The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast

In a special episode of The Lens, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Ndidi Okezie OBE, CEO of Business in the Community.In Ndidi’s first month as Chief Executive Officer of Business in the Community, we find out who our new CEO is, what she’s achieved so far in her career, and where her passion lies in taking Business in the Community and all of our members forward on the responsible business journey.

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Iain Mansfield, CEO of Principality Building Society, Wales’ largest mutual building society, headquartered in Cardiff, providing mortgages and savings products and owned by its members rather than shareholders; and Ronald Mugaiga, Managing Director of Ecomak Recyclers, Uganda, a climate tech Africa-based startup that transforms plastic waste into low-carbon construction materials.In this episode, we discuss Responsible transformation with people, planet and place at the heart of change. 

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Peter Harrison, a leading figure in the business world and Chair of Business in the Community.​In this episode, we discuss how responsible business is a key driver for economic growth, the current challenges businesses are facing and how the 3 Ps – that’s People, Planet and Place, can help organisations shape their business strategies with responsible actions at their heart.​Reading/Listening recommendations:The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtPrioritise People: unlock the value of a thriving workforceDiary of a CEO podcast: with Tristan Harris

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Simon Fitzpatrick, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland; and Ahmed Ramy Mebrouk, Chief Executive, Nrecycli – a start-up that encourages recycling by rewarding people who recycle.In this episode, they discuss Environmental Sustainability: Risks, Rewards and Recycling.

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Rob Heron, Northern Ireland Managing Partner of EY – a global professional services firm providing Assurance, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, and Tax services to businesses; and Bruna Amaral, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Toti – a platform that promotes the inclusion of refugees and migrants in the tech sector and helps organisations grow their ESG performances through their social impact projects.​In this episode, they discuss the impact equation and ask, does social value add up for business?

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Richard Sykes, SVP and President of one of the UK and Ireland’s largest integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions firms – ABM UK and Ireland; and Manuella Appiah, Environment, Social and Governance Manager for Sunrock, a leading European developer of integrated clean energy systems, servicing valued customers across the logistical and industrial sectors.​ In this episode, we discuss how businesses are acting responsibly across key areas of People, Planet and Place​.​

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Ben Pritchard, CEO of AVK-SEG LTD – a leading provider of innovative power solutions for data centres and major organisations; and Harshit Poddar, Co-Founder of SafEarth - a platform designed to simplify and optimise the solar adoption process.In this episode, we discuss environmental sustainability and how data can make a sustainable world go round.Reading list: Data Centres: Heroes or Villains?IPCC Summary Bill Gates: How to Avoid a Climate DisasterPeter Thiel: Zero to One

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Andy Briggs, Group CEO of Phoenix Group – one of the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement businesses; and Girish Ananthanarayanan, Founder and Curator of Raahi, a channel that aims to bridge the worlds of professional management and social development perspectives. He is also a Senior Project Manager, Dalberg, a global group working to build a more inclusive and sustainable world.In this episode, we discuss social impact: What is it? Why is it important? And what is the role of business and leaders in having a positive social impact?

This month, our host Sarah Travers is joined by John Bason, Chair, Primark and also Chair of BITC’s Hounslow Pride of Place Partnership; and Motunrayo Olaogun, Sales and Business Management at Prada and One Young World ambassador.In this episode, we discuss the importance of bolstering communities across the UK and further afield. Our two guests have seen first-hand the challenges communities are facing and are personally passionate about making a difference.