20 minutes with...

Surviving a catastrophic plane crash and building a global technology platform to reduce food waste might seem like very different stories. For entrepreneur Mike Osborne, they are deeply connected.In this episode, Mike speaks to Eimear about how his long-term recovery shaped his sense of responsibility, resilience and purpose, and how that mindset now drives his work with Gander, a technology platform helping retailers sell reduced food in real time rather than throw it away.Gander takes data from in-store price reductions and delivers it directly to consumers within seconds, enabling supermarkets to clear short-dated stock more efficiently, improve margins and significantly reduce waste. Now operating in multiple countries, the platform is tackling a global issue that affects retailers, suppliers and the environment alike.Mike reflects on the scale of food waste worldwide; the technical and cultural barriers retailers face and why better use of real-time data could transform both profitability and sustainability. He also speaks candidly about recovery, personal responsibility and the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and innovation.A conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience and the practical steps needed to waste less food in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

In this episode, host Eimear Andersen sits down with Mandi Leonard, Welfare Director and Megan Harrison, Marketing Director of GroceryAid, to explore how the charity is breaking down barriers and reaching people when they need it most.Mandi explains the breadth of support available to anyone working in the UK grocery sector—from manufacturing and warehousing to independent retailers and convenience stores. With three pillars of support—financial, emotional, and practical—GroceryAid offers everything from non-repayable grants and 24/7 counselling to legal advice and debt support. The service is free, completely confidential, and available not just to grocery workers but to their families too.Megan discusses the charity's fresh rebrand and why tackling stigma is at the heart of their new campaign. She explains how they are using real grocery and convenience workers in their communications to show a friendly, human face that people can trust, encouraging them to ask for help earlier before reaching crisis point. The conversation covers the unique pressures facing independent retailers, why early new year can be particularly difficult and how businesses across the sector can spread the word about this vital support.Whether you are a grocery worker, a family member or an employer wanting to support your team, this episode makes clear: no problem is too small and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.GroceryAid Day: 30th AprilWebsite: groceryaid.org.uk24/7 Helpline: 0808 802 1122

In this episode of 20 minutes with, Eimear Andersen speaks to Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty’s, about building one of the UK’s most trusted free-from food businesses.Kirsty shares how the company began after her son was born with multiple severe food allergies, at a time when free-from options were limited and uninspiring. She reflects on pitching on Dragons’ Den, the realities of scaling a specialist food brand and why free-from is not a trend but a responsibility rooted in trust and safety.The conversation explores how retailers’ understanding of free-from has evolved, the complexity of allergen control, and why owning a dedicated factory has been a critical advantage. Kirsty also discusses innovation across ready meals and takeaway-style products, her partnership with Myprotein and the importance of balancing commercial growth with genuine social impact.A grounded look at leadership, resilience and what it really takes to build trust in food retail.

In this final episode of Series 1 (we’re back with Series 2 soon!), Eimear talks to Jonathan James.From a small farm shop in a disused barn to a thriving multi-site retail estate spanning the country, he has built quite the journey in convenience retail.In this episode, host Eimear Andersen sits down with Jonathan to explore what it’s really like running a family business alongside his wife Rebecca and their children Joshua and Emily, where family dinners often double as business strategy sessions.Jonathan reflects on navigating major industry changes, the challenge of moving from a hands-on retailer to a corporate leader and why community engagement matters more than ever.He also shares why a few quiet hours on his tractor are his version of agri-therapy, his pride in chairing Soham Town Rangers FC and the piece of advice from his grandmother that still guides him today: “Every day is a school day.”With warmth and candour, this is a conversation about resilience, family dynamics and why independent retailers are truly in a league of their own.This episode marks the final one for Series 1 of 20 minutes with … but we will be back very soon with Series 2 with more inspiring conversations. Make sure you click on Follow to be notified when the next episode comes out.

Victoria Lawson – Making form-filling a distant memorySometimes the simplest ideas are the most transformative. Victoria Lawson, Founder and CEO of Wholepal, has created a platform that’s quietly revolutionising how suppliers and wholesalers share product data — removing the spreadsheets, the errors and the hours of wasted time that once defined the process.In this conversation, Victoria shares her journey from FMCG account manager to tech founder — and how a single frustration sparked an industry-changing idea. Victoria talks about:How a daily admin headache led to the creation of WholepalWhy 99% of new-line forms come back inaccurate or incompleteHow AI and machine learning can transform efficiency without replacing peopleOvercoming fear of change in a relationship-driven industryBuilding a tech team based on talent and fit, not gender, in a traditionally male spaceFacing personal and professional challenges on the road to growthAnd her mission to make form-filling a distant memory for goodA fresh, inspiring and practical discussion about innovation, resilience and why the human touch will always matter — even in an AI-powered world.

Kevin Hunt – The Reality of Retail in 2025Fourth-generation retailer Kevin Hunt leads a family business that began in 1946 and now runs 23 local community SPAR stores. In this powerful and often candid conversation, he shares what it really takes to keep an independent business thriving nearly 80 years on. Kevin talks about: Growing up among shelves stacked with sugar and joining the family firm at 13The hard work and risk-taking that have defined three generations of HuntsHow supermarkets threatened their survival in the late 70s — and how the family fought backWhy constant reinvestment and local identity are essential to staying relevantThe partnerships with local butchers that transformed his storesThe human side of leadership: valuing 500 employees, visibility and loyaltyAnd the growing crisis of violence and abuse in convenience retail and his message to government about the need for real deterrence A grounded, heartfelt episode about resilience, community and what it truly means to be an independent retailer in 2025.