The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Andrew Masraf, Senior Partner at multinational law firm, Pinsent Masons; and Kagisho Masae, Co-Founder and CEO of Matric Live – a multifunctional education app that is reinventing the way pupils learn.In this episode, we explore social mobility and ask, how can business open doors for more people in a fair and equitable way?

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Martin O’Kane, Vice Chairman of construction company, Heron Brothers; and Katie Harris, Talent Attraction Analyst at Visa. In this episode, we’ll explore workplace culture and the challenges that two very different businesses are facing in attracting and retaining talented staff, along with the opportunities and benefits that come when organisations put a strong emphasis on their people.

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Steven Cooper CBE, CEO of Aldermore Group. The Group is made up of Aldermore Bank plc and MotoNovo Finance Limited. Aldermore Bank provides finance to business owners, homeowners and landlords, and supports savers. It operates online, by phone and through networks. MotoNovo Finance helps people buy their next vehicle. Aldermore Group is part of FirstRand Group, the largest financial services group in Africa by market capitalisation.We are also joined by Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph. Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of Kippa – a Fintech startup revolutionising digital payments for small businesses in Nigeria. In under two years, Kippa has secured more than $10M USD from global fintech investors, breaking ground in the industry. The company has served more than 800,000+ small businesses who record $3B annually on its app.In this episode, we discuss inclusive employment and how every business can open its doors.

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Rebekah Wallis, Director - People & ESG at Ricoh UK – a leading provider of integrated digital services designed to create an exceptional employee and customer experience for people and teams wherever they are; and from Toronto in Canada Miranda McKie, Founder and CEO of McKie Consultants, an organisation that optimises people and product strategy through data and design. In this episode, we’ll explore creating a responsible culture – a win for business and for people. 

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Catherine Dolton, Chief Sustainability Officer at IHG Hotels and Resorts; and Anouar Ouali, Senior Associate, PwC. IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's leading hotel companies with more than 6,300 hotels across more than 100 countries and around 345,000 colleagues worldwide, and PwC is a multinational professional services brand of firms; the second-largest professional services network in the world and is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms. PwC is in 157 countries, across 742 locations, with 328,000 people.In this episode, we discuss global goals and ask, is everyone pulling in the same direction?

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Clare Kemsley, Managing Director of Marketing UK&I at Hays; and Lisa De Wachter, Global Brand Account Lead Food Tech, Google Netherlands - Amsterdam.In this episode, we will discuss how people in underrepresented groups can fair well in the workplace, and we specifically dive in to the issue of age – what’s the reality for workers over the age of 50, and investigate the business case for attracting, retaining and retraining individuals who may feel they have additional barriers in the workplace.

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Roisin Currie, Chief Executive of Greggs; and Jessica Garbett, Senior Manager, Workforce Consulting Team, PwC. In this episode, we’ll explore how putting business at the heart of communities is essential for everyone. We’ll also discuss some of the tough issues out there such as employing those who have a criminal conviction and how businesses are literally stepping up to the plate to address food poverty.UK Hopes and Fears Survey 2023 - PwC UKGreggs | Doing GoodFor employers - Social Mobility CommissionThe Class Ceiling: Why it Pays to be Privileged by Sam Friedman | Goodreads

This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Vicky Davies, CEO, Danske Bank and new Chair of Business in the Community Northern Ireland; and Tomas Flier, EMEA Inclusion Lead and Diversity Business Partner for Spain, Italy and Portugal, Google, USA. In this episode, we’ll take a deep dive into workplace inclusion – how can businesses ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and what companies are doing to help their people whatever their circumstances, and when challenges come along like caring responsibilities.