Secret Leaders with Dan Murray-Serter & Chris Donnelly

Discover how Tom Kerridge went from washing dishes to building a £40M hospitality empire. In this episode of Secret Leaders, we dive into the raw truth behind restaurant success (and failure), why most places don’t make it, and how Tom hustled his way to the top—without any business background, investors, or MBA. Pre-order Tom’s new book: "The BBQ Book: 80 Delicious Recipes for Fire and Coals".. What You'll Learn: The real economics behind restaurant pricing and margins How Tom built the world’s first 2 Michelin-starred pub, The Hand & Flowers Secrets to turning passion into profit in the hospitality industry Leadership lessons from the heat of the kitchen Why most restaurants fail—even when the food is great Hosted by Dan Murray-Serter & Chris Donnelly, this interview breaks down the mindset, risk-taking, and raw resilience it takes to thrive in one of the toughest industries on earth. _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Andy Coulson was once the face and leader of the most powerful newspaper in the country, News Of The World, and later became the Prime Minister’s right-hand man as Director of Communications. Then he lost it all. After scandals and a prison sentence, Andy founded his own consultancy, Coulson Partners, helping people navigate personal crises and reputational attacks. In this episode, Andy shares his unique insights into managing a crisis, drawing from his own experiences. He breaks down what a crisis really is and the steps you can take to protect and rebuild your reputation when under attack. From public figures to everyday individuals, Andy’s approach offers invaluable lessons in handling life’s toughest moments. Join us for a powerful conversation about resilience, crisis management, and the art of recovery. ______________________________________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/?utm_source=secretleaders&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=Secret+Leaders_1H+2025&utm_content=Wise+Business Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Kilner, former CEO of The Ordinary, to dive deep into the unique story behind her journey in building a $2 billion company. Nicola shares the highs and lows of her path to success, including the challenges she faced as a leader and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. We discuss why her Co-CEO fired her and what that experience was like as well as revealing her leadership superpower and why she decided to pay everyone in C-suite the same salary as herself for a period of time. Additionally, we explore her thoughts on why women suffer the most from working from home and the impact it has on their careers. ——————— Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/?utm_source=secretleaders&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=Secret+Leaders_1H+2025&utm_content=Wise+Business Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

In this episode, we sit down with the entrepreneur who built the UK’s biggest company, worth an astonishing $176 billion, from an initial $50 investment. He shares the exact steps and strategies he used to scale a small startup into one of the world’s largest companies, proving that massive success can come from the smallest beginnings. He also reveals how he played a pivotal role in saving Apple, and what it was really like working with Steve Jobs during that critical time in the tech giant's history. The entrepreneur also gives his verdict on the 4 breakthrough technologies that have the power to change the world. From his firsthand experience of building a tech empire, he offers rare insights into the future of innovation and what it takes to succeed at the highest level. ——————— Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/?utm_source=secretleaders&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=Secret+Leaders_1H+2025&utm_content=Wise+Business Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Discover how entrepreneur Simon Squibb is taking the world by storm with his unique approach to business. With billions of views on TikTok and over a million YouTube subscribers, Simon is breaking all the rules by investing in total strangers, helping them achieve their dreams. In this episode, we dive into Simon’s inspiring mission, his strategy for generating viral content, and why he believes this is the future of entrepreneurship. If you’re curious about how to create viral videos, invest in people, and build a purpose-driven business, this is the episode for you. Don’t miss Simon’s incredible insights on the power of generosity, creativity, and community. ________________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Millions of downloads, 400+ episodes and 7 years, it's time for a break. -------- Sign up to Wise Business banking: ⁠⁠⁠https://wise.com/uk/business/⁠⁠⁠ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: ⁠⁠⁠http://vanta.com/secretleaders

