My Duvet Flip by Jackson Parsons

Apply for a chance to win £25,000 via Simply Business' Business Boost:

https://bit.ly/4cUXQdl

Episode Guest

Meet Claire Marchais, Co-Founder at Fair-Well.

How do you turn a milk float into a movement? Claire Marchais did just that with Fair-well! From her first job in Paris fashion to creating a plastic-free revolution in North London, Claire reveals how winning a £25,000 grant helped her business thrive. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or passionate about sustainability, Claire's story will inspire you to dream big, start small, and embrace failure along the way. Tune in to this inspiring episode of MDF to build an eco-enterprise from the ground up!

Episode Timestamps

00:00 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

10:02 Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Failure

19:51 Building a Sustainable Business Model

29:51 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Episode Partner

T&Cs apply. One entry per person and business. Business Boost is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. Entrants’ businesses’ annual turnover must not exceed £750k or have received over £50k in private funding in the past two years (not including Gov grants). For full eligibility terms visit Simply Business. The competition closes: on 15 Oct 2024. Simply Business will announce the winner on 13 Dec 2024

Check out the latest careers at easyJet:

⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS⁠⁠⁠

Episode Guest

Meet Stuart Machin, Chief Executive at Marks & Spencer.

Stuart is the Chief Executive of M&S. He took over as Chief Executive Officer in May 2022, having joined M&S as Food Managing Director in April 2018 with 30 years’ experience across food, fashion and home retail sector.

Prior to his appointment as CEO, Stuart was joint Chief Operating Officer, where in addition to leading M&S Food, he also took responsibility for property and store development, store operations, HR and IT.

Stuart is also a director of Ocado Retail Limited – the joint venture between M&S and Ocado Group. Throughout his career, Stuart has held senior operations and commercial roles across the UK and internationally, starting his career in Sainsbury’s and British Home stores, Tesco and then Asda. Stuart spent 10 years in Australia as part of Wesfarmers as COO and CEO of Coles supermarkets and Target department stores respectively. Returning to the UK he was briefly CEO of home retailer and manufacturer Steinhoff UK.

Stuart has extensive experience of retail transformation and a deep understanding of operations, trading, marketing and online. He also attended the three-month residential HARVARD AMP programme in 2013 and the Harvard CEO programme in 2023.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Stuart's Background in Retail

02:02 Stuart's Journey to Becoming CEO of Marks & Spencer

03:00 The Diverse World of Retail

07:13 The Importance of Being a Team Player

12:26 Gaining Diverse Experience in Retail

15:02 Challenges and the Need for Teamwork in Managing a Large Organization

18:06 The Process of Creating and Marketing Products in Retail

23:50 The Role of Passion and Dedication in Retail Success

25:47 Exploring Job Opportunities in the Exciting Retail Industry

26:20 Conclusion

Episode Partner

Apply for a chance to win £25,000 via Simply Business' Business Boost:

https://bit.ly/4cUXQdl

Episode Guest

Meet Sarah Jordan, CEO at Y.O.U Underwear.

Sarah Jordan is a recognised industry leader with over 20 years’ digital and business experience across not for profit, commercial and publishing sectors. She originally trained in Geography (meteorology and IT) wanting to be a weather forecaster, but after building a website to teach kids about the weather she moved into technology and worked for many years in the ‘tech for good’ space.

Following several high-profile client-side roles, including as Head of Digital Strategy at Oxfam and Digital Director at the MS Society, Sarah set up her own strategic consultancy focusing on business transformation, strategy and organisational change. She remains an active speaker and judge at UK and international events and mentors on a number of industry programmes. Sarah never expected to end up running an underwear business! Everything changed on a trip to Uganda in 2016, where she took part in the Uganda Marathon. While volunteering in local villages she came face-to-face with the problems associated with not having underwear. In some communities 1 in 10 girls miss school on their periods due to a lack of underwear and sanitary products – up to 12 weeks a year! This inspired Sarah to found Y.O.U Underwear on a buy-one-give-two model with the charity Smalls for All.

In addition to her work with Y.O.U Underwear, Sarah is a trustee of the Beam Foundation, a charity and crowdfunding platform that supports homeless people by getting them into employment and training. For the past 7 years she has also run a positive change agency called BOLD which helps women achieve success in all areas of their lives.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 The Accidental Entrepreneur

03:05 Lessons from Early Jobs

05:54 The Journey of Self-Discovery

08:49 Embracing Failure and Regret

12:10 The Importance of Taking Action

15:01 Knowing When to Let Go

18:02 Building a Sustainable Business

20:58 The Role of Business Boost

24:14 Transformative Experiences in Entrepreneurship

27:03 Finding Your Purpose

29:47 Final Thoughts and Advice

Episode Partner

T&Cs apply. One entry per person and business. Business Boost is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. Entrants’ businesses’ annual turnover must not exceed £750k or have received over £50k in private funding in the past two years (not including Gov grants). For full eligibility terms visit Simply Business. The competition closes: on 15 Oct 2024. Simply Business will announce the winner on 13 Dec 2024.

