Business Leader

Omaze's co-founder and CEO Matt Pohlson learnt the art of storytelling in Hollywood and used it to build a £200m revenue, for-profit, prize-draw business. He tells Sir Richard Harpin how two near-death experiences made him more determined to grow the company and how intuition is more powerful than he realised. The sweepstake specialist is a rare example of a business idea born in the US that found success when it moved to the UK, but why does the UK not match the US's growth-mindset? Also, Pohlson gives his top three tips for founders.
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Mitie may not be a household name, but its services are woven into the fabric of British life. It outsources key government services, including everything from facilities management of hospitals and data centers to security services for events. Its Chief Executive, Phil Bentley, who previously led British Gas, tells Sir Richard Harpin that the key to his success is 'managing your energy and the energy of those around you.' He says "the people who count the most, are those closest to the customer". As the CEO of a FTSE 250 company, Phil Bentley explains why the London equity market is valued lower than Amsterdam's and why the government needs to promote investment in Britain. He believes a leader's purpose is to make decisions and take risks, even if you make mistakes. Also, how is his company using technology and AI to fight retail crime which costs the UK £4.2bn a year?
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Harry Stebbings gave up on his law degree in 2015 to take a chance on podcasting – a novel idea back then. He was an early mover in the world of entrepreneurship podcasting and built up a large, loyal following. But just as important, he explains to Sir Richard Harpin, were the guests he was meeting from the worlds of business and investment. He used his contacts to start the 20VC fund, named after his podcast. It raised $400m in 2024, becoming one of Europe’s largest VC funds. Stebbings explains how podcasting sharpened his skills as an investor, and what he looks for when scouting for entrepreneurial talent.
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At the height of Covid in 2021, Olivia Jenkins felt her life was in "the perfect storm". Foremost in her mind was the loss of her mother, to cancer. It was at this moment that she decided with her partner (and now fiancé) Jack, that they would start a jewellery business, named after her mother. Jewellery was an area she was passionate about and had some retail experience in. She developed stylish and hard-wearing stainless steel products designed to work well with activewear. She was able to tap into the wellness industry boom and by 2026 her annual revenues would be close to £12m. Olivia explains to Sir Richard Harpin how she overcame imposter syndrome to build the business and reveals the lessons she has learnt along the way, covering everything from product development, to trade shows, external investment and marketing spend.
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Stuart Machin, CEO of Marks and Spencer, talks to Sir Richard Harpin at the Business Leader Summit about leadership and encouraging "positive dissatisfaction". He also says he doesn't like to use the c word - cyber - as that was one of the hardest things he and the company have ever gone through. He gives a run through of his typical morning as a CEO, how he walks the floors of stores and the secret of protecting the magic of M&S whilst modernising the rest.
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