When does a dream become a realistic goal? And once it becomes a goal, how hard is the work to get there? Episode two, in our five-part series, explores when our athletes first realised their dreams could become a reality and the path they took to shape their careers.   How did they come to that decision and what did their friends and family think? How did they decide to make the jump into the unknown and follow their heart? Did they have to overcome thoughts of doubt and what did they tell themselves at the time? In this series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first? ---  Enjoyed this episode? This is episode two in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast. Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast, The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete. Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

Nicola Adams, Natalie du Toit, Sarah Attar and Rose Lokonyen were all first - they share their story in this powerful and emotional documentary. But what does being first actually mean? Winning is a win for one. But firsts are a win for everyone. They unlock something in humanity and move the world forward. Breaking through. Breaking the cycle. Breaking the glass ceiling. Speaking about the power of firsts can change the world. In this series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first? Episode one explores the dreams they had as children and starts to peek at their journeys. Is there something that links these athletes together to help them achieve their firsts? How did their childhoods set them up for success and what were the early signs and memories for those around them? ---  Enjoyed this episode? This is episode one in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast. Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast, The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete. Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

What does being first actually mean? Winning is a win for one. But firsts are a win for everyone. They unlock something in humanity and move the world forward. Breaking through. Breaking the cycle. Breaking the glass ceiling. Speaking about the power of firsts can change the world. This all-new five-part series explores the power of firsts with intimate conversations with four inspiring Paralympians and Olympians who’ve helped change the world by being first. Join them - and us - for the whole series, coming 16 July. ---  The Green Room: Bigger Questions is a five-part series, launching 16 July. Hear the series here or find us on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast, The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts  Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete. Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.  

As we get older, work and play feel worlds apart. But as kids, playing is our job – and many of us played at having jobs.   We set out shops. Operated on our teddies. Cut our dolls’ hair. Explored the outer edges of space in the garden.   And although we might not have gone on to be any of the things that we pretended to be, those early experiments still shaped us into who we are today – and how we work. They gave us the chance to try new things, learn new things and feel new things. But not every child gets those chances. Our freedom to play and develop as children depends on things like financial stability, access to early education and the availability and wellbeing of our parents.   So, we need to take play seriously.   How do we trace the link between our early experiences and our later lives? Is how we played as children, how we work today? And if so, then how do we make sure that all children can play in a way that allows them to learn, grow and develop skills that will shape their future?  That’s what we’re exploring with Christian Pau, Vice President and General Manager for the UK and Ireland at LEGO Group, and Emma Franklin, Director at Deloitte in this episode of The Green Room. Tune in to find out:  What conditions are needed for the very best playtime The most influential factors of our early childhoods Which skills we develop the most through play – and how we use them at work  The one step businesses can take to better support families Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out From Babies With Love here. Guests: Christian Pau from The Lego Group and Emma Franklin from Deloitte Hosts: Annie Wong and Lizzie Elston Original music: Ali Barrett

We all have good ideas. But some of us have to clear more hurdles than others. If you’re a founder, you want to make your ideas happen and grow your business. But it’s not always that easy. If you’re an investor, you want to back the best ideas and companies out there. But are some of those ideas not even landing on your desk in the first place? If you're a female founder, scaling your business should be just as easy as that of your male counterpart. But that isn’t always the case. The question is, why? Only 2% of all VC funding goes to women-led startups. And while the consensus around investment is that it drives economic growth, the funding gap for female founders is still an ongoing challenge. And the numbers back it up. It’s clear we are missing out on brilliant ideas, talent and companies that could add billions to the UK economy. So, where do we go from here? For this episode of The Green Room podcast, we’re joined by Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of Women in Venture Capital: Europe (WVC:E) and Jodi Birkett, UK TMT Leader, as we ask: How do we close the funding gap? Tune in to find out: What the funding gap is and why it exists An insight into why the funding gap needs to close and the benefits Sophie’s experience as both an investor and a founder How we can create more opportunities for founders and less blockers   Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Guests: Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of Women in Venture Capital: Europe (WVC:E) and Jodi Birkett, UK TMT Leader Hosts: Annie Wong and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

