The brilliant Hannah McLean joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing a story of bold career moves, northern pride, and learning to back yourself even when self-doubt kicks in.

From a history degree to becoming Information Security Officer at Manchester United Football Club, Hannah proves that breaking into male-dominated industries isn’t always about being the most technical person in the room – it’s about problem-solving, communicating, and negotiating with confidence. She shares how she lifted herself up to apply for her dream role, why she believes education is key to breaking barriers, and how celebrating your wins through the Northern PoWEr Women Awards is about so much more than the ceremony itself.

A proud Mancunian and new mum, Hannah opens up about the reality of motherhood versus expectations, her hopes for her daughter’s future, and the moments that make her most grateful to be from the North. From Barry’s Bootcamp to brunch in the Northern Quarter, she champions her city while working to make the online world a safer place.

In this episode:

• From history graduate to cybersecurity at Manchester United Football Club
• Why you don’t need to be “tech-minded” to thrive in tech
• Breaking barriers in male-dominated industries
• Motherhood, reality vs expectations, and learning to love deeper than ever
• Celebrating yourself and your achievements with the Northern PoWEr Women Awards
• Pride in Manchester and its world-changing innovations
• The role of education in breaking barriers and creating opportunity

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Gillian joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast - entrepreneur, risk-taker, and now PoWEr Lister 2025. From flatlining during childbirth to launching tech for social change, Gillian’s story is one of raw resilience, reinvention, and refusing to stay quiet.

In this emotional and unfiltered episode, Gillian reflects on going from “wild” child, surviving wrongful arrest in front of her kids, and becoming the youngest-ever responsible individual in the care sector. She opens up about being driven by adrenaline, haunted by self-doubt, and guided by deep connection - with others, with herself, and with something much bigger.

From crashing her dad’s Ford at 14 to building a charity-backed app launching in Dubai, Gillian is redefining what business and impact can look like - especially when poWEred by purpose and personal healing.

In this episode:
Why being “wild” was really early entrepreneurship in disguise
Facing arrest in front of her children and walking free with no charges
The spiritual moment during childbirth that changed everything
Leaving hospitality for social care after a customer complained about cheese
Becoming the youngest Responsible Individual in the care sector
Building tech that changes lives and launching it globally
Healing from childhood pressure and embracing her self-worth
How connection became her greatest superpoWEr

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of traumatic medical experiences and arrest.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Siwan Smith joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast - this time as a 2024 Northern PoWEr Women Future List star, 2025 Awards judge, and an unstoppable voice for inclusion, courage, and creativity.

In this episode, Siwan opens up about surviving sexual assault and two brain tumours, and how therapy, family support, and fierce inner strength helped her rebuild not just her health, but her identity. Now Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Princes, she’s on a mission to make workplaces better - for colleagues, customers, and communities alike.

Siwan shares the emotional impact of physical changes, how she developed an eating disorder during recovery, and why her greatest healing came from small steps, honesty, and showing up for herself. She also reveals the unlikely joy she finds in Just Dance battles (which she always wins), and why her super PoWEr is thinking outside the box, especially when life refuses to play fair.

From pain to purpose, this is a story of perseverance, perspective, and the quiet power of not giving up.

In this episode:
Being named to the 2024 Northern PoWEr Women Future List
Judging the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women Awards
Surviving sexual assault and reclaiming identity
The healing power of therapy and small steps
Being diagnosed with a brain tumour on graduation day
Body image, weight stigma, and eating disorder recovery
Staying positive when life isn’t fair
Winning at Just Dance (and why her goddaughters won’t play anymore)
Her super PoWEr: thinking outside the box

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault. Please take care while listening.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Ella Grace Gregoire and Elaine Gregoire join the We Are PoWEr Podcast - a mother-daughter duo with a shared mission to uplift, include, and never leave anyone behind.

Elaine, founder of Streetwise and a foster carer, shares how she turned a church youth club into a thriving support hub for young people - all while navigating burnout and dancing through recovery (literally, with a Strictly Come Dancing charity challenge). Ella, a performance and wellbeing consultant, reflects on starting her own business at 17, advocating for Northern voices, and why in-person connection matters now more than ever.

From CITV to King Charles, ice baths to authenticity, this episode is packed with passion, perspective, and two fierce women who always think they’re right and might just be.

In this episode:
How Streetwise grew from church youth clubs to a thriving centre
Foster care, family sessions, and community-driven work
Burnout, boundaries, and dancing through recovery
Performing on Coronation Street and CITV
Starting a business at 17 to give young people more opportunities
Attending the King’s coronation and a royal visit to Buckingham Palace
The power of lived experience and advocating for mental health
Embracing neurodivergence and showing up as your full self
Why in-person connection still matters in a digital world
Magic wand moments: chronic pain, phone-free futures & radical self-care

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant James Carss joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – this time sharing a story of trauma, transformation, and finding poWEr through purpose, discipline, and inclusion.