Check out the latest careers at easyJet:

⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS⁠⁠⁠

Episode Guest

In this inspiring episode of My Duvet Flip, Sarah shares her incredible journey from technology enthusiast to executive powerhouse, balancing her roles as a leader, mentor, and advocate for diversity. As the executive sponsor for Women of Cisco, Chair of the Board for Greater Manchester Academies Trust, and Non-Executive Director at Liverpool Women's Hospital, Sarah’s passion for driving positive change is unmatched.

Discover her views on the impact of technology on society, the importance of giving back to communities, and how she’s actively shaping the future for the next generation. Sarah also opens up about her personal journey—being a proud mum and wife—while breaking new ground in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Get ready to be inspired by her insights on leadership, innovation, and making a real difference in the world!

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Trailer

02:55 The Journey of Transferable Skills

06:11 Balancing Competition and Teamwork

08:55 The Value of Early Work Experiences

12:04 The Importance of Self-Awareness

15:04 Navigating Modern Realities and Self-Identity

17:58 Effective Communication in the Workplace

21:01 Overcoming Gender Bias in Tech

23:58 The Role of Allies in Diversity and Inclusion

26:46 Commitment and Lifelong Learning

30:06 The Future of Technology and AI

32:46 Career Progression: Beyond Job Titles

35:50 Finding Your Motivation and Purpose

Episode Partner

easyJet streamlines affordable travel for all, with every role crucial in connecting millions via Europe's top airline network. With an innovative culture, easyJet empowers you to shape travel's future.

Apply for a chance to win £25,000 via Simply Business' Business Boost:

https://bit.ly/4cUXQdl

Episode Guest

Meet Mo Kanjilal, Co-Creator at Watch This Sp_ce.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Becoming an Entrepreneur by Chance

02:24 The Importance of Communication and Listening Skills

07:30 Winning the Business Boost Competition

16:34 The Business Case for Diversity and Inclusion

18:55 Creating a Positive and Inclusive Work Environment

Episode Partner

T&Cs apply. One entry per person and business. Business Boost is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. Entrants’ businesses’ annual turnover must not exceed £750k or have received over £50k in private funding in the past two years (not including Gov grants). For full eligibility terms visit Simply Business. The competition closes: on 15 Oct 2024. Simply Business will announce the winner on 13 Dec 2024

Check out the latest careers at the CIPP:

https://www.cipp.org.uk/payroll-careers.html

Episode Guest

Dive into an enlightening conversation with Jason Davenport, the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Jason brings a wealth of knowledge on payroll, pensions, HR outsourcing, and much more.

In this episode, Jason shares invaluable insights on the importance of lifelong learning, the evolution of AI in payroll, and why payroll is a fulfilling career choice. Whether you're looking to understand your payslip better, seeking advice on dealing with workplace challenges, or exploring the diverse opportunities within the payroll industry, this episode has something for everyone.

Jason's extensive background includes leadership roles at major firms like NGA Human Resources and Capita, and founding Calendar Consulting Ltd, a payroll consultancy firm. Beyond his professional life, Jason is passionate about mentoring, having supported various business leaders through the ‘Be The Business Mentor’ initiative. He's also actively involved in coaching youth rugby and enjoys powerboating.

Join us in this episode to learn from one of the payroll industry's top leaders and explore how you can make a difference in this essential field.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and the Importance of Lifelong Learning

03:40 - Understanding Payslips and Financial Awareness

06:57 - Dealing with Workplace Bullies

09:08 - The Diverse Opportunities in the Payroll Industry

20:25 - The Power of a Positive Mindset and Consistent Hard Work

22:26 - The Evolution of AI in the Payroll Industry

17:26 - Choosing Payroll as a Career: A Fulfilling Profession

29:18 - Making a Difference in the Payroll Industry

Episode Partner

Check out the latest careers at Mars:

http://www.maltesers.co.uk/lighten-the-load

Episode Guest

Meet Adam Grant, General Manager at Mars Wrigley UK.

Adam Grant is General Manager (GM) of Mars Wrigley UK, a role he has held since 2021. Mars produces some of Britain’s most loved brands, from Ben’s Original to Sheba and Maltesers. As General Manager for Mars Wrigley UK and overall lead for Mars’ UK business, Adam Grant is navigating innovative product development and sustainability initiatives across the business.

