The Convex Conversation

Helen joins Chef Tom Sellers at his stunning new London restaurant, Story Cellar in Neal’s Yard, for an honest and open chat about his journey and the next chapter in Tom’s story.

From the age of 16, he worked unforgiving hours in the kitchens of some of the world's most influential chefs – Tom Aikens, Thomas Keller and Rene Redzepi – and earned his first Michelin star just 16 weeks after opening Restaurant Story near Tower Bridge.

Ten years on and two stars to his name, he talks about the fear and pressure of opening somewhere new, being in the right mindset for a new challenge, how his journey has shaped him, provenance and his love of food, including baked beans on toast!

He also shares the narrative behind some of his well-known dishes, including the beef dripping candle which was inspired by his dad and his working-class roots.

Daniel Wiegand shares the story of how he came up with the concept and architecture for the electric Lilium jet as a young engineering student inspired by the V-22 Osprey - a vertical take-off US military aircraft -- and how he’s grown the company from the ground up.

More than a billion euros and some of the finest minds in aerospace and engineering are behind the creation of the world’s first, zero emissions electric vertical take-off and landing jet, an eVTOL, which it’s hoped will revolutionise the way we travel regionally.

Helen becomes the first British journalist to fly in the simulator at Lilium’s HQ in Munich where more than 800 people from 56 countries are working towards the aircraft's certification in 2025.

Blue Marine Foundation’s co-founder and former award-winning British film-maker George Duffield explains how overfishing is destroying the ocean’s biodiversity and its ability to store carbon yet is one of the world’s most solvable problems.

George hopes robust data gleaned from Blue’s partnership with scientists from Exeter University and Convex in the five-year Convex Seascape Survey will reveal how much carbon is stored in the seabed and he's confident the findings will provide a solution to help with runaway global temperatures.

Helen also hears some of George's favourite adventures as a diver and wildlife photographer - swimming with whale sharks and hammerheads in the Galapagos and diving under the ice with leopard seals in Antartica, which led to George winning the Natural History Museum's Underwater Photographer of the Year.

Herbert Hall Winery in Kent produces just 20,000 bottles of English sparkling wine a year but can be found in some of the most prestigious places, including Fortnum & Mason, and King Charles’s Highgrove collection.

Herbert farmed in Marden at the end of the nineteenth century. His great-grandson Nick explains why the land is perfect for growing grapes like Chardonnay, Pinor Noir and Pinot Meunier, and making wine in the Methode Champenoise, known as the traditional method.

Climatic changes have seen a dramatic rise in successful wineries in the south of England – and the perfect conditions have tempted Champagne Houses like Taittinger to buy acreage here in the UK.

Photographs by Andrew Yates

Hot on the heels of his exciting new album release, Grammy winning Bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland wows Helen with his breathtaking playing, live from his studio in Indiana. 

Michael was born blind and is partially deaf, yet has risen to the absolute top of his game, collaborating with music legends like Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck and Vince Gill. As a youngster he played alongside ‘the father of Bluegrass’ Bill Monroe and has won countless awards. 

Thanks to Airgigs.com, Michael records tracks for musicians all over the world from his basement studio. Lovin' of the Game - with his band Flamekeeper - is out now. 

Wim Hof Instructor Belinda Raphael explains the many health benefits and compelling science behind the famous Wim Hof Method, and shares stories from a recent expedition to Poland with The Iceman himself.

Belinda discovered cold-water therapy accidentally after she was left suffering chronic pain following a severe attack by a patient in her role as a critical care nurse practitioner.  

Now she’s one of Wim’s 900 Warriors, teaching breath work and mindset techniques to increase cold water exposure and allow people to feel the invigorating and life affirming advantages.  

Wim Hof has set more than two dozen world records for extreme temperature exposure – both in freezing cold and blistering heat – but his mission is to pass on the what he's learnt so millions can experience the health benefits. 

The Metaverse is predicted to be a fast growing trillion-dollar industry by 2030, but how much do we know about it or understand how it might enrich our lives?

Vault Hill Founder/CEO Jimi Daodu and his team are building the first human centric virtual world designed to enhance human experiences. 

Jimi takes us on a fascinating journey from his offices in Dubai through the endless exciting possibilities the Metaverse has to offer and explains how we can be part of this 3D phenomenon.

Helen and Jimi discuss everything from the virtual property boom to how it can be used for education, work, entertainment, climate change and they explore the measures needed to keep us safe.

The Black Cop – winner of Best British Short Film at last year’s BAFTAs – is the story of Gamal ‘G’ Turawa’s life - growing up with a white foster family in Kent, abuse by his biological parents and his experiences in the Metropolitan Police.

Despite the racism he suffered in the force, including having his face painted white by fellow officers, ‘G’ is proud to have served 25 years in the Met. He explains to Helen how he tried to fit in, desperately wished he was white, and concealed the fact he’s gay.

Theresa Patricios - Head of Investments for Convex Insurance - and life-long friend Cam Parker talk about the mental and physical challenges of their upcoming 2,800-mile row across the Pacific, raising funds for mental health charity Mind. 

As part of an organised race, their four-man team – Pacific Discovery 2023 – estimate spending 40 days at sea, rowing in two-hour slots, and carrying out research for the Convex Seascape Survey. Their ambition - to become the first re-insurance team to tackle an ocean.

Theresa has been drawn to the sea since she was a child growing up in Johannesburg and Cam is an accomplished free diver with the same passion for the ocean and an Atlantic row under his belt. 

“Seeing John hold his bear made it really hit home that he was just a child when he was facing the Holocaust in Hungary” Rankin

Holocaust Survivor John Hajdu describes life as a small boy in Budapest as Jews were rounded up & killed, and his parents taken to concentration/labour camps in World War 2.

He describes the fear of hiding in a dark cupboard as four-year-old, surviving in a cramped ghetto with little food and dead bodies on the streets, being forced to wear a Yellow Star, and finally escaping Hungary through a minefield with just his teddy bear & clothes given to him in Vienna.

John, now 85, finds it’s desperately painful watching history repeat itself in Ukraine.

He was honoured to be photographed recently by Rankin who said: “John’s bear is a tangible reminder that the stories we are telling happened in recent history and we must learn from these events – for a better future.” 

* Photographs by Rankin