When our CEO Richard Houston took on the role in 2019, he spoke to our hosts about starting a new job and preparing for his next step. He was prepared for a challenging year, with uncertainty around Brexit, the ongoing audit debate and the pressures of life at the top. But what he couldn’t predict was a global pandemic. A pandemic that would turn our lives upside down and change the world forever. Last time we spoke to Richard, we asked him if starting a new job ever gets easier. Now, we’re wondering if the first year of a new job has ever been harder. There’s no playbook for 2020. So how have business leaders navigated through it? What’s it been like behind the scenes, as they’ve had to make tough decisions to protect their businesses and their people? And what’s next? What does the world look like five years from now? Can we keep going as before? Or is change inevitable? How do we focus on what matters most? And where can we make the biggest impact? How do we put sustainability at the heart of our business and inclusion at the forefront of our recovery? And is technology the key to helping us build a better future? This week’s big question: One year on: did anything go to plan?   Hosts: George Parrett, Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Guest: Richard Houston, CEO Deloitte UK and NSE Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

At 23:00 on January 31, three years and four months after the EU referendum, the UK officially stopped being a member of the EU.  In that time, we’ve had three prime ministers and two general elections, with countless disagreements, debates and unexpected turns along the way. Newspapers around the world kept us up to date with daily headlines. Families across the country banned the B-word from their dinner tables. Businesses scrambled to prepare for every possible eventuality. And the fate of wonky bananas sparked many a heated conversation. But is it really all over? Can we finally stop talking about it? Or are we only just getting started? What’s actually changed and what’s still to come? What might our future trade deals look like and why do they matter? How much can we prepare in advance? And what happens if we don’t? These aren’t easy questions to answer. But luckily for our hosts George and Ethan, we’re joined by two people who just might know where to start - Amanda Tickel, our Global Brexit Lead, and Raoul Ruparel, former special adviser to the Prime Minister on Europe, and now adviser to our Global Brexit Insights team. Tune in to find out: Why pet passports could be at risk; All about Raoul’s experience living through the negotiations; How Amanda never envisioned a career as Brexit lead; Why George would like to set up a pub on a desert island.   Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Guests: Amanda Tickel and Raoul Ruparel Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

Businesses are adapting to our changing purchasing habits driven by conscious consumerism. Supermarkets are reducing packaging, thrifting is on the rise, and companies are pressured to be sustainable. The podcast discusses the impact of individual actions and consumer choices, the significance of physical stores for conscious consumers, and the unique concept of a pop-up shop for grassroots projects. The guests share their expertise on changing consumer needs and the Choose Love pop-up shop, where customers can buy items and know that the proceeds go towards those in need. Ways to get involved with Choose Love are also discussed.

We live in a data-driven world. And it would be pretty difficult to exist in it without sharing information about who we are and what we like. But are we trading our privacy for the convenient life data gives us? How far are we willing to go? Where is this valuable information going? And what happens when it all goes wrong? For our first episode of season three, we’re discussing something about ourselves that we give away every day, often without realising – data. Joining our hosts George and Ethan to dive into our latest big question are Peter Gooch, Cyber Risk Services partner and Susie Sharawi, a director in our Risk Advisory practice. Tune in to find out: What a cyber attack has to do with stuffed crust pizza Why Susie think millennials are becoming more data savvy What surprises Ethan found out about George online Why Peter saved all of his GDPR mailing list emails   Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Guests: Peter Gooch and Susie Sharawi Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

Back in 2016, economists said Brexit was unlikely to happen and the media reported that Hillary Clinton was a safe bet for the US presidency. Since then, it’s fair to say that world events have taken an unexpected turn. But why didn’t we see it coming? Did the experts really get it wrong or are we being unfair? In an ever evolving business and economic landscape, is certainty now a thing of the past? Is there any point in making predictions at all? This week George and Lizzie are joined by leading business journalist, James Ashton, and Deloitte’s chief economist, Ian Stewart, to find the answer to our latest big question: why do the experts keep getting it wrong?   Tune in to find out why: Economists just want to be popular Ian thinks forecasts are an expression of hope George reads a lot of children’s literature We’re all swimming in a river of fake news   Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Guests: Ian Stewart and James Ashton Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

