Ladder Down

An update from Kate

In this episode Kate chats to Dr Paul Leinster. Paul was Chief Executive of the Environment Agency from 2008 to 2015 where he famously developed the concept of better environmental regulation, which has been recognised within government and internationally as leading edge. Prior to that Paul worked in the private sector for over 20 years. He was awarded a CBE in 2008 and is a chartered chemist and a chartered environmentalist.

Since retiring in 2015 it appears he has been busier than ever, working as Professor of Environmental Assessment for Cranfield University as well as acting as a Non-Executive Director, Chair and Board member for numerous worthy causes all linked to protecting and enhancing the environment, which he is clearly passionate about. To connect with Paul, email him at: [email protected]

In this episode Kate chats to an ex-colleague, Mark Funnell. Mark is Communications and Campaigns Director at the National Trust, looking after external communications, internal communications, policy and advocacy and content and publishing.

He has specialised in environmental communications and campaigns for over 20 years. His previous roles include interim Director of Communications at Defra, Head of Communications at the Forestry Commission and Head of External Relations at the Environment Agency.

He also led transformation to a new operating model for Defra group’s 250 Communications staff, who came together from five different arm’s length bodies.

Mark started out in editorial and publishing roles, working for five years at a consumer magazine publishing company. His specialist areas include environmental campaigns, corporate communications, operational and crisis communications, change management, staff engagement, stakeholder relations and public affairs.

You can connect with him on Linkedin

He has an impressive client list including His clients include Indeed.com, RBS, Gazprom, PwC, Reebok and TalkTalk. 

Lee has won several accolades for his work, including recognition in the Top 50 Black and Minority Ethnic Entrepreneurs under 50. As well as hosting his own show called the Self-Aware Entrepreneur Show, he is often called upon by the BBC and medical publications for his expert opinion and comment. 

You can find out more and connect with Lee via his website https://leechambers.org/

In this episode Kate meets Jan Cavelle, a  UK entrepreneur who has a few decades of running micro and small businesses behind her. She is very familiar with all the challenges that go with that, having started one from the kitchen table as a single mother with two young children, and overcome the obstacles to go on to build that into a multi-million turnover business. 

Like most entrepreneurs, she has known failure and success. She has always been passionate about encouraging and supporting people in business and has put her entrepreneurial experiences together with her passion for writing and created a book aimed at helping entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. The book is called Scale for Success and is focused on the big leap from 1m - 10m. It has been published by Bloomsbury and is receiving glowing reviews. Find out more and connect with Jan via her website https://jancavelle.co.uk/

He now has his own business – Orbital Applied Economics – but spent a large part of his career at the Environment Agency, where his last role was to recruit and lead a team whose aim was to use economics to improve decision-making. 

He has worked on a wide range of projects including the mental health effects of flooding, how to improve reservoir safety, the profits made from criminal activities in the waste sector and the costs and benefits of reducing pollution in major industries, such as steel production and oil refining. 

He was a key member of the group that produced the UK’s first apprenticeship for economists and is passionate about helping young people from a wide variety of backgrounds get into the subject.  He has two children of his own and spends too long playing computer games with his 11-year-old son.  In his spare time he is Chair of the successful Ham Parade Market, a not-for-profit project designed to revitalise a small high street, support local charities and improve community cohesion. You can connect with Matt on Linked in 

In this episode Kate chats to entrepreneur Sarah Rugg. Following the birth of her first child, Sarah came up against a lack of flexibility in her corporate career and decided to start her first business Vi-va.co.uk – offering virtual assistant services to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and associations. vi-vaassist.co.uk came along soon after, providing companionship services to older people. After 10 years of running both businesses, Sarah wanted to help others to achieve the same flexibility she enjoys. She now helps people to set up VA businesses (myvabusiness.co.uk) and companionship businesses (myseniorassist.co.uk) with structured, step-by-step programmes to fast-track their success.

Sarah is passionate about helping people to design the lives they want, with the freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss. She would love to hear from you - connect with Sarah at linkedin.com/in/sarahrugg/ or email her [email protected].

In this episode Kate chats to Jane Entwistle who is an experienced business owner working in the digital marketing industry. Jane has run her business, Entyce Creative, an innovative and professional design agency based in Cheshire for the past 14 years. Her passion is working with clients to create thoughtful designs and ideas, and consistently deliver superb results using across Digital Strategy, Web Design, Branding, User Experience, SEO and PPC. In 2021 Jane was listed in the Insider Media '42 Under 42' in recognition for her work in business. Tune in to hear Kate and Jane chat all things business, keeping fit and juggling family life. Find out more and connect with Jane on Linked in.

In this episode Kate chats to Joana Swash, Group CEO of Moneypenny, one of the world's leading answering service companies. Recruited as Moneypenny’s first sales person in 2005,  Joanna has been instrumental in growing the business which now employs more than 1000 people.

Joanna played a key role overseeing the company’s entry into the US market, as well as subsequent private equity investment by ECI Partners in 2018 to accelerate Moneypenny’s UK and US plans for expansion and acquisition.

At the heart of Moneypenny lies a unique culture which has seen the business enjoy recognition as a Sunday Times Best Company to Work For for over a decade. Find out more at: https://www.moneypenny.com

In this episode Kate chats to Mark Armitage, a seasoned House Music DJ and Artists and Repertoire (A & R) Manager for Toolbox House records label.

Mark has supported artists such as Judge Jules, Rozalla and many more. Over the last 18 months Mark has enjoyed some great success releasing his own music productions which have topped the Beatport charts. 

In addition to this Mark has received great recognition with his work by receiving support from A-list DJ's including Mark Knight, Chris Lake, Hardwell, Kryder, Black Legend, Freejak and many more. Find out more and connect with Mark on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mark_armitage_music/