Leadership isn’t just about titles, corner offices, or climbing the corporate ladder - it’s about impact. And according to Chris Roebuck, too many leaders make it to the top… without ever learning how to truly lead.

In this episode of Conversations at the Summit, host Tanya Arnold and side-kick Gordon Bateman sit down with Chris Roebuck, former military officer and founder of Simply Success, who’s spent over 35 years transforming founders, CEOs, and senior leaders into high-impact decision-makers.

Chris doesn’t teach theory. He delivers battle-tested leadership strategies forged in military operations and refined in global boardrooms.

You’ll learn: • Why delegation is the secret weapon of every great leader • How entrepreneurial leadership drives real results (even in big business) • Why passion beats technical skills when you're scaling • What most executives get wrong about culture, change, and people • How Chris’s military mindset built the foundations of Simply Success

If you’re a founder scaling up, a leader who wants to sharpen their edge, or someone ready to break out of “default management mode” – this is your playbook.

Don’t miss it – your leadership might just depend on it.

CLIMB25 IS COMING! 2nd and 3rd July Get inspired, get connected, get your ticket now: https://www.climb-uk.com/buy-tickets/tickets

LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-roebuck-70b1283/ https://chrisroebuck.live/

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clim...

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X: @Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

From the lab to the marketplace, science and innovation shape our everyday lives. This episode explores how deeptech founders can navigate the complex path of turning bold ideas into thriving businesses.

Meet Victoria Garcia – molecular designer, entrepreneur, and relentless innovator – who’s created a game-changing biodegradable glue that can transform everything from your kitchen table to your takeout packaging.

But this isn’t just a story about science. It’s about resilience, risk, and reinvention. Victoria takes us on her journey across Europe, through academic obstacles, crushing setbacks, and a comeback story powered by purpose.

Alongside Tanya Arnold and Gordon Bateman, Victoria shares:

• How a master's in Molecular Design sparked a materials revolution
• The secrets to unlocking grant funding as a deeptech founder
• Why her eco-friendly glue could upend multiple industries
• How one professor nearly derailed her dreams – and how she fought back
• Why the UK became her launchpad for success

If you’re taking ideas from the lab bench to the boardroom, especially in the world of deeptech, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

If you’re a founder and especially work in the deeptech sector, this episode is for you!

CLIMB25 IS COMING! 2nd and 3rd July Get inspired, get connected, get your ticket now: https://www.climb-uk.com/buy-tickets/tickets

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-garcia-b84093275/

https://www.bindethics.com/

quicklabs.co.uk

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clim...

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X: @Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

Sometimes, one person’s decision to care can change everything.

Andy Howarth isn’t in it for recognition or profit. After careers in the police and the legal world, he chose a different path, one rooted in compassion. Through setting up the Howarth Foundation, Andy helps people facing homelessness find stable work, rebuild their confidence, and reconnect with society.

There are no shortcuts, no easy answers. But what the Foundation does offer is something powerful: a real chance.

In this episode, we also meet Carl Hedley, who knows exactly what that chance means. Once struggling with addiction and life on the streets, Carl is now not only back on his feet, he’s working alongside Andy to help others do the same.

This is a story about purpose, resilience, and what’s possible when someone believes in you.

In this episode, presented by Tanya Arnold, we discover:

· The life-changing encounter in Covent Garden that sparked the Foundation

· How Carl beat the odds, and why he now gives back

· Why there’s no quick fix, but real change is possible

· What businesses gain when they give someone a shot

Raw, real, and deeply personal, this is a story of second chances, social impact, and the power of work to change lives.

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-howarth-4566a8156/

https://howarthfoundation.org.uk/

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/climbuk/posts/?feedView=all

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X:@Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

Getting investment into your idea and making it a success is hard. So how do you actually get investors on board, scale smart, and make noise in a crowded market?

This week, Tanya and Gordon sit down with James Sutherland, the visionary founder & CEO of Autonomo Technologies, the AI-powered game-changer shaking up retail. Autonomo’s cutting-edge system allows stores to run without staff, unlocking high-tech convenience in places traditional retail just couldn’t go.

From his early days at Mars Inc. to building multimillion-dollar food factories, and now leading a great retail tech startup, James brings sharp insight and straight talk.

In this episode, we uncover:

• James’ tips on how to prepare for those crucial investment meetings
• How Autonomo stores operate and mitigate things like theft
• The real deal on being an entrepreneur (spoiler: it’s not all yachts and TED Talks)
• Why investors say yes, and how to make sure they hear about you
• How a corporate background can be your secret startup weapon

CLIMB25 IS COMING! 2nd and 3rd July Get inspired, get connected, get your ticket now: https://www.climb-uk.com/buy-tickets/tickets

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-sutherland/

https://www.autonomo.tech

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clim...

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X: @Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

In this episode, Tanya and Gordon sit down with Andrew Jenkins, coach, speaker, and former contestant on BBC’s The Traitors, to talk about the long and often difficult path to self-understanding.

Buckle up for an unforgettable conversation with Andrew Jenkins, coach, mentor, speaker, and star of BBC’s The Traitors, whose journey from rock bottom to radical self-love will leave you inspired and energised.

As a young man, Andrew survived a devastating car crash that set off a life-altering chain reaction: a career in insurance, a decades-long battle with mental health, national TV fame, and ultimately, the creation of his company, Strength In You.

Now, he’s on a mission to break the stigma surrounding vulnerability, failure, and mental wellbeing—one raw, real conversation at a time.

