Unicorn Podcast

In episode 42, Simon talks to Hayley Peacock. She is the Managing Director and Owner of Little Barn Owls Nursery group in West Sussex, her Horsham setting being awarded Nursery World UK Nursery of the Year in 2015/16. Her three nurseries are Reggio Emilia Inspired Forest and Farm Schools, the largest being based on a farm and is home to 20 animals including pigs, chickens and ducks that children look after every day, and another bring a full time forest school. Hayley’s newest and most exciting project is the opening of ATELIER 21 FUTURE SCHOOL – a revolutionary new school for children 4-16 years old which is planned to open in September 2020 which will be inspired by project -based learning, Guy Claxton’s Learning Power Approach and the Reggio Emilia Approach. A blend of academic workshops, outdoor learning through Wild Friday’s and time for Self – Directed Learning and Entrepreneurship projects gives pupils a holistic, experiential education where they are supported and developed to make progress in the skills they will need to compete and thrive in the 21st Century.

In Episode 41, Simon talks to Spencer Matthews. Spencer is the Founder & CEO of The Clean Liquor Co and keen investor in start-ups and early growth companies. The development of The Clean Liquor Co. has been a long and personal journey. CleanGin - their first product, represents everything they stand for, a complex and beautifully produced liquid in a stunning bottle that will stand the test of time as a classic drink. Why Clean? Spencer felt that describing what they offer as “Clean” was a more positive approach than the often negative connotation surrounding No & Low alcohol. It makes for an easier bar call and more sense for people like me who drink less, or not at all as part of a cleaner lifestyle. They strive to create the most authentic products in this exciting new category and will continue to experiment across other key spirits and more.

In episode 40, Simon talks to Frederick "Fritz" Demopoulos. He has been an entrepreneur and investor within the media and internet industries for over 10 years. He co-founded Qunar.com, China's largest travel internet company; and Shawei.com, China's largest sports internet company. Fritz also had senior positions at Netease and The News Corporation.

In Episode 39, Simon speaks to Maximilian Von Poelnitz. Maximilian is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and start up advisor. He has spent 10 years in Asia both in Hong Kong and Singapore. Following business school at INSEAD, he launched his first venture in food e-commerce in 2011. By 2015, his 4th start up - delivery only cloud kitchen NOSH - received funding from Alibaba Entrepreneur Fund. More recently, he started a food tech fund called New Territory Ventures that focuses on angel investments in the future of food. Max is passionate about food tech, supply chain management software, and alternative food sources.

In episode 38, Simon talks to Jonathan Sattin. He is founder of triyoga – London’s leading centre for yoga, pilates and treatments. In 1985, Jonathan was a senior partner in his own west end law practice – and relied on coffee and cigarettes to deal with stress until a colleague introduced him to yoga. He launched triyoga having raised the funds via a group of investors. David Svendsen, who was then Chairman of Microsoft, was a supporter from early on triyoga which was founded in Primrose Hill in 2000. There are now centres in Camden, Soho, Chelsea, Ealing and Shoreditch.

In Episode 37, Simon speaks to Sarah Jane Ho. Sara opened China’s first finishing school in Beijing in 2012. Inspired by her mother whom she saw create magic moments and give people a sense of belonging through entertaining, Sara continued her legacy by combining her passion for social with a market need in China for etiquette. She is empowering women in China to live a more confident and positive life at work and home.

In episode 36, Simons talks to Peter Goodman. Peter is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor and avid golfer. Since selling Brighter Option (http://social.com) Peter is now taking on the insurance world with a new start up Aventus.

Adele is a Malaysian-born American film and television producer and screenwriter for the 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians. She has also given her support to young writers as mentor and speaker to the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE). Adele is known for her writing on TV series such as One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected, Reign, Star-Crossed, Private Practice and Lethal Weapon. She is also best known for being recruited by Disney to develop an animated feature film "Raya and the Last Dragon", which is coming soon.

In episode 34, Simon talks to Girish Jhunjhnuwala. Girish is the entrepreneur, founder and visionary behind Ovolo Hotels in Hong Kong and Australia. In 2002, he quite literally stumbled into his first service apartment, bringing a new, refreshed outlook on the definition of modern hospitality. Since then, Girish has continued to challenge industry conventions, riding the wave of change by transitioning into a boutique hotel brand in October 2010. Under Girish’s leadership, Ovolo has grown into a diversified international brand with a collection of ten designer properties.

In episode 33, Simon talks to David Yeung. David has pioneered a one-of-a-kind integrated platform that engages and empowers millions of people, along with public and private sectors, towards green awareness, action and economy. His work earns him the award of “Social Entrepreneur of the Year” by the World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation. Other honors and recognitions include “Roddenberry Prize” and “Ten Outstanding Young Persons Hong Kong”. As an iconic environmentalist and entrepreneur, David has spoken at the World Economic Forum, Milken Institute Summit, TEDx, as well as financial and academic institutions such as Credit Suisse, UBS and UCLA. He is a graduate of Columbia University, an Ashoka Fellow and the author of a number of best-selling books on Zen wisdom and mindfulness.