Change Makers: Leadership, Good Business, Ideas and Innovation

In this episode of Change Makers, Michael Hayman is joined by journalist and author Cathy Newman. Best known as one of Channel 4’s leading broadcasters, Cathy shares the lesser-known story of her lifelong love affair with music - and it’s one with strings attached.  From a childhood spark - a stray violin brought home during a bout of chickenpox - to performing in the parliamentary String Quartet, music remained a constant companion. Yet journalism became her stage, and Cathy reflects on the rhythm, focus, and listening both disciplines demand. Recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cathy reflects on her early musical experiences, the challenges of being a woman in media, and her advocacy for music education through Music for All. Along the way, she shows how passion, perseverance, and listening deeply - whether to a piece of music or a person - can shape both life and work.

In this episode of Journeys of Discovery, Michael Hayman sits down with internationally renowned violinist and author, Min Kym. A child prodigy who found her voice through the violin, Min shares the extraordinary story of her deep connection to music - from growing up in a traditional South Korean home to the devastating theft of her beloved Stradivarius. Min reflects on the pressures of early success, the identity crisis that followed the loss of her violin, and how she ultimately found her way back to music. She and Michael discuss the profound relationship between musician and instrument, the emotional weight of artistry, the reality of perfectionism, and the cathartic process of writing her memoir, Gone: A Girl, a Violin, a Life Unstrung.  Recorded at Cadogan Hall in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, this is a conversation about music, talent, and what it takes to begin again. 

Resilience is the new currency of leadership. In a world where misinformation spreads faster than facts, brands, leaders, and governments are being tested like never before. In this episode of Change Makers, we speak to Ben LaBolt, former White House Communications Director and now President at BPI. With experience spanning the West Wing, City Hall, and global boardrooms, Ben shares insights into how organisations can navigate today’s fractured media landscape. At the heart of our conversation is BPI’s Resilience Index - groundbreaking research revealing what separates the brands that survive and thrive from those left vulnerable to misinformation and public mistrust. Drawing on lessons from politics and the private sector, Ben offers a blueprint for how leaders can strengthen their communications and build lasting reputational resilience.

As the world marks another International Women’s Day, we’re still asking the same question: why aren’t there more women in politics? In 2024, nearly half the world’s population held elections, yet we saw the slowest rate of growth in female representation in two decades. What’s holding us back? In this episode of Change Makers, Edie Lush speaks to two powerhouse politicians from opposite sides of the Atlantic: U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat and the first woman to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District in Congress, and Baroness Sandip Verma, a Conservative peer in the UK House of Lords and former chair of the UN Women's national committee for UK.  From breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces to tackling issues like gender bias, childcare, and online harassment, these two leaders share their insights on what it takes for women to rise in politics - and how we can create more opportunities for the next generation. It’s a conversation about leadership, resilience, and why progress for women is progress for everyone.

What does it take to deliver fair and meaningful growth? Joining Michael today on Change Makers is Kate Willard OBE – government-appointed envoy for the Thames Estuary and a champion of fair growth. Kate’s career has been anything but conventional. From starting out  as an actress and director to working in post-Soviet Eastern Europe, her journey is one of bold decisions and a deep commitment to making a difference. Now, as Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board, Kate is on a mission to unlock the potential of one of the UK’s most vital economic regions – driving innovation, attracting investment, and ensuring that growth is both sustainable and fair, ultimately creating 1.3 million jobs, one million homes, and £190 billion in economic value. In this episode, she and Michael discuss why fair growth matters, what it takes to make it a reality, and how her diverse career has shaped her leadership today. Content warning: This podcast episode contains strong language which may not be suitable for all audiences

What if history had taken a different path? In the latest episode of Change Makers, Michael Hayman speaks with Jeff Nussbaum - communications expert, author, and Partner at Bully Pulpit International. Jeff has worked at the highest levels of politics, serving as Senior Speechwriter and Special Assistant to President Joe Biden, and advising leaders like Vice President Al Gore and Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. They sat down at Benjamin Franklin House in London - the world’s only surviving home of the Founding Father - to discuss Jeff’s latest book, Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History.  Join them as they explore Jeff’s insider perspectives on the White House, uncover lessons from history’s untold speeches, and discover how the right words at the right time can change the world.

