Today, I’m delighted to welcome Dr Ben Maruthappu, a young leader who has transformed from being a junior doctor to globally recognised entrepreneur.

Ben is the co-founder and CEO of Cera, the UK's largest health tech company, which supports over two million patients a month with innovative, home-based care solutions. His work has led to many accolades already, including being named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, an MBE, and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award for 2024.

In this episode, Ben shares his remarkable story—from personal experiences that sparked his idea to transform the social care sector, to the lessons he’s learned scaling a business in an extraordinarily short space of time. He also dives into what it takes to persevere when you have an idea, lessons he learnt from working alongside Simon Stevens for a year, and offers some fascinating insights into the future of AI in transforming healthcare. 

Get ready to be inspired by the story of a visionary leader who has reshaped the landscape of healthcare, and is definitely one to watch in the healthcare technology space. 

*Highlights:

• 00:01:44 - Ben Maruthapu's Journey from Junior Doctor to Entrepreneur
• 00:06:02 - The Importance of Mentorship and Relationships
• 00:08:40 - Early Signs of Entrepreneurial Spirit
• 00:15:29 - Becoming Simon Stevens Fellow
• 00:17:13 - Insights on Policy and Politics in NHS England
• 00:26:18 - Introduction to Cera and Its Mission
• 00:38:03 - Key Learnings from the Early Days of Cera
• 00:42:09 - Best and Worst Aspects of Being a CEO
• 00:45:49 - Balancing Work and Family Life
• 00:46:37 - The Future of Technology in Healthcare
• 00:48:02 - The Transformative Potential of AI in Healthcare

*Social media

• Ben on LinkedIn
• Follow Ben on Twitter
• Cera

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I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with you. This time, I had the honour of sitting down with Dr Raj Patel MBE.

I worked with Raj when he was Interim National Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England. Before that he was Medical Director for the North-West, and has held numerous senior clinical leadership positions in his career.

But it was after reaching what he thought was the pinnacle of his career, that things took a turn for the worst.

Imagine working across the road from a doctor, being asked to counter-sign his cremation forms for years - and one day realising that there were just too many forms for this to be normal. We’re talking about none other than Dr Harold Shipman, one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history. Not only did Raj experience the chilling reality of this discovery, but in this episode he reveals the personal and professional battles he encountered as he helped uncover the truth.

From humble beginnings in Leicester to becoming a trailblazer in medical leadership, with stints as a TV doctor, advisor to the Department of Health, and stand up comedian along the way, Raj’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. 

*Highlights:

• Early Life and Influences (4 mins)
• Challenges and Triumphs in Medical School (8 mins)
• The Grueling Early Years as a Junior Doctor (9 mins)
• Transforming General Practice (11 mins)
• The Unveiling of Dr. Harold Shipman (22 mins)
• The Tribunal and Its Aftermath (29 mins)
• Personal and Professional Impact (31 mins)
• A Shift Towards Patient Safety (35 mins)
• Leadership Lessons and Personal Growth (37 mins)
• NHS England and Greater Manchester (40 mins)
• Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic (44 mins)
• Reflections and Future Roles (45 mins)
• Quick Fire Questions (47 mins)

*Social media

• Raj on LinkedIn
• Follow Raj on Twitter

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I am SO excited in this episode to speak to Tara Mohr, an expert in women’s leadership and well-being, and an author, educator and certified coach. Her book, Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead, is one of my favourite books, and I am constantly recommending it to people.

It provides real, practical tools to help women quiet self-doubt, identify their callings, “unhook” from praise and criticism, unlearn counterproductive "good girl" habits, and begin taking bold action.

In this episode, Tara explains what she means by "playing big", and sheds light on why being more loyal to our dreams than our fears can shift our life's trajectory.

We tackle the pervasive influence of the inner critic, debunk myths around imposter syndrome, and offer practical strategies to harness the wisdom of our inner mentor...and much more.

*Highlights:

• (3 mins) - Empowering women to play big
• (9 mins) - Navigating work and motherhood
• (19 mins) - Managing the inner critic
• (33 mins) - Harnessing your inner mentor
• (44 mins) - Unhooking from feedback
• (52 mins) - Improving communication and visibility
• (55 mins) - Top 3 tips

*Resources

• Playing Big, by Tara Mohr
• The Inner mentor visualisation

*Social media

• @tarasophia

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This episode is with the wonderful Dr Nnenna Osuji, Chief Exec of North Middlesex University Hospital Trust and consultant haematologist.

