Lunch with Leon

It's not often that we have repeat guests on Lunch with Leon, but we've made an exception for the wonderful Emma Hignett - aka the voice of London Buses, The Elizabeth Line, Go North East and Go Yorkshire. Leon chats to Emma, a brilliant voiceover artist, about her unexpected career in transport, the impact of AI on the voiceover industry, some of the quirkier stops she's recorded in her 'bus voice' and more. Listen to the end for a bonus musical surprise!

An episode of two halves! With Leon due to assume the post of the Master of The Worshipful Company of Carmen (one of the oldest livery companies in London), he speaks to outgoing Master Carman David Pugsley about David’s past year in post. Then, we revisit highlights and hot takes from some of Leon’s favourite episodes of the podcast, featuring transport experts Steve Norris, Christian Wolmar, Simon Calder and Will Whitehorn.  

Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk

Leon is joined by broadcasters and transport enthusiasts Edward Adoo and Simon Lederman, who discuss when their love of buses and trains began, reminisce about the enduring appeal of the iconic London Transport roundel and contemplate the delicate balance between progress and heritage in the transport sector.

Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk 

A special episode of the show, with live speakers from the recent 120th anniversary of the Hong Kong Tramway, affectionately known by locals as the 'Ding Ding'. Leon also speaks with fellow event attendee Vicky Koo, Global chair of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), about the work they are undertaking to help support the careers of women in the transport and logistics industry.

Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk 

The latest guest on the Lunch with Leon podcast is David Boden, Business Development Director, Stagecoach East and Chair of the CP Bus Alliance. Leon and David discuss their shared passion for putting customer needs at the centre of transport planning, strategies for effective bus and rail integration and the headache of road works on bus services. Plus, how do we tackle the growing epidemic of ‘geographical ignorance’ and its impact on public transport users today? Note - this episode was recorded before the UK General Election on 4th July 2024.  

Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk 

This week, Leon is joined by transport evangelist Paul Comfort and technology expert Simon Reed to discuss Paul’s latest book, The New Future of Public Transportation. Listen now for a deep dive into the hot topics in the transit industry as well as insights from the book featuring expertise from 30 transport leaders worldwide.

Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk 
Transit Unplugged podcast: https://transitunplugged.com/

UK General Election Special: With less than a month to go until polling day, Leon is joined by political consultant Stephen Bramall for a no-holds-barred conversation about how a new government could impact transport in the UK. Listen now to for a dive into the challenges of devolution, Stephen’s thoughts on how a shaken-up front bench might impact governance and whether transport will feature on campaign agendas. The two also discuss the political hot potato of road pricing and how changing travel habits and technologies could impact the face of transport in five years’ time. 

Passenger Transport: https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/ 

Jo Field, Founder of JFG Communications and President of Women in Transport sits down with Leon to discuss the challenges women face in advancing in transport, and what can be done to close the gender diversity gap. 

LibDem London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon comes to Lunch with Leon and talks about the successes of the past and the opportunities for the future...

Former Senior Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell talks over lunch with Leon Daniels about her times as the most senior regulator for freight and passenger industries, and about what she has been busy doing since.