The Roots of Leadership Podcast

Today we’re joined by Precious Mshengu, a woman with a story that everyone should hear. Aged just 35, Precious has already achieved so much to be proud of, including being a part of the Enterprise Innovation Academy in Portugal, gaining a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance and Law, and she’s only getting started. Growing up in South Africa, Precious moved to the UK aged 15, during what would be her final year of high school. The transition into a new academic structure and confronting a...

Today we’re joined by Andrea Kind, heralded communicator, strategist, advisor and yoga teacher who is passionate about helping others, using her personable leadership and coaching skills. Opening the show with some comments made by those Andrea has mentored, her natural ability to listen, understand and help others shines through. Described as ‘compassionate and tough’ – she believes this is an accurate description of her, but also encompasses what she hopes to teach those around her. When...

Today we’re joined by Richard Medcalf, leader, coach and Founder of Xquadrant; helping elite CEOs and their teams multiply their impact and take their influence to a new level. When touching on his experiences as a coach to CEOs and high level leaders, Richard shares his belief that we can all think like a CEO and take ownership and control of our destiny, regardless of our job title. He uncovers that one of the most common themes he addresses among those he coaches, is the need to perfect...

On today’s episode we’re joined by 16 year old Zak O’Sullivan, racing driver and British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) superstar, who was recently crowned the youngest ever GB3/British F3 champion. By the age of eight, Zak was already karting. His dad’s interest in cars sparked his own passion which quickly grew; it wasn’t long before Zak himself was in the driving seat. Aged just 14, Zak raced some of the UK’s most renowned racetracks as part of the Ginetta Junior Championship. This year he...

On today’s episode we’re joined by Jackie Wendleken, a leader and networker, unafraid of breaking down barriers. Jackie begins by taking us back to when she moved to London as she recalls being a ‘green behind the ears’ 18 year old. She credits her time working in customer service and retail as the core foundation for enabling her to excel within future positons, including the all-important people skills she mastered at this time and continues to utilise today. Now working as a Senior Vice...

On today’s episode we’re joined by Paula Lopes, insurance expert, lifelong leader and professional, built for challenge and adventure. Starting from the beginning, Paula takes us back to growing up in Brazil and the inspiring work ethic she saw in her father. Working multiple jobs was a way of life where she lived, and it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Paula to watch her dad work five jobs at a time. This work ethic more than rubbed off on Paula, and her impressive career is testament to...

On today’s episode we’re joined by, author, activist, television presenter and personality, Katie Piper, who encompasses the true essence of being a leader. Delving straight in to discuss the driving force behind the charity she founded, The Katie Piper Foundation, Katie explains that establishing a charity was never a route she expected to go down. A life-changing experience gave her clear insight of the support those dealing with burn injuries need. When her life changed overnight, she...

Today we’re joined by Roianne Nedd, Global Inclusion and Diversity Leader, motivational speaker, and author of ‘The Trusted Black Girl’. Taking us right back to the beginning, Roianne tells us about her childhood within a patriarchal society in Guyana, born to a family with incredible work ethic. Her father part of the second generation free of slavery, her grandmother a descendant of Indian indentured workers - Roianne explains that her multicultural background provided her with a mindset...

On today’s show we’re joined by Kevin Dedner, founder and CEO of Hurdle, award-winning public speaker and true leader in all he does. As he discusses the evolution of his business, Kevin takes us back to his own experience with depression, and not only what this taught him, but the gaps in mental healthcare this period highlighted. Following this journey, he set about creating culturally intentional mental healthcare, and Hurdle was born. As Kevin touches on the increase in company...

Today we’re joined by Dan Stanley, expert in human development and performance, retired senior Army Commando, and coach – just to name a few! Owner of ‘Better Men’, a business focused on enabling men to live a happier and healthier life, Dan’s journey has been anything but smooth sailing. During the darkest time in his life, Dan found himself in a suicidal state. Speaking candidly with us, he explains the depths of this time, and the collateral damage this created. Following a conversation...

