Management Meets PODCAST

In the first episode of series four, Katie sits down with Max Teichert, founder and CEO of Track Titan, an AI driver coaching startup. Max shares how studying international management at the School of Management helped him merge his passion for racing and entrepreneurship, getting him to where he is today. His formative experiences at Bath include his involvement in the British University's karting championship and two pivotal placements at Porsche's Motorsport team and a FinTech startup in Jakarta. We also take a look back at some personal favourites from previous series’, with in-house producer, Becky Toogood.

In series four, Management Meets is going international. Join Steve and Katie on a world tour, meeting graduates across the globe leading change and innovation in their industries. From motorsport to high-end fashion, listen along and join us on our journey to celebrate the international impact of your School of Management community. 

In the final episode of series three ‘Business for Good’, Katie is joined by MBA graduate, Kirsty Matthews. Kirsty is CEO of charity DFN Project Search, a UK charity enabling young adults who have a learning disability or autism spectrum condition to secure permanent employment. Listen and learn more about the external challenges facing charities, the importance of financial sustainability in the charitable sector, the potential positive impact of AI on accessibility, and the impact of DFN Project Search’s work on the individuals and host businesses involved in the internship programme.

In this episode of 'Management Meets,' Katie and Steve talk with PhD alumna Philippa Kindon, Business Development Manager at Mayden. Mayden’s flagship product, Iaptus, supports mental health patients through providing digital technology solutions to healthcare organisations such as the NHS. Philippa discusses the evolving needs of the healthcare sector, and how Mayden’s data-driven decision-making approach, providing new offerings and acquisitions, has helped them stay ahead of the curve. The episode also touches upon the company’s flat hierarchy system and why they’ve adopted this ‘made without managers’ approach to business.To learn about the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Bath visit this page: https://www.bath.ac.uk/case-studies/knowledge-transfer-partnership-ktp-mayden/

In this episode of 'Management Meets,'Steve and Katie are joined by Class of 2013 BSc Economics alumnus, Xiaoyu Zhang. Xiaoyu is Global Institutional Director and Head of China at AmplifyMe. Through simulations, AmplifyMe ‘gamifies’ financial roles, making the finance industry more accessible and engaging for students worldwide. Throughout his career, Xiaoyu has been committed to helping students achieve their career goals and enhance their employability skills. Currently leading AmplifyMe’s expansion into Asia, Xiaoyu shares his insider knowledge on the variances in the graduate job market internationally, including the cultural differences between working in a corporate environment and a fast-growing entrepreneurial setting and how these factors can change what a company is looking for when recruiting. Whether you’re aspiring to enter the finance world or a mentor seeking to enhance your support, tune in to find out more about the industry and top tips to get ahead.

In this episode of Management Meets, Steve and Katie sit down with Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching on MBA Programmes, Dr. Jane Ellis-Brush, to discuss her extensive career and impact on community inclusion in the South West. Jane completed her PhD in commercial relationships at the School of Management in 1999 and has held numerous leadership roles, formerly serving as Managing Director for Citibank. We focus on Jane’s journey as co-founder of 1st Impressions, a community interest company empowering women through clothing and confidence. Jane discusses the challenges and successes of running a voluntary organisation, the importance of community inclusion, and her personal experiences leading in male-dominated industries. Listen for lessons on resilience, tenacity, and the transformative power of giving back to the community. Find out more about 1st impressions on their webpage.Further reading in this article from the School of Management - From wardrobe to workplace: helping women in need dress for interview success.

BSc Business alumnus and US General Manager at sustainable personal care company, Wild, Harry Symes-Thompson, discusses how his placement at HelloFresh led to becoming Wild’s first official employee, contributing to the company's rapid growth and leading their expansion into the US market.Harry explains how Wild has maintained a strong company culture through hiring practices, positive leadership and employee engagement, even as the company scales. Listen and learn more about building and sustaining a thriving company culture, the importance of employee empowerment, and the future plans for Wild’s continued growth and innovation of sustainable products.

In this episode of Management Meets, hosts Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome Executive MBA alumnus Hugo Adams. As CEO of sustainable packaging startup, Kelpi, Hugo shares his stories from his extensive career scaling innovative startups, including roles at The Body Shop, Kraft Foods, Dyson and SuperDry - working closely with entrepreneurs such as Anita Roddick and James Dyson. Listen and explore Kelpi's ambitions to rid the world of plastic, not forgetting the importance of a leader’s passion, values-driven company culture and sustainable practices in driving business success in today’s world. Subscribe to follow the conversation.

Want more from your alumni network? Management Meets is back for series three. Professor Steve Brammer and Katie Calvert-Jones welcome more business leaders, change-makers and entrepreneurs from the School of Management’s vibrant alumni community.In this series, we unpack themes such as company culture and business values. Tune in, subscribe and get inspired as alumni generously share their tales of success and failure in the Management Meets podcast.

In this final episode of Management Meets' second season, Steve and Katie are joined by James Courtney, a 2017 BSc Business alumnus and current Bath Executive MBA student. As CEO and co-founder of Lux Rewards, James shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting up during his undergraduate placement to recent acquisition. James looks back on LUX Rewards’ pivotal moments, including the impact of the pandemic, meeting his co-founders, and what led to its acquisition. 