What if the secret to happiness, clarity, and success took just 5 minutes a day? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Ikonn — co-founder of the viral sensation The Five Minute Journal, used by the likes Emma Watson, Tim Ferriss, and millions of others. From being fired at a bank to building a 7-figure business and redefining personal fulfillment, Alex shares the mindset hacks, journaling techniques, and life lessons that transformed his journey. 🎙️ In this episode: Why The Five Minute Journal works (science + psychology behind it) How to build morning habits that shift your brain toward gratitude and growth From burnout to breakthrough: Alex's honest story of success and emptiness The real power of physical journaling in an AI world What happens when CEOs, creatives, and everyday people start writing things down 🔍 Topics Covered: Self-growth & Gratitude Journaling Mindset Shifts for Success How to Be Happier (Backed by Neuroscience) Mental Health & Daily Habits From Idea to Impact: Building a Movement Celebrity Endorsements and Brand Building Finding Fulfilment in Work and Life 🧠 Want to level up your mindset? Subscribe for weekly interviews with world-class thinkers, creators, and entrepreneurs. -------- Sign up to Wise Business banking: ⁠⁠https://wise.com/uk/business/⁠⁠ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: ⁠⁠http://vanta.com/secretleaders

In this episode of Secret Leaders, we sit down with Alex Kendall, co-founder & CEO of Wayve AI — the $1B+ British startup taking on Tesla in the race to build a driverless future. From raising $1.05 billion from Microsoft, SoftBank, and NVIDIA, to reimagining cities with AI-powered vehicles, Alex shares how his company is changing how we live, commute, and move goods. - Why do 1.2 million people still die on roads every year? - Why are cars asleep 96% of the time and what if they could work for us? - Could AI make driving safer than humans ever could? We dive into how Wayve’s embodied AI competes with Tesla, why public trust is still the biggest barrier, and how your car might soon become your second living room. -------- Sign up to Wise Business banking: ⁠https://wise.com/uk/business/⁠ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: ⁠http://vanta.com/secretleaders

From pouring tea to billion-dollar deals — Frank Smith's rise to CEO of Matchroom Boxing is nothing short of legendary. In this exclusive podcast, Frank opens up about building global stars like Anthony Joshua, sealing game-changing partnerships with DAZN, and navigating boxing’s Saudi-powered evolution. We dive deep into: The making of Connor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr Saudi Arabia’s billion-dollar impact on global boxing Dana White’s entry, Jake Paul’s influence & Matchroom’s future Secrets behind Matchroom’s mega-events (and their $25M darts empire) Whether you're a fight fan, entrepreneur, or sports business geek — this episode is your ringside seat to the future of boxing. -------- Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

What does it take to go from thinking "I’m not the type to start a company" to building a $2.5B startup that serves over 10,000 businesses? Christina Cacioppo, founder & CEO of Vanta, shares her raw and remarkable journey in this episode of Secret Leaders In this candid interview, we dive into Christina’s path from Stanford to Silicon Valley royalty—funding startups like Twitter and Etsy, then jumping into the deep end to teach herself to code. Learn how she went from solo builder to unicorn founder, the scrappy early days of Vanta, why she waited until $10M ARR to raise funds, and the lessons she picked up alongside the founders of OpenSea and Substack at Y Combinator. Topics We Cover: Leaving a dream VC job to learn to code  Building failed side projects and what they taught her Working at Dropbox during hypergrowth The real story behind launching Vanta Why “doing things that don’t scale” worked AI at Vanta and what’s next Overcoming imposter syndrome as a young female founder _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

From the first banner ad in 1994 to programmatic mobile ads, the internet as we know it was built on one thing: advertising. In this explosive episode of Secret Leaders, we break down the untold story of how ads didn’t just fund the web—they engineered it. You will learn: The birth of banner ads with AT&T’s legendary 44% CTR Google AdWords’ rise and the search ad revolution How Facebook’s targeting reshaped elections Mobile & programmatic ads that track your every move The next frontier: Ad-powered payments Watch our full interview with Philip Belamant on our feed now. He runs Zilch - the fintech redefining payments and ad performance. With a model that's 26.5x more efficient than Google Ads, Zilch is pioneering the future of attention-based commerce. _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Is this the man who could end the global credit card crisis? In this explosive episode of Secret Leaders, we sit down with Philip Belamant, the visionary founder of Zilch — the UK fintech unicorn that’s rewriting the rules of credit, debt, and how we pay. Most people know Zilch as a "Buy Now, Pay Later" app — but it’s way more than that. It’s an interest-free payment model that flips the credit card industry on its head… all while quietly becoming 27x more effective than Google Ads What we cover: Why credit card debt is a trap — and how Zilch is helping people escape it The shocking truth: The average UK citizen takes 16 years to pay off a credit card How Zilch funds 0% interest payments without hurting consumers The new payment system that could replace traditional credit What it takes to fight against billion-dollar legacy lenders Why Zilch's advertising model funds debt relief — and beats Google in the process The UK’s role in the global fintech revolution _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

