Featuring alumni from the Women of the Future Programme and Awards, which recognises distinctive, innovative individuals in their fields. Previous winner Kim Rowell speaks to guests about their careers, big breaks, successes, failures and inspirations.
Episodes
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Samantha Cohen is CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the business network of the Commonwealth.
Prior to this Sam served in the Royal Household for nearly two decades as Assistant and Deputy Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen, having held a previous role as Head of Royal Communications for The Queen’s Household.
After working on the delivery of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in 2018, Sam served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, for 18 months.
Sam previously held positions with the Minister for Mining and Energy and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs in the Australian Government, the country of her birth.
Sam currently also serves as Co-Chair of the climate change charity Cool Earth and is a Trustee of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
In 2016, Samantha was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch.
She is also a proud judge for the Women of the Future Programme awards.
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For more details on how you can enter or nominate someone for the 'Kindness & Leadership 50 Leading Lights' list, part of the Women of the Future Programme, please visit: https://www.kindnessrules.co.uk
For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday May 28, 2021
Friday May 28, 2021
Zara Bryson is a Strategy and Innovation Director at Publicis Media, one of the four solutions hubs of Publicis Groupe, comprised of Starcom, Zenith, Digitas, Spark Foundry and Performics, powered by digital-first, data-driven global practices to deliver client value and business transformation.
Zara’s self-confessed love of maths and a degree in law has made her a collaborative, strategic, problem-solver. She values lifting others up, encouraging curiosity and fostering a compassionate, fun, growth mindset culture.
Zara is the current Head of Purpose and Impact at Bloom UK, a volunteer-led network of women in the communications industries, championing their ‘real voices’ and focused on spearheading positive industry change and paying it forward to the next generation.
She founded a biweekly podcast - ‘Who's Next with Zara Bryson’ - to shine a light on brilliant women to champion them, and for others to learn from. Each guest pays it forward to someone they personally find an inspiration.
Zara received the WACL - Women in Advertising and Communications, London - Future Leaders Award in 2018, and was recognised as a ‘Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights’, part of the Women of the Future Programme in November last year, recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society.
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For more details on how you can enter or nominate someone for the 'Kindness & Leadership 50 Leading Lights' list, part of the Women of the Future Programme, please visit: https://www.kindnessrules.co.uk
For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday May 14, 2021
Friday May 14, 2021
Katie Lloyd is Development Director for BBC News & Current Affairs, leading the way in a number of areas; from culture change, D&I, talent development and sustainability, to the BBC’s flagship outreach project, BBC Young Reporter.
Since joining, Katie has devised a number of high-impact initiatives that have increased diversity and inclusion within the organisation; including the BBC News Women in Leadership Programme, Women in Tech Programme, Digital Apprenticeship Programme, Extend in News and the News Leadership Programme.
Katie created the BBC Next Generation Panel in order to get younger voices heard at a senior level and break down hierarchies. The panel reverse mentor the News Group Board, a model that has now been replicated across the BBC.
Previously, Katie was Deputy CEO of Media Trust where she oversaw PR, public affairs, youth media projects and the award winning in-house film production unit. Katie launched youth outreach work which benefited more than 20,000 disadvantaged young people across the UK. She also managed Media Trust’s key strategic partnerships with companies including Channel 4, Sky, BBC, ITV, News UK, DMGT and Google.
In 2018, Katie was one of 50 business leaders recognised in the Women of the Future inaugural 'Kindness and Leadership' Awards and was also shortlisted for the European Diversity Awards in the ‘Diversity Champion of the Year’ category.
Amongst numerous other accolades, Katie was nominated for ‘Inspiring Fifty UK’ a list of women leaders in tech, has judged the Women of the Future Awards, and was previously featured in PR Week's top '29 under 29' PRs in the UK as well as being listed as one of GQ's '100 Most Connected Women' in the UK. Katie is also a Fellow of the British-American Project and a Patron of LAMDA.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Georgina Roberts has represented Wales and Great Britain at Olympic Trap Shooting since she was just 17-years-old. As an ambassador for The Mintridge Foundation and British Shooting, she has found her passion lies in helping others to achieve their goals.
Determined to rewrite and change public perceptions, as well as the gender-based stereotypes associated to shooting, Georgina has a steady focus on taking her sport to new levels – with her sights set on shooting at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Currently running her own British Shooting Talent Hub at Mendip Shooting Ground, Georgina is the development coach for the Talent Academy.
Already gaining nationwide recognition for her achievements with media coverage in the Telegraph, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation and Clay Shooting Magazine; Georgina was also the recipient of the Women of the Future Award in the Sport category in 2019 for her contribution to shooting.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Detective Sergeant Neata Simpson embarked on her career with the West Midlands Police in 2002 and never looked back.
Highlighted by her peers as a role model in the public service sector, Neata has been at the forefront of West Midlands Police’s family matters initiative, ensuring support and flexible systems are in place to enable women with families to fulfil their aspirations within the police.
Neata not only helps support and mentor student officers, but as part of her ‘day job’ is also a fully trained hostage and crisis negotiator.
Neata was honoured at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2020, in recognition of her ‘sterling efforts in policing and helping others’.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Zara Janjua is a successful multi-hyphen TV professional; essentially meaning her ‘daily grind’ includes roles as a journalist, presenter, producer, director, filmmaker, writer, comedian, actor, course facilitator and event host.
A BAFTA, NTA and RTS award-winning broadcaster of Scottish-Pakistani heritage, Zara has presented national news, daytime TV, comedy and cookery shows for the BBC, ITV and STV.
Zara is part of the BBC Comedy Writersroom, currently developing several scripts with production companies. She has also been working with BBC Studios on a series of comedy shorts, which she both writes and stars in.
Recently named 'one of Britain's most talented up-and-coming women' Zara was a finalist for the Women Of The Future Awards in 2020; recognition of the success she has achieved working with multiple income streams to build a broad portfolio, both in front of, and behind the camera.
A proactive mentor for young women and minority groups, as well as an advocate for equality, women's rights and mental health; Zara is an ambassador for several charities, operating on a 50:50 model - dedicating half her time to philanthropic filming projects.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Yunquan Qin has been described as ‘the epitome of strength’.
The first woman in Asia to be certified as both a counter-terror shooting instructor by the Israeli Tactical School in the US, and also to earn a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu; Yunquan is CEO and chief instructor of Kapap Academy, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering ordinary people, with Yunquan having taught practical self-defence moves to thousands — from abused women to the deaf and the elderly.
For her efforts in empowering others and educating them about their own personal safety, she was the recipient of the Queen's Young Leaders Award in 2017.
In 2018, Yunquan was recognised as a honouree of Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list - featuring 300 young disruptors, innovators and entrepreneurs from across the region. She was also named by Singapore Tatler, Generation T, as one of the 50 most promising individuals in Singapore. In the same year, Yunquan was made an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society, a charity committed to youth empowerment, education and advocacy.
Yunquan was a finalist in the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia 2019 in the Social Entrepreneur Category and in 2020 was one of 25 women named on the Kindness in Leadership Leading Lights Southeast Asia.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Lizzy Dening is a British journalist who has written about health, lifestyle and feminism for publications including The Guardian, Grazia, the Huffington Post, Marie Claire, Elle and the Independent.
Passionate about using her writing to help survivors of sexual violence, since 2016 Lizzy has volunteered at Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group and is Vice Chair of their board of trustees.
Lizzy founded the ‘Survivor Stories’ project in December 2019, with the intention of using her skills in writing, interviewing and editing to help survivors of sexual violence to tell their stories in their own words, transcribed and edited with full consent.
With the long term ambition of creating an archive of stories from all over the world, from all ages, genders, sexualities and races, Lizzy describes the website as being available for ‘anyone who needs it’.
Lizzy was the winner of the 2020 Women of the Future Awards in the Media category.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
For more information on Survivor Stories, please visit: www.survivorstories.co.uk
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
John Lombard joined global technology services company NTT Ltd. as CEO Asia Pacific in May 2016 and brought with him over 30 years of leadership and management consulting experience.
Prior to NTT, John worked for the software company SAP as Head of Services for Asia Pacific Japan. During his stint at SAP, he was responsible for services and support across 14 countries in the region and was central to driving the company’s Cloud Services, Consulting, Custom Development and Education portfolio. John has also previously worked as the CEO and Managing Director of Crowe Howarth, the largest publicly listed business advisory and accounting firm in Australia and New Zealand.
John is the co-founder of #HeforShe for LeanIn Asia, which helps create an environment that enables women to #LeanIn to their careers and passions. He is also on the board of directors of Very Special Arts Singapore.
NTT are the sponsors of the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia and alongside his judging role, John was shortlisted himself for the Mentor of the Year Award in 2019.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Sir Nicholas Young is a solicitor and charity worker; operating as Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief between 1995 and 2001, and Chief Executive of the British Red Cross from 2001 to 2014, stepping down from the position following the tragic death of his son Alex.
Having studied law at the University of Birmingham, he made a somewhat unconventional career pivot in the mid-80s when he became Secretary for Development at the Sue Ryder Foundation and never looked back.
A much-lauded career that has also included positions within the government, Nicholas was Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2000 for services to cancer care. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 2007 and in 2009 was invited to become a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.
Sir Nicholas is also chair of the judging panel for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards.
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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk