UMicast

#026 UMi speaks to Jessica Williams on the future of sales & marketing

Jessica Williams, Founder and CEO of Just Williams, launched her business 2015 as a go-to solution to the age-old issues of hiring, training, managing and retaining sales professionals. In 2019 she created The Just Williams Sales Academy during the pandemic to create an entry level for all sales professionals which has now trained over 1000 delegates. Hear about hear journey and learn from her driving passion for all things sales.

#025 UMi speaks to Elaine Morris on staying curious about customers

Elaine Morris is the Founder of Curious Edge, which she set up to make research more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. She’s an experienced leader of high achieving teams, a coach and sounding board for managers and leaders. With demonstrable experience as a researcher, Elaine brings a deep understanding of consumer behaviour to her work. In this conversation, she explains why it’s beneficial for businesses to stay curious about themselves and their customers, and shares some tips for getting started with customer research.  

#024 UMi speaks to Minister Ivan McKee on building Scotland’s trade ecosystem

Minister Ivan McKee is a member of Scottish Parliament, and Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise. Prior to embarking on a full-time political career in 2016, Minister McKee enjoyed a 30-year career in manufacturing and consulting where he lived, owned and ran businesses in many countries. In this conversation, he reflects on the progress of Scotland’s trade ambitions and the opportunities for businesses in the future. 

#023 UMi speaks to Louise Kennedy about building a culture to attract the right team

Louise Kennedy is Owner and Director of Oculus HR. After 17 years’ experience running HR teams across many different sectors including fast-paced automotive, Louise stepped out into the light as a self-employed HR consultant. In this conversation, she shares stories about some of the challenges of supporting teams through the pandemic and gives her tips for attracting and retaining talent as a small business.

#022 UMi speaks to Sandi Rickerby, Hermina Ely and Sarah Cox about supporting older people at home, work and play

The latest episode is the fifth and final instalment of the special series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork. Hermina Ely is an Innovation Manager at Innovation SuperNetwork leading on Challenge North Tyne's mission to support older people at home, work and play working closely with Innovation Challenge Programme Director Sarah Cox and Sandi Rickerby, Trustee and Research Coordinator at The Third Age Trust. In this conversation, Hermina, Sandi and Sarah discuss the important issue of healthy ageing and longevity and how we create more inclusive products and services for older people.  
Challenge North Tyne is funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority

#021 UMi speaks to Lysa Morrison, David Lynch and Sarah Cox about delivering low carbon homes

The latest episode of the podcast is the fourth in the special series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork. Lysa Morrison is an Innovation Manager at Innovation SuperNetwork leading on Challenge North Tyne's 'delivering energy efficient, low carbon homes' challenge, working closely with Innovation Challenge Programme Director Sarah Cox and David Lynch, Energy Innovation Partnership Manager at the North East LEP. In this conversation, David, Lysa and Sarah discuss the progress being made in the North East on net zero and explain why decarbonising homes is one of the most powerful tools to help us transition to a low carbon economy. 

Challenge North Tyne is funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority. 

#020 UMi speaks to Estelle Blanks about building innovation ecosystems

The latest episode of the podcast is the third in the special series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork. Estelle Blanks is the CEO of Innovation SuperNetwork and someone who is incredibly passionate about making sure that companies in the North East have the opportunities, finance and support they need to innovate and grow. With that in mind, in this conversation, Estelle explains how robust innovation ecosystems can be catalysts for economic growth and regeneration.

Digital Cluster North of Tyne is funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority.

#019 UMi speaks to Fraser Doherty on brewing up the world’s most popular beer club

Fraser Doherty is co-founder of the world's most popular beer subscription service, Beer52. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Beer52 allows enthusiasts to taste expertly sourced craft beer from a different part of the world each month and has grown into one of Scotland's most exciting start-ups. Prior to joining Beer52, Fraser Doherty built an impressive 20-year career in business through his company SuperJam. In this conversation, the 33-year-old shares stories about some of the amazing destinations he's visited in the pursuit of the best beer and explains what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur from a young age. 

#018 UMi speaks to Sarah Cox about mission-led innovation

The latest episode of the podcast is the second in a new series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork to discuss the landscape for innovation in the North East. Sarah Cox is the Innovation Challenge Programme Director at Innovation SuperNetwork and in this conversation, she introduces the concept of 'mission-led innovation' and the Challenge North Tyne project, which has launched a number of 'missions' to tackle key social, economic and environmental problems throughout the region. 

Challenge North Tyne is funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority. 

#017 UMi speaks to Jordan Dargue and Shaun Fooy about bridging the innovation funding gap

The latest episode of the podcast is the first in a new five-part series UMi is producing in collaboration with Innovation SuperNetwork. Jordan Dargue is Head of Access to Finance at Innovation SuperNetwork and Shaun Fooy is a Senior Manager at the British Business Bank. In this conversation, Jordan and Shaun discuss the innovation funding gap and what needs to be done to improve the investment landscape for early stage companies in the North East. 

The Accelerating Investment & Innovation Summit is part-funded by ERDF as part of the Catalysing Innovation in North East Clusters Project. 

#016 UMi speaks to Washington Vieira about transparency and equity in the coffee industry

Washington Vieira is the founder and driving force behind independent coffee business, Santu Coffee. Based in Edinburgh, Santu roasts high quality coffee beans sourced ethically and directly from farmers in Brazil and operates a café in the heart of the city. In this conversation, Washington shares his journey from growing up on his grandparent's coffee farm in Brazil, to working in the US and relocating to Edinburgh to set up Santu in 2018.  

#015 UMi speaks to Daniel Harrison about helping businesses think differently, innovate and grow

Daniel Harrison is a deputy director in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy working at the heart of government to support business innovation and growth. A senior civil servant with 17 years' experience working in a range of ministerial departments, Daniel is passionate about solving the UK's productivity puzzle and making it easier for SMEs to thrive. In this conversation, we talk about Daniel's career and get his thoughts on the short and long-term challenges facing UK businesses, from inflation and the cost of living to talent attraction and net zero.