We’re delighted to introduce a brand new series of Change Makers: Science Shaping the Future, where we’ll be exploring how today’s leading scientists are transforming the world around us – from our daily lives to our careers, and tackling the planet’s biggest challenges. Our first guest is Dr. Angela Naef, Chief Research and Development Officer at Reckitt, the global leader in hygiene, health, and nutrition whose products touch the lives of billions of people every day. With an exceptional career in biotech and health sciences, Angela is at the forefront of Reckitt's mission to drive innovation that not only addresses today's health challenges, but shapes the future of healthier lives worldwide. In this episode, Angela shares her journey in science and the power of curiosity and creativity in innovation. She discusses the role of AI in boosting productivity, the value of diversity of thought, and her mission to empower young women to pursue STEM careers. We’d like to extend a special thanks to Condé Nast for hosting this interview.

In this episode of Change Makers, Michael Hayman sits down with Bradley Akubuiro, Partner at Bully Pulpit International (BPI), to discuss an exciting new chapter as Seven Hills joins the BPI family. This transatlantic partnership is set to create a powerful force for change, with Bradley stepping into the role of co-host for future episodes, bringing fresh insights from both sides of the Atlantic. Bradley reflects on lessons from his early days working with civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson and shares insights into BPI’s roots in the 2008 Obama Presidential campaign. With a mission to make meaningful change possible – from addressing diversity and equity challenges to navigating the political forces shaping corporate responsibility, this conversation explores how business leaders can inspire trust, drive progress, and make an impact across borders.

How do we support refugees to thrive in their second home? That’s the question we’re answering in a special edition of Change Makers, hosted by the fantastic journalist and broadcaster Edie Lush. For the first in a new series of the podcast exploring some of the most pressing issues of our time, Edie speaks with three campaigning voices for refugees about why it matters to ensure that we support refugees with human-centred policy and ensure that they can play an important role in the UK’s social and economic story. Amos Schonfield is the founder and CEO of Our Second Home – a charity that Seven Hills has been supporting for the past 18 months. It is a youth movement aimed at empowering refugees and asylum seekers to flourish here in the UK and build the next generation of leaders. Amos shares the family history that makes this cause personal to him and what he believes we can all do to help reshape the narrative around refugees. Taban Shoresh OBE is founder of The Lotus Flower and a refugee who escaped the Kurdish genocide as a child. Today, she supports survivors of conflict and displacement through projects focused on education skills training, peacebuilding initiatives for women and income-generating projects. A former Change Makers guest, she returns to share her story of coming to the UK and why she believes it’s more important than ever for us to be welcoming to refugees.  Lord Alf Dubs is a Peer in the House of Lords and a long-time refugee campaigner, who came to the UK on the Kindertransport from Czechoslovakia, following the Nazi invasion of his birth country in 1938. Having first appeared on Change Makers in 2021, he joins us again to reflect on how Britain has changed in terms of its attitudes over the past 75 years and why he continues to make the case for refugees even at the age of 91. We hope you enjoy this episode and something different to our usual offering. We’ll be exploring further vital issues alongside Edie in the new year, so look out for much more. Seven Hills has been fundraising for Our Second Home since 2023, raising more than £2000. Help us to reach our target to support the next cohort of refugee leaders by donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sevenhills-oursecondhome

In the the final episode of Goldman Sachs Stories of Generation Growth, Michael Hayman and Charlotte Keenan reflect on what we’ve learned throughout our the series with seven incredible Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumni. From the importance of personal stories and purpose-driven leadership to the shared challenges in accessing talent and finance, each interview revealed critical lessons that highlight both the strength and the needs of the small business landscape in the UK. Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

In the final alumni episode of Change Makers: Stories of Generation Growth, in partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Byron Dixon OBE, CEO of Micro-Fresh®, discusses what it takes to build a global brand with purpose. Micro-Fresh® is known for its unique antibacterial technology which extends product lifespans, preserves freshness and promotes sustainability across 50+ major footwear, home textiles, hospitality and healthcare brands. Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

