Episode Guest

Paula MacKenzie is the CEO of Pizza Express, with a career spanning leadership roles across the food, drink, and hospitality sectors. Known for her drive and authenticity, Paula brings a bold, values-led approach to business and team culture.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:24 Paula’s First Job – Paper Rounds and Earning Freedom

2:23 Young Paula Saves for a Stereo – The Power of Incentives

3:38 What Drives Paula’s Determination?

5:03 What Paula Would Tell Her Younger Self

6:00 Paula on Staying True to Who You Are

7:47 Paula on Boundaries, Values & Handling ‘Darling’ Moments

10:33 From Paper Round to Career Steps – Paula’s Journey Begins

12:04 Why Paula Left Accountancy for Industry

14:46 Paula on Feeling Like an Outsider in Finance

16:05 Lessons from Innocent – How Paula Learned to Break the Rules

18:24 The Show Must Go On – Paula on Doing It Anyway

19:25 Becoming CEO – Paula’s Cross-Functional Climb

22:57 Paula on Imposter Syndrome & Reframing Thoughts

24:56 What Paula’s First Day as CEO Really Felt Like

27:08 Paula’s 4 A’s Framework for Leading From Day One

30:00 The One Life Lesson Paula Swears By

31:41 Quickfire with Paula – Pizza Orders, McFly & Collabs

34:43 Strong Roots and Giving Back – Paula’s Perspective

36:00 Paula’s Duvet Flip – Doing What She Loves Every Day

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest

Nick Foster is the General Manager for Mars Pet Nutrition in Northern Europe, where he leads with a passion for purpose, people, and pets. With nearly 20 years at Mars, he’s held diverse roles across sales, marketing, and supply chain, always driven by a desire to be a good ancestor.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:23 Meet the General Manager of Mars Petcare

1:00 From RAF Dreams to a Business Career

2:05 Finding Purpose Through Pet Care

3:20 Nick’s Duvet Flip: Being a Good Ancestor

4:10 Lessons from McDonald’s and Early Work Ethic

5:15 Accidental Entry into Mars

6:40 Career Advice: Squiggly Lines & Making Friends

8:10 General Management Explained

9:45 Mars Petcare’s Scale and Purpose

11:15 Changing Law to Help Renters with Pets

13:00 Cancer-Sniffing Dogs & Coral Reef Projects

15:00 Mars’ Family Values and Long-Term Thinking

16:40 Starting a Career at Mars: Advice to Young People

18:00 The Myth of Work-Life Balance

19:30 How to Build a Career with Impact

21:10 Nick’s Leadership Style and Communication Growth

23:00 The Power of Mentorship & Sponsorship

25:00 Fun Q&A: Sloths, Brainstorms & Huskies

28:00 Key Digital Skills for Petcare Careers

30:00 Final Lessons on Career, Purpose & Progression

33:15 What Gets Nick Out of Bed Each Day

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest

Tom Wallis is the Chief Customer Officer at Compare the Market, with a dynamic career spanning consulting, startups, and brand leadership. He's known for blending data-driven thinking with creative marketing to lead iconic campaigns.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:48 Tom’s Early Career and First Job

2:53 Lessons from Temping and the Power of Observation

4:55 Joining Accenture and Consulting Foundations

6:54 Why Tom Quit Without a Job

8:33 Dealing with Uncertainty and Finding the Next Step

9:57 Getting into Sky and Discovering Marketing

11:45 Breaking Into the Marketing Team

13:34 Landing His First Marketing Role

15:20 Lessons from Startup Life at Now TV

17:13 Facing Rejection — and Proving Them Wrong

18:42 Creating a Sales Surge That Changed the Business

20:01 Learning to Ask for Help and Growing Fast

21:27 Obsession, Flow States, and Finding His Thing

23:03 Tom’s Biggest Money Regret

24:03 Tom’s Simplest Money Tip for Young People

25:20 Transitioning to Gusto and Building Again

26:44 Joining Compare the Market

28:27 The Culture That Drives High Performance

30:04 What a Chief Customer Officer Really Does

31:25 Reviving One of the UK’s Most Iconic Brands

33:09 How to Build a Personal Brand Authentically

36:16 Tom’s Invisible Success

38:06 Tom’s Duvet Flip – Why He Shows Up Every Day

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/