Share

The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast
SALESFORCE: Responsible leadership, digital connectivity and access to technology
In this episode, Harjot and his guests explore responsible leadership, digital connectivity and access to technology. They talk about making valuable connections, closing the digital skills gap and the importance of having a strong sense of purpose.
Our Guests
Gavin was appointed President and Chief Revenue Officer, Salesforce on August 1, 2020. He is responsible for worldwide sales and distribution of Salesforce products and services. Patterson joined Salesforce in August 2019 and served as Chairman of EMEA Advisory Board and President and CEO International.
Prior to Salesforce, Gavin served as Chief Executive of BT Group from 2013-19 and a board director from 2008-19. During his tenure at BT, he completed the UK rollout of the superfast fibre and started the deployment ultrafast fibre. He led the £15 billion acquisition of EE, launched BT Sport, expanded BT’s cyber security practice and championed BT’s social purpose agenda. He joined BT in 2004 as MD Consumer and joined the board as CEO BT Retail in 2008. Prior to BT, he spent four years at Virgin Media latterly as MD Consumer and nine years at Procter & Gamble in various brand management and marketing roles. In January 2021, Gavin Patterson became chair of Business in the Community - the Prince’s Responsible Business Network.
Gavin is a Non-Executive Director at Elixirr Consulting, the APAX backed AI business Fractal and EQT backed Delta Fiber. He served on many boards including British Airways plc and as a Trustee at The British Museum and acting as an advisor for many tech start-ups. He graduated from Cambridge University with an MEng in Chemical Engineering.
Dara is a Manager within Digital Transformation & Innovation at the global firm Deloitte, with particular areas of focus being Digital Acceleration, Workforce Transformation and Leadership Development. She is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and currently sits on the ICAEW’s Sustainability Committee.
Having lived and worked across four different continents, she is passionate about rethinking and redesigning the paradigm within which organisations operate, such that sustainability - economic, environmental and societal - sits at the heart of solutions and strategies proposed for the future.
Supported by McCann and in partnership with One Young World, The Lens represents the breadth, diversity and priorities of the responsible business agenda. From gender equality to zero hours contracts, learning on the factory floor to activist businesses, The Lens covers a range of topics from a host of varying perspectives.
Each episode brings together a business and future leader to foster disruptive conversations and fresh connections. Innovators and CEOs join Harjot Singh in the studio for a unique conversation covering their journeys, lessons learned, advice, insight and of course, the inspirational person they’d most like to meet for coffee.
Business in the Community is The Prince's Responsible Business Network. We convene a unique network of purposeful leaders to share insight, expertise and create innovative programmes that deliver impact. Together our ambition is to make the UK the world leader at responsible business.
Don’t forget to follow The Lens on Instagram and to rate, review and subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. instagram.com/thelenspodcast
More episodes
View all episodes
5. PRIMARK and PRADA: Weaving a passion for communities within business
32:03||Season 8, Ep. 5This 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.4. CLARKE CARLISLE: From Premier League Footballer to Mental Health Advocate (recorded live)
24:38||Season 8, Ep. 4This month's podcast episode features an insightful and candid conversation with former Premier League footballer, Clarke Carlisle, who openly discusses his personal journey with mental health challenges and addiction. He shares valuable lessons learned from his experiences, offering practical advice for both individuals and employers on fostering well-being. Recorded live at the Healthy Working Lives conference in Northern Ireland on 4 June 2025, the discussion covers the pressures of professional sports, the importance of self-worth beyond one's career, and the critical role of accessible and effective mental health support. And if you didn't know, Clarke was named Britain's Brainiest Footballer on Carol Vorderman's show, he was the first Premier League footballer player to appear on Countdown, and he recently won the 1% Club for Soccer Aid.3. Linklaters and Triift Africa : Putting business at the heart of communities
43:24||Season 8, Ep. 3This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner at Linklaters - one of the world’s leading law firms and Yemisi Isidi, Co-Founder, Strategy and Finance Lead, Triift Africa – an organisation that is making it easier for underserved communities and businesses to access the services they need to succeed.In this episode, we discuss how businesses can get into the hearts of communities, make an impact and become part of the fabric in places across the UK as positive corporate citizens that play their part in strengthening society at all levels.2. Associated British Foods and Out the Box: Women and Race – creating a human-centred workplace
41:00||Season 8, Ep. 2This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Sue Whalley, Chief People and Performance Officer at Associated British Foods – multinational food processing and retailing company and Renée Davis, Founder, Out the Box – an organisation that equips Black creative entrepreneurial and professional talent with opportunities and connections. In this episode, we discuss women and race in the workplace.1. BRITISH AIRWAYS and SHIPZERO: How can business build a better world?
32:41||Season 8, Ep. 1This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways – a company that probably needs no introduction as one of the world’s biggest airlines; and Mirko Schedlbauer, Founder and CEO, shipzero - Hamburg-based startup dedicated to decarbonising the logistics industry through innovative data solutions. In this episode, we discuss how can business create a better world, what our guests are focussing on in their organisations to benefit their people, the planet and communities, and of course, we’ll find out who they are beyond their job titles.12. LOQBOX and JA GROUP: Beyond Profits - How Business Can Lead with Responsible Finance
35:31||Season 7, Ep. 12In this episode, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Gregor Mowat, CEO of Loqbox, a financial technology (fintech) company that offers a variety of products to help people improve their credit score and manage their money; and Jude Addo, Group CEO of JA Group, an investment firm focused on the wealth and wellbeing of its clients.They discuss financial inclusion – why this is an important issue and what business can do to help people. Reading list: Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. RobinsonMoney, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy AlcornThe Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono11. The Lens Special: Police Service of Northern Ireland | Why keeping our roads safe is everyone’s business
29:22||Season 7, Ep. 11In this special one-off episode, our host Sarah Travers is joined by Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson to discuss the importance of responsible driving. Sam has responsibilities for road safety among other activities. In this episode, we discuss the reality on our roads and what employers can do to encourage their people to be safe whether they’re on the daily commute or driving for their job. They also talk about a new campaign being delivered by Business in the Community to help employers do more.10. PINSENT MASONS and MATRIC LIVE: Social mobility - how can business open doors for more people?
35:48||Season 7, Ep. 10This 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?9. BP UK and UNILEVER: Businesses can positively impact communities. How?
35:27||Season 7, Ep. 9This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Louise Kingham CBE, Senior Vice President, Europe & Head of Country, UK, bp plc; and Clayton Chaparadza, former Customer Business Development Manager at Unilever UK.In this episode, we explore social impact and ask how can businesses positively impact communities?