Join Bina Mehta, Chair of KPMG in the UK, as she chats to fellow Chairs and business leaders about how to grow successful businesses in today’s challenging and unpredictable environment, that delivers to the needs of people, planet, and profit. Bina and her guests will discuss why sustainable growth is at the top of business leaders’ agenda and share their insights on how to achieve it.
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Episode 22 - John Boumphrey, Country Manager for UK and Ireland, Amazon
Bina Mehta's last guest in series two of ‘Pull up a Chair’ is Amazon’s Country Manager for the UK and Ireland– John Boumphrey.
Together Bina and John discuss robotics in Amazon’s warehouses, Generative AI, new technology and its transformative potential for the retail sector, and the future of the workforce amongst other trending topics.
17 April 2024, Listen now (38m 29s)
Episode 21 - Penny James, Co-Chair, FTSE Women Leaders Review and Senior Independent Director, Hargreaves Lansdown
In this episode, Bina speaks with Penny James, Co-Chair of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Senior Independent Director at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Penny has a wealth of experience in some of the best-known names in insurance; including Zurich, Prudential, and most recently Direct Line Group, where she was Chief Executive Officer.
3 April 2024, Listen now (31m 22s)
Episode 20 - Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director, Ford Britain
In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford Britain.
Listen to the episode to hear Lisa’s insights on the automotive industry and its evolution, including the role of electric vehicles in driving a sustainable future, plus lessons in leadership from an established career.
20 March 2024, Listen now (29m 53s)
Episode 19 - Paul Johnson, Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies
In the latest episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina speaks with Paul Johnson, the Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a position he has held since 2011. One of the UK’s most respected economists, Paul is the longest serving IFS Director, and for the past 11-years has also been a visiting professor in economics at UCL.
Paul has a wealth of experience to drawn upon including hands-on experience of government having worked as a senior civil servant in the Treasury, and as chief economist at the Department for Education. Paul was also a member of the UK Climate Change Committee and author of The Sunday Times best-selling book: ‘Follow the Money: How much does Britain cost?’
In their discussion, Paul shares insights on the worlds of government, business, and higher education, and how they can work better together to achieve sustainable growth.
4 March 2024, Listen now (51m 25s)
Episode 18 - Bill Thomas, Chairman and CEO, KPMG International
In the latest episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina speaks with Bill Thomas, the Chairman and CEO of KPMG International where he leads and supports more than 265,000 colleagues over 140 countries.
Bill has more than a decade of executive-level leadership experience and previously served as Chairman of KPMG’s Americas region from 2014 to 2017, and as CEO and Senior Partner of KPMG in Canada from 2009 to 2016. During each stage of his career, he has propelled the firm’s global strategy throughout local, regional and international geographies, always pairing pragmatism and creativity to deliver concrete results.
In their discussion, he reflects on his learnings about how organisations can achieve growth that meets profit and purpose.
21 February 2024, Listen now (34m 39s)
Episode 17 - Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller, Former Director General, MI5
In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller, Former Director General of MI5.
In their conversation, Bina and Eliza explore the changing face of leadership, and the lessons Eliza has learned during an established career in one of the world’s most famous institutions.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth!
7 February 2024, Listen now (33m 35s)
Episode 16 - Vindi Banga, Chairman, Marie Curie
In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Vindi Banga, a leader and advisor to some of the world’s most well-known brands.
Vindi brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of business, education, and philanthropy, and has had a fascinating and diverse career spanning 33 years at Unilever, roles in private equity, and on the boards of Marie Curie, Haleon, GSK’s former consumer business; and is now Chair of UK Government Investments.
Together Bina and Vindi discuss the impact that businesses can have when they work together with government to progress development agendas. Particularly around how organisations can grow in a way that drives success in our communities and protects our planet.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth!
24 January 2024, Listen now (34m 44s)
Episode 15 - Dr José Viñals, Group Chairman, Standard Chartered
In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina Mehta speaks with Dr José Viñals, Group Chairman of Standard Chartered.