In this episode, James opens up about training daily as a teenager to moving to Hong Kong with just a suitcase, James’s journey is packed with resilience, humour, and heart. He shares the life-changing mentorship he found with a Chinese martial arts master, his unexpected stint in the movie industry, and how those experiences now guide his work as Chief Exec of Castle Peak Group.

From the dojo to the boardroom, James brings a poWErful message of mindfulness, integrity, and the impact of creating space for others to thrive.

In this episode:
Turning childhood trauma into a lifelong mission
Why martial arts became his anchor
Life in Hong Kong and mentorship that transcended language
From martial arts films to Geordie “Russian” lines
Founding Castle Peak Group and leading with fairness
Building inclusive workplaces that value difference
The importance of staying present

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Steph Edusei returns to the We Are PoWEr Podcast - this time as a PoWEr Lister, published author, and still dancing her way through leadership, life, and impact.

In this episode, Steph shares the leadership lessons that shaped her writing, the moments that tested her optimism, and the poWEr of creating collaborative spaces where people flourish - not just follow. She opens up about why not every table feeds you, the importance of saying no, and how her book was written with 10-minute loo breaks in mind (yes, really).

From practical wisdom to purposeful reflection, Steph reminds us that poWErful leadership isn’t about status - it’s about showing up, listening deeply, and knowing you are enough.

In this episode:
Life as a CEO, dance teacher, and author
Why her book is written in loo-length chapters
Building inclusive leadership by listening to every voice
The mindset shift: not every opportunity is the right one
Using optimism as a super PoWEr and knowing when to pause
Creating the Black All Year platform
Reimagining what modern leadership really looks like

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Juliet Sanders, CEO and Founder of Feeding Families, joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast to explore how purpose, persistence, and community can become a truly PoWErful force for change.

From growing up as an adopted only child to discovering a family of siblings later in life, Juliet shares the deeply personal story behind her drive to build a charity that now supports thousands. She opens up about surviving domestic violence, founding Feeding Families, and the emotional journey of preparing to step down as CEO this December. “I might not be the CEO,” she says, “but I’ll always be the Founder.”

Juliet talks about what it felt like to win the 2025 Person with Purpose award at the Northern PoWEr Women Awards - glamorous, connected, and inspired. With honesty and humour, she reflects on discovering her birth family, her love of mime, and why her greatest super PoWEr is persistence.

Discover how one woman’s determination created a movement and how even the scariest transitions can lead to something beautiful.

In this episode:
Growing up adopted: “Like being the cocoon in the nest”
Surviving domestic violence and finding her voice
Starting Feeding Families from scratch
Winning a Northern PoWEr Women Award and feeling seen
The emotional journey of preparing for retirement
Finding her siblings
Life lessons from mime and moving on
Why persistence is her super PoWEr

TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of domestic violence in this episode 

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Kirsty Murphy MBE — trailblazing pilot, proud daughter, and people-first innovator. From growing up on an RAF squadron to becoming the first and only female Red Arrows pilot, Kirsty shares how she carved out her own path in a world where few women had gone before.

She speaks openly about building a career that’s more like a climbing wall than a ladder — full of bold moves, challenges, and powerful pivots. From the RAF to Connected Places Catapult, Kirsty continues to break barriers, now leading innovation that puts people and purpose at the heart of technology.

We also hear about receiving her MBE from King Charles, inspiring young girls at air shows, and why visibility matters more than ever.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Kirsty Murphy MBE
02:40 – Becoming a Fighter Pilot
05:32 – First Female Red Arrows Pilot
08:57 – Representation and Responsibility
11:12 – Life After the Air Force
17:40 – Innovation and Tech for Good
20:02 – Career Lessons and Royal Recognition
24:12 – Making Human-Centered Impact Through Tech

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Gail Hall, Director of Operational Excellence, and Emma Griffin, Group Chief Security Officer at Royal London - two powerhouse leaders with stories that move from bars to boardrooms, and everything in between.

We also explore Royal London’s commitment to empowering others, including their brilliant partnership with our Mentor of the Year category at the 2025 #NPWAwards.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:49 Meet This Week's Guests: The Royal London Massive
01:49 Career Journeys: From Bars to Boardrooms
02:59 Understanding Roles at Royal London
08:33 Leadership and Diversity in the Workplace
14:26 Personal Stories and Career Advice
18:27 Empowering Women in Tech and Beyond
21:54 Fun Facts and Final Thoughts

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

What does it mean to work at a company that encourages growth, mentorship, and innovation? This episode, we chat with Richard and Amy from Bank of America, our Co-Headline Partners for the NPWAwards, about exactly that.

🌟 Richard (25 years at Bank of America) shares why he’s changed roles every 20 months and how curiosity has shaped his career.
🌟 Amy (celebrating 10 years) reflects on why she never wanted to leave the North—and how finding Bank of America in Chester was a perfect fit.

Plus, we talk about:
🔹 How mentorship has evolved to be more strategic and impactful.
🔹 Why job descriptions need a refresh to attract diverse talent.
🔹 How advocacy and inclusion are at the heart of Bank of America’s culture.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