The anticipation as the lights drop. The roar of the crowd. The beat of the music. The feeling that you just had to be there – and you were.    Whether it’s the band that you never thought you’d get to see, the music festival that you build your calendar around or the comedian who you’ll quote forever, nothing beats the feeling of seeing it live.   And it’s not just crowd surfing and crowd singing, there’s the corporate side of live events too. The summits. The launches. The awards. All a chance to connect, share ideas and feel part of something bigger.   So, live events matter. But our planet matters too - and there’s no denying that the travel, power and resources involved in staging unforgettable experiences have an impact on it. Is there a way to enjoy one, without sacrificing the other? That’s what we’re exploring with Sam Booth, Director of Sustainability at AEG Europe, and Ed Shedd, European Climate & Sustainability Partner at Deloitte in this episode of The Green Room. Tune in to find out:  The role our favourite artists and venues have to play in saving our planet How the world’s first carbon-removed arena events went down with fans Why live events have the power to change our attitudes and behaviour The one thing we can all do this summer to help make music festivals more sustainable Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out From Babies With Love here: frombabieswithlove.org  Guests: Sam Booth from AEG and Ed Shedd from Deloitte  Hosts: Annie Wong and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Medals. Cheering. Split seconds. Finish lines. Every four years, Olympians and Paralympians come together from around the world and compete on the biggest stage.   That stage is also the last stage. A moment in time. A day when all eyes are on you.   What we don’t often see is what it took to get there. The hard work. The training. The setbacks. Those who helped.   And of course, the wider movement it inspires. Because it’s one thing to be a champion. And another thing to champion something.   So, what can we learn from those who have been there and done it? And what can we take away from it into our everyday lives and work? To find out, we invited not one, but two champions into The Green Room for this special episode:  Hannah Cockroft OBE, seven-time gold medallist at the Paralympic Games, and Nile Wilson, five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic Games bronze medal-winning gymnast. Tune in to find out: Why a champion is more than crossing the line first The hard work that goes on behind the scenes for the Olympic and Paralympic Games The resilience it takes to compete on a global stage How champions can inspire others and start a movement Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK   Guests: Hannah Cockroft OBE, seven-time gold medallist at the Paralympic Games, and Nile Wilson, five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic Games bronze medal-winning gymnast. Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Friend or threat? Help or hindrance? Possibilities or problems? The headlines about artificial intelligence often force us to fit the technology into one of two columns. It’s going to be good or bad. It’s going to be us or the robots. But as with most things in life, it’s not that simple.   Is it time to change the conversation about AI to one that’s less ‘either/or’ and more open? Open to possibilities. Open to change. Open to discussion.   It’s been suggested that AI could bring about as big a transformation as the industrial revolution. So what does this mean for us? For our families? Our work? And our future?  And more importantly, are we asking the right questions that can help us prepare for all of this change – both as businesses and individuals?  That’s what we’re exploring with Sam Everington from Engine by Starling, and Isabel Parker from Deloitte Legal in this episode of The Green Room.   Tune in to find out:  How generative AI is already featuring in our day-to-day lives Why our attitude to AI has changed over time  The factors that influence our trust, or lack of trust, in new technology What we can learn from the banking sector about the successful implementation of AI Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out Loaf Catering here: loafcatering.com  Guests: Sam Everington from Engine by Starling and Isabel Parker from Deloitte Legal Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Industry experts Alistair Dormer and Susan McDonald discuss the challenges and solutions of transforming energy systems towards sustainability by 2050. They explore the UK's shift to renewable energy, global insights on energy transition progress, support for social enterprises, and decarbonizing strategies for a sustainable future.

Every five years, we put a cross on a piece of paper – and put it in a ballot box. It’s a democratic right. A civic duty. An opportunity to have a say on what matters to us in our communities. 2024 is a big year for elections. Because more of us than ever before will be going to the polls around the globe. In the US. The UK. India. Taiwan. Mexico. South Africa. And many more. And there’s a lot at stake – from the rise of the far right and soaring inflation to ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the climate emergency. But voting is one thing. Making change happen, is another altogether. For this episode, we’re joined by Rt Hon Caroline Flint, former MP and Government Minister for the Labour party, and Ian Stewart, Chief Economist at Deloitte, as we ask: Do elections change anything?  Tune in to find out:  What we can learn from past elections to make future elections count How governments can balance short-term issues and long-term challenges Which issues matter most to voters right now How elections impact business – and how businesses can be prepared   Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out Change Please here:  changeplease.org Guests: Rt Hon Caroline Flint, former MP for the Labour party and Advisory Board Member for think tank Reform, and Ian Stewart, Chief Economist at Deloitte Hosts: Ethan Worth and Annie Wong Original music: Ali Barrett