José is an economist, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Spain and Financial Counsellor and Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the International Monetary Fund. He brings a unique perspective on the role of financial institutions in achieving long-term prosperity for people and planet.
Together they discuss how José’s experience as an expert in international regulation and global markets has shaped his perspective on how to achieve growth that benefits all people and preserves our planet. Particularly the global cooperation required to deliver the United Nations’ sustainable growth goals, reflecting on his role as Co-Chair of the United Nations’ Alliance of Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD).
12 December 2023, Listen now (47m 53s)
Episode 14 - Vishal Marria, Vishal Marria, CEO and Founder, Quantexa
In the latest episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’, Bina Mehta speaks with Vishal Marria, the CEO and Founder of Quantexa, one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech companies and the only tech unicorn of 2023.
Together they discuss Quantexa’s success and the future of technology and innovation. They also explore the role that data has to play, not just in solving complex challenges like financial crime and regulatory compliance, but also in creating a culture where people can thrive and collaborate.
29 November 2023, Listen now (37m 21s)
Episode 13 - Dame Sharon White, Chair, John Lewis Partnership
In the second episode of ‘Pull up a Chair’ series two, Bina is joined by Dame Sharon White, Chair of John Lewis Partnership, to discuss the lessons she’s learned throughout a distinguished career in public service, regulation, and now as the Chair of one of Britain’s most beloved brands.
Together, they explore John Lewis’ partnership model and its sustained significance in the face of a changing labour market, transformation and change – why it’s important to keep purpose in the centre and plan for the long-term – and why ‘connectivity’ is a defining characteristic of good leadership.
15 November 2023, Listen now (55m 45s)
Episode 12 - Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
In a special episode of the Pull up a Chair podcast, ahead of season two launching later this summer, @Bina Mehta spoke with Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
As the first woman to be elected in that position, and the first to lead the United Nations Development Programme, @Helen Clark’s experience as a trailblazer gives her unparalleled and unique insights. In this episode, Helen recalls how her upbringing gave her the perspective that ‘girls could do anything’ and shares more about the barriers facing women at different stages of their progression into, and out of, leadership positions.
5 July 2023, Listen now (51m 11s)
Episode 11 - Season Highlights
Season one of the ‘Pull up a Chair’ podcast has wrapped up filming. In the final episode, Bina revisits some of the highlights from her conversations with business leaders from some of the world’s most influential organisations on sustainable growth.
Throughout the first series, guests have explored how to grow successful businesses in today’s challenging and unpredictable environment, and the most important lessons they’ve learned in their distinguished careers.
3 May 2023, Listen now (27m 31s)
Episode 10 - Euan Blair, Chief Executive and co-founder, Multiverse
In this episode of ’Pull up a Chair’, Bina welcomes Euan Blair.
Euan Blair is the co-founder and CEO of Multiverse, the British educational technology start-up offering professional apprenticeships.
Owing to Multiverse’s tech unicorn status, Euan also has great perspectives to share on technology, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of scaling sustainably in the UK.
Passionate about improving opportunity, Euan has built important insights on disrupting traditional educational models, and how businesses can use apprenticeships to build the skills they need to drive growth and strengthen social mobility.
19 April 2023, Listen now (38m 38s)
Episode 9 - Clare Barclay, Chief Executive, Microsoft UK
In this episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina welcomes Clare Barclay. Clare Barclay is the Chief Executive of Microsoft UK. With nearly three decades’ experience in the IT industry, most of them in diverse roles across Microsoft, Clare has a wealth of knowledge and insights to share on innovation and technology. As a senior leader with a deep passion for diversity and inclusion, Clare holds views on important topics including the UK’s digital skills gap, how technology can help us address the climate emergency, what AI will and won’t replace, and what the future of work looks like.
5 April 2023, Listen now (35m 55s)
Episode 8 - Dame Elizabeth Corley, Chair, Impacting Investing Institute
In this episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina welcomes Dame Elizabeth Corley.
Dame Elizabeth Corley is the Chair of the Impact Investing Institute.
With extensive experience in financial services, Elizabeth is a leading voice on harnessing finance for good, and the role that impact investing plays in driving sustainable growth. In 2019, Elizabeth was awarded a DBE for services to the economy and financial services.
