Tony Langham co-founded the communications firm Lansons in the late 1980s with his wife, Clare Parsons. Out of it came the research company Opinium, an office building in Smithfield Market, and a stake in the PR agency Hope and Glory. Lansons was sold three years ago and still carries his name.
In this episode of Track Record, Albert asks Tony what makes an entrepreneur, why he believes in sharing ownership, and what AI means for reputation, creativity and the next generation. Tony is an investor in Tramlines and works with the team.
Key moments:
00:00 Introduction
01:04 Who Tony is: Lansons, Opinium and Hope and Glory
03:43 Why Tony fits Tramlines
05:20 Art, culture and what we're fighting for
07:52 What being an entrepreneur means
08:12 His father, and never being good enough
09:23 Going into business with Clare
10:39 Magic and logic
11:41 Credibility, not performance
13:10 Ownership and responsible capitalism
14:53 Always leave something for someone else
17:00 Why British founders sell
17:51 Uber and who will win
21:10 PR: what's died and what's thrived
23:01 What PR actually is
25:05 Ideas that research badly
25:52 Love, humour, music and connections
27:10 Em dashes and the sameness of AI design
28:14 AI does average brilliantly
29:09 The future of reputation businesses
32:00 Who trains the next generation
33:16 Long-term thinking in short-term cycles
36:48 Are entrepreneurs good for society?
38:17 Hope instead of dread
40:06 No side hustles
42:56 The £100m question
44:43 Pride and self-worth
45:51 Advice for Albert
47:44 Close
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