Ed is the CEO at Simpson Travel. Here he talks about an early TV appearance and "getting the bug"; becoming a Eurocamp team manager at 19; running Premier Inn's most profitable London hotel; the lure of being able to define AND execute strategy; leading the private equity sale of Simpson; the power of optimism and diplomacy; and getting a serious taste for outdoor cooking.

The second part of my chat with the founder of property companies Socius and Populate. Here Barry talks about becoming a CEO and business owner; dealing with imposter syndrome; the power of intense curiosity; being unafraid to fail; "never settling'; his mission to bring fundamental change to the property industry; an extreme aversion to nay-sayers and politicians who don't take responsibility; keeping promises; the world's most environmentally friendly commercial building; and his love of live events. 

Barry is the founder of the property companies Socius and Populate. In this first part of our chat, he talks about being uninspired by the town where he grew up until he discovered punk and alcohol; getting pinned against a factory wall by an unambitious foreman; inventing his own fantasy football game before the rest of the country caught on; having his eyes opened by an incredible Australian boss; working on the Bluewater shopping centre development; being thrust into a demanding operations role; risk-taking and backing one's judgement; and getting a taste for that start-up mentality.

Mark talks about "magical happenstance"; his mystifying lack of anger; the abandoned principle of being entertaining; analogue skills for a post-apocalyptic world; encouraging people to dance on his grave; eating soup through a Mexican wrestling mask; and, of course, rug tufting.

Mark is an artist and all-round creative person. Here, he talks about discovering his "party trick"; carrying a pencil and paper; the great influence of telly and comics; how a playground phrase became a piece of work exhibited in the Royal Academy; a sneaky debut ad, immediately landing awards and winding up at BBH; Claire the Clairvoyant; working on Christmas Day; and rug tufting.

Believe me. You do not want to miss this.

After a distinguished career in retail, Mark launched Bazaar Group in 2005 alongside his entrepreneur wife Jayne. Here he talks about running student discos at 15; the M&S management training scheme; a breakthrough in hypnotherapy; Jayne's first home-made beanbag; growing their business from a converted barn and working 17-hour days; how rapid expansion demanded a different structure; and professional and personal recalibration following the sale of the company.

Steve is the former CEO of YouGov and VP of Facebook/Meta, heading up their operations in Northern Europe. Here he talks about having parents who were entrepreneurial and intellectual; dyslexia; getting a call from "the Robin Williams" of the media planning world; the transition from strategist to leader (and getting it wrong initially); the debate about Facebook as an editor/censor; 29 elections in a year at YouGov; a hatred of repetition; and crying at the movies.

The second part of my chat with actor and Global Head of Facilities Andrew. Here, he talks about a tendency to focus on what's NOT working; being a team of one; "not confusing access with merit"; authenticity and unflinching curiosity; being comfortable with not knowing what's coming next...and Kurt Cobain.

Andrew is the Global Facilities Director at wealth management firm AlTi Tiedemann Global. He's also an actor (of course!). In this first part of our conversation, he talks about having to "show up to the dinner table"; trying to sabotage his own education; a life-changing moment on stage; wanting to make his parents proud "even when they're not watching"; and a tendency never to say no.

Annie is the founder of the County Cricket Matters magazine. She's also a writer, journalist and commentator. Here, she talks about how cricket "seeps into your bones"; being banned from playing because she was a girl; falling in love with Somerset County Cricket Club; "learning how to say yes"; a watershed moment in Barbados; launching a magazine over a common cause; sexism in cricket; the power of community; and becoming a published author.