In this deeply honest and empowering episode, Andrew joins Tanya and Gordon to dive into:

• The crash that changed everything, and the resilience that brought him back
• His raw journey from self-loathing to self-love
• Why we all need to stop believing everything we see on social media
• Breaking the mold: challenging generational beliefs and building your own path
• The true business value of prioritising mental wellbeing

If you’re ready to rethink resilience, rewrite your story, and rediscover what really matters, this episode is for you.

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjenkinsspeaker/

https://andrewjenkins.co/

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/climbuk/posts/?feedView=all

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X:@Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

Breaking into the NHS, the world’s largest publicly funded healthcare system, can feel like scaling a mountain, especially for healthtech companies from outside the UK. But what if you had a guide who not only knew the terrain but helped shape the path?

Enter Dace Dimza-Jones, a powerhouse at the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, where she serves as a National Life Sciences Inward Investment Specialist. Her mission? To help global businesses navigate the complex NHS landscape, bring groundbreaking innovations to the UK, and connect with the right partners to make it all happen.

In this episode, Tanya and Gordon sit down with Dace to uncover:

• The behind-the-scenes of getting your product in front of the NHS
• What makes a company NHS-ready, and what doesn’t
• Why her outsider’s perspective is her greatest asset
• How international investment is shaping the future of UK healthcare
• And why the North of England isn’t just a base, it’s a statement

Whether you’re a startup eyeing the UK market or just fascinated by the intersection of business and public health, this is a conversation packed with insight, inspiration, and a little Northern grit.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR CLIMB25 NOW! https://www.climb-uk.com/buy-tickets/tickets - ticket prices going up 1st of May 2025.

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dace-dimza-jones-b0b839176/

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clim...

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X: @Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

Turning a great idea into a successful product is not an easy or straightforward task, but Michael Crinnion is one entrepreneur who has been there and done that.

Michael is the founder of Mind Body Goals, and their ethos is based on 'Wellness by Design' - creating beautifully designed products that integrate proven wellness techniques into daily life to help foster healthy habits.

His latest product, Luma³ Go, helps people combat anxiety through guided breathing. Using light and haptics, his mission with this design is to bring the power of your own breath to help counter the effects that everyday life can throw at us.

A lot of what Michael has achieved is rooted in his past as a teacher, his own “terrifying” experience with anxiety and his passion for good design.

In this episode, Tanya Arnold speaks to Michael about:

• Raising investment for his product Luma³
• Good design and why that’s important to him
• How to use crowdfunding in the right way
• Why his own experience with anxiety led him to discover breath work
• How an appearance on a podcast brought him his first investor

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-crinnion/

https://www.luma3.uk/

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/climbuk/posts/?feedView=all

Instagram: @Climb__UKX: @Climb_UKBluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

Your business is only as strong as the relationships you build. So how can you truly understand your clients' needs and deliver what they want?

In this episode, Tanya Arnold sits down with Alex Fogal, Partner at EY, who leads their Private Business across the North of England as well as leading the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK programme. With over 20 years of experience helping founders and CEOs scale their businesses, Alex shares her approach to fostering long-term client relationships, navigating the shift from a PLC to a partnership, and how her background on stage still plays a role in her career today.

She also opens up about being a woman in business, her passion for entrepreneurship, and how she’s giving back through Business Beats Cancer Yorkshire.

Tune in to hear:

• How to deeply understand and serve your clients
• The strategies Alex uses to build lasting business relationships
• Insights on leadership, partnerships, and career transitions
• The importance of championing women in business

A must-listen for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone looking to strengthen their client relationships!

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-fogal-82334811/

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ | EY - UK

https://www.ey.com/en_uk

https://www.climb-uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clim...

Instagram: @Climb__UK

X: @Climb_UK

Bluesky: @climb-uk.bsky.social

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been in the headlines a lot in recent weeks. But have you ever stopped to consider the socio-economic diversity of your organisation, or the benefits a diverse workforce could bring?

Kathryn Eastwood is Director of Income and Employer Partnerships at EY Foundation. They're a charity who are committed to driving social mobility through programme delivery for young people, working with businesses to drive long term change, and harnessing emerging technology to ensure the future of work is inclusive.

She specifically works with business leaders to help embed social mobility within their organisations in a way that supports both business growth and positive social impact.

In this episode Kathryn speaks to Tanya Arnold about:

• Why diversity, equity and inclusion still has a solid place in the workforce
• How the attitudes, talent and ideas of diverse young people can enhance a business
• That driving social mobility could add £19bn to the UK's GDP
• How AI can be developed to ensure it is inclusive for all

Links:

The EY Foundation: https://www.eyfoundation.com/en_uk

EY Foundation's reports and resources: https://www.eyfoundation.com/en_uk/news/reports-and-resources

Kathryn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-eastwood-32629028/

Access Their Skills campaign: https://www.eyfoundation.com/en_uk/about-us/access-their-skills

CLIMBUK: https://www.climb-uk.com/

Getting and keeping the right people into your business is hard, but that's exactly what Kim Wedral is an expert in.

Kim is a Partner and Head of Employment Innovate at Mishcon de Reya. She helps innovation focused organisations, from start-up and as they scale, with their global talent strategy and employment law needs. In short, she helps you to get the best from the people who work for you and to strategically manage people related risks.

Kim is also a member of the International Bar Association and is recognised as a Leading Partner within Legal500 and ranked in Chambers & Partners.

In this episode, she talks to Tanya Arnold about:

• Why people are key to you scaling your business
• Having the right tools to navigate the HR space
• How empathy is crucial for getting the right outcome
• Why you need to bring professionals in at the right time to do it effectively

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimwedral/

https://www.mishcon.com/

https://www.climb-uk.com/