Simon Says

In season 2, episode 29 Simon talks to John O'Brien. John is EMEA Managing Partner at ONE HUNDRED, Omnicom’s ethical purpose consortium consisting of nine of Omnicom’s leading global agencies. John is also a bestselling business author and recognized campaigner with over thirty years of experience leading initiatives covering over twenty countries. John is a senior advisor to business, high net-worth individuals, charities and governments on the interface between business and society, related strategies and communication. During the last ten years he has played a leading role in developing much of the language and thinking around ethical, sustainable purpose in the UK. He is a sought after speaker and commentator on the subject. John’s professional background is varied, starting with a few early years in banking followed by a decade as a British Army Infantry officer, serving in theatres around the world, retiring as a Captain in 1994. His training and operational experience in creating clarity from complex, often chaotic and dangerous situations, acted as a key grounding for his future career and brings wide experience to bear for clients.

In episode 13 of PEP Talk, Simon interviews Ed Hauck. Ed has close to 20 years’ experience in the consumer goods industry. The entrepreneurial seed was planted early, having watched his mother build a successful International market research business when he was a child. Ed began his career at L’Oréal in the branded consumer goods team, he then went onto Levi’s where he launched a new brand with them and then later to Oakley’s where his role involved International business development. Ed launched The Curators in 2017 with co-founder Max Reeves. As a collective of flavour fanatics, they are massive food lovers, and both lead active lifestyles. Everything they have created and will create going forward is underpinned with a balanced nutritional value. Their latest products, Mushroom burgers and Mushroom meatballs, available at Tesco, are entirely unique. As well as being low in saturated fat, a great source of protein, high in fibre and soy free, they are made using a unique manufacturing process that delivers an incredible 86% mushroom content. This is what gives the burgers their uniquely meaty texture and umami. The products are juicy, subtly spiced, deliciously nutritious and packed with more mushroom than anything than has come before.

In season 2, episode 28 Simon interviews Joe Foster. Joe founded Reebok in 1958 with his late brother Jeff, following their family heritage back to 1895. Joe's Grandfather, also Joseph W Foster, pioneered the spiked running shoe and famously made shoes for the Worlds best athletes of the early 20th century, with World records and Olympics Gold Medals. Wearing (pumps) made by J W Foster & Sons Ltd, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won Olympic Gold Medals in the 1928 Paris Olympics and were immortalised in the film ‘Chariots of Fire’. With Reebok they followed in his footsteps, with Olympic, Commonwealth and European medals and World record breaking performances, represented now by the range of Reebok Classics.

In episode 12 of PEP Talk, Simon talks to Craig Fenton. Craig is a business leader and entrepreneur who has worked in the technology industry for 20 years. He leads Strategy & Operations for Google in UK and Southern Europe, is an investor in and mentor of several start ups, and founded his own record label to give young artists from lower socio economic areas their start in music. Craig has a podcast and YouTube channel called Coffee, Eggs & Inspiration where he interviews inspiring leaders about their story. Craig grew up in New Zealand and lives in London, where he and his family have been based now for more than 20 years.

In season 2, episode 27 Simon interviews Victor Lugger. Victor Lugger is the co-founder and CEO of Big Mamma Group and Sunday App. Being at the head of 26 very popular Italian restaurants across Europe, including La Felicità on our campus, Victor is embarking on a new FinTech adventure with his Big Mamma co-founder, Tigrane Seydoux, and their new partner, Christine de Wendel, to reinvent the way that people pay in restaurants. The trio recently announced a $24 million seed round for their new company Sunday App.

In episode 11 of PEP Talk, Simon interviews Ilana Lever. Ilana is co-founder and co-CEO of Motley, the challenger jewellery brand with a industry-first supply chain model to make great design affordable. Starting her career as a management consultant, she went on to work for consumer and retail brands including Argos, innocent and itsu, before diving headlong into the start up world.

In season 2, episode 26 Simon interviews Justine Roberts. Justine Roberts CBE is Founder and CEO of Mumsnet, one of the UK’s largest and most influential online communities sharing advice, support and product recommendations with over 7 million unique users per month. Justine is a non-executive director of FTSE100 insurance firm Admiral and of the Open Data Institute founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. She is also a member of the Government’s Rose Review Board. In 2011, Justine launched Gransnet, a website for the original baby boomer generation. She is a mother of four (and two dogs) and was appointed CBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the economy.

In episode 10 of PEP Talk, Simon interviews Oliver Prill. Oliver joined Tide in 2018 and has led its rapid scaling into the UK’s leading business financial platform. He has over 20 years leadership experience in financial services, having worked across the banking and insurance sectors, including starting his own financial services company. In many of his roles, Oliver has worked closely with small business owners and has always been inspired by their energy and passion. Oliver is adamant about putting founders at the forefront of Tide’s agenda and bringing a better business banking service to small businesses. Enter to win £25,000: https://www.tide.co/beyourownboss/

In season 2, episode 25 Simon interviews Shara Tochia. Prior to launching wellness brand DOSE, Shara had a career in marketing roles working for brands Ralph Lauren, Facebook, Instagram & fitness startup 1Rebel. She now runs DOSE full time & teaches spinning classes in the early morning hours. Creating a brand with feeling good at the heart of the business, Shara’s career has taught her many lessons about what balance and happiness means to her.

In episode 9 of PEP Talk, Simon interviews Michael Krayenhoff. Michael is co-founder and COO of Inner Circle, a high quality dating app focussed on helping people meet IRL. Prior to this, Michael worked for a consultancy in Singapore. He studied Industrial Engineering and Management in The Netherlands, followed by an MSc in Entrepreneurship at Royal Holloway University of London. At Inner Circle Michael is responsible for anything from team and culture to support and legal.