Many of us can relate to taking pride in performing to the highest level we’re capable of. Writing the best essay we can at school. Running that 5k in the park against the clock every Saturday. Nailing our first 100 days in the new job, even if we’re still learning. Doing the best we can – every single day.   But what does it take to be the best you can be? And perhaps more importantly, how do you do it consistently?   Sport and business. There’s been no shortage of comparisons between the two over the years – think ‘winning as a team’ or ‘crushing the competition’. But if we really want to understand what it takes to ‘win at business’, chances are we’ll need to look a little deeper.   Tune in to find out:   Who listens to ‘This is me’ to get pumped? The reasons Joanna thinks people in business should rest like athletes How to cope with pressure and deal with the inevitable setbacks Why getting a dog might just be the answer to anything?   Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts   Guests: Laura Kenny CBE, Team GB cyclist and Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian and Joanna Lockard, senior manager in Deloitte Leadership, within our Human Capital Consulting practice.   Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston   Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio   Original music: Ali Barrett           

What does it mean to be responsible? There’s no right answer. In fact, it’s easy to get it wrong.   Every day we make decisions. Driven by what we believe in. What we stand for. And our sense of purpose.   In our personal lives, it might be showing up for our best friend when they need us, paying our bills on time, and educating ourselves on the big issues in the world around us.   In business, it might be stepping up as an ally for minority groups, volunteering our time and skills to support charity partners, and making sure our actions help protect rather than harm the environment.   The lines between our personal and professional lives are blurring. The things we care about at home have a place at work – and vice versa. And the days where being a responsible business were just one team’s job are over. In fact, it’s becoming an integral part of doing business today – part of who a company really is.   Tackling the climate crisis. Responding to the impact of the pandemic. Speaking out for social justice. Addressing inequality. Improving access to education and employment. Building skills in society. From big business to government, sustainable start-ups to social enterprises, and everything in between, any business can take positive action for people and the planet.   That's not to say it’s always easy. Looking at the future and thinking we can do better takes perseverance. Chances are, it might be the road less travelled. It might seem like a big risk. But if it’s the right decision, it’s worth it (yes, also commercially).   So how do businesses make social impact part of everyday decisions? Inclusive decisions. Impactful decisions. Hard decisions. Little ones. Big ones.   What does it mean to be a responsible business? Is there a formula for doing it right? And to get there, do you have to do it all?  Tune in to find out: How the pandemic gave the Belu team the gift of time Why customers are voting with their feet Which of our guests set up a fair in their garden to raise money as a child Why Natalie thinks the challenger brands are going to grow the fastest     Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations and to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts   Guests: Natalie Campbell, Co-CEO of Belu Water, and Claire Burton, Head of Responsible Business at Deloitte UK   Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth   Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio   Original music: Ali Barrett  

Vehicles running on clean electricity for miles. It seemed like something out of a movie – until it wasn’t.​ The modern car invented by Karl Benz and produced for the masses by Henry Ford has changed the world. Mobility. Convenience. Status. Freedom. And lots of emotion. Everyone has a story about their first car or that epic road trip down the coast.​ But there’s a new player on the market. It drastically cuts emissions, fuel costs and maintenance. It’s hailed by many as a key step in our journey to net zero. Initially, electric cars were reserved for the happy few who could afford the hefty price tag. And there was the charging anxiety to deal with too – what if the battery runs out mid route?​ The number of electric cars remains small versus the fossil-fuelled alternatives, but things are changing. The pandemic disrupted the traditional car markets and some are saying we’ve reached peak petrol. In fact, 1 in 2 people are already considering an electric vehicle. And the UK government has confirmed a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. ​ So what’s it going to take for all of us to switch to electric? Charging infrastructure continues to be top of mind for eco-warriors. And when is the right time to make the switch? Can we actually afford it? Does it suit our lifestyle?​ What about cuts to subsidies – how will they affect sales? How can businesses best embrace the financial and environmental benefits – think deliveries and company cars? What can we learn from other countries? And what does an all electric world look like?​ Tune in to find out: Who used to drive around in a yellow Datsun Cherry George’s special formula for a great family car Why Jamie thinks more and more people are keen Who helped Daksh choose his next car   Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts   Guests: Daksh Gupta, Group Executive Officer of Marshall Motor Group and Jamie Hamilton, head of electric vehicles at Deloitte Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett    

