Share
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
View all episodes
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?8. HERON BROS and VISA: The Benefits of Creating a People-First Workplace
36:20||Season 7, Ep. 8This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Martin O’Kane, Vice Chairman of construction company, Heron Brothers; and Katie Harris, Talent Attraction Analyst at Visa. In this episode, we’ll explore workplace culture and the challenges that two very different businesses are facing in attracting and retaining talented staff, along with the opportunities and benefits that come when organisations put a strong emphasis on their people.
7. Aldermore & Kippa: Inclusive employment – how every business can open its doors
30:41||Season 7, Ep. 7This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Steven Cooper CBE, CEO of Aldermore Group. The Group is made up of Aldermore Bank plc and MotoNovo Finance Limited. Aldermore Bank provides finance to business owners, homeowners and landlords, and supports savers. It operates online, by phone and through networks. MotoNovo Finance helps people buy their next vehicle. Aldermore Group is part of FirstRand Group, the largest financial services group in Africa by market capitalisation.We are also joined by Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph. Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of Kippa – a Fintech startup revolutionising digital payments for small businesses in Nigeria. In under two years, Kippa has secured more than $10M USD from global fintech investors, breaking ground in the industry. The company has served more than 800,000+ small businesses who record $3B annually on its app.In this episode, we discuss inclusive employment and how every business can open its doors.
6. Ricoh & McKie Consultants: Creating a responsible culture – a win for business and for people
40:52||Season 7, Ep. 6This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Rebekah Wallis, Director - People & ESG at Ricoh UK – a leading provider of integrated digital services designed to create an exceptional employee and customer experience for people and teams wherever they are; and from Toronto in Canada Miranda McKie, Founder and CEO of McKie Consultants, an organisation that optimises people and product strategy through data and design. In this episode, we’ll explore creating a responsible culture – a win for business and for people.
5. IHG and PwC: Global Goals – is everyone pulling in the same direction?
36:18||Season 7, Ep. 5This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Catherine Dolton, Chief Sustainability Officer at IHG Hotels and Resorts; and Anouar Ouali, Senior Associate, PwC. IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's leading hotel companies with more than 6,300 hotels across more than 100 countries and around 345,000 colleagues worldwide, and PwC is a multinational professional services brand of firms; the second-largest professional services network in the world and is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms. PwC is in 157 countries, across 742 locations, with 328,000 people.In this episode, we discuss global goals and ask, is everyone pulling in the same direction?
4. HAYS and GOOGLE - Is age just a number in the workplace?
35:08||Season 7, Ep. 4This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Clare Kemsley, Managing Director of Marketing UK&I at Hays; and Lisa De Wachter, Global Brand Account Lead Food Tech, Google Netherlands - Amsterdam.In this episode, we will discuss how people in underrepresented groups can fair well in the workplace, and we specifically dive in to the issue of age – what’s the reality for workers over the age of 50, and investigate the business case for attracting, retaining and retraining individuals who may feel they have additional barriers in the workplace.3. GREGGS and PWC: Putting business at the heart of communities is essential for everyone
34:36||Season 7, Ep. 3This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Roisin Currie, Chief Executive of Greggs; and Jessica Garbett, Senior Manager, Workforce Consulting Team, PwC. In this episode, we’ll explore how putting business at the heart of communities is essential for everyone. We’ll also discuss some of the tough issues out there such as employing those who have a criminal conviction and how businesses are literally stepping up to the plate to address food poverty.UK Hopes and Fears Survey 2023 - PwC UKGreggs | Doing GoodFor employers - Social Mobility CommissionThe Class Ceiling: Why it Pays to be Privileged by Sam Friedman | Goodreads
2. DANSKE BANK and GOOGLE: Workplace inclusion – why every voice must be heard
33:26||Season 7, Ep. 2This month our host Sarah Travers is joined by Vicky Davies, CEO, Danske Bank and new Chair of Business in the Community Northern Ireland; and Tomas Flier, EMEA Inclusion Lead and Diversity Business Partner for Spain, Italy and Portugal, Google, USA. In this episode, we’ll take a deep dive into workplace inclusion – how can businesses ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and what companies are doing to help their people whatever their circumstances, and when challenges come along like caring responsibilities.