22 March 2023, Listen now (27m 14s)
Episode 7 - William Vereker, Chair, Santander UK
In this episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina welcomes William Vereker.
William Vereker is the Chair of Santander UK and also on the board of the fast-growing tech unicorn, Celonis.
William is not only one of the best-known names in the City, with a first-class track record in banking having held positions at JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and UBS, but he has also spent time at the top of government.
As former Prime Minister Theresa May’s business envoy, William was focused on strengthening the relationship between government and the City at a time of seismic change in the UK economy.
08 March 2023, Listen now (34m 07s)
Episode 6 - Andy Haldane, Chief Executive, the RSA
In this episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina welcomes Andy Haldane, Chief Executive of the RSA.
During his time as the most senior economist at the Bank of England, Andy was widely cited as a leading expert on financial stability as well as being named by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people.
Andy also led the government’s taskforce for Levelling Up and is currently the Chair of the Levelling Up Advisory Council, which he described as ‘one of the biggest economic and social challenges of our time’, and is a passionate advocate for improving numeracy across the UK.
22 February 2023, Listen now (40m 46s)
Episode 5 - Baroness Dambisa Moyo
In this episode of 'Pull up a Chair', Bina welcomes Baroness Dambisa Moyo.
Dambisa is a pre-eminent economist, named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
The author of four New York Times Bestselling Books - including her most recent: ‘How Boards Work’, which explores how boards can work better in a chaotic world, Dambisa has an incredibly strong influence in the strategic investment and public policy spheres.
Date: 8 February 2023, Listen now (46m 47s)
Episode 4 - Sir John Kingman, Chair, Legal & General
In this episode of Pull Up a Chair, Bina is joined by Sir John Kingman, Chair of Legal & General, covering how his experiences in positions at the very top of government and business have shaped his perspectives on investing for sustainable growth, and attracting Global talent.
As former Second Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury, he was at the heart of the UK government’s response to the 2008/9 financial crisis, managing the resolution of Northern Rock and negotiations around the refinancing of UK banks.
Sir John was also the first Chair of UK Research and Innovation, overseeing government science funding of more than £8bn per year, and his eponymous review of the Financial Reporting Council in 2018 recommended the wholesale reform of audit and accounting regulation.
Date: 25 January 2023, Listen now (26m 24s)
Episode 3 - Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of Britain’s most decorated Paralympian athletes, winning 11 gold medals, four silvers, and one bronze over five Paralympic Games. Tanni is established as one of the most gifted and courageous sportswomen of her generation.
In 2010, Tanni became an independent peer in the House of Lords, and since this time has continued to act as a prominent and vocal advocate for disability rights, welfare reform, and inclusion.
She talks to Bina about the role of Boards in making a cultural change in organisations, how businesses can support more disabled people into employment and what it means to be an inclusive leader.
Date : 11 January 2023, Listen now (34m 30s)
Episode 2 - Dominic Barton, Chair, Rio Tinto
For the second episode of ‘Pull up a Chair', Bina welcomes Dominic Barton, the Chair of Rio Tinto, to the podcast.
Dominic was a Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company between 2009 and 2018. He also served as Canada’s ambassador to China, before joining Rio Tinto as Chair earlier this year.
He joined Bina to talk about his career, planning for the long-term, why culture drives everything and, of course, that big question of how to deliver growth in a responsible way, that meets the needs of people, the planet, and profit.
Date: 21 December 2022, Listen now (42m 29s)
Episode 1 - Sir Jon Symonds, Chair, GSK
In the first episode, Bina talks to Sir Jon Symonds, the Chair of GSK.
Sir Jon has led large organisations through times of seismic change, including the global financial crisis in 2008, and more recently the global pandemic, in which pharmaceutical organisations like GSK found themselves at the centre of the world’s attention while the industry worked at pace and scale to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
He joined Bina to talk about the impacts and lessons from the pandemic, the power of purpose, and much more.
Date: 7 December 2022, Listen now (28m 51s)