We’ve seen female leaders applauded for their responses to the global pandemic. Female activists driving the agenda on climate change, period poverty and everything in between. And laws being reformed in support of gender equality all around the world. From politics to the boardroom, women are flipping the narrative that empathy and warmth indicate weakness. They’re telling other women looking up at them – if I can do it, you can do it too. There’s lots to celebrate. And we’ve come so far. But there’s still lots to do. We live in a world where more women are in poverty. Girls are more likely to drop out of school. And at work, women are less likely to be in leadership roles and subject to different rules. So what’s it like to break through into the spaces men dominate? How does it feel to be outnumbered? What can we learn from those who’ve done it? And why are there rules that need breaking anyway? To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re joined by Katie Houldsworth, Deloitte UK’s Women on Boards lead, and Suzie de Rohan Willner, CEO of slow fashion brand Toast, to find out how women are writing their own narrative in the workplace and beyond.  Tune in to our International Women’s Day special to find out: Why there’s more to success than just working hard Who Katie's and Suzie’s female role models are Why it’s important to speak up and claim your ideas What rules our guests are rewriting   Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Guests: Katie Houldsworth, South East Public Audit group lead and Women on Boards lead at Deloitte UK, and Suzie de Rohan Willner, CEO of Toast Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett    

We’re all looking for a little hope at the moment. Since we launched The Green Room two years ago, we’ve seen the world around us change in so many ways. We wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect on some of the incredible conversations we’ve been lucky enough to take part in. As we look back over the 29 episodes we’ve recorded, we realised that there are so many reasons to be hopeful and excited about the future. That those glimmers of light have been there all along, even when they’ve felt hard to see. Innovative new technologies are helping to repair our oceans. Inspiring role models are talking openly about their struggles with mental health, helping to make things better for the next generation of leaders. Working parents are learning to find a new balance, to put their families first. Kids are learning to code. Brands are learning to put purpose first. We’re finally making real progress in tackling systemic racism in business and society. Our cities are getting smarter. We’re listening to young people and setting the stage for their success. We’re building a world we can be proud to be a part of. We’ve spent over 19 hours chatting to 50 different guests, from CEOs to apprentices to activists. We’ve answered icebreakers about our favourite ice cream, our dream holidays and our happiest memories. We’ve started our very own blog and won a few awards too. And we’ve had a lot of laughs along the way. So this week, we’re looking back on all the reasons we’ve learnt to be hopeful over the last two years. Our three hosts will take you through the best of The Green Room so far, as they tackle this week’s big question: is there light at the end of the tunnel?   Hosts: George Parrett, Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett      

They say money makes the world go round. And it’s not untrue. At the very least, it keeps our washing machines going round, the wheels on our cars spinning and the hours you clock in at work ticking. But if money is so embedded in our lives, why don’t we talk about it more? Why is it so hard to understand? And why are some people excluded when it comes to matters of finance? As children, we’re taught it’s rude to ask how much something costs. For many, it’s a taboo subject. Or even just unspoken. But when you don’t speak about money, you can’t learn about it. And what we learn in childhood informs what we know and what we can access when we're adults.  Once you’re outside the financial system, it’s hard to find your way in. Many of us didn’t learn about credit or mortgages and are stumped with where to start. Some of us aren’t sure how to budget or save, and some don’t have access to bank accounts at all. So where does the responsibility lie? Why are certain groups of people more likely to be left out? And what does the future look like? Money, it’s a funny old thing. And it’s definitely not a one-sided coin. Tune in to find out: What’s left in George’s drinks cabinet after Christmas Why we need to take a personalised approach to financial education What the biggest barrier to investment is How far Lucy and Jill think we’ve already come   Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Guests: Lucy Traynor, Deloitte’s Better Banking Lead, and Jill Jackson, Managing Director at The Big Exchange Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett      

