BBI ‘You're On Mute’ is a new podcast series conceived by the UK’s first Black Business Institute, an organisation which aims to boost prospects for underprivileged Black entrepreneurs, by promoting equivalent access to the UK’s funding structures and essential business networks.
Our hosts June Sarpong, Bianca Miller-Cole and Lord Michael Hastings interview an incredible line-up of leaders, icons and change makers, to ascertain how they balance the importance of commercial performance versus societal impact.
In our first special episode, June speaks to Christo Brand, a man who was originally Nelson Mandela’s Jailer and later became his best friend. He provides unique insights into one of the 20th Century’s few globally celebrated social justice icons.
We will also be in conversation with a range of business leaders and icons, such as Vinod Kumar, CEO of Vodafone’s £10bn business division, Nicholas Coleridge, Chairman of the V&A, Tidjane Thiam Former CEO of Credit Suisse, singer & song writer Emili Sandé and fashion icon Paul Smith.
Covid-19 and the killing of George Floyd have emphasised society's race, class and social equality fault lines, and we’ll be touching on these issues over the course of the series. As we all know, with great power comes huge responsibility, and we look at how those in positions of influence, can use their status as a force for good.
Our time together is broken down into three sections with the guests sharing their favourite piece of music or soundtrack, representing a memorable stage of their life.
This podcast is produced by 4DC - The Podcast Strategists.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
BBI ‘You're On Mute’ is a new podcast series conceived by the UK’s first Black Business Institute, an organisation which aims to boost prospects for underprivileged Black entrepreneurs, by promoting equivalent access to the UK’s funding structures and essential business networks.
Our hosts June Sarpong, Bianca Miller-Cole and Lord Michael Hastings interview an incredible line-up of leaders, icons and change makers, to ascertain how they balance the importance of commercial performance versus societal impact.
In our first special episode, June speaks to Christo Brand, a man who was originally Nelson Mandela’s Jailer and later became his best friend. He provides unique insights into one of the 20th Century’s few globally celebrated social justice icons.
We will also be in conversation with a range of business leaders and icons, such as Vinod Kumar, CEO of Vodafone’s £10bn business division, Nicholas Coleridge, Chairman of the V&A, Tidjane Thiam Former CEO of Credit Suisse, singer & song writer Emili Sandé and fashion icon Paul Smith.
Covid-19 and the killing of George Floyd have emphasised society's race, class and social equality fault lines, and we’ll be touching on these issues over the course of the series. As we all know, with great power comes huge responsibility, and we look at how those in positions of influence, can use their status as a force for good.
Our time together is broken down into three sections with the guests sharing their favourite piece of music or soundtrack, representing a memorable stage of their life.
This podcast is produced by 4DC - The Podcast Strategists.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of ‘You’re On Mute’ Lord Michael Hastings is joined by Tom Athron, CEO at Fortnum & Mason. Tom shares his memories of growing up in a military family, and life at a military boarding school which provided a lot of structure in his life when he most needed it.
Tom attends Newcastle University, where he develops a strong sense of social justice, after which his business management studies lead him into the world of work as he travels to South Africa during Nelson Mandela's early reign. He witnesses the birth of a new rainbow nation, but one looking to balance poverty and inequality with the development of a growing middle class.
Listeners are privy to his seminal career experiences – including his time at the John Lewis Partnership – these formed Tom’s approach to ‘industrial democracy’, but also shaped his views on diversity and inclusion and sustainability. Fortnum & Mason continues to be one of the world’s most coveted luxury retailers, a byword for excellence, worthy of its multiple Royal Warrants.
This podcast is produced by 4DC - The Podcast Strategists.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.