Today we’re privileged to be joined by Sir David King, Co-Founder of the Clean Growth Leadership Network and founder and Chair of The Centre for Climate Repair in the University of Cambridge. Sir David’s vast accomplishments include, being elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1991, receiving his Knighthood in 2003, working as the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser (2000-2007), and being the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative on Climate Change (2013-2017) - his achievements and...

Today we’re joined by Kay White, career coach, mentor and author, recently recognised as one of the top 49 Elite Women in Insurance 2021. Her success as a global podcast host and motivational speaker demonstrates that Kay truly is a leader in all she does. It seemed truly fitting she joined us on International Women’s Week. Starting her career as an ‘enthusiastic and naïve’ secretary in Willis, Kay spent over 20 years working her way up the ladder, eventually becoming a global director in...

On today’s show we’re joined by Gail Lowney Alofsin, Keynote Speaker, Author, University Professor, Humanitarian, and Sales & Marketing Executive. Gail begins by talking about always having been a people person, even from a young age. Gail takes us back to when she was a student in a Catholic school, door knocking, trying to sell religious items, and highlighted that even those who said ‘no’ got a ‘thank you for opening the door’ note from her. Fondly remembering the connection she made with...

On today’s show, we welcome Rachael Flanagan, leader, entrepreneur and CEO of Mrs Buckét Cleaning Services. In 2005, Rachael was 18, sitting her A-Levels, and helping her mum clean the family home. Originally seeing this as a means to earn ‘beer money’ for the local pub, Rachael quickly recognised the positive impact her help was having around the house, and her dream began to grow and take shape. As Rachael explains her humble beginnings, she tells us how her entrepreneurial spirit sparked...

Today we’re joined by Joanne Collins, former military personnel, woman in technology, and born leader. Having grown up in a military family, Joanne followed suit and worked as both Military Police and Telecommunications Officer during her time in the forces. Looking back, Joanne explains that on graduation from Airborne School, she was one of just five women, compared to 400 men. She credits this part of her life for teaching her resilience, how to think on her feet, and the importance of...

Today we’re joined by Touker Suleyman, fashion retail entrepreneur, investor, business owner and of course one of the highly respected moguls on hit television programme, ‘Dragons’ Den’. From a young age, Touker explains that he was always ambitious. After leaving the world of accountancy in his late teens, he asked himself two questions; ‘how am I going to be successful?’ and ‘how am I going to be recognised?’. From there, Touker embarked on a journey comprising of successes, challenges and...

Today we’re joined by Jeff Nischwitz, founder and ‘chief story debunker’ of The Nischwitz Group, speaker, motivator, and facilitator of truth. Starting out in the legal world, Jeff now describes himself as a ‘snow globe shaker’ for those that he serves. Following a very successful career in law, Jeff came to the realisation that although he was good at what he did, he didn’t enjoy it, and so began a journey in search of something he loved. Traditional success wasn’t what he was striving for,...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Jamie Peacock MBE, former Rugby League player, motivational speaker and mentor. During his career, he played for the Leeds Rhinos, the Bradford Bulls, captained Great Britain and England at international level, and that’s just a handful of his achievements. In 2011, he was awarded an MBE for services to the game. From the get-go, Jamie’s motivation shines through. He explains the route he had to take to break through into the first team, and how this was...

Today we’re joined by Leigh Ashton, CEO and founder of The Sales Consultancy, a business focussed on shifting the way people think and giving them a Sales Growth Mindset. Casting her mind back to 1985, Leigh explains that as she stepped into a sales role, she felt like she was living a dream come true. The one to one conversations, people she got to meet and businesses she engaged with made her feel as though she was getting ‘paid to chat’ and her passion for sales only grew from here. But...

Today, the fantastic Jennifer Walsh (photographed above with Becki Lammond, podcast producer), innovative thinker, world wanderer and leader in life, joins us for her second time on the show. Since her last appearance on the show back in 2018, Jennifer has been as busy as ever, and a pandemic wasn’t going to get in her way. Talking about her current projects, including consulting for beauty brands, writing, and appearing on various TV segments, Jennifer speaks about her passion for nature,...