Transforming Futures

Join Sharon as she chats with Julia Hoggett, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group, about her personal passion for increasing consistency of access to support and opportunity and the work the London Stock Exchange Group is driving to ensure the next generation is prepared for the future.  

Rhian Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer, National Grid, whilst discussing opportunities and support with Sharon, highlights an important third element: having the courage to notice and grasp these opportunities and support. 

Sharon and Alan Marquard, Executive Vice President, Transfer Solutions, Mastercard, debate imposter syndrome and how our work lives and our home lives intersect. 

Sharon chats with Rosanna Collis, YE Alumna and Founder of Tiaki, about how, at aged just 21, she has launched a product to protect women in sport. 

Rob Marcus, Senior Marketing Director Northern Europe, Colgate-Palmolive, reminds us that complementing support and opportunity with effort can accelerate pathways to success. 

A powerful personal story which Dr Patrick Roach, now General Secretary of the NASUWT, describes as a story of second chances. Through further education, Patrick benefited from meeting people who told him: Patrick you can be and do anything you want to. 

During this podcast, Ian Howells, Executive Vice President of Honda Motor Europe, outlines to Sharon his own experience of building transferable skills and how leaders can support new generations to enter the workforce with confidence.

Sharon discussed with David how setbacks only made him more determined to succeed. 

David Boadu, not just a previous participant in Young Enterprise but also the founder of Vistella Cycling, talks candidly about his background and the opportunities he's been afforded. David is a budding young entrepreneur from South West London, who first acted on his entrepreneurial aspirations back in 2011 exporting electronic goods from the UK to Ghana. Vistella is a company specialised in the design and production of high visibility and reflective cycling gear.

Rachel outlines to Sharon the importance of getting stuff done and for her, how it often means 'running towards the fire'.

We’re excited to welcome Rachel Hopcroft CBE, Head of Corporate Affairs at KPMG UK, as our first guest. Rachel speaks candidly about her personal career journey, times when she had to prove herself, and the skills she credits for her own success: building her resilience, stepping out of her comfort zone, and problem-solving. She explains how stepping into the fire and learning the importance of getting stuff done early in her career continues to guide her today, and reflects on what more we can do to help Gen Z build resilience for the future.

This episode’s guest is the Rt Hon. Justine Greening, former Secretary of State for Education and founder of the Social Mobility Pledge and Purpose Goals (Levelling Up Goals).

Sharon speaks to Justine to learn more about her early life growing up in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and finds out what influenced her mindset around money and finances. Justine also explains why she founded the Social Mobility Pledge with UK entrepreneur David Harrison which aims to encourage organisations to become a force for good by putting social mobility at the heart of their purpose.

During their conversation, they also discuss the impact that financial education can have on wellbeing by reducing anxiety and worry; why it’s essential that the curriculum is relatable and based in a real-world context to help engage young people with their learning; and Justine shares her thoughts on how financially capability opens up opportunities and can contribute to improved social mobility.