Maggie Philbin OBE, CEO TeenTech and Technology Broadcaster joins Oli Barrett for a fascinating conversation about technology, education, opportunity and the future of work.

Drawing on decades spent exploring innovation and her work as founder of TeenTech, Maggie explains why Britain's biggest untapped resource is the talent sitting in classrooms across the country. She shares why schools must focus less on memorisation and more on confidence, curiosity and communication, and why employers need to do more to recognise potential rather than polish.

The discussion explores the impact of AI on education, the importance of ethics and access, how mentorship can transform lives, and why listening to young people may be the key to solving some of society's biggest challenges.

Maggie also reflects on her years presenting Tomorrow's World, the technologies that changed society, and her hopes for a future that is fairer, more inclusive and full of opportunity.

Maggie Philbin OBE is well known for her work in radio and television where for over 30 years she has reported on a wide range of science, medical and technology programmes from Tomorrow’s World to Bang Goes The Theory.

In 2008 she co-founded TeenTech, an award-winning charity which works across the UK getting young people innovating, creating, building skills and preparing for a fast-changing future. TeenTech helps students, parents and teachers understand the real opportunities in contemporary industry.

She received the WISE Award for Communication and Outreach for her work promoting diversity in 2013. In June 2016 she was voted most influential woman in UK IT by Computer Weekly and also named 2016 Digital Leader of the Year. She was awarded an OBE in Jan 2017 for her work to promote careers in STEM and the Creative Industries. In July 2017 she received the Tech4Good Special Award and in 2019 TeenTech was awarded the Best Employer and School Outreach. She is patron of the Council for Professors and Heads of Computing and has been awarded ten honorary degrees and fellowships for her work.

About the TeenTech Charity

TeenTech help young people understand opportunities in contemporary industry, no matter what their gender or social background. Their engaging, sharply focussed initiatives reach over 14,000 students aged 8-19 every year and are carefully planned to involve teachers and parents as they are the main influencers in career decisions. Over 300 companies and 40 UK universities work with TeenTech helping deliver their exciting programmes to students across the UK.

About the Podcast

Chapters

00:00 Why young people aren't "work ready" — and why that's okay
00:40 Introduction: Maggie Philbin joins Tomorrow
01:38 Maggie's prediction for the next decade: ethics, access and AI
03:21 Which Tomorrow's World predictions got it right?
05:37 The technology that convinced Maggie the future had arrived
06:39 The unexpected origins of TeenTech
07:25 The school visit that changed everything
09:52 Why employers should focus on potential, not readiness
11:26 How TeenTech measures impact and changes lives
13:52 What young people really think about ethics and innovation
14:42 Beth's journey from TeenTech participant to engineering student
17:18 How businesses can engage meaningfully with young people
18:38 AI, technology and the future of education
19:20 The qualities schools struggle to teach: confidence and resilience
21:37 What Maggie would change about the education system
23:44 Will the classroom of the future be high-tech or human-first?
25:50 Why Maggie has enormous respect for teachers and students
26:12 Future Question: What behaviour will confuse people in 50 years?
27:01 What schools reward that matters less in real life
28:42 Lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world
30:05 Why employers should recruit for potential, not polish
30:38 The TeenTech story that transformed a student's life
35:26 Why no young person should think they're stupid
36:42 What Maggie was really like at school
38:51 Britain's biggest wasted source of talent
39:27 What "Leave Your Lane" means to Maggie
40:51 How TeenTech was built from unexpected experiences
42:59 Why Maggie remains optimistic about the future
44:23 Creating a fairer world through access and opportunity
45:28 Maggie's memo to the future: "Listen to everyone"
46:50 Final reflections and closing thoughts

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What happens when entrepreneurs, diplomats, technologists, creatives and innovators from completely different industries come together in one city?

In this special on-the-road episode, Oli Barrett travels to Los Angeles for Greater Together LA, the UK’s largest ever trade delegation to the United States.

Across a remarkable few days, Oli speaks with Paul Rennie (UK Consul General, Los Angeles), Dr Katie King, (Co-founder and CEO, BioOrbit), Alexander Trewby (Co-founder, Apian) Lottie Birdsall-Strong, (Chief Impact Officer, Shakespeare's Globe), Jeremy Burton, (General Manager - Observability Business Unit, Snowflake), Persephone Godwin, (Business Development Manager, London and Partners) and Matt Scheckner, (Founder and Chair, Future Forum).

This episode is a masterclass in “engineered serendipity” and a glimpse into the future being built right now.

About the Podcast

The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co

Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity.

