Scaling Stories Unfiltered

What does it really take to grow a business across sectors and ownership models, while staying grounded in clarity, culture, and commercial focus?

From private equity to listed companies, Colin’s approach to growth is shaped by structure, listening, and putting the right people in the right seats.
 
In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, Colin Sykes shares what he's learned from leading at the highest level across global businesses, scale-ups, and private equity-backed ventures. From circular economy innovations to methodical transformations, Colin’s approach is calm, practical, and rooted in deep experience.

It’s calm, clear, and full of lessons that apply whether you’re early-stage or established.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why the fundamentals of scale don’t change, whether you’re small or global
• What great leaders do differently (hint: they listen more than they talk)
• How to build teams that can actually deliver the next stage of growth
• Why due diligence and structure matter more than charisma
• How to spot waste and turn it into value, operationally and commercially
• Why circular thinking is becoming central to smart business strategy

From manufacturing to tech, from M&A to innovation, Colin brings a rare breadth of leadership insight, grounded in governance, transparency, and people-first execution.

🎧 Listen in if you're a founder or board leader looking for sharp, sustainable thinking on what scale really takes.

Who is Colin Sykes?

Colin is an international business leader whose career spans four continents, multiple industries, and a mix of public, private, and PE-backed organisations. He’s led transformations, steered M&A deals, and driven innovation across a range of sectors. Now, he brings that expertise to boards looking to unlock long-term value and sustainable growth.

You'll find Colin here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-sykes-0a19353/

Contact us: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & listen:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf

What does it really take to build and scale a tech company?

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, Christian Nagele, founder of CentraStage and now Chief Strategy Officer at inforcer, shares the full, unfiltered journey from remortgaging his house and hiring his first team, to acquisition, merger, IPO and beyond.

This one isn’t about overnight success. It’s about building value the long way,  through resilience, timing, and learning as you go.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why Christian started CentraStage and how they survived the 2008 crash
• The honest realities of fundraising and why they skipped VCs
• How CentraStage was acquired, then scaled globally
• What IPO really looked like and how it felt to no longer be CEO
• The importance of fit when hiring and walking away from the wrong customers
• Why “there’s no perfect path” and why that’s a good thing

From garage startup to a global tech IPO, this is a story of calculated risk, loyal teams, and what happens when you stay in the game long enough to see the long game pay off.

Listen in for a grounded, insightful conversation for founders navigating scale ups.

Who is Christian Nagele?

Christian began his career as a Chartered Accountant at PwC but was drawn to entrepreneurial businesses. He co-founded CentraStage in 2007, a cloud-based endpoint management startup that scaled through the financial crash and was acquired by Autotask in 2014. That business later merged with Datto, which IPO’d in 2020 on the NYSE. After a stint helping grow and sell British tech company 1E, he’s now CSO at Inforcer, helping shape the future of the MSP space.

You'll find Christian here:
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiannagele/

Contact us: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & listen:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf

What Drives Dan Martin: Grit, Great Partnerships and Getting It Done

How do you go from 16-year-old apprentice electrician to founder of one of the UK’s fastest-growing EV infrastructure businesses?

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, Dan Martin, co-founder of Elmtronics and now Black Bee Rum, shares the real story behind his entrepreneurial journey — and it’s not your typical “start-up to exit” narrative.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• What it means to always find a way — around, over, or under any challenge
• How a free radio ad kicked off their growth
• The quiet power of complementary co-founders
• Why doing things differently worked
• And how spotting the opportunity — not overthinking it — can change everything

From wiring homes to wiring up a national EV charging network, this is a story of grit, grounded thinking, and what happens when you back yourself to build.

🎧 Listen in for a refreshingly honest conversation that will resonate with founders who value progress over perfection.

Who is Dan Martin?

Dan started his career as an apprentice electrician before co-founding Elmtronics, which became one of the UK’s leading EV infrastructure businesses. After scaling and successfully exiting the company, he’s now pouring his energy into Black Bee Rum — combining purpose, fun, and his love of building great teams and brands.

You'll find Dan here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elmev/
• Website: https://blackbeerum.com
• Book one of their beautiful cottages:  
  https://www.cottages.com/cottages/steelclose-mill-steelclose-house-uk48471
  https://www.cottages.com/cottages/steelclose-mill-steelclose-cottage-uk48472

Books mentioned: 
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight  - Nike Founder

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & listen:

• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
• YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf

What does it really take to step down as a founder-CEO—on your terms?

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I sit down with Evgeny Shadchnev, co-founder of Makers Academy and author of Startup CEO Succession, to talk about one of the biggest decisions a founder can make: handing over the reins.

Evgeny built one of Europe’s first coding bootcamps, helped thousands launch tech careers, and raised venture funding, then chose to step away. This is a refreshingly honest look at what that moment actually feels like.

