turned entrepreneur, Jack shares his remarkable journey. From giving up a promising junior tennis career at 15 to chase a dream inspired by Johnny Wilkinson's 2003 World Cup drop goal, to a career littered with injuries that eventually pushed him out of professional sport and into business.He looks back on setting up his first gym from a squash court, the accidental pivot into corporate wellbeing and occupational health and how Latus Group survived a 75% revenue drop in the first days of COVID lockdown to go on and win major clients like Morrisons and JP Morgan. Jack also discusses growing the business alongside his two brothers and Latus Group's role in tackling the UK's economic inactivity crisis through a new health and wellbeing hub launched in Hull.Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, health and wellbeing professional or simply interested in inspiring business stories, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons and insights.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers from Hull, Yorkshire and beyond.#ThePacecast #LatusGroup #OccupationalHealth #Rugby #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #Leadership #Wellbeing #Hull #YorkshireBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #HullBusiness #UKBusiness #PaceCommunications

"You've got to enjoy what you're doing. If you're having fun and you're good at it, the rest tends to follow."In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita Pace sits down with Peter Aarosin, Director of Danbrit Holdings Limited. An entrepreneur, shipping expert and one of the Humber region's most passionate business advocates, Peter shares his remarkable journey. From growing up in Denmark and starting his first business at just 16 years old, to moving to the UK aged 20 with little more than ambition and a determination to succeed, he reflects on his career. He looks back on building successful shipping businesses, the challenges of business partnerships, the lessons learned from adversity and how Danbrit grew from a dining-room operation into one of the region's leading logistics companies.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers from Hull, Yorkshire and beyond.#ThePacecast #Danbrit #Logistics #Shipping #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #Leadership #Humber #Hull #YorkshireBusiness #SupplyChain #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #HullBusiness #LogisticsIndustry #UKBusiness #PaceCommunications

“Until every single learner and every single community is served the way they need to be served, it won’t be right.”In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita Pace is joined by Debra Gray CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Hull College.Debra shares her remarkable journey from growing up in poverty in Sheffield to becoming one of the UK’s most respected leaders in further education. She opens up about her difficult childhood, the teachers who changed the direction of her life and how education became both her purpose and passion.From being the first in her family to sit exams and attend university, to leading colleges across the Humber region and receiving both an MBE and CBE for services to education, Debra reflects on the resilience, determination and values that shaped her leadership style.This is an honest and inspiring conversation about social mobility, leadership, inclusion, ambition and the life-changing power of education.Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share for more inspiring conversations with leaders making an impact.#podcast #education #leadership #hullcollege #socialmobility #business #hull #yorkshire #pacecast #inspiration

"If the opportunity doesn’t exist, why not create it yourself?"In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita Pace is joined by Stephen Kenwright, marketing leader, agency founder and former co-owner of Rise at Seven.Stephen shares his journey from growing up in a working-class mining village to leading one of the UK’s fastest-growing marketing agencies. He reflects on early career struggles, the moment he realised traditional paths weren’t for him and how bold decisions shaped his success.From landing major clients within weeks, scaling to over 100 employees in just a few years and navigating burnout and exit decisions, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build and sell a successful agency.This is an insightful and unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience and knowing when to step away.

Sometimes all it takes is one experience to change a child’s future."In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita Pace is joined by Rose James, Chief Executive of Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, for an inspiring conversation about confidence, career change and the power of opportunity.Rose shares her journey from primary school teacher to leading one of the region’s most impactful charities, helping thousands of children each year discover new experiences, raise their aspirations and believe in their potential. She reflects on the bold decisions that shaped her career, the realities of leading a charity in challenging economic times and the powerful stories that remind her why the work matters.This episode is an honest and uplifting conversation about leadership, resilience and creating opportunities for the next generation.00:02 Introducing Rose James – CEO of Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University01:06 The newspaper article that started it all (645 applicants for one job)03:55 Overcoming shyness and gaining confidence05:15 Studying psychology at the University of Hull07:00 Teacher training and early career09:23 What Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University does11:32 The history of Children’s University12:32 Joining the charity in an admin role12:56 Moving into fundraising15:23 The “mile of money” fundraising idea17:40 Hull City of Culture themed ball20:05 Becoming CEO24:15 Saffron’s story - how a trip to London changed her life27:52 Advice for someone starting a charity29:09 Working with the business community30:08 Advice to her younger self33:25 Best advice she’s ever received🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share for more inspiring conversations with leaders making a difference.#business #podcast #businessgrowth #leadership #pacecast #charity #hull #university #marketing #marketingstrategy

"Leadership isn't about title, it's about the impact you leave behind."In this episode of The Pacecast, Anita Pace is joined by Sean Royce, former Chief Executive of Quickline, for a reflective and insightful conversation on leadership, career highs and knowing when it's time to step aside. Sean looks back on a successful career in telecoms and infrastructure, sharing the moments that shaped his leadership style, the challenges of leading through growth and change and the lessons learned along the way. This is a thoughtful episode on leadership, identity, and career evolution offering an inspiring listen for anyone navigating senior leadership or thinking about their next chapter.#Leadership #Legacy #BusinessGrowth #Pacecast #Telecoms #Business

In this festive year-end episode of The Pacecast, Anita Pace is joined by Adam Foy, Chief Executive of Groupe Atlantic UK, for an open and engaging conversation on leadership, career growth and navigating change.Together, they explore what success really means over time, the value of patience and the realities of leading through change - making this a thoughtful and fitting close to the Pacecast year.#Podcast #Pacecast #creativeagency #podcastclips #marketingdigital #business #businesspodcast

"People think success happens overnight, but mine was built on graft, grief, and a bit of luck."In this episode of The Pacecast, legendary playwright John Godber shares the extraordinary story behind one of Britain’s most performed writers. From failing the 11+ to unexpected tragedy, breakthroughs in drama, and winning an Olivier Award, John’s life is a testament to resilience, creativity, and reinvention.