
The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business
The Green Room by Deloitte is an award-winning podcast exploring the topics that matter most in business.
Each episode we ask one big question about the world around us that’s affecting business. From climate to technology, inclusion to the future of work and much more, we’ll call on experts and great research from our firm and beyond to find the answers that business is debating.
We’ll ask questions like: Can AI help us be more human? Is technology our planet’s best hope? Are leaders born or made? And do elections change anything?
No matter what level of business you’re at or industry you work in, The Green Room aims to provide a broad look at a variety of areas.
Join us in The Green Room every other Tuesday for the best conversations on the topics that matter most in business. A podcast from Deloitte.
Latest episodes

Jul 10, 2024 • 1min
Bigger Questions: What’s The Power of Being First?
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.

Jun 25, 2024 • 40min
Does how we play as children affect our career? With Christian Pau and Emma Franklin
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

Jun 4, 2024 • 42min
How do we close the funding gap? With Sophie Winwood and Jodi Birkett
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

May 21, 2024 • 48min
Will music festivals ever be sustainable? With Sam Booth and Ed Shedd
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

May 7, 2024 • 41min
What makes a champion? With Hannah Cockroft OBE and Nile Wilson
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

Apr 23, 2024 • 42min
Are we asking the right questions about AI? With Sam Everington and Isabel Parker
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

Mar 12, 2024 • 41min
How do we fuel our future? With Alistair Dormer and Susan McDonald
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.

Feb 27, 2024 • 40min
Do elections change anything? With Caroline Flint and Ian Stewart
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

Feb 13, 2024 • 46min
How do we stay safe online? With Amanda Storey and Nick Seeber
Can you imagine your life without the internet? It’s a platform that’s brought about enormous benefits over the years. The internet has opened up opportunities for millions of us worldwide, from being able to find information and expressing ourselves to transforming the way we do business. But for kids, the internet can sometimes be a confusing, upsetting, or a scary place, and figuring out how to stay safe online is an important skillset for children to gain. In this episode, we’re joined by Amanda Storey, Managing Director, Trust & Safety at Google EMEA and Nick Seeber who leads our Global Internet Regulation offering. Tune in to find out: The role of the internet, how it’s evolved and the challenges around regulation How both Amanda and Nick are driving regulation in their own work The role of education, business and internet companies on kids’ online safety The safety measures and regulation processes we can implement for a better future 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: Amanda Storey, Managing Director, Trust & Safety at Google EMEA and Nick Seeber, Deloitte’s Global Internet Regulation lead. Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Jan 30, 2024 • 40min
What are the new survival skills? With Bear Grylls and Shilpa Shah
Once we huddled around campfires, now we huddle around phone screens. Once we hunted and gathered, now there’s an app for that. Once we used the stars to navigate the wild, now we’re in a digital jungle. Modern technology has managed to make our lives easier and more complicated all at the same time. And then there’s the emerging technology to keep up with too. What skills do we need to be able to manage this constant change? How do we make sure no one gets left behind? And what about the things that can’t be taught through a screen? For this episode, we’re joined by Bear Grylls OBE, adventurer and broadcaster, and Shilpa Shah, Digital Transformation Director at Deloitte, as we ask: What are the new survival skills? Tune in to find out: The technology that saved Bear while he was out in the wilderness Why the skills that we need to survive have changed over time What ‘a survivor attitude’ is and how to have one How we can ensure everyone has the skills to survive – and to thrive Guests: Bear Grylls OBE, adventurer and broadcaster, and Shilpa Shah, Digital Transformation Director at Deloitte 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 Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Annie Wong Original music: Ali Barrett