Expect hard-won insight, no fluff.

What we cover in this episode:

• The biggest hiring mistake they made at Makers (and how it worked… until it didn’t)
• Why scaling too fast without strong foundations almost broke the business
• How Evgeny knew it was time to find a new CEO (and why most founders wait too long)
• What real culture looks like beyond buzzwords and office perks
• The difference between growth and “growing up” as a leader

Whether you’re scaling now or thinking about succession down the line, this one’s packed with gold.

Find Evgeny here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadchnev/
• Website: https://startupceosuccession.com
• His book: Startup CEO Succession (https://tinyurl.com/yn2ve7bx)

Books mentioned: 

Reboot by Jerry Colonna

No rules rules, Reid Hoffman

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & listen:

• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
• YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf

Scaling a business isn’t about glossy headlines, it’s about grit, purpose, and solving problems that matter.

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I’m joined by Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder and CEO of Olio, the app tackling food waste by connecting neighbours & businesses to share surplus food and household items. With over 7 million users and 100 million meals saved, Olio proves you can scale and make a real-world impact.

Tessa shares:

• The lightbulb moment that sparked Olio
• Why they tested the concept without building an app
• How being remote-first helped them build a truly diverse team
• What it took to land major partnerships like Tesco
• The brutal reality of raising £50m as female founders
• How to protect your culture while scaling
• Why you must listen to your gut, even when hiring experts

Whether you’re scaling your first team or aiming for global reach, Tessa’s story is full of insight, honesty, and practical takeaways.

Who is Tessa Clarke?
Tessa is the Co-Founder and CEO of Olio, the world’s leading food-sharing app. With a background in digital marketing and an MBA from Stanford, she’s now on a mission to end food waste and reshape our relationship with resources, community, and sustainability.

Listen & Subscribe to Scaling Stories Unfiltered
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf
Website: www.scalingstoriesunfiltered.co.uk

Got a story to share or a guest to recommend?
Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations with the people behind the scale.

Scaling isn’t about throwing more people at a problem—it’s about getting the right ones in the right roles, at the right time. In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I’m joined by Jaimie Stewart, Chief of Staff at Newsflare, who’s scaled teams across some of the UK’s most recognisable brands—Tom Dixon, Whistles, and Cath Kidston included.

Jaimie shares why traditional hiring models are broken, what scale-ups actually need from People leaders, and how to keep your team truly engaged as you grow fast. This is a no-fluff conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and what every founder needs to hear before making their next hire.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why hiring for potential beats hiring for pedigree
• The difference between traditional HR and strategic People leadership
• When to bring in senior People expertise—and what they should actually do
• How to use internal mobility to build high-performing teams
• Why talent mapping early can be your unfair advantage

Who is Jaimie Stewart?

Jaimie is Chief of Staff at Newsflare, a media tech company powering the world’s leading publishers with user-generated content. With over 20 years’ experience, Jaimie’s worked at the intersection of people, performance, and growth—helping scale culture-led businesses from fashion to tech. He now supports founders and leadership teams in building people strategies that fuel sustainable growth.

Find Jaimie here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimie-stewart-b69398b

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Scaling Stories Unfiltered:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf

Website: www.scalingstoriesunfiltered.co.uk

Want to get in touch or suggest a guest?
Drop us an email at [email protected]

Whether you’re a founder, a scale-up CEO, or a business leader navigating fast growth, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you hire smarter and scale sustainably.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to grow a business.

Scaling a consultancy isn’t about growing as fast as possible or chasing investors—it’s about building something that lasts, delivers real value, and reflects what you actually want from your business.

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I’m joined by Phil Brown, co-founder of OneGTM, who shares the real journey behind growing a strategic consultancy from zero to a successful exit. Phil opens up about the decisions that shaped the business, the mistakes that taught him the most, and why staying true to your vision matters more than you think.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why you don’t need to chase VC money to build a high-performing business
• The power of doing things your way—especially when everyone else is chasing growth at all costs
• How to know when you're onto something (and when it's time to go all in)
• The challenge of scaling a service business without compromising quality
• What acquirers really care about—and how to set your business up for a smooth exit

Who is Phil Brown?
Phil is the former co-founder of OneGTM, a consultancy that helped global B2B tech brands like AWS, Cisco, and Vodafone go to market more effectively. He’s now an advisor, investor, and board-level consultant supporting other founders and leadership teams on their growth journeys.

Find Phil Brown here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philabrown01/
 
 

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Scaling Stories Unfiltered:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf
Website: https://www.scalingstoriesunfiltered.co.uk

Want to get in touch or suggest a guest?
Drop us an email at [email protected]

Whether you’re a founder, scale-up CEO, or a business leader navigating growth, this episode is packed with practical insights you won’t find in startup playbooks.