From her multicultural upbringing in Scotland and Trinidad to her academic journey in medicine and haematology, Nnenna's path is one of resilience and continuous learning. In this episode, Nnenna opens up about profound life lessons and the challenges she faced, including imposter syndrome and being the only person of colour in many leadership settings. 

Drawing from her rich cultural background and the influence of her parents, she emphasises the critical importance of mentorship, support networks, and the balance of striving for excellence with being a present mum.

*Highlights:

• Leadership journey (2 mins)
• Defining moments and influences (9 mins)
• Lessons for younger self (11 mins)
• Leadership qualifications and learning (13 mins)
• The importance of sponsors (18 mins)
• Imposter syndrome (20 mins)
• The journey from medical consultant to CEO (26 mins)
• Self care and motherhood (33 mins)
• Balancing work, family and leadership (40 mins)
• Book recommendations and leadership tips (47 mins)

*Resources

• Four Thousand Weeks, by Oliver Burkeman
• The 100 Year Life, by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott
• Brene Brown

*Social media

• @nosuji01
• LinkedIn
• @NextGGP/ @nishmanek

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This episode is with Dr Agatha Nortley-Meshe, a practising GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care, for NHS England. 

She has extensive experience in urgent care, having previously been Medical Director the London Ambulance Service, and Clinical Governance Lead for Croydon NHS 111. 

As one of very few black female leaders in a senior NHS leadership role, Agatha opens up about how hard it can be to shake her imposter syndrome, and how important it is for leaders from minority groups to have their seat at the table.

*Highlights:

• Early influences (3 mins)
• Becoming a GP (7 mins)
• Advice to her younger self (9 mins)
• Her journey and choosing opportunities (11 mins)
• Proving herself as a minority woman (19 mins)
• Advice to other minority leaders (22 mins)
• Reflections on her role at NHSE (32 mins)
• Juggling, credibility and balance (37 mins)
• Self-care and personal passions (39 mins)
• Quick fire (41 mins)
• A secret surprise (52 mins)

*Social media

• @a_nortleymeshe
• @NextGGP/ @nishmanek

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This episode is with Ben Francis MBE, the founder and now the CEO of Gymshark, the global gym brand that is worth billions.

Gym Shark started here in the UK in Birmingham, when Ben was in his 20s and working for Pizza Hut.

This is a conversation I have looked forward to for such a long time- there is no one like Ben in the UK, that has built such an iconic company in his 20s. His net worth is over billion dollars, and at the age of just 31 has been named the UK’s youngest billionaire.

His story has a real rags to riches theme and on paper he’s the epitome of success…and yet he talks so openly about realising when to step back as a leader, constantly learning from others and working on his weaknesses, and being fully transparent about all of this in the hope that it might inspire other young leaders.

*Highlights:

• Where it all started (3 mins)
• Key influences and inspiration (5 mins)
• Leadership lessons (11 mins)
• Choosing to step back (13 mins)
• Taking feedback (16 mins)
• Working on public speaking (18 mins)
• Culture and values at Gymshark (23 mins)
• Managing a team (26 mins)
• Work-life balance (28 mins)
• Does money bring happiness? (30 mins)
• Quick fire (31 mins)

*Social media

• @Benfrancis1992
• @NextGGP/ @nishmanek

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This episode is with Shellye Archambeau, former CEO of MetricStream.

You may not have heard of her, but I think you’ll be glad you did when you’ve listened. 

I love hearing leadership stories of people outside the NHS, and I think this one in particular gave me lots to think about. 

I stumbled across Shelleye on another podcast, and read her book Unapologetically Ambitious- and it blew me away.

From being the oldest of four in a modest American family to becoming one of the first black female CEOs of the tech industry and creating “the most stunning Silicon Valley turnaround,” Shellye knows how to create success on her own terms, and through her book and her videos, she’s now made it her mission to teach others to do the same. 

She’s been featured frequently in Forbes, the New York Times Business Inside, and more, is subject of a Harvard Business School case study on becoming a CEO, and has been on lots of big podcasts around the world. She’s currently a Fortune 500 board member, and now spends her time talking about her leadership career and lessons she’s learnt.