With 25 years’ consumer goods industry experience, Adam joined Mars Wrigley from Danone, where he spent 17 years, most recently as Regional GM - Danone Dairy UK, Belgium, Netherlands and Ireland, where he led the team to deliver significant growth in sales and category share.

Passionate about mentorship both within and outside the business, Adam volunteers for ORT, a charity working with A Level students to provide mentoring and support around career and A level choices and PSALT, an organisation championing and mentoring under-represented talent at the early stages of their careers.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Finding Your Passion and Purpose

08:22 Exploring Job Opportunities in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Industry

15:31 Joining an Apprenticeship Program for Career Development

19:03 Creating and Launching a New Product

23:51 Making a Difference and Leaving a Positive Impact

26:45 Embracing Curiosity and Continuous Learning

27:45 Finding Joy in Your Work

Episode Partner

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With over $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 115,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

Check out the latest careers at easyJet:

https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS

Episode Guest

Meet Mark Bailie, CEO at Compare the Market.

Mark Bailey, CEO of Compare the Market, shares insights on confidence, resilience, and the importance of financial education. He emphasises the need for courage in asking questions and the value of continuous learning.

Bailey discusses the power of insurance in protecting individuals from financial risks and the lack of financial education in society. He also highlights the success of the Meerkat brand and the importance of building a strong team.

Bailey concludes by discussing his role as a non-executive director of NHS England and the challenges of leadership and motivation in a large organisation.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Courage Comes Before Confidence: The Importance of Asking Questions

20:11 Insurance: A Money Power that Protects and Liberates

25:17 The Meerkat Brand: Building a Strong and Recognisable Identity

28:34 Financial Education: Bridging the Gap in Society

33:12 Team Building and Understanding People: Keys to Leadership

36:19 Gaining Perspective: Stepping Away from Your Own Elephant

Episode Partner

easyJet streamlines affordable travel for all, with every role crucial in connecting millions via Europe's top airline network. With an innovative culture, easyJet empowers you to shape travel's future.

Check out the latest careers at easyJet:

⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS⁠⁠⁠

Episode Guest

Jo Boydell: CEO of Travelodge, running a billion pound hotel business that serves 22 million customers each year

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Trailer

Episode Partner

easyJet streamlines affordable travel for all, with every role crucial in connecting millions via Europe's top airline network. With an innovative culture, easyJet empowers you to shape travel's future.

Check out the latest careers at Newton:

https://bit.ly/4fzuBiO

Episode Guest

Meet Euan Munro, Chief Executive Officer at Newton.

"This contains general information and guidance only and should not be taken as financial advice. We recommend that you obtain independent financial advice before taking any action.”

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Trailer

Episode Partner

‘Newton’ and/or ‘Newton Investment Management’ is a corporate brand which refers to the following group of affiliated companies: Newton Investment Management Limited (NIM), Newton Investment Management North America LLC (NIMNA) and Newton Investment Management Japan Limited (NIMJ). NIMNA was established in 2021 and is comprised of the equity and multi-asset teams from an affiliate, Mellon Investments Corporation. NIMJ was established in March 2023 and is comprised of the Japanese equity management division of an affiliate, BNY Mellon Investment Management Japan Limited. In the United Kingdom, NIM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’), 12 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN, in the conduct of investment business. Registered in England no. 01371973. NIM and NIMNA are both registered as investment advisors with the Securities & Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) to offer investment advisory services in the United States. NIM’s investment business in the United States is described in Form ADV, Part 1 and 2, which can be obtained from the SEC.gov website or obtained upon request. NIMJ is authorised and regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA). All firms are indirect subsidiaries of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (‘BNY’).

Newton Investment Management Group provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advice to institutional clients, including US and global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, registered mutual funds, other pooled investment vehicles and other institutions. Its current office locations include London, Boston, New York San Francisco and Tokyo.

Assets under management are £85.3 billion  as of 30 June 2024 including combined assets managed by Newton Investment Management Group. In addition, AUM for Newton Investment Management Group includes assets of bank-maintained collective investment funds for which NIM or NIMNA has been appointed sub-advisor, where Newton Investment Management Group personnel act as dual officers of affiliated companies and assets of wrap fee account(s) for which Newton Investment Management Group provides sub-advisory services to the primary manager of the wrap program. Newton global assets under management (AUM) is the combined total assets under management of Newton Investment Management Limited (‘NIM’), Newton Investment Management North America LLC (‘NIMNA’) and Newton Investment Management Japan Limited (‘NIMJ’) as calculated as at 30 June, 2023.