3:00AM Conversations

“ Let's prevent, rather than just trying to treat cancer”Dr Sacha Howell is a leading oncologist and researcher specialising in the detection and prevention of breast cancer in young women. Dr Howell was the consultant to Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud.Hosts Peter Jackson and Michael Wright from Hill Dickinson hear about the challenges of predicting breast cancer risk in younger women, and the importance of sensitive medical communication when dealing with a broad range of patients and research subjects. Peter and Michael reflect on the impact of misinformation in the medical field, and draw comparisons to their own work in the legal sector.

‘You need to be thinking about the future every day'Henry Coutinho-Mason is a futurist; a global keynote speaker and co-author of “The Future Normal”. He helps companies better understand customer needs and opportunities, by examining how the world might look tomorrow. Hosts Peter Jackson and Jamie Foster from Hill Dickinson hear why Henry advises that everyone in business needs to be thinking about this subject, rather than simply leaving it to tech specialists.  They explore how AI is already reshaping industries, particularly healthcare, the legal profession, and, more broadly, the world of work. Peter and Jamie also reflect on how work and technology have evolved throughout their careers; the safeguards Hill Dickinson implements regarding AI, and the increasing importance of human fact-checkers in verifying AI-generated information.

People say - ‘you made me feel closer to the club.’Peter Moore is the former CEO of Liverpool Football club. He began his career as a PE teacher, and went on to work as a director at some of the world's biggest sportswear companies. His first big career change led him to work in tech - as an executive at SEGA, followed by Microsoft and EA sports. Then came the offer of a lifetime: to return to his hometown and lead the club he’d loved since childhood — Liverpool FC.Hosts Peter Jackson and Lizzie Jones hear how a lad from Liverpool launched an extraordinary global career.   They discuss the legacy that Peter Moore wants to leave behind, after a life changing experience of heart surgery; the challenges of leadership, the emotional weight of his role, and the 3:00am conversations that have shaped his life.

“What drives me is injustice.” Dame Jasvinder Sanghera is a leading authority on forced marriage and honour-based abuse. Jasvinder herself is a survivor of forced marriage and ran away from home, aged 16, to escape “having to marry a stranger”. She later founded Karma Nirvana, a national award-winning charity that supports people affected by these injustices and crimes.  Her acclaimed memoir “Shame”, became a Times Top Ten Bestseller, and was described in the House of Lords as a “political weapon”, which influenced the enactment of the Forced Marriage Act 2007.  Hosts Peter Jackson and Anjon Mallik, hear about Jasvinder’s early life and the cultural pressures she faced; the emotional impact of being disowned by her family, and how she turned personal trauma into a lifelong mission to advocate on behalf of abuse victims of all kinds. 

“I think big law is at a major crossroads here.” Catrin Griffiths is the award-winning editor of The Lawyer, leading trade magazine for the legal industry. It’s the place lawyers turn to first to get the information they need.Catrin’s career in legal journalism has been marked by both innovation and resilience. Against the backdrop of the steep decline in print media, Catrin successfully transformed the business model for The Lawyer, taking it behind a digital paywall.  Hosts Peter Jackson and Sarah Emerson hear how Catrin led her team through major shifts in the industry, emphasising the importance of balancing data with compelling storytelling. In a world flooded with information, Catrin explains how crafting a powerful narrative is the key to engaging and informing audiences.They also explore pressing themes such as the impact of political changes on the legal profession, including the rule of law in the United States, and the impact that President Trump is having on DE&I initiatives.   

“I will lead with all my integrity, I will lead with all my compassion…I will lead” Joanne Roney CBE is the Managing Director of Birmingham City Council. She took over at a difficult time for the organisation, after the council declared itself bankrupt in September 2023. Joanne is on a mission to rebuild and transform the city, and brings years of experience to the role. She was previously the first female CEO of Manchester City Council, where she navigated challenges like the Manchester Arena bomb in 2017 and later, COVID-19.  Hosts Peter Jackson and Matt Smith hear how Joanne has made her way in Birmingham City Council - from a 16-year-old apprentice in the Housing department all the way to the top role. They discuss her vision for rebuilding an organisation in crisis, by listening to frontline staff and creating a culture of accountability.  Joanne also shares her insights on the unpredictability of public service; the importance of resilience, and how her early experiences shaped her leadership style.        

“If you’re CEO, you have to drive the organisation forward”Daniel Gidney is the CEO of Lancashire Cricket Club.  During his tenure, Daniel has transformed the club from the brink of insolvency to a world class sporting, entertainment and conference venue. Hosts Peter Jackson and Helen Evans hear how Daniel navigated financial pressures to get the club back on a secure footing.  Daniel shares his experience of working day and night to ensure that relationships with the club’s creditors stayed on track, whilst also prioritising the financial security of his employees.  They also discuss his passion - and concerns - for the future of English domestic cricket, as well as his commitment to gender equity in both sport and business.

“Getting that medal for England, was a pivotal moment” Stacey Copeland is a trailblazer in women’s sport.  From her career in football, playing for England under 18’s, to being the first female boxer to win a Commonwealth title, she’s been breaking down barriers throughout her life. After facing numerous examples of gender stereotyping, Stacey set up the charity Pave the Way, to help other people who might be facing the same battles.  She’s also now a broadcaster and public speaker.  In this episode of 3:00 AM Conversations, co-hosts Peter Jackson and Debra Cooper hear about Stacey’s resilience in overcoming setbacks, including dealing with failure; coming back from injury, and standing up against institutional sexism.  They discuss how Stacey has navigated the numerous transitions in her life, navigating a feeling of imposter syndrome, to succeed in a number of different careers. 

