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The Lens – UK Responsible Business Podcast
TRANSLINK: The role of transport in building a cleaner and greener economy, infrastructure and future
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.
Chris 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 Council
Seye 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. .
Chris 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 Podcast
Powered 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
More episodes
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