*Highlights:

• Her journey (4 mins)
• Where her conviction came from (7 mins)
• Imposter syndrome (11 mins)
• Having a goal whilst staying flexible (17 mins)
• Broadcasting your intentions (24 mins)
• Self-care (30 mins)
• Taking risks (34 mins)
• Negotiating in a new job (37 mins)
• Lessons she learnt at the top (46 mins)
• Adopting a mentor (54 mins)

*Resources

• Shelley's website
• Her book
• Her new network Ignite

*Social media

• Twitter- @ShelArchambeau
• @NextGGP/ @nishmanek

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This episode is a media training masterclass, with Max Prangnell.

You never know as a leader when you might be thrust under the media spotlight, and it's always better to be prepared. But good, affordable media training is hard to come by.... so we've brought an expert to you.

Max has been the Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for the last twelve years, for the most part combining this with running a successful media training and crisis management company, Millbank Media which counted five Government departments as its main clients. 

Before that he spent twenty years as a print and broadcast journalist starting on the Sunday Times and ending up as programme editor at ITN via daytime telly, late night chat shows and a stint as a regional news reporter.

He's done lots of training over decades with people in the NHS and in the civil service, including Prof Helen Stokes Lampard- whom many of you will know.

*Highlights:

• His background and motivations (4 mins)
• Why doctors are hard to train (8 mins)
• What trips us up the most (11 mins)
• What should we be wary of? (21 mins)
• Big tips for preparing at short notice (23 mins)
• When to be cautious (30 mins)
• When it's all going wrong (36 mins)
• What if you have no idea of how to answer something? (40 mins)
• His top public speaking tips (43 mins)
• The best way to get better (47 mins)

*Resources:

• Millbank media

*Social media

• Max Prangnell
• @NextGGP/ @nishmanek

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This month we are re-releasing one of our most popular episodes- a conversation with Sir John Timpson, Chairman and owner of Timpson.

Many observers can't understand how a firm of shoe repairers can keep its staff happier than some of Britain's richest companies. 

The answer lies with the chairman of Timpson and his no-nonsense approach to management. John has ensured they do more than cut keys- they also have a culture of cutting out policy and processes so people can do the job to the best of their ability, and they embody some of the most progressive thinking in the business world. That ethos is even more remarkable when you learn that around 12% of their employees are ex-convicts. 

Sir John’s son, James Timpson, has just released a book about the Timpson approach called The Happy Index , where he describes the essence of the Timpson culture: Turn up on time. Trust your team. Do your work.

*Highlights:

• His early journey (4 mins)
• "Upside-down management" (5.5 mins)
• What the culture looks like in practice (7.5 mins)
• Giving staff autonomy on the front line (15 mins)
• Why they have a 'Director of Happiness' (19 mins)
• Looking after staff mental health and wellbeing (21 mins)
• The Timpson recruitment strategy (26 mins)
• Performance mangement and the 'Happy Index' (29 mins)
• Recruiting from prison (34.5 mins)
• His reflections from fostering over 90 children (39.5 mins)
• What the NHS can learn from the Timpson culture (43 mins)
• A book, a role model, and top tips (45 mins)

*Social media:

• @JamesTCobbler
• @NextGGP/@nishmanek

*Subscribe to the Next Gen GP monthly bulletin to keep in the loop about future webinars, podcast episodes, and our virtual programmes:

• bit.ly/NGGPbulletin

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This episode is witih Dr Karen Kirkham, who is Chief Medical Officer of Deloitte.

Karen has been a practising GP for over 30 years, and previously was Clinical Lead for the Dorset Integrated Care System, as well as a National Clinical Advisor for Systems Development with NHSE/I. She's an insightful, well-respected, inspiring leader who's not afraid to speak up, and is a huge advocate for clinical leadership.

This is an honest conversation from someone with decades of experience across the NHS and private sector, who really cares about nurturing young leaders.

*Highlights:

• Early influences (2 mins)
• First steps in leadership (6 mins)
• Self development (9 mins)
• Getting a coach (14 mins)
• Taking opportunities (18 mins)
• Having a plan - or not (20 mins)
• Juggling clinical work and leadership (22 mins)
• Family, and tips for work life balance (29 mins)
• Finding confidence (36 mins)
• Quick fire (43 mins)

*Resources:

• Her book recommendation: Beyond The Summit, by Todd Skinner
• More on Karen and her role with Deloitte

*Social media

• @Karen_kirkham2
• @NextGGP/ @nishmanek

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