White Swan

In episode 15 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we welcome a person kept very busy during a global energy crisis: Tom Greatrex, CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association, which represents 250 companies across the nuclear supply chain in the UK. Tom is also a former Labour MP (2010 and 2015), and a highly respected Shadow Energy Minister. He is the vice chair of the Football Supporters Association and represents supporters on the FA Council.As an advocate of nuclear power, he deconstructs the fear associated with nuclear power and demystifies major nuclear disasters, including Fukushima and Chernobyl. On the recent concerns around energy security, Tom says: “The best time to build a nuclear power station has always been about 15 years ago. The next best time is now.”Talking about his time as an MP, Tom reflects on the current political culture and how it – along with a missing sense of purpose –prevents politicians from making good long-term decisions. With politics geared to 24-hour news and social media, creating an environment of short-termism, Tom advises leaders to think for the future.Listen to White Swan with Tom for an insightful and fascinating conversation about nuclear, politics, and football – and the crisis management lessons behind them.

In episode 14 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we are joined by Thomas Hurd – former Director General at the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism in the UK. Thomas was also responsible for overseeing the domestic operations of the intelligence agencies, CT Police and the National Crime Agency and played a leading role internationally on domestic security issues.   Back in May 2020, at the outset of Covid-19 in the UK, Thomas was tasked with setting up the UK's Joint Biosecurity Centre to detect Covid 19 outbreaks earlier and more accurately, alongside advising the UK government and local authorities on how best to respond. He speaks about building the centre up from scratch to incorporate both health expertise and data, and the importance for leaders to adopt a data-driven mindset.  With a strong expertise in crisis management and recovery, Hurd shares his experience managing crisis on a national level, including the UK response to the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Talking to Thomas, we see a glimpse into how COBRA meetings work and his role in keeping crises under control.  This action-packed episode is a must-listen for all leaders, especially those who want to be prepared and proactive when it comes to managing crises – with a myriad of valuable advice shared by the expert himself. 

In Episode 13 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we talk about what leaders can do to avoid a crisis engulfing their business around the language of gender – and why getting this language right can make your business more resilient, and more profitable. In this episode, Gavin Megaw talks with Kate Miller, Chief Diversity and Communications Officer at the England & Wales Cricket Board, and Helen Sauntson, Professor of English Language and Linguistics in the York St John University School of Languages and Linguistics. The fascinating conversation talks about why getting the language of gender right, and avoiding biased wording, is important in creating successful – and profitable – organisations. The conversation takes in the importance of championing the changing of the status quo, why everyone needs to play a role in “checks and challenges”, and how moving with the times is essential for the progression of your business.

In Episode 12 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast we talk with Bruce Daisley - podcaster, best-selling author, former VP at Twitter and expert on workplace culture. Bruce and Gavin Megaw focus on the topic of resilience: what it is (and, indeed, what it isn’t), and how you cannot be resilient on your own. The two talk about why it’s essential for the top-table of any business to have collective strength around the top table – especially in times of crisis, and how a top team can draw strength from each other.Bruce also talks to us about the loneliness of the leader and how everyone needs to have a group of people, often outside your organisation or business, with whom you can have open and honest conversations. Having to explain things in layman’s terms to someone you trust is a very good thing and often enables you to think differently about the situation faced.It's a fascinating conversation that will be of value to every business leader.Bruce’s Eat, Sleep, Work Repeat podcast can be found here: Home - Eat Sleep Work Repeat - workplace culture, and you can find his most recent book here: The Joy of Work (UK) - Eat Sleep Work Repeat

In Episode 11 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we talk to James Bielby, Chief Executive of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors. The FWD’s members distribute food and drink to more than half-a-million businesses, and over the last two years they have faced a seemingly never-ending wave of crises – through Brexit and Covid, to supply chain pressures and labour market issues, and beyond. James talks us through how he has helped unite the FWD’s membership and guided the organisation through crisis after crisis

On episode 10 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we hear from Jo-Anne Poirier, CEO of VON Canada, an organisation that has provided home and community care to more than 10,000 people throughout Canada for more than 120 years. VON has faced an array of crises that could have seen off a lesser-prepared organisation in the last few years – from a financial restructuring, through Covid, to a ransomware attack and even a mass shooting.Jo-Anne tells us how her motto in a crisis is to “stay calm and stay steady”. She tells us about how she has projected this calmness into her organisation, and how this has helped VON get through a difficult period. The assumption that the top of the organisation should act like everything is fine at all times has changed, driven partly by Covid. More organisations now are looking for a transparent and empathetic – and above all, honest – leader to drive them forward. Jo-Anne embodies this, and this episode gives a unique look at how she has used these principles to guide VON through all that the last couple of years has thrown at them.

Episode 9 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast sees Gavin Megaw speaking to Farrah Storr, Editor in Chief of Elle UK. Farrah also launched Women’s Health UK and is one of the most influential editors around. She has the awards to prove it – having been named BSME Editor of the Year three times, most recently in 2020. Farrah is also the author of a book called The Discomfort Zone, which looks at how challenge and discomfort can unlock human potential.In a brilliant conversation, Farrah talks to us about how her unblinkered focus on being the best she could possibly be stopped opportunities being denied to her and helped get her where she is today. She talks about the need for clarity in leadership, particularly during challenging times. When should you gloss over the truth with your team – if ever? How can you walk “the fine line” between bringing your team with you with clear direction, as opposed to dragging people along?She talks openly about the challenges she has faced in previous roles at Women’s Health and Cosmopolitan, and how she has grown through the crises she has faced through all of her roles.

Episode 8 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast sees Gavin Megaw joined by Richard Wilson, the former Cabinet Secretary and most senior civil servant in the United Kingdom when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.In a fascinating and open conversation, Richard talks about the vital role that COBRA plays in pulling people physically together in one place to stop them running around like “headless chickens” in a crisis, and how the UK Government dealt with the September 11th attacks – including his own role in that response. Richard goes on to lay down his eight-point manifesto for business leaders facing a crisis. This is a riveting listen and a true insight into how politicians deal with crises – with genuine lessons for all business leaders. 

Episode 7 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast with Steve Elworthy MBE, the Managing Director of Events & Special Projects at the England & Wales Cricket Board. Steve talks about how his international test cricket career has influenced his administrative career, including his role as Managing Director of the 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Steve and Gavin talk about the importance of being a generalist – rather than a specialist – when controlling a crisis. Steve talks about how he worked hard to build a network on his arrival in England – and how important that network has been in tackling crises, allowing him to move quickly when crisis hits.