From smarter healthcare to remote working, there’s no doubt that technology has had a positive impact on our lives. But there are downsides too. In an always-on world, how is constant connection affecting our mental and physical health? Or is it too early to tell? As our lives move online, how can we be sure that businesses are keeping our data secure? Should we completely switch off from technology, or could we not live without it? This week, we’re diving into the world of technology to look at whether it’s really making our lives better. Joining our hosts George and Lizzie are Paul Lee, UK partner and Head of Global Research for Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) and Libby Cousins, partner at Deloitte Digital UK and marketing practice lead. Tune in to find out: What Lizzie’s favourite smartphone app is and why If George’s vegetable box deliveries are doing more harm than good Libby’s views on how businesses can keep our data as secure as possible Why Paul thinks technology connectivity is like a game of KerPlunk Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Guests: Paul Lee and Libby Cousins Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett    

Tax forms. Mortgages. Pensions. Most of us have to deal with them at some point in our lives, but do we really understand them? We all know we’ll have to take control of our finances when we ‘grow up’, but we don’t always know where to start. In fact, our research shows that most people in the UK do not understand their personal tax affairs, with the younger generations the most confused. So why are we leaving them to fend for themselves? Is a lack of financial understanding holding young people back? What about those of us still struggling? Will we ever get to grips with it all? Is the tax system really that complicated? Do we understand what we’re paying towards? And why does it matter anyway?   Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Guests: Dan Lyons and Gemma Tetlow Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

Today’s younger generation are the most informed, educated, connected generation in human history, with a lot of ideas too. Every day, we’re seeing young activists hitting the headlines in their drive make the world a better place. But are young people really more engaged, or do they just have a bigger platform? Are we listening to them in the workplace and society? And how do we balance this energy with experience and break down generational barriers? This week, we’re discussing whether we’re taking the voices of today’s younger generation seriously enough. Our hosts George and Ethan are joined by Annie Wong, Assistant Manager in Financial Advisory and UK One Young World delegate and Kate Robertson, Co-Founder of One Young World. Tune in to find out: How social platforms are changing the way we’re listening to young people  How far Ethan can walk on his hands while doing a handstand How Kate believes young leaders can benefit business and society What Annie’s most excited about at the One Young World summit   Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Guests: Kate Robertson and Annie Wong Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett  

Comical stereotypes of dads often show fatherhood as a bit of fun. Think dad dancing, dad jokes, dad bods and daddy day care. But with more dads than ever before now actively involved in parenting, is this really the case? Are we fuelling these stereotypes by treating working parents differently? And why are people still surprised when dads do decide to take on an active parenting role? How can workplaces help today’s working fathers to look after their wellbeing and get that work-family life balance? This week, we’re discussing whether today’s working fathers really do have it easy. Our hosts George and Lizzie, both working parents, are joined by Jim Bloomfield, director in Clients & Industries, and Han-Son Lee, founder of DaddiLife. Tune in to find out: How Jim balanced work and parenting when transitioning back into the workplace  What happened when George’s daughter Daisy was given ‘jitter glitter’  What our research with DaddiLife revealed is important to today’s working dads  How many miles Jim was able to run with his pram and son Seb in it   Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Guests: Jim Bloomfield and Han-Son Lee Technical support: Deloitte’s Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett    

We all have mental health, in the same way we all have physical health. So why do we only talk about it when something goes wrong? Why don’t we look after our mental health until we have to? And why are we more likely to make time to go to the gym than we are to take time out for our mental wellbeing? Is it time we stopped talking about mental and physical health and just talked about ‘health’ instead? This week, ahead of World Mental Health Day, we’re joined by Steve Larke, consulting partner and mental health ambassador, and Geoff McDonald, ex VP of Unilever and mental health campaigner. Tune in to find out: Why Geoff believes talking about mental health saved his life How Steve prioritises wellbeing at work Why Ethan would like to be Prime Minister for a day How mental and physical health are interlinked   Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Guests: Steve Larke and Geoff McDonald Technical support: Deloitte’s creative studio Original music: Ali Barrett