You've seen them—the red-faced, power-tripping, emotionally disconnected CEOs barking orders while morale sinks. But how did we get here? And more importantly… how do we fix it? This isn't just another workplace rant—it's a deep dive into the dark psychology of leadership, the gendered traits that dominate boardrooms, and the systemic bias that keeps emotionally intelligent leaders out of power. In this video essay, we expose, why toxic traits like dominance & cold toughness get rewarded, how history, stereotypes & corporate pipelines keep weak men on top and roadmap to build better leadership—without sacrificing results. This week, we’re dropped an interview episode with Sam Conniff—serial entrepreneur and the mind behind the #HardAsNails campaign. He’s shaking up outdated norms about what it means to be a man and a leader. We unpack how to spot toxicity in yourself, your colleagues, even your friends—and how to build something better. It’s raw, real, and packed with insights. Watch Sam Conniff Interview on our profile now.. _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

What does "toxic masculinity" really mean? In this powerful episode, Sam Conniff dives deep into the crisis of modern masculinity, exploring how society has shaped a generation of men caught between weakness and toxicity. Sam shares his growing concern for younger men, especially after experiencing Andrew Tate’s controversial online course first hand. With Tate’s influence surging, amplified by the recent Netflix hit Adolescence, a show that exposes the dark side of online radicalization, Sam questions how these messages are shaping vulnerable minds. Drawing from personal insight and time spent researching the topic, Sam reveals why we’re failing men and offers a bold roadmap to fix it, redefining strength, purpose, and connection for the next generation. _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Ever wondered how Burger King pulled off one of the slickest marketing stunts ever—racking up 1.5 MILLION app downloads in just ONE WEEK by targeting people standing INSIDE McDonald’s stores? _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Are your daily habits killing your motivation? Neuroscientist TJ Power, once a self-confessed dopamine junkie reveals how phones and quick fixes tanked his focus and ambition. He broke free from phone and alcohol addiction with his D.O.S.E framework (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins) which has helped him reduce stress, boost sleep by 54%, and turned ambition into action with his 30-minute rule to reboot your brain and reclaim your drive. In this episode TJ provides you with science-backed hacks that help you ditch the morning scrolls, master flow state, and feel peace as an entrepreneur. Trust us when we say that TJ’s raw story and practical tips will hook you instantly! _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Imagine losing 8,000 Bitcoins—now worth over half a billion pounds—because someone threw out your hard drive. In this episode of Leaders Chat, Dan and Chris dive into this jaw-dropping story, dissect Tony Khan’s daring strategy to keep AEW a family-run powerhouse, and dish out must-know entrepreneurial tips for aspiring business owners. What’s your opinion on family businesses—smart move or risky gamble? Hit subscribe and drop your thoughts in the comments! _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Savile Row is one of the most prestigious shopping streets in London, and with just £10,000, Sean Dixon transformed his brand, Richard James, into one of the city's most sought-after tailors. From designing Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic coat to hosting Elton John and Oasis in his shop at the same time, Sean shares the journey of relentless hard work and dedication it took to break into such an elite market. He reveals how Richard James became a magnet for A-list celebrities and the pivotal moments that helped shape the company's success in the world of luxury fashion. _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Has anyone seen how CASUAL Elon Musk's text messages were when trying to convince billionaire to invest in X? We will be discussing how common this actually is as well as how Elon's Grok 3 has emerged has the top AI platform despite behind 5 years behind ChatGPT Then Dan and Chris finish of by answering some of your business questions to help you on your entrepreneurial journey _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders

Want to build a killer marketing campaign? Look no further than our interview with PR expert Emily Austen who does exactly that for global giants Red Bull. She takes us some through some of the most successful PR campaigns ever including how Barbie and Oppenheimer clashed on purpose?! and the powerful hacks that you can start using right now to make your campaigns go viral and stand out from the crowd. _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders