UMicast

In this straight-talking, practical conversation, Dave breaks down what business owners need to know: where funding has shifted, what lenders really look for, and how to prepare yourself so you secure the right type of finance at the right time.

From a rat-infested pub basement to creating some of the UK’s most iconic pub brands, David Bruce OBE has lived one of the most unconventional entrepreneurial journeys in brewing. Founder of Bruce’s Brewery and the legendary Firkin pubs, David went on to build or invest in breweries and pub companies across the UK and internationally, eventually scaling to a stock exchange listed group before turning his energy toward meaningful philanthropy.

In this lively, laughter filled conversation, David shares how serendipity, instinct, and a mischievous streak shaped every chapter of his business life – along with the courage and resilience that kept him moving through the inevitable chaos of entrepreneurship.

Listen to hear David Bruce OBE talk about:

• How he built the Firkin pubs by mixing instinct with irreverence, and why unusual choices – from church pew seating to cheeky branding – helped him stand out without big budgets.
• The moment that sparked his lifelong entrepreneurial drive, including how being denied shares as an employee pushed him to take control of his own destiny.
• Why “professional amateurism” can be a strength, not a weakness – how embracing imperfection helped him stay flexible, opportunistic and innovative.
• What small business owners should know about risk, resilience and raising investment – his candid take on partnerships, pitching, and backing yourself even when experts say no.
• Navigating timing, luck and economic turbulence – what he learned from successes, failures and the impact of major external events like the dot com crash.
• How saying yes, staying curious and keeping a sense of humour shaped his career, and why he believes entrepreneurship is one of the most rewarding ways to live a life.

As a high-street champion, digital marketing expert, and respected media expert, Graham Soult works tirelessly to revitalise town centres.

Listen to the episode below to find out more from Graham Soult about:

• The current state of retail on the high street.
• The importance of community feeling in creating a successful high street business.
• Examples of how to tackle crime.
• How to effectively market your business, whether just starting or established.
• What the future might hold for business on the high street.

As the Strategy Director and General Manager at CPI, Dr Arun Harish has vast experience in sustainable growth and impact generation. Having previously held diverse roles, ranging from technology commercialisation, innovation consulting, fund-raising, and business development, Arun uses his expertise and passion to make economical and societal impact through innovation.

Emma Jones was appointed Small Business Commissioner in June 2025, after vast experience of starting and growing her own businesses. These ventures included Enterprise Nation, a business dedicated to supporting the flourishing number of start-ups and SMEs in the UK. Now, as the Small Business Commissioner, Emma is responsible for reviewing complaints by small businesses regarding late payments, as well as provide advice and support on issues relating to late payment and payment practices in the private sector.

Digital transformation is rapidly evolving and for many SMEs, it can be difficult to Navigate. Alessandro Di Stefano, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Teesside University, breaks down the practical applications of AI and data-driven tools, giving insight into actionable strategies businesses can use to stay in the game.

Nobody can do business with you if they don’t know you exist. Charlotte Nichols, Managing Director of Harvey & Hugo, explains practical public relations (PR) strategies that can enhance your visibility, establish trust and position your brand as the go-to-choice in your industry.

With a decade in business, Jessica Williams, Founder/Managing Director of Just Williams, has a firm grip on the wheel, being able to pursue a PhD and run 13 marathons on the side. But this sales and marketing B Corp wasn’t built overnight. Jessica reflects on her business journey and shares tips for other likeminded sales-people looking to grow.

Mo Abassi, Senior Sustainability Engineer at Decerna, discusses how individual behaviours can play a key part in creating a sustainable workplace. Whilst new technologies and policies can make a big difference, Mo believes their Sustainable Workplace Wins toolkit can encourage people to adopt small but significant new behaviours, sharing positive messaging, advice and practical activities.

With a background in Corpus Linguistics and a keen interest in Scottish mythology, Steve Erdal found his niche in AI-enabled customer feedback analysis. The Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Wordnerds shares how the company has navigated proof of concept, seed funding and scaling through one of the most challenging times in business history.

Richard Bearman is the Managing Director of British Business Bank and overseer of the Start-Up Loans Programme which aims to help start-up businesses across the UK get access to funding and support. In this conversation he shares details of the funding and support available to new businesses, as well as the value of mentorship from industry experts.

Jim Holland is the CEO and Co-Founder of Carma, a business which partners with veterans and service leavers to plant trees in the UK. After serving in the Royal Navy for 13 years, followed by 16 years in large corporations, Jim was moved to create Carma to support fellow veterans while making a positive impact on the environment. In this conversation, Jim shares key lessons and personal insights from his journey to offering customers social impact from the palm of their hand.