5THREAD Podcast

In this episode of the 5THREAD Podcast, I’m joined by Neil Ednie, director of Neil Ednie Designs and a specialist in repairing highly technical performance garments.

Neil is one of only a very small number of people in the world able to repair technical sports swim garments. We talk about why technical performance garments can be so difficult to repair, the economics behind repair, and what happens when the accepted answer to a damaged garment is simply to replace it.

We also get into the cost of performance sportswear, particularly for young athletes and their families, and whether the pressure to have the latest equipment can unintentionally create barriers to participation, and the role that sports organisations, brands and manufacturers could play in making repair and reuse more accessible.

For more information on care and repair for swimwear, check out https://www.neilednie.com/swim-suit-care

In this episode of the 5THREAD Podcast, I’m joined by Lydia, Sustainability Manager at Edgbaston Stadium.

Lydia joined the club nearly four years ago, stepping into a role that hadn’t existed before. Since then, she’s been building sustainability into the day-to-day operation of a major international sports venue, from energy and water to events, hospitality, data and infrastructure.

What I really wanted to explore in this conversation is what sustainability actually looks like when you’re trying to make change happen inside a busy sporting organisation.

We talk about the importance of taking the jargon out of sustainability, getting people on board, and making changes that work for the organisation rather than simply looking good on paper. Lydia shares the story behind introducing smart plugs across the stadium, the unexpected challenge of a new hotel being built on site, and why sometimes sustainability targets need to be revisited as better data and new information become available.

We also talk about the less visible side of sustainability, stakeholder management, keeping people engaged, and why being willing to say “I don’t know, but I’ll find out” can actually be a strength.

It’s a really honest conversation about making sustainability practical, positive and achievable within sport.

Hannah Cox is the founder of the Better Business Network, a UK membership community for purpose-driven businesses, and betternotstop, a sustainability consultancy.

In May 2024, Hannah started running for the first time. Just 18 months later, she completed an extraordinary challenge: running 100 marathons in 100 days across 4,222km of India. Along the way, she raised more than £106,000 for climate and social justice causes, all while managing scoliosis and an autoimmune disease.

In this episode, we talk about the realities behind such an incredible achievement. Hannah shares the highs, the lows, and everything in between, from the physical and mental challenge of Project Salt Run to balancing an ambitious endurance challenge with the day-to-day realities of running the Better Business Network.

What struck me most was Hannah's honesty. We often see the headline achievement, but this conversation explores what it really takes to build a community, lead a purpose-driven business, and keep moving forward when things don't go to plan.

There are some brilliant takeaways throughout, including the reminder that you can't please everyone all the time, you have to stay true to what you believe is right.

It's an inspiring, honest and refreshingly open conversation, and I hope you enjoy listening.

In this episode, we speak with Clive Michallat, Co-Founder of Action For Sport, a registered charity established in 2020 to tackle one of the hidden barriers preventing children from participating in sport.

With more than 20 years of experience in children's sport, football scouting, education and youth development, Clive has worked as a prison officer, in a secure children's unit, and as a pastoral leader in an inner-city school in Bradford. Alongside fellow co-founder Andrew Kenure, he noticed a concerning trend: children were missing school on PE days.

Digging deeper, they discovered that many families simply could not afford PE kit, trainers or sports boots. For some children, the fear of embarrassment was enough to stop them attending school altogether.

What started as a simple initiative to collect outgrown sports clothing and footwear has grown into a charity that has distributed more than £500,000 worth of kit, diverted over 12 tonnes of textiles from landfill, and helped thousands of young people access sport with dignity and confidence.

In this conversation, we explore:

* The link between access to sports kit, school attendance and participation.

* The hidden challenges facing children and families.

* How reused sportswear can create both social and environmental impact.

* The role schools can play in reducing barriers to sport.

* Action For Sport's plans to launch school-based recycling systems that keep sports kit in circulation.

This is a powerful discussion about inclusion, opportunity and why something as simple as a pair of trainers can make the difference between a child taking part or missing school.

Find out more about Action for Sport via their website https://www.actionforsport.org.uk/

Rose Savidge is a self-leadership coach, Senior Design Manager, and host of The Follow Yourself Experiment podcast.

With over 25 years in the fashion industry, she has led design teams, developed collections, and worked at the intersection of creativity, innovation and responsible product development. Her work brings together strategic thinking, creative direction, and a belief that there is always a better way to build.

Alongside her design leadership career, Rose runs a coaching practice supporting thoughtful, high-performing people through moments of transition - particularly when what they’ve built no longer feels fully aligned.

Her podcast, The Follow Yourself Experiment, sits at the centre of her work. Through conversations with founders, creatives, athletes and change-makers, she explores what it really means to lead yourself and create the life you want.

Across everything she does, Rose’s work is grounded in values-led leadership - helping people reconnect with what matters to them, make clearer decisions, and build a life that genuinely fits.

In this episode, we explore a wide range of themes with Rose, including dyslexia and how it can be a powerful advantage in creative leadership. We also unpack the circular economy—questioning whether it truly comes at a cost, and how to lead in uncertain times.