 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about scaling businesses the right way.

#Scaling #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #ConsultancyLife #GoToMarket #ExitPlanning #ScaleUp #ScalingStoriesUnfiltered

Episode 3: The Dark Side of Scaling – Hard Truths Every Founder Must Know with Spencer Ayres

Scaling a business isn’t just about hiring fast, raising capital, or chasing exponential growth—it’s about making the right moves at the right time. When businesses get this wrong, it leads to hiring mistakes, client dependency, and even painful layoffs.

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I sit down with Spencer Ayres, Founder & Managing Partner of Jointly, to unpack the hidden challenges of scaling and share real-world lessons from his experiences working with global brands like Heineken, Barclays, and other major players.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- The biggest scaling mistakes startups make and how to avoid them
- The danger of relying on one big client (and how it can bring a business down)
- Hiring too fast vs. hiring too slow—the real impact on growth
- How to build a resilient company culture that retains top talent
- Why growth for the sake of growth is a myth—and what success really looks like

💡 Who is Spencer Ayres?
Spencer is the Founder & Managing Partner of Jointly, an innovation, product, and marketing consultancy that helps businesses solve complex challenges 10x faster. He’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and has lived through the highs and lows of scaling a business—making him the perfect guest to share what truly makes or breaks a company.

Find Spencer Ayres here:
LinkedIn: Spencer Ayres’ Profile

Website: https://jointly.work 

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Scaling Stories Unfiltered:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/2a9rv3hf
Website: https://www.scalingstoriesunfiltered.co.uk

📩 Want to get in touch or suggest a guest?
Drop us an email at [email protected]

Whether you’re a startup founder, scale-up CEO, or a business leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on how to scale without breaking your company.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about scaling businesses the right way.

#Scaling #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Hiring #ScaleUp #ScalingStoriesUnfiltered

📢 Scaling Stories Unfiltered - Episode 2

Scaling a business comes with tough decisions—and one of the biggest is how to get tech leadership right. Should you hire a full-time CTO, or would a Fractional CTO be the smarter move?

💡 Making the wrong tech decisions can slow you down—or worse, break your business.

In this episode, I sit down with Graham Roberts, a Fractional CTO who has helped scale businesses from early-stage startups to established organizations. With two decades of experience spanning Google, Intel, Kew Gardens, and Imperial College London, Graham shares real-world insights on why tech often fails in scale-ups—and what founders can do to fix it.

🎧 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✔️ The hidden reasons tech fails in scale-ups
✔️ When is the right time to hire a CTO?
✔️ Why tech is critical for business valuation & exit strategy
✔️ Common mistakes scale-ups make when implementing tech
✔️ How miscommunication between tech & business teams kills growth
✔️ The role of leadership in breaking silos & improving culture
✔️ The biggest myths about CTOs and technology in scale-ups
✔️ What makes a business attractive to investors & buyers

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Connect with Graham Roberts:
   
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamroberts004/
•  
  • Website: https://fullstackconsulting.co.uk/about-us
•  
  • MyExit: https://www.myexit.uk
•  
• Follow Scaling Stories Unfiltered for more:
   
  • LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicijupp/
•  
  • Website → [Insert Your Website Link]
•  

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?
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The Hard Truth About Scaling, Hiring, Funding & Navigating Growth

📢 Scaling Stories Unfiltered - Episode 1

Scaling a business isn’t just about glossy headlines and overnight success—it’s messy, challenging, and full of lessons no one warns you about.

In this first episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I sit down with Jon Cornwell, CEO & Co-Founder of Newsflare, one of the world's leading video marketplace platforms. Jon has spent over a decade raising VC funding, scaling a global platform, and staying ahead in the fast-moving media landscape.

🎧 What you’ll learn in this episode:

 ✔️ The tough realities of raising venture capital (and what founders get wrong)
 ✔️ Why hiring for a scale-up is completely different from a startup
 ✔️ How to build a leadership team that thrives in chaos
 ✔️ What to expect when expanding into new markets (and how to avoid expensive mistakes)
 ✔️ Why scaling isn’t about hiring ‘big names’ from corporate—it’s about finding the right fit
 ✔️ How to navigate leadership shifts, tough pivots, and growing pains

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Connect with Jon Cornwell:
   
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-cornwell-1985732 
• Newsflare: https://www.newsflare.com

• Follow Scaling Stories Unfiltered for more: www.scalingstoriesunfiltered.com
    
• Submit questions, stories, or recommend a guest: [email protected] 

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?
Follow Scaling Stories Unfiltered on your favourite platform and leave a review—it helps more founders and leaders discover these insights.

💡 Want to be a guest on the podcast? Message me here: [email protected]