“If you’re a positive person, you get better results” Steve Parry MBE is an Olympic swimmer turned businessman; motivational speaker and BBC pundit. He’s one of only three people to have beaten Michael Phelps, one of the most successful Olympians of all time.  Steve won bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games, after which he retired to set up Total Swimming, an academy in which thirty thousand children learn to swim every week.  Hosts Peter Jackson and Lizzie Jones hear how Steve’s approach to cultivating a positive mindset has taken him from the pool, to a successful business career.  They discuss his blueprint for overcoming setbacks and gain an insight into how elite sports people handle the pressure of competition.  Steve shares the life lessons he’s learnt from sport and how those experiences helped him face his greatest challenge, when he was diagnosed with cancer, only a few weeks after getting married. 

“Everything we do is all about relationships”Lisa Morton is the CEO and Founder of Roland Dransfield, an award-winning communications agency in Manchester.  Lisa set up the business 28 years ago, shortly after an IRA bomb ripped through the city centre.  She was heavily involved in rebuilding the city and that experience also had a hand in the name of her own podcast, “We Built This City”.  Hosts Peter Jackson and Anjon Mallik hear how Lisa made her way as a young female entrepreneur in the 1990’s, to become a leader in communications in Manchester.  They uncover how, inspired by James Kerr’s “Legacy”, Lisa and her team developed a business that’s committed to its values, purpose and legacy. They learn about Lisa’s resilience, her fight against perfectionism, and the values she and her team live by that drive business success.’

‘I live a life that prepares me for high performance’ Paul Cheetham is the co-founder and managing partner of the Sedulo Group, one of the UK’s fastest growing mid-tier business advisory firms. He’s an entrepreneur in the truest sense, growing Sedulo from the ground up, over 15 years.  He now works with highly ambitious people, who he takes inspiration from to create his own blueprint for success and resilience, while also utilising the methodologies employed by highly successful sportspeople and applying those learnings to the business world.Paul also set up the Sedulo Foundation, a charity that works to improve the lives of children and young people across London and in the North of England.Hosts Peter Jackson and Katie Austin  hear how early rejection has contributed to Paul’s resilient nature and learn about his innovative strategies to manage anxiety and stress. This is a deep dive into how to achieve high performance, looking at the parallels between sport and business, offering insights into leadership, and the importance of maintaining good mental health.

“We need the majority to bring change”Dr Sally Penni MBE is a barrister, an author and a podcaster, who works tirelessly towards improving diversity in the legal profession.  She’s the Joint Vice Chair of the Association of Women Barristers and the founder of Women in the Law UK, a networking organisation that provides members with support, events and resources. Hosts Peter Jackson and Joanne Radcliff from Hill Dickinson hear how Sally uses humour as a way to counter racism and bias, and how she turns negative experiences into positive change.  They discuss the best ways to overcome barriers to career progression; the importance of having a healthy relationship between work and wellbeing and how Sally’s drive to learn has motivated her throughout her career.  This episode is an exploration of resilience, leadership, and the pursuit of justice.

“I still struggle with some regrets”.  Andy Grant is a former Royal Marine who overcame life-altering injuries to become a motivational speaker and a world record-holding athlete.   Hosts Peter Jackson and Katie Austin from Hill Dickinson hear Andy’s incredible story of resilience; from losing his mother at a young age to surviving an IED explosion in Afghanistan and ultimately winning gold at the Invictus Games.  Andy later wrote a book about his experiences called You’ll Never Walk and also hosts The Leg It Podcast.   Despite all these achievements, in his 3:00 AM Conversations, Andy describes how he still suffers from self-doubt. Peter and Katie also get his tips on how to build resilience in the face of adversity. 

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d been shot at?!”From the Hacienda to the Warehouse Project to Parklife, promoter Sacha Lord has thrown some of the biggest parties in the UK.  Sacha’s first business venture was selling leather jackets on a market stall in Liverpool. He’s now Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy advisor - and a best-selling author.  Hosts Peter Jackson and Joanne Radcliff from Hill Dickinson discover how success can come without following the traditional path.  Over the course of discussing his 3:00 AM Conversations, Sacha opens up about his troubled relationship with his father; the challenges he faced in the nightlife industry, his thoughts on imposter syndrome and how he turned his love for hospitality into a thriving business.

“It’s our job to inspire the next generation”Ellie Threlkeld is Captain of the women’s cricket team, Lancashire Thunder.  She achieved sporting success from a young age, making her senior debut aged only 14.  By 23, she was the leader of an elite sports team. Hosts Peter Jackson and Joanne Radcliff from Hill Dickinson, sit down with Ellie for a conversation about leadership and sporting success. What are the 3:00 AM Conversations that Ellie has had, on her journey? As a trainee sports psychologist, Ellie shares the lessons she’s learnt from studying, experience and some great mentors.Peter and Joanne also explore Ellie’s insights on difficult conversations; imposter syndrome, dealing with failure, and the importance of authenticity. 

3:00 AM Conversations from Hill Dickinson is available now.