In this episode of the 5Thread Podcast, I’m joined by Steve Muturi, founder of Ni Wakati Sports Africa. Based in Nairobi, Steve is building opportunities for young people in Kenya through grassroots and emerging sports, from jump rope and dodgeball to esports and freestyle trampolining.

We talk about:

*Why access to play is a right, not a privilege

*How grassroots sport can be more innovative and dynamic than traditional systems

*The challenges and opportunities of second-hand clothing markets in Africa

*Turning denim waste into sustainable dodgeballs

*Creating entrepreneurial and digital skills pathways through sport

*The power of partnerships to scale impact

Steve’s passion is contagious, this episode is a reminder of how powerful grassroots innovation can be in breaking down barriers, creating joy, and opening up career pathways for young people. For more information follow Steve via Linkedin or via Instagram niwakatisports

In this episode, I sit down with Neil Meredith, an industry leader in the world of sport and tech who often finds himself bridging the gap between innovative start-ups, brands, and football clubs. While Neil doesn’t come from a sustainability background, he’s developed a deep understanding over the years of what it means to shift from irresponsible to responsible practices, particularly when it comes to product and partnerships in football.

We dive into the evolution he’s witnessed across his career, the operational challenges clubs face, and why there can be a disconnect between communication between smaller brands and large clubs. Despite the constraints, Neil believes that football really does care about sustainability—it just needs to navigate a complex landscape to make it happen.

What makes this conversation especially meaningful is Neil’s grounded, down-to-earth approach and the ability to see sustainability from all sides - both understanding the commercial constraints but also the opportunities. We talk not only about the practical side of the industry but also about how important communication and skills such as resilience, empathy, and kindness are. Qualities that are often overlooked but crucial to making real change in the day-to-day business of sport.

If you're curious about how sustainability meets football, and what it takes to make change from the inside out, this one’s a must-listen.

I’m joined by Ben Hardy-Jones, Sustainability Lead at the Desert Vipers. Ben is responsible for measuring and reducing the Desert Vipers' environmental impact, identifying ways to drive widespread sustainability efforts within the community and through partnerships, and championing sustainability to mass audiences through media.

In this episode, we discuss kit, and why it has been a key focus for the Desert Vipers over this past season. We talked about how being new to the industry gave Ben a fresh perspective, why 94% of their plastic footprint came from kit, and how he’s navigated partnerships, commercial pressures, and fan expectations while keeping sustainability front and centre.

Ben gives us an honest, insightful look at what it really takes to embed sustainability into a fast-moving, high-profile sporting organisation. From tackling plastic in kit and reshaping supply chains to navigating internal buy-in and the complexity of sponsorship logistics, this episode is packed with practical lessons for anyone working at the intersection of sport and sustainability.

We explore why being new to the industry can be a superpower, the hidden environmental impact of sports kit, and how to build trust with suppliers, staff, and players. Ben talks about making brave decisions in uncertain conditions, why iteration often beats perfection in sustainability work, and how kit redistribution can create meaningful social impact.

This conversation goes beyond carbon metrics and annual reports. It’s about taking bold action, staying honest about what’s within your control, and being willing to iterate, fail, and try again. If you work in sport, sustainability, or anywhere between the two, this one is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

🔗 Connect with Ben: Ben Hardy-Jones on LinkedIn

In this episode of the 5THREAD Podcast, I’m joined by Simon Gresswell, a seasoned expert in sports licensing and merchandising, to explore why the traditional football shirt business model is ripe for disruption.

Simon shares his journey into the world of licensing, reflecting on how the industry has evolved alongside the rise of digital platforms and e-commerce. We discuss the growing need for sustainability in sports merchandise and how sports organisations can adopt more responsible practices while still remaining commercially viable. The episode also touches on how digital transformation has shifted consumer behaviour, redefining what fans expect from sports merchandise and why Simon believes there will always be a place for physical products. He also explains why giving something away for free might just be one of the best investments a brand can make to engage its fans.

Whether you're in the business of sport or simply curious about the systems behind the products that bear your club's name, this is a thought-provoking episode not to be missed.

Welcome to Season 3! I’m joined by Jo Redfern, Founder of Futrhood Media and a specialist in Gen Z & Gen Alpha media strategy across platforms like YouTube, Roblox, TikTok. With a wealth of experience across brands like Disney, BBC, and WWE, Jo brings a unique perspective on the future of fandom and why sport must move faster to keep up.

We dive into the seismic shifts in how young audiences connect with sport, what traditional rights holders are getting wrong, and how organisations can reimagine their digital strategies to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Whether you're in sport, media, or digital marketing, this episode is packed with insights on:

✅ Why Gen Z and Gen Alpha consume sport differently — and what that means for your content

✅ The power of story, identity, and community in modern fandom

✅ What sport can learn from entertainment and creator culture to stay culturally relevant

✅ How to build digital ecosystems that actually engage younger audiences

✅ The monetisation models of tomorrow (and why waiting is no longer an option)

I learned so much recording this episode. What sets Jo apart is her practical approach; she breaks complex trends into actionable takeaways you can start using straight away.

🔗 Connect with Jo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joredfern/