The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast

This month our host Harjot Singh is joined by John Healy OBE, Vice President and Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland and Indy Hothi CA, Co-Founder of Upside Products, Deputy President of ICAS and One Young World ambassador.In this episode, Harjot and his guests discuss how business can engage with communities that are otherwise hard to reach, and we ask our guests if business leaders can make a true impact in communities that have experienced conflict.They also talk about global citizenship, and how developing a mentality of servant leadership and being willing to explore new ideas with an open mind can benefit you.How can business leaders face the future with empathy, intelligence and put communities at the hearts of their businesses? Is it really true that when a business knows better, it does better? When a business is unselfish with its resources, does everyone benefit?Find out by listening to the latest episode of The Lens with Allstate’s John Healy and Indy Hothi from ICAS.Our GuestsJohn Healy OBE has over 25 years’ experience in technology, predominantly in the financial services domain. He has extensive experience at leading global teams, developing strategy and delivering solutions to address business and technology issues.Prior to joining Allstate, John led Citi’s delivery centre in Belfast, providing IT, Operations, HR, Legal, Finance and Risk Services to the broader Citi group as one of 27 global delivery centres in its global network. Before serving in this position, John held senior management roles as head of technology and as a business unit manager for Citi, as well as senior roles at Grafton Recruitment, Liberty IT, J P Morgan Chase, St George Bank Treasury and Merrill Lynch.John joined Allstate NI in January 2016 as Managing Director responsible for over 2,400 employees based in Belfast, Derry and Strabane. He was promoted to Vice President in July 2016.John is the Executive Sponsor for the Women in Technology at Allstate (WITA) and the Embrace (LGBT) network. External to Allstate NI, he is a Women in Business Diversity Champion. John is President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Queen’s University Employers’ Forum, is a school governor and is chair of the ICT Panel of the NI government’s technology foresight group MATRIX. John earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering and Computer Science from Queen’s University Belfast.Indy Hothi CA is the co-founder of Upside Projects, a consultancy and venture builder which provides strategic advice on digital transformation, innovation and sustainability to public and private sector clients. Prior to Upside Projects, Indy was a senior economist with EY in London. He worked across a number of high-profile social/economic impact studies which influenced public policy and included clients such as the Premier League and Rugby World Cup.Through his passion for social and humanitarian causes, Indy is a Director of Khalsa Aid International, a charity which provides humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones. His work has led him to the frontline on a number of projects including Iraq, DR Congo, Lebanon, Nepal and Haiti. Throughout 2020 and 2021 Indy has been working with Khalsa Aid to improve its governance, revamp its strategy and oversee its humanitarian response to COVID-19.Indy is currently the Deputy President of ICAS, for the worlds first professional body of Chartered Accountants (CAs). ICAS has over 20,000 members worldwide. Indy is an ambassador for One Young World and a passionate advocate for education around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The Lens PodcastSupported 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

This month our host Harjot Singh is joined by Peter Mather, Chairman of BP Europe & UK and Ayah Alfawaris, Energy Policy Manager, Wilson Power Solution and One Young World ambassador.In this episode, Harjot and his guests discuss innovation and what role businesses can play in securing a sustainable future.Our GuestsPeter is Chairman of BPEurope, BP UK and BP Exploration Operating Company. He is accountable for the governance, reputation, and integration of all bp’s European activities.He has worked in trading, refining, shipping, upstream gas, B2B marketing, corporate strategy, and power –in London, New York, Paris and Brussels. He sits on the Boards of Fuels Europe, ICC UK, is an Honorary Director of the Royal Opera House, sits on the British Museum Chairman’s Advisory Group, the CBI President’s Committee, and is a Director of the BP Pension Fund. Peter has an MA (Oxford), an MBA (INSEAD) and an Honorary Fellowship (King’s London).He is married with three children, and his interests cover the arts and most sports, from tennis to triathlons.Ayah is an international energy award winner and a One Young World Ambassador. She works as an energy policy manager in Leeds for a power transformers manufacturer decarbonising the distribution sector. Ayah is trying to help advance net zero by raising awareness and advocating to influence policies, funds and schemes to address the issue of aging inefficient assets in the UK.Being the first female solar energy in Jordan, Ayah played a major role in defining and growing the renewable energy sector in the region legislatively and commercially while working with communities and civil society organisations to realise the importance of shifting from electricity consumer to renewable electricity prosumers. Ayah has a BSc in engineering and a MSc in Sustainability and business. She volunteers with multiple professional, academic and non-for-profit organisations to address climate change on multiple levels and scales.The Lens PodcastSupported 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

This month our host Harjot Singh is joined by Angela Noon, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Siemens UK and Vincent Egunlae, One Young World Ambassador and Associate at Grant Thornton.In this episode, Harjot and his guests discuss how business can collaborate better with education to inspire the future workforce, the value of mentoring, and how meeting the right person at the right time can influence a young person’s career.Our GuestsAngela was appointed CFO and Executive Director of Siemens UK in January 2018. In addition to this role, she is also Finance Director of the Smart Infrastructure Operating Company.Prior to her move to UK, Angela was Partner and Global CFO for Next47, the corporate venturing arm of Siemens AG. Based in Germany, Next47 is a fund, investing and partnering with startups to foster ideas and accelerate the development of new technologies.During her 20 year career with Siemens, Angela has held several senior management positions in the UK and overseas, including Global Vice President and CFO for the Digital Enterprise Software segment, a key unit for the industrial digitalization strategy of Siemens.Earlier in her career, Angela was Commercial Director for North West Europe for Siemens IT Solutions and Services. She is a Non-Executive Director and Member of the Audit Committee of the Compound Semi-Conductor Catapult based in Cardiff –one of Innovate UKs world leading innovation centres.Angela is Chair of the CBI Economic Growth Board and is a Chartered Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. Angela is a qualified Accountant and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.Vincent graduated from the University of Nottingham in October 2017, with an undergraduate degree in Politics and a Masters in International Relations, before joining Grant Thornton UK LLP in January 2018 and qualifying as an accountant.Vincent co-founded GT’s first Ethnicity Network, which aims to reduce the ethnicity pay gap and increase representation at the top level. Vincent is also on GT’s Inclusion Advisory board, which advises the Strategic Leadership Team on operational and strategic decisions.Outside of work, Vincent is the co-founder of The Open Private School, a charity which aims to provide state-school educated students with some of the intangible benefits of a private education. Vincent is also a governor at Crowlands Primary School, responsible for overseeing the management side of the school.In his capacity as a One Young World ambassador, Vincent is a project lead within the FinBiz 2030 Taskforce. Vincent sits on the SteerCo for The Network of Networks, an organisation which supports over 100 companies network leaders and C-Suite execs to create inclusive environments. Vincent also works as an ambassador the NewGen Accountants, an NFP providing individuals from underrepresented backgrounds with the knowledge needed to pursue a career in accountancy, speaking at a number of events.The Lens PodcastSupported 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