It’s hard to think of a part of our lives that isn’t impacted by technology. It’s made our world more connected. Our work easier to do. Limitless choice at our fingertips. But it’s also contributed to a society that consumes more resources than ever before. We replace instead of repair. We upgrade instead of keep. We follow trends rather than embrace the timeless. Are these technologies enough to make a real difference? Or are they just a piece of the puzzle? What changes do we all need to make to create a healthier planet? And how can we empower others to embrace change too? How do we stay positive and focus on the future while our planet feels like it’s falling apart? How can we inspire action through hope instead of despair? Is it time to finally change the narrative? To help answer, we’re joined by Colin Butfield, Executive Director, Our Planet – WWF, and Siobhan Gardiner, Deloitte Ventures’ Climate Studio Lead.    Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Guests: Colin Butfield, Executive Director of Our Planet, WWF, and Siobhan Gardner, Climate Studio Lead, Deloitte Ventures Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett    

Hands up if you had a trip cancelled because of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to evolve, spending time abroad, exploring that new city or walking along a deserted beach may have to wait a little longer. Since lockdown, some of us have been discovering our local areas. Others probably need a holiday now more than ever. We can’t imagine a future without travel. It’s a fundamental part of human history. It sustains families and economies. It makes us see the world differently (and up until earlier this year, made us lose countless hours on Instagram…). But there are many questions about the sustainability of the way we travelled before this pandemic. From mass tourism to business travel, many of us worry about the impact on the environment and local communities. So where do we go from here? For this episode, we’re joined by Andreas Scriven, a hospitality and leisure industry expert, and Ian Taylor, executive editor at Travel Weekly to find out. What will happen to the empty hotels and airlines in distress? How do companies cater for the future of travel? Will we finally see better environmental strategies? What will be the key for success? And how are we changing as a society? What kind of experiences will travellers be looking for? Are business trips a thing of the past? And as hard as it’s been - is COVID-19 the perspective we need for better travel going forward? Tune in to find out: Why rocky road is Lizzie’s favourite ice cream Ian’s predictions on when we’ll next be travelling again Why Andreas wants to see hotels review their light switches Why they both feel confident about the future Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts Guests: Andreas Scriven and Ian Taylor Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

Humans are funny creatures. We wake up and brew ourselves a cuppa, using only our favourite teabags of course. We butter our bread using our favourite spreads (or not, you love it or you hate it after all) and we message our friends on our mobiles, the same make we’ve had for the last decade. Some of these brands have been around for generations. But we keep going back for more. And it doesn’t make it easy for the new kids on the block. So why exactly do we have such an emotional connection to them? Are we all just creatures of habit, easily charmed… or is there more to it? We speak to our Chief Marketing Officer, Annabel Rake, and Johan Bello from creative design agency ACNE to find out. Tune in to hear: Why purpose is about more than just a fancy slogan How Johan helped design Ikea’s answer to Balenciaga What Lizzie’s learnt from playing the logo game And why our teabags need to do more than make a good brew   Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Guests: Annabel Rake, Chief Marketing Officer at Deloitte UK and North and South Europe, and Johan Bello, Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director at ACNE. Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

How often do you think about race? If you’re white, chances are – rarely. That’s because you’re unlikely to be the only person in a room who looks like you. If you’re Black, race defines your experience from the day you are born. The street you grow up in. The school you attend. The friends you make. The jobs you go for. We might say we don’t see colour, but our skin marks every aspect of our lives. The recent Black Lives Matter protests shocked many into paying attention to the systemic racism endured by Black people for centuries. In the UK, we realised it was much closer to home than we wanted to believe. The same goes for our firm. October is Black History Month – an annual celebration of the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK. It’s a time to honour and celebrate Black Britishness. Black heroes. Black talent. Creativity. Drive. Passion. But it’s also a time to question and learn. For this episode, two guests help us get under the skin of Black Britishness. They’re both senior professionals in their chosen fields. We talk about what it was like getting their first job. Their experience in the workplace. Did they ever think they got the role because of their skin colour? Were they ever rejected because of it? What’s been the proudest moment of their careers? But they’re also just people. Who did they look up to as kids? When was the first time they experienced racism? Were they told they had to work twice as hard? Does it ever get tiring talking about race? Are they proud to be Black? And British? Tune in to find out: Why George mentioned his lockdown love handles How seeing the first Black British role models on TV impacted Sandra About the responsibility David feels being one of our few Black partners Why Sandra and David are both optimistic about the future   Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts   Guests: David Wallis and Sandra Kerr CBE Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett And a special thanks to our Black network for their support on this episode.