Chapters

Chapters (By Guest Speaker)

00:00 — Introduction: Welcome to Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast

00:45 — Paul Rennie (UK Consul General, Los Angeles) joins the podcast

02:05 — “Combinativity” & engineered serendipity

04:30 — The future of storytelling, AI & human connection

06:40 — Global trade, logistics & the future of collaboration

09:23 — Dr Katie King (Co-Founder & CEO, BioOrbit) joins the podcast

10:15 — Manufacturing cancer drugs in space

12:17 — Scaling pharmaceutical production in microgravity

14:07 — “We’re a pharma company that uses space”

15:32 — The investors & partners needed to scale

16:47 — From physics teacher to NASA intern to founder

18:04 — Memo to the future: “Don’t give up”

18:45 — Alexander Trewby (Co-founder, Apian) joins the podcast

20:00 — Drones transforming healthcare logistics

22:15 — Flying blood samples across London hospitals

24:40 — The future of autonomous healthcare delivery

27:10 — Why Britain could lead physical AI infrastructure

29:30 — “Leave your lane” & building diverse teams

31:00 — Long-term thinking & investing in the future

31:47 — Lottie Birdsall-Strong, (Chief Impact Officer, Shakespeare's Globe) joins the podcast

32:10 — Why culture & social value matter more than ever

33:00 — The future of impact, governance & creativity

33:44 — Jeremy Burton (Snowflake) joins the podcast

34:13 — AI, data & the future of healthcare

35:56 — Why AI adoption starts with “baby steps”

36:30 — Human intelligence vs artificial intelligence

37:19 — Persephone Godwin (London & Partners) joins the podcast

38:13 — What people misunderstand about Los Angeles

39:30 — The reality behind the creative industries

40:42 — AI’s impact on creativity & media

41:56 — Advice for UK founders entering the US market

42:57 — Matt Scheckner (Founder & Chair, Future Forum) joins the podcast

43:34 — Why UK-US collaboration matters now

44:40 — The vision behind Future Forum

46:30 — Advice for entrepreneurs building globally

47:26 — Final reflections from Los Angeles & Greater Together LA

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What happens when one of Europe’s leading AI founders looks 20 years into the future?

In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast, Oli Barrett sits down with entrepreneur Husayn Kassai to explore the future of AI, startups, work, education and human potential.

Husayn shares the story behind building Onfido from an Oxford University idea into one of the UK’s standout AI success stories, after being rejected by more than 100 investors. He explains why today’s founders need different skills, why AI will massively reshape the workforce, and why human judgment, relationships and culture will matter.

Husayn Kassai is founder and CEO of ollo, building internal AI capability for mid-market companies. Before ollo, he co-founded and led Onfido as CEO – growing it from zero to $100m ARR in 7 years before its 2024 acquisition, the largest UK AI exit. He is based at London's AI Hub. Husayn holds a BA in Economics and Management from Keble College, Oxford, and served as President of Oxford Entrepreneurs.

About the Podcast

The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co

Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity.

Chapters

00:00 – Introducing Husayn Kassai & The Future of AI

01:22 – What The World Looks Like in 16 Years

02:32 – Building Startups Around Technological Shifts

04:54 – Starting an eBay Business at 12 Years Old

07:54 – Building Onfido & Spotting the Identity Problem

09:54 – The Two “Miracles” Investors Didn’t Believe

12:48 – Why Timing Matters in Startups

13:05 – What’s Easier & Harder for Founders Today

15:24 – AI Teams: Why 14 People Can Do the Work of 50

18:16 – The Skills AI Still Can’t Replace

19:42 – What Husayn Looks For When Hiring

22:04 – Why Young Workers Will Drive AI Adoption

23:59 – The Rise of “Shadow AI” Inside Companies

24:49 – Do Great Founders Need Trauma?

27:54 – What Investors Get Wrong About Startups

29:42 – The Biggest Leadership Lesson Husayn Learned

29:53 – The Founder Skill AI Will Never Replace

31:15 – AI’s Biggest Opportunities: Healthcare & Education

32:51 – The Growing Risk of AI Inequality

35:48 – What Governments Should Do Differently

37:28 – Should Schools Embrace AI?

39:39 – Growing Up Between Iran & The UK

41:54 – Would Husayn Hire Himself Today?

42:07 – Why Learning AI Is Like Learning Excel in the 90s

43:09 – Why Physical AI Communities Matter

44:05 – Why The UK Is Still a Great Place to Build

45:11 – Why Ollo Will Be His Last Startup

45:50 – Using AI to Help Developing Countries

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What happens when artificial intelligence gets a body?

In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast, Victoria Usher and Oli Barrett sit down with Stewart Miller, Former CEO, National Robotarium, to explore the future of humanoid robotics, AI-powered machines, healthcare automation, and what society must do to prepare for a world where humans and robots live side by side.

From robot carers in hospitals and homes to AI-enabled humanoids working in factories, this conversation dives into the next major technological wave beyond large language models and ChatGPT.

Stewart Miller, Former CEO, National Robotarium

Stewart Miller is an experienced business leader with a background in the aerospace sector. He took up the position of Chief Executive Officer at the National Robotarium in 2021 having previously been Chief Technology Officer of the UK Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, in addition to previously working in senior roles at major firms including Leonardo and BAE Systems.

Stewart is a member of the Scottish Government Industry Leadership Group for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, an advisory board member of the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, and a non-executive director of the Satellite Application Catapult.

About the Podcast

The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co

Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity.