We're joined this week by Alice Rivers-Cripps, the founder of Posh Totty Designs, which has been serving Brighton, Britain and many more places besides with original hand-crafted jewellery for 20 years. Alice joins Michael Hayman and Charlotte Keenan to share her journey, which started on a soul-searching trip in Mexico and today, sees her run "a destination company for personalised gifts" where she employs an almost all female team of 50. She outlines the ups and downs of that journey, how she has remained committed to the values her business was founded upon and the challenges she has faced in securing the talent she needs to grow Posh Totty Designs to become the largest jewellery workshop in the south of England. Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

This week, Michael is joined once again by Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Engagement International at Goldman Sachs, as well as CEO of Forster Communications, Amanda Powell-Smith. Forster is a specialist consultancy, supporting organisations in ensuring they approach sustainability with authenticity. They discuss why this is a challenge for so many leaders, particularly in the small business space, and why a sustainable mission is important for business growth.  Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

In this episode of Change Makers, Michael Hayman sits down with sporting legend and disability rights advocate, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, at the iconic London Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - home of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During their conversation, Tanni reflects on her extraordinary career as one of Britain’s most celebrated Paralympians, with 11 gold medals and 30 world records to her name. She shares the personal stories behind her successes, revealing the grit, determination, and resilience it took to reach the pinnacle of elite sport. Beyond the track, Tanni discusses her lifelong advocacy for disability rights and the importance of continuing to fight for equality and justice.

“You've got to keep changing and evolving." Today's Change Makers is a lesson in adapting to change as you grow your business, as we're joined by Naynesh Karia for the latest episode of our collaboration with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Stories of Generation Growth. Naynesh is co-founder of Food Attraction, the manufacturer behind brands including on-the-go hot snacks Jake & Nayns. A Leicester-based family business that has constantly found itself evolving and finding opportunities in new markets, Naynesh speaks with Michael Hayman and Charlotte Keenan about his journey, knowing when to disagree with your family, and how you ensure those family values are the foundation of your company's culture. Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

A passion for her product and bringing it to as many women as possible is what drives the latest guest in our Change Makers collaboration with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme, Stories of Generation Growth. Darcy Laceby is co-founder of Absolute Collagen, the UK’s best-selling collagen drink, and a business with an incredible growth story. Hear all about it from Darcy, alongside Michael Hayman and Charlotte Keenan, as they explore what gave her the passion to go from university student to startup founder and recognition as one of the UK’s brightest young entrepreneurs. Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

In this week’s Stories of Generation Growth, Michael Hayman is joined by Goldman Sachs' Charlotte Keenan, alongside Gori Yahaya, founder of UpSkill Universe – a training provider dedicated to helping businesses bring key skills to their workforce.  In this discussion, Gori shares how he works to support organisations to adapt to the changing nature of skills requirements, connecting businesses with talent who can help to supercharge their growth and maximise their use of emerging technologies like AI.  Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

For the first episode of Stories of Generation Growth, Michael Hayman is joined by Head of the Office of Corporate Engagement International and 10,000 Small Businesses UK at Goldman Sachs, Charlotte Keenan, alongside Roni Savage, Founder and Managing Director of award-winning engineering and environmental consultancy, Jomas Associates.  Together, they explore Roni’s business journey over the past 15 years, establishing and growing one of the UK’s leading environmental and engineering consultancies. What has enabled her growth? Where has she faced challenges? What can other business leaders learn from her resilience? Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto was designed by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to amplify the voice of small businesses and give them a platform to share their insights on the challenges they face. The opinions and views expressed in the report and on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of , or constitute a recommendation from, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

In this episode of Journeys of Discovery, Michael Hayman sits down with Petroc Trelawny, classical music broadcaster, and the voice behind BBC Radio 3’s Breakfast programme.  Petroc reflects on the influence of music and music performance, classical and otherwise, on identity and emotions, and discusses his new book, Trelawny’s Cornwall, a part history, part memoir, which explores the past, present and future of the region.

“Rather than marching into global warming and unemployment, we can create our world the way we want.” That’s the message of our guest Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, who says: “If we imagine that world, we can create that world. Imagination can make it happen.” As a pioneer of microfinancing with Grameen Bank, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has alleviated poverty for tens of millions of people and given them an economic lifeline, with small loans that look to bring out the entrepreneur in everyone. His ethos is driven by a view of human nature that is innately good, and a world view that critiques our economic structures as having suppressed people’s natural selflessness and creativity. This interview is a story of how when a big idea takes hold, the impossible really does become possible.