The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast

4/13/2021

SIEMENS UK: Education, the role of mentors and how business can collaborate better with education to inspire the future workforce

Season 4, Ep. 2

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 Guests

Angela 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 Podcast

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

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2/9/2021

BONUS EPISODE: The Best of The Lens Season 3

Season 3, Ep. 14

What a year it's been!Many thanks to all our listeners all over the world, to Fujitsu and McCann for their generous support of this podcast, to One Young World, to our Business In The Community member companies and of course, to our inspiring guests: the senior and future leaders making the world of business more responsible, illuminating new perspectives and leading by example.Thank you for listening and tune in for Season 4. Our GuestsAnn Pickering, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief of Staff, O2 on returning to work: interview tips, authentic support and what inclusion really looks like.Olivia Cramer, Deal Crafter, The Craftory discusses challenger brands, rebellious entrepreneurs, green energy and cause-driven business.Jan Gooding, Chair, Stonewall talks about community, communication and inclusion in these uncertain timesJoe Gilbert, Cloud Native Engineer, Fujitsu explains how to be a better ally and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on his own life, as well as those of colleagues and friends.Dr Siobhan Gardiner, Climate Change and Environmental Lead, Deloitte explores the future of plastic and her mission to bring the value of science to those who need it most.Carlotta Giacché, Associate, Coordinating Ambassador UK, One Young World on risk, opportunity and sustainable financeSheree Atcheson, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Monzo Bank explains how transparency and connectivity play a key role in diversity and inclusion.Steve Murrells, Chief Executive, The Co-op on business with purpose and what it means to be a social enterpriseEmily Rose Jenkins, Geotechnical Engineer, Transport for Wales on the future of housing, the future of travel, and how the two might combineClaudio Gienal, CEO, AXA UK and Ireland talks about how cutting edge technology connects with tough business problems, how to make any business more innovative and how the future of healthcare will involve new forms of collaboration.Ivan Kayima, CEO and Founder, Spiela on mentoring, taking risks and equalityAnne Boden, Founder and CEO, Starling Bank on why standing for something is integral to business success, the difference between for-profit and profit-driven and using technology for good.Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive, Translink on the role of transport in building a cleaner and greener economy, infrastructure and futureThe Lens PodcastPowered by Fujitsu, 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 Oli Barrett 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

1/26/2021

TRANSLINK: The role of transport in building a cleaner and greener economy, infrastructure and future

Season 3, Ep. 13

SummaryThis month our host Oli Barrett MBE is joined by Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive of Translink, keeping the trains and buses and coaches running across Northern Ireland; and Seye Odukogbe, Co-Founder of Routemasters & Founder of Cycle to Class.In this episode our host Oli Barrett MBE explores the future of travel, a cleaner greener future. They talk about the benefits of cutting time and stress from someone’s daily journeys, all the more relevant during a national lockdown.And of course, our host asks both Chris and Seye who they’d most like to meet for coffee and which books they’ll be adding to the famous Lens Reading List.Our GuestsChris Conway took up the position of Group Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and its operating subsidiaries (Translink) in 2015. He has extensive international business experience with Tata Steel Europe where he worked as Managing Director Tata Steel Distribution Ireland and previously as Vice President Operations for Nortel Networks in Europe.Chris graduated from Ulster University with a BSc in Engineering and Business, and also has an MBA from Ulster University. He is a Chartered Company Director and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers).Chris is Chairperson of NI-CO (Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas) and a member of CBI Northern Ireland CouncilSeye Odukogbe holds an MEng in Biomedical Engineering from Queen Mary University of London and an MBA from Said Business School, University of Oxford. He has over a decade of experience managing complex Transport, Energy, and infrastructure projects in the UK and across Africa.Before co-founding Routemasters, a transport and mobility data platform for the emerging world, Seye was the Head of Strategic Ventures for a leading energy firm, developing and investing in renewable energy solutions across the emerging world. Seye desire to lead transformative change led him to found 'Cycle to Class', a not-for-profit that provides bicycles to children in rural communities in Nigeria so they can get educated and a better chance in life.Seye is a Jacobs Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, Windsor Fellow, and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper..The Lens Reading ListChris chose Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand – the true-life story of World War II hero Louis Zamperini.Seye chose Factfulness by Hans Rosling, saying " it really challenges the notion of how the world works, and so challenges us to be more fact based on world views."The Lens PodcastPowered by Fujitsu, 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 Oli Barrett 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

1/5/2021

STARLING BANK: More than profit – why standing for something is integral to business success

Season 3, Ep. 12

This month our host Oli Barrett MBE is joined by Starling Bank Founder and CEO, Anne Boden and Cecila Chapiro, Executive Director of Yunus & Youth.In this episode our host Oli Barrett MBE gets an understanding of why standing for something is integral to business success,the difference between for-profit and profit-drivenandusing technology for good.And of course, our host asks both Anne and Cecilia who they’d most like to meet for coffee and which books they’ll be adding to the famous Lens Reading List.Our GuestsAnne Boden Anne Boden is founder and CEO of Starling Bank, a fast-growing UK digital bank targeting millions of users who live their lives on their phones. After a distinguished career working in senior leadership at some of the world’s best-known financial heavyweights, among them Allied Irish Banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and ABN AMRO, she set out to build her own bank from scratch in 2014. Starling was voted Best British Bank for the past three years and has opened more than 1.5 million accounts, including more than 200,000 accounts for small business owners. Anne is a board member of UK Finance and was awarded an MBE for services to financial technology in 2018.Cecilia Shapiro is the Project Coordinator of Emerging Technologies for the UNICEF Innovation Fund. The Innovation Fund allows UNICEF to quickly assess, fund and grow open-source solutions that can improve children’s lives. Financial and technological support is available for companies that are using technology in innovative ways to improve the world. She is also the Co-founder and Executive Director of Yunus &Youth, helping promising young people build impactful social businesses, anywhere in the world.The Lens Reading ListAnne chose The Hard Thing about Hard Things by Ben Horowitz, adding "I've been known to pick chapters out for my executive teams - starting a business is tough."Cecilia chose Becoming by Michelle Obama, commending: "I think she's a force of nature."The Lens PodcastPowered by Fujitsu, 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 Oli Barrett 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