Nowadays, Jon Hendry-Pickup leads a proper British Institution: Butlin's. Before that, he worked for Aldi, Tesco, Travelodge and Prezzo. He's spent decades in high-volume, high-pressure environments. Yet his leadership philosophy might surprise you...

In this month's podcast, we sat Jon down with Professor Christian Stadler, an academic at Warwick Business School who spends many of his days researching what makes companies ‘survive beyond their 100th birthday'.

They cover:

• Why the All-Knowing, All-Seeing Leader is a COMPLETE MYTH.
• The Power in Trusting the LOWEST-PAID, LEAST-QUALIFIED People in any Business.
• How Bringing CHATGPT into the Boardroom Actually Works.

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“Debt is slavery,” says Gtech founder Nick Grey—who built a multi-million pound business without taking a loan. In this episode, he joins Warwick Business School’s Professor Simon Barnes to explore the hard truths about venture capital, risk, and starting smart.

They discuss why so many start-ups fail, how to survive the “valley of death,” and why great leadership starts with listening—not ego—but about building teams, listening well, and delivering value to customers.

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“You came out of that with your integrity intact.” That, says Sir Andy Street, was what mattered most after losing a mayoral election.

The ex-John Lewis CEO and former West Midlands Mayor joins WBS Professor Tina Kiefer to explore what authentic leadership looks like—when values are tested in public, on this episode of Lead Out Loud.

From building Britain’s most trusted retailer to leading in politics, Andy reflects on why trust, consistency, and transparency matter more than ever. Tina brings a psychological lens, revealing how leaders shape culture not through slogans, but daily behaviour.

Together, they unpack why emotional intelligence is a leadership essential—and why walking the talk, even under pressure, is the true mark of a great leader.

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“I didn’t feel like I belonged — but I kept going.”

Award-winning podcaster and young entrepreneur Taylor James sits down with WBS expert Rachel Dickinson to unpack the messy reality of building something from nothing.

From imposter syndrome to burnout, in this episode of Lead Out Loud, they explore what it really takes to lead in creative industries—and why mental health has to come before hustle.

It’s a candid conversation about self-doubt, resilience, and why vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s the future of leadership.

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Are companies pulling back from inclusion—and what might it cost them?

With major firms like Google and Goldman Sachs retreating from their EDI efforts, the conversation around inclusive leadership is shifting. In this episode, Elham Fardad—senior EY leader and founder of Migrant Leaders—joins WBS expert Dr Dawn Eubanks to explore what happens when businesses treat inclusion as optional.

They unpack why diverse teams drive better decisions, how inclusion fuels innovation, and what real leadership looks like in a complex, global world in this episode of Lead Out Loud.

This is a call for clarity, not just commitment—because in today’s climate, inclusive leadership isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential.

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If leaders don’t look after their wellbeing, why should their teams?

In the very first episode of Lead Out Loud, former actress turned self-development coach Holly Matthews joins WBS behavioural scientist Dr Joshua Fullard to explore how leaders can set the tone for mental and physical wellbeing—by walking the talk.

They discuss how burnout, stress, and silence around wellbeing damage teams, and why leading with openness, boundaries, and balance is no longer optional.

Whether you're running a business or managing a team, this episode unpacks why wellbeing isn't a side conversation—it's a leadership responsibility.

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