The Convex Conversation

• British Diplomat Nicholas Hopton Shares his Italian Adventure

  Nicholas Hopton – former UK Ambassador to Iran, Qatar, Yemen, and Libya – reveals how his diplomatic skills have come in handy as he’s breathed new life into a run-down olive farm in a little-known area of Tuscany.  Encounters with wild boar, leaky pipes, colourful local characters, attempts at olive oil production and wading through Italian bureaucracy are all part of Nick’s beautifully written and witty memoir, Maremma Mia. Nick talks about the privilege of serving as British Ambassador to Iran at a sensitive time, rebuilding trust on the back of the nuclear agreement, and living in numerous countries with his family, including France, Italy and Morocco, during his prestigious 35-year career at the Foreign Office.       

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• Avalanche Search and Rescue with Caroline Elliott

  Avalanche Search and Rescue expert Caroline Elliott shares some of her life-saving missions in the mountains. She was the first British woman to join the French Fire and Rescue Specialist Mountain Unit as a dog handler, with retriever Fjord by her side, and the first to qualify in all disciplines for the elite French ski patrol. Every second counts when saving lives – teamwork and communication are key. Caroline translates valuable lessons learned in often harsh, hostile mountain conditions to corporate and everyday life.       

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• In the Studio with Charlie & Lola Creator Lauren Child

  As Lauren Child celebrates 25 years of writing and illustrating her much-loved Charlie and Lola children’s books, we chat at her London studio about everything from libraries, art galleries, dolls houses and writers’ block to growing up in the seventies.  Lauren has worked with UNESCO in places like Mongolia - where she adopted her daughter from - and was Children’s Laureate. I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas is out now. Lauren laughs when she reveals she started writing it 20 years ago and apologies to her US agent for making her wait 10 million 512 thousand minutes!    

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• Saving Lives with Helen Addis’s Change & Check Campaign

  ITV/Lorraine producer and breast cancer survivor Helen Addis MBE on ‘making noise’ with her Change & Check Campaign which has saved lives and earned her the MBE.  TV star Davina McCall has just revealed she has breast cancer and has caught it early thanks to seeing the campaign’s stickers. Helen documented her gruelling treatment for aggressive grade 3 cancer to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis.  The campaign has taken her to Downing Street to lobby the Government, her choir has performed for the King, and she’s pushing for her posters and stickers to be displayed throughout the NHS.  

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• Rhian Mannings and Prince William Discuss Suicide Prevention

  The founder of 2wish, Rhian Mannings MBE, caught the world’s attention when Prince William joined her for a cup of tea in her kitchen in Cardiff to discuss her experience of suicide and find out more about its devastating impact. The future King was overcome with emotion at one point as Rhian spoke openly about the double tragedy of her 33-year-old husband Paul unexpectedly taking his own life five days after the couple lost their one-year-old baby, George. No berevement help was available as she navigated their devastating loss.  Rhian set up 2wish in Paul and George's honour, to provide a lifeline for those who suffer the sudden loss of a child or young person. The chat with Prince William coincided with the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Royal Foundation pledging £1 million to launch The National Suicide Prevention Network and World Mental Health Day.   

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