In this episode of Management Meets, host Katie Calvert Jones explores the theme of resilience with Grace Marshall, class of 2002 BSc International Management with Modern Languages alumna, award-winning author, speaker, and coach. Grace shares her experience and philosophy on failure, struggle and resilience, providing practical advice on how to build resilient teams and environments within organisations. With insights into how language, honesty, and culture impact resilience; listen and learn how to cultivate this vital skill, in both personal and professional settings. 

In this episode of Management Meets, Katie and Steve are joined by BSc International Management graduate Yesim Nicholson, founder of Yes Career Coaching and Executive MBA graduate Gary Keogh, former Global Brand Director and founder of GK Executive Coaching. The discussion explores career pivots, looking at the motivating factors for significant career changes and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Professor Otilia Obodaru shares her insights into the Japanese concept of Ikigai and its relevance to career decisions.Yesim is also the author of Ready to Quit Your Job? The Ultimate Guide to Making the Big Career Leap, which you can find here.

In this episode of Management Meets, Steve and Katie are joined by 1984 BSc Business alumnus and CEO of software development company Cirata, Stephen Kelly. We explore the disruptive and revolutionary potential of generative AI, dubbed as what could be the 'fifth industrial revolution’.Dr. Lukasz Piwek discusses the evolution and impact of AI, highlighting the potential and pitfalls of generative AI and the importance of responsible usage.Please note all information is up to date with the time of recording (18 December 2024).

Katie and Steve talk leadership with Chair of the FA, Debbie Hewitt MBE. Debbie shares honest insights from her career journey, how she turned challenges into opportunities and the pivotal role her Bath MBA played in shaping her leadership approach.  Dr. Juani Swart discusses the evolution of leadership and the importance of leaders re-engaging with the joy of their roles, to enhance well-being and performance in their teams. 

In the first episode of the series, we’re joined by 2019 BSc International Management graduate and Sustainability Manager of Canned Wine Co., Marieke Hammes and Class of 1988 MBA graduate, Sustainability Consultant and retired Global Environment Manager for Buro Happold, Tim La Touche. Our guests discuss the trials and tribulations of working in the sustainability sector, exploring the challenges and milestones of a growing start-up and an international organisation. Dr. Annie Snelson Powell brings her academic perspective, talking corporate sustainability and the importance of committing to sustainable development. Listen and learn more about bringing sustainability into the world of work.

Welcome to Management Meets, the University of Bath School of Management podcast sharing insight from our alumni community. In series one, Dean of the School of Management, Professor Steve Brammer and alumni relations professional and podcaster, Katie Calvert-Jones spoke to 12 of our graduates to explore topics in the world of business including risk-taking, EDI and entrepreneurship. We heard from BAFTA award-winning producer, Ash Atalla, the founder of e-sports team Orangutan, Jai Shah, world-record-holding rower, Flo Ward, self-proclaimed ‘serial CEO’, Wilf Blackburn and Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor of International Business, Professor Mairi Maclean, just to name a few. In series two, expect more honest tales of success, and some failure, as we discuss hot topics including sustainability, leadership and the ever-changing world of AI. Subscribe now to be part of the conversation.

In the final episode of the series, Katie and Steve are joined by 2022 BSc Business alumna and co-founder of safety app Epowar, E-J Roodt, and 2017 BSc Business alumnus and founder of Bubba Hospitality Group, Rob Huysinga.E-J and Rob discuss the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial journeys. From navigating growth to handling imposter syndrome, listen and uncover the reality of life as an entrepreneur.Dr. Daniela Defazio provides her academic insight highlighting the complex, non-linear nature of an entrepreneurial career and the need for a balance of ambition and clarity.

In episode five, Steve and Katie explore the intricacies of boardroom relationships with EMBA graduates, Joy Harcup and Wilf Blackburn. From the difference between non-executive and executive roles in the boardroom to using trust as a power tool, this episode provides practical advice for new and aspiring board members.Dr. Margaret Heffernan, School of Management academic and member of the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, provides her academic insight into the evolving purpose of boards and the importance of diverse perspectives.

Steve and Katie chat with Ash Atalla, CEO of Rough Cut TV and award-winning television producer who had success with shows like The Office and The IT Crowd. Ash shares his unconventional career journey from finance to television and how his business degree still helps him today. Listen and explore the balance between creativity and business, managing failure in an industry full of it, and the future of creative industries with the rise of AI.Dr. Poornika Ananth provides her academic insight, delving into the crossover of roles creative leaders have and how to handle them.

In episode three of Management Meets, we explore the business skills needed in sports with graduate guests Serena Guthrie MBE, former England Roses netball team captain, and Flo Ward, world record holder as part of the youngest female trio to row an ocean,Guests discuss values-driven leadership, triumphs, setbacks, the reality of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat and the upcoming Olympic Games.Professor Steve Wyatt offers academic insight into effective leadership and followership, highlighting the importance of adaptability in high-performance environments.Tune in to learn how leadership style affects performance, from the office to competitive sport.