We Are PoWEr Podcast

The #NPWAwards isn’t just one night—it’s a movement that keeps growing, inspiring, and driving change every single day. 

In this special episode, we catch up with some of our incredible 2025 winners and commended to hear what the awards have meant to them, their organisations, and the communities they support.

Joined by Natalie from Nuvo Wellbeing, Kirsty from DWF Law, Afra from Savera UK, Julie from Digital Voice for Communities, Susan Mulholland, Catherine Millan, Juliet Sanders, Jo Clarke, and Kayleigh Laverick from Mamma Social Co, we explore:

💡 How they described the #NPWAwards experience
🏆 The meaning of winning—for them, their teams, and the causes they champion
🎉 The emotions of the night—tears, shock, and even screaming in the car on the way home!
🕺 Dancing around the trophy bag to keep it safe (priorities, right?)
🚗 The unexpected trophy tour—because when you win, everyone wants to celebrate!
🚽 The moment of realisation… even if they were in the toilet when their name was announced!
🌍 The awareness the awards have brought to their work, making an even bigger impact
✨ The reminder that you never know where that first step will take you

This episode is packed with powerful stories, unforgettable moments, and proof that the #NPWAwards is more than just a ceremony—it’s a celebration of real people making real change.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Joe Dent, Chief People Officer at Princes, as he shares his inspiring journey in corporate leadership, mental health advocacy, and fostering inclusion within organisations. With 14 years of experience at Princes, Joe has risen through the ranks from HR Controller to Group HR Director and now Chief People Officer, shaping the company's People Excellence strategy.

Joe discusses his role in advocating for inclusion and the importance of creating mental health strategies in the workplace. He opens up about his own 20-year battle with anxiety and how sharing his personal story has helped others, highlighting the power of vulnerability and empathy in professional settings. Joe also explores why it’s vital for organisations to implement strategies that prioritise people and lead to sustainable success.

Join us for an insightful conversation about leadership, mental health, and the role of strategic thinking in shaping corporate culture. Joe's journey serves as a reminder of the impact one person can have when they champion inclusivity and advocate for well-being.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

Join us on the We Are PoWEr podcast as Amy Williams, Managing Director at Barclays and Iwona Schmidt, Managing Director at Bank of America talk about their roles as co-headline partners for the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women’s Awards. 🌟

Amy and Iwona share... 
✨ Their excitement for the night
✨ The power of role models
✨ Why the partnership is important to them personally and professionally
✨ Their companies' commitment to diversity and inclusion

The 2025 #NPWAwards is on 6th March, don’t miss this episode as we build up to the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe! 

Chapters:
0:00 Celebrating Gender Diversity and Inclusion
8:43 Recognising Excellence and Community Impact
18:54 Empowering Northern Leaders

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Natalie Reeves-Billing DL, a remarkable woman with an inspiring journey in education, innovation, and leadership. Natalie, a mum of three and co-founder of Builder Book UK, shares her passion for empowering young minds and creating equitable educational opportunities. As an award-winning author, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, and creator of The Animates Project, Natalie discusses her mission to bring educational resources to vulnerable families and inspire children towards fulfilling careers.

In this episode, we explore the power of storytelling, personal growth, resilience, and the importance of community. Natalie also shares insights into her many roles and how she successfully juggles multiple projects, from co-founding Builder Book UK to serving as a Governor at Everton Free School. We dive deep into her passion for educational equity, women’s leadership, and the impact of her work in underprivileged communities.

Chapters: 00:00 Empowering Stories and Superpowers
08:54 Personal Growth and Overcoming Challenges
17:46 Finding Purpose and Building Community
24:58 Innovation and Pranks
30:07 Adapting With Multiple Roles

Natalie’s career and dedication to creating pathways for future careers truly embody resilience, creativity, and impact. Join us for a conversation full of inspiration and practical advice!

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode, Cat Wildman, the founder of Powered by Diversity, talks about her experience of being named Commended Winner of the Agent of Change at the #NPWAwards. Despite the recognition, Cat shares how it triggered imposter syndrome and made her question her own success. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Cat explains the mission behind Powered by Diversity and how its GEC app helps identify and track imbalances in the workplace.

Cat also reflects on how her career took unexpected turns—from wanting to become a doctor to working at a national newspaper. She discovered that technology, much like science, is about solving problems, but with computers instead of cells. Cat shares the turning point when, at a conference, she realised that “no one was coming to save us,” which led her to set up Powered by Diversity. She talks about the framework she created to bring real change to workplaces and how recent news around diversity and inclusion has been affecting her.

This episode is full of insightful thoughts on diversity, career changes, and the challenges of setting up a business for change.

Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to the Powered by Diversity Podcast
00:46 - Meet Cat Wildman
01:24 - Cat’s Achievements and Experiences
02:46 - Starting Powered by Diversity
04:21 - Cat’s Career Path and Insights
07:33 - Overcoming Challenges
17:58 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
20:55 - Final Thoughts and Goodbye

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this inspiring episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we chat with Nicola Wood, founder of the Wonderful Wig Company. Nicola shares her incredible story of building a successful business while battling cancer, highlighting the personal and financial challenges she faced along the way.

From overcoming obstacles in entrepreneurship to expanding her reach through franchising and advocacy, Nicola talks about her resilience and dedication to making a difference. She discusses the impact of receiving awards, the importance of community, and how her TEDx Talk has shaped her future plans.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

Join us as Paul Kallee-Grover MBE shares his extraordinary journey, revealing the unexpected honour of receiving an MBE during the tumultuous times of 2021. From his initial spark of interest in urban regeneration and geography to launching his own venture, Key Partnership, Paul opens up about his evolution from a connector of ideas in international real estate to a trailblazing entrepreneur. Discover how a chance encounter with a former CEO set him on a new path, emphasising the excitement of projects over people management, and how this has shaped his professional adventure.

Explore the world of international markets alongside an export champion who has been at the forefront of promoting UK trade overseas. Paul's story unfolds from a pivotal moment at the 2010 World Expo in China to his impactful roles, including those at Arup. As an export champion since 2013, he has dedicated himself to nurturing startups, providing invaluable cultural and licensing advice. Hear how his experiences, bolstered by a prestigious education at MIT and overcoming personal challenges like ADHD and dyslexia, have fuelled his passion for mentoring businesses and individuals alike, earning him accolades such as a Board of Trade Award.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are Power Podcast, we delve into the world of entrepreneurship with Ruth Hartnoll, co-founder of Matchstick. Join us as we explore personal stories of growth, overcoming challenges, and the significance of community. Ruth discusses the origins of her business, the valuable lessons learned, and the importance of fostering a strong company culture. We also touch on balancing personal and professional life, as well as the impact of side projects and board roles.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to the We Are Power Podcast
01:33 The Journey of Matchstick
02:36 Challenges and Lessons Learned
06:31 The Importance of Culture
12:41 Side Hustles and Board Roles
16:50 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
19:12 The Power of Community
25:20 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs
28:14 Conclusion

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this special episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE steps into the hot seat, being interviewed for the first time by Anna Davey. Known for her dedication to championing gender equality and leading the Northern PoWEr Women Awards movement, Simone shares insights into her path from receiving an MBE from the Queen to building a movement that now unites over 120,000 people.

Simone opens up about how her upbringing in Liverpool and experiences as an honorary captain in the Royal Navy shaped her advocacy. Her story is all about seizing opportunities and pushing forward, a mindset that continues to drive her passion for inclusivity and support for all.

In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Welcome to the We Are PoWEr Podcast
10:53 Building the Northern PoWEr Women Awards
21:13 Celebrating Achievements and Balancing Life
29:57 Behind the Podcast: Simone's Shift from Interviewer to Interviewee

Simone’s story highlights the power of community and how her expertise in event management and networking has empowered women across the country. We Are PoWEr also encompasses the Northern PoWEr Women Awards and PoWEr Collective CIC, two key initiatives that continue to make a lasting impact.

Tune in for a candid conversation as Simone discusses balancing responsibilities, making connections, and the humour that has always been part of her leadership style. This episode celebrates the essence of the Northern PoWEr Women Awards and Simone’s ongoing commitment to shaping an inclusive future.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this inspiring episode, Ammar Mirza CBE, entrepreneur and community advocate, shares his remarkable journey from his roots in shipbuilding in Newcastle and Liverpool to his dedication to supporting the armed forces community. Ammar talks about his drive to create positive change, living by the mantra of "fixing things and adding value."

He also reflects on the importance of giving back and cherishing small moments, like taking a selfie, to spread positivity in a world often filled with negativity. Ammar offers insights on balancing charity work with personal life, as well as the power of resilience, global networking, and gratitude. Tune in to hear how Ammar’s experiences continue to shape his mission to improve health, wealth, and happiness worldwide.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:46 Introducing Our Guest: Ammar Mirza CBE
01:16 Ammar's Journey: From Shipbuilding to Advocacy
02:22 Advocacy and Giving Back: Spreading Positivity
03:53 Balancing Charity Work and Personal Life
06:37 Global Networking and Growth
10:51 Resilience and Gratitude
17:02 Advice for Aspiring Advocates
21:08 Vision for the Future: Improving Lives
22:45 Final Thoughts and Farewell.

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