Chapters

00:00 – The future: robots everywhere in daily life

00:35 – Introduction to the National Robotarium

01:21 – Humanoid robots explained

01:53 – What will life look like in 10 years?

04:23 – The breakthrough: AI meets robotics

05:32 – Why humanoid robots feel “freaky”

06:12 – Robots in the home and domestic life

07:20 – How AI teaches robots to learn

08:54 – Real-world robotics already happening today

09:17 – Robots in BMW factories and logistics

10:40 – Dexterity: the key to useful robots

11:46 – Stewart Miller on the National Robotarium’s mission

14:06 – Why society isn’t prepared for robotics

16:03 – Should we ban or embrace new technologies?

17:40 – The psychology of human-like robots

19:46 – Should robots look human?

21:42 – Ethics, regulation and international governance

23:05 – Exoskeletons and assistive robotics

24:20 – The robotics startups changing healthcare

26:24 – The future office and healthcare automation

27:10 – Robot carers and ageing populations

31:31 – Will robots replace jobs?

35:11 – Who should lead the public conversation on robotics?

36:22 – Stewart Miller’s message to the future

37:31 – Where to follow the National Robotarium

38:45 – Post-show reactions and key takeaways

40:20 – Robotics in defence and warfare

41:05 – Final thoughts and outro

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In this episode of Tomorrow – The Future Forum Podcast, host Oli Barrett sits down with Priya Guha MBE, ex-UK Consul General to San Francisco, to explore the future of global innovation, diplomacy, and economic power.

Why are we still overlooking India, despite its rapid rise as a digital and economic powerhouse? From mobile payments leapfrogging the West to the realities of building global tech ecosystems, Priya shares insights from her unique career spanning diplomacy, venture capital, and innovation.

Priya Guha MBE

Priya Guha MBE, ex-UK Consul General to San Francisco, is deeply embedded in the UK and global tech ecosystem through her roles in government, investment, startups and corporates. Amongst other roles, she is a NED at UKRI, the Herald Investment Trust, Reach plc and the Digital Catapult. She is also a Member of the Investment Governance Board of Future Planet Capital and an Advisor to Gallos Technologies. Priya is a long-standing advocate for inclusion, believing it is key for long-term economic growth and for addressing the world’s biggest challenges.

About the Podcast

The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co

Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity.

Chapters (Timecode)

00:00 Why India Is Being Overlooked

00:20 Introduction to Priya Guha

01:38 Optimism About the Future

02:54 Why India Deserves More Attention

04:40 India’s QR Code Payment Revolution

06:09 What Makes Silicon Valley Work

08:39 Lessons the UK Should Learn

09:39 What India Does Better Than the West

10:57 Role of Government in Innovation

12:10 Bridging Different Worlds & Sectors

13:03 Power of Human Connection

14:15 Future of Diplomacy Explained

16:43 Beyond Government-to-Government Relations

18:34 Why Inclusive Growth Won’t Happen Naturally

21:29 When Governments Overreach (AI Example)

22:36 Funding Gap for Women & Inclusion

23:33 “Mini-Embassies” to Big Tech Companies

25:23 #1 Skill for Future Diplomats

26:21 How Innovation Ecosystems Are Built

27:34 What Global Founders Do Differently

30:53 The Skill of Difficult Conversations

32:30 Skills Humans Must Master for the Future

35:09 UK–India Future Opportunities

38:00 What’s Next for Priya Guha

43:05 A Message to the Future

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What if the future of manufacturing isn’t on Earth at all?

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What if the future of society depends on how we treat children today?

In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum, Oli Barrett sits down with Paul Lindley OBE, entrepreneur, campaigner, and former CEO of Ella's Kitchen, the UK’s leading organic baby and toddler food brand.

From building one of the UK’s most successful baby food brands to shaping national conversations on childhood, Paul shares a bold vision for 2050, one where children are trusted, empowered, and central to society.
Paul also draws on insights from Sesame Workshop and his work on the Play Commission to challenge how we design systems for the next generation.
About the Podcast
The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co
Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking.
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Paul Lindley’s mission  
00:55 A vision for 2050: children at the centre  
02:29 What drives Paul after success  
03:54 From Nickelodeon to Ella’s Kitchen  
05:19 The idea behind “Raising the Nation”  
08:22 Big ideas: care system & votes at age 6  
12:20 Why government systems fail children  
13:52 Businesses doing things differently  
15:50 B Corps & redefining success  
17:52 What great children’s media gets right  
19:17 Would Paul change anything?  
20:05 The UK as the best place to grow up  
23:00 Are we failing children today?  
24:57 Why play is essential for life  
26:48 If Paul ran government: what changes first  
31:04 The “right to play” explained  
33:48 Why play matters in adult life too  
35:11 Cross-sector thinking & big challenges  
39:47 The future of universities  
42:29 Final message to future generations

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What kind of future are we building—and who gets to decide?

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What does leadership look like in a world defined by AI, complex systems, and rapid technological change?

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What if millions of people living with paralysis could